EVENTS on the track far outshone those off it during the racing year 2005.

Whereas an exciting battle for the jockeys’ championship lasted into mid-December, the owners’ title was decided on the final day of the season by the last million-dollar purse on offer.

However, while punters were gripped by the happenings on the track, internally, the racing industry virtually remained at a standstill.

Divestment of Caymanas Park has seemingly ground to a halt with the National Investment Bank of Jamaica (NIBJ) awaiting Caymanas Entertainment Limited (CEL) to put up another $30m bond while its new chairman, Aubyn Hill, acquaints himself with the proceedings.

The annual Yearling Sale fell below expectations and narrowly missed being a flop were it not for Caribbean buyers.

Perennial visitors to the sale were taken aback by the condition in which horses from many-time champion breeder Bombay Stud Farm were presented. However, that should have come as no surprise, considering the entire outfit was put up for sale earlier in the year by Henry W. Jaghai, who no longer resides in the island.

Bombay’s decline was further borne out in the standings with Orange Valley being crowned champion breeder mostly through the exploits of top two-year-old RAMPAGE.

Trackside’s foul-up of the year must be the desperate and belated move by the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) to get Derby-winner MIRACLE MAN to Puerto Rico for the Caribbean Classic two days after winning the Red Stripe Superstakes.

On the flip side, outstanding performances from trainers Wayne DaCosta, Anthony Nunes, Gary Subratie and Robert Darby Sr. must be recognized. Special mention must be made of veteran Allan E. ‘Billy’ Williams, who did a marvelous job with MIRACLE MAN, proving that it takes material to make an impact in the business.

Jockeys Brian Harding and Trevor Simpson kept their fans talking all year and even though the Trinidadian Harding prevailed with 109 winners, nine clear of Simpson, the dethroned champion was far from disgraced.

Wesley Henry made a successful return to the saddle locally and Dane Nelson deserves a handclap for his 2005 comeback whereas Paul Francis remains as consistent as ever.

As for the horse, MIRACLE MAN now appears to be king of the hill among the locals and CLOCK WORK did what his stablemate, LIL’ COUNTRY BOY, failed to do the previous season, dethrone the mighty A KING IS BORN.