New initiative to train horse grooms and jockeys

Minister of Creative Economy, Culture and Sports John King says a national initiative is coming to train horse grooms and jockeys across the island.

Following the 39th Sandy Lane Gold Cup at the Garrison Savannah on Saturday, King told reporters that the ruling Barbados Labour Party (BLP) administration was also in the process of looking at introducing a programme, which would empower young men involved in the sport through assisting them with training opportunities locally and overseas.

“We are seeking to see if we can put together a programme with the Barbados Turf Club to see if we can begin to do that because I think this is an area where Barbadians excel. And I don’t think they have had any intervention or much help from Government and I would like to be able to change that.

“Minister of Youth Adrian Forde and myself we have a programme that we have just launched and the other half of it should come out shortly and grooming and jockeying is going to be a part of that. And hopefully we can find people who are trainers and managers because there is a whole array of different avenues,” King said.

The Minister of Sport noted that overall; the Gold Cup continues to be a premier event on Barbados’ sporting calendar. In fact, he said the annual race is arguably one of the most prestigious events in the Caribbean.

“Of course, it speaks for itself and it lived up to the expectations. If you look at people on the ground, if you look at the people in the stands there is a buzz and there is an excitement that surrounds the Gold Cup and there is nothing that really compares to it,” King said. (AH)