The “Heroes Day” program at Caymanas Park on the island of Jamaica had to be called off after the second race Oct. 21 when hooligan racegoers reacted violently to a controversial stewards' disqualification of an odds-on winner by upending garbage bins, hurling debris at horses and jockeys on the track and in the winner's circle, and blocking the tunnel between the paddock and the track.
“After an initial announcement that the third event was abandoned, the day's meet was officially called off by the stewards, citing safety concerns,” the Jamaican news service The Loop reported.
The social media account of CVM-TV in Jamaica posted a series of videos of Monday's disturbance here.
The Jamaica Racing Commission's general manager, Richard Longmore, told CVM-TV, “It's rather unfortunate that this occurred on a 'Heroes Day' race meet. The public was not very much in agreement [with the stewards' decision]. Some of our punters did not see where there was anything for the disqualification which led to the series of events that occurred… Eventually we saw the need, with the racing promoter, due to the safety and concerns in terms of what was happening, to abandon.
“One of the things we have noticed and what is a concern to us is that the betting public is very much a part of the fabric of our racing industry and we want to ensure that at all times our decisions are in alignment with international best practices. It is for that reason, we will be looking into the matter,” Longmore said.
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