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 and under the leadership of Danny Melville; a comprehensive restructuring process has taken place. A multi-million dollar totalizer system was commissioned, and a different system of racing (the claiming system, a computerized off-track betting system along with audio/visual microwave network for the corporate area was implemented. To make betting even more exciting, more exotic bets were made available to punters.

In 2007, the Minister of Finance appointed a new Board of Directors, which is currently lead by the Chairman the Honorable Patrick Rousseau, O.J. The other Directors are Mr. Lee Clarke J.P., Mr. Peter Lawson, Mr. Kelvin Roberts, Mrs. Veronica Bennett-Warmington, Mr. Geoffrey 'Andy' Campbell, and Mr. Ian Parsard.

Today, for the first time in the history of Jamaica, there is renewed hope in the industry a labour 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.

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 Association of Jamaica
• The Grooms Association of Jamaica
• The Bookmakers Association
• The Independent Bookmakers

CTL commenced Simulcast Racing from Florida in March 1990, and since that time the company has expanded our 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.