A BRIEF HISTORY OF CAYMANAS PARK

One of the first companies to promote horseracing in Jamaica was Knutsford Park Limited, established in 1904. This company enjoyed a monopoly for twenty years, after which a competing company, Jamaica Turf Club Limited, was formed.  The Track changed Private hands several times, and most of the promotional efforts failed, eventually leading to bankruptcy. It was against this background that the Government in 1989 formed Caymanas Track Ltd. (CTL).  The new promoting company leased the Caymanas Park plant and assets with options to purchase under the leadership of Danny Melville.  A comprehensive restructuring process has done to include a multi-million dollar totalizer system, a claiming system and the  audio/visual microwave network.  More exotic bets were made available to punters To increase the excitement at the track. 

In 2012, a new Board of Directors were appointed , which is currently lead by the Chairman, Mr. Joseph Matalon. The other Directors are Mr. Christopher Brown (Deputy Chairman), Mr. Alric Campbell, Mr. Phillip Andrew Azar, Mr. Lloyd Duncan, Miss Sheron Henry, and Mr. Ken Wiltshire. Today, for the first time in the history of Jamaica, there is renewed hope in the industry a labor intensive industry which caters to all aspects of the market-with its tremendous growth and improvements. The horseracing industry provides employment for over twelve thousand persons including indirect employment to many thousands, including the breeding industry, bet writers and takers, etc.

The 196 acres Plant is directly related to the livelihood of the organization such as:-

� The Jockey Club of Jamaica - A private club
� The Jamaica Racehorse Owners Association
� The Jamaica Racehorse Trainers Association
� The Thoroughbred Breeders & Owners Association of Jamaica
� The Jockeys Guild of Jamaica
� The Grooms Association of Jamaica
� The Bookmakers Association
� The Independent Bookmakers
    The OTB Association

CTL commenced Simulcast Racing from Florida in March 1990, and since that time the company has expanded its operations to include New York, California, Arizona, Philadelphia etc. In 1994 CTL expanded to Britain and in 2000, included Australia and many others.  Simulcast racing is offered Mondays to Saturdays at Caymanas Park and its Off-Track Betting Parlours.

These factors have all played their part in the overall improvements that have been manifested over the years.  CTL utilizes the services of a number of contractors and their employees, such as: Security Contractors; Track Maintenance Contractors; Manure and Garbage Disposal Contractors; Janitorial Services; Landscape Contractors, and Concessionaire Contractors.