Sri Lanka to reinvent horse racing

Horse racing, some call it the sport of kings, has been earmarked for a re-launch in Sri Lanka in all probability with government backing following the formation of the Royal Turf Club (RTC).

The RTC has already secured the services of foreign experts in Wayne Wood as its inaugural Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chairman of Stipendiary Stewards and Sinclair Marshall as Thoroughbred Riding Instructor and Stipendiary Steward.

"Under the guidance of these two renowned names in the global world of horse racing and the experienced Royal Turf Club committee, it is the aim of the club to elevate and uplift the standard of horse racing in Sri Lanka to new heights to bring back the traditions of this gentlemanly sport", the RTC said in a statement.

Sri Lanka is said to be one of the first or the first nation in Asia to indulge in horse racing and the new lease or identity for the sport comes at a time when the country attempts to promote so-called sports tourism.

In the 1840s British national John Baker introduced horse racing and the inaugural race was worked off at the Nuwara Eliya Race Course in 1875 conducted by the Nuwara Eliya Gymkhana Club.

The Royal Turf Club (RTC) is being headed by Suranjith Premadasa with Lucille Dahanayake as secretary and Nishitha Rupasinghe as treasurer while the Committee comprises Ranjith Dahanayake, Nihara Jayatilleke and Sudharshana Deshapriya.

The RTC said it had set aside a huge investment to develop the infrastructure which includes renovating the track and replacing its railings besides refurbishing the Grand Stand, the Steward room, jockeys' rooms as well as all other race course buildings in Nuwera Eliya.

Foreign investors are to be invited to be part of the revamping process which will be phased out over the ensuing two years where both Nuwera Eliya and Colombo will have horse racing centres fit to attract overseas competitors.

The RTC said that Wood is a highly acclaimed racing promoter on the international scene who teams up with them "with a wealth of thoroughbred racing experience, both in practical terms and as a senior administrator".

Woods as a schoolboy rode in horse shows in Australia before commencing the racing office at the Sydney Turf Club and the Australian Jockey Club. At the age of 22 he became the youngest Starter of a Metropolitan Race Club and continued his quest in the racing industry before becoming the youngest Chairman of Stewards for a major club in Australia.

He was awarded the WA Racing Achiever of the Year recognizing his contribution to the advancement of racing.

According to the RTC, Wood with his experience in identifying the drawbacks faced by horse owners and trainers was the perfect catch to resurrect the dormant racing passion in the country.

He also held high profile posts in the Royal Western India Turf Club in Mumbai and the Bangalore Turf Club.

"He (Wood) is noted for his integrity and for being a fair and fearless adjudicator with a no-nonsense attitude towards those who breach the rules of racing", the RTC said in a statement.

Sinclair Marshall the Thoroughbred Riding Instructor and Stipendiary Steward is said to be a "dedicated, energetic professional specializing in the thoroughbred racing industry" and worked as a riding instructor and track-work jockey at the Bangalore Turf Club.

"Leadership, breaking of young horses, preparing juveniles for racing, stable management and mentoring young jockeys are just some of Marshall's skills", the RTC said. He was the president of the Jockeys Association of India for more than 26 years as well as the international representative for the Jockeys Association of India at the 2000 International Jockeys Association conference in the UK and South Africa.

Marshall, according to the RTC, rode 983 winners from some 4000 races including winning eight derbies and 38 Indian Classics.