The stage is set for St Lucia to hold its debut horse racing event on Friday 13 December as part of the newly launched 2019 Caribbean Equine Cultural Festival.

The grand opening race day is taking place at the Royal Saint Lucia Turf Club racetrack in Vieux Fort. It will feature five runs including ‘The Pitons Cup,’ which is being marketed as the richest horse race in the Caribbean this year, with a winning prize purse of $150,000 (US dollars).

St Lucia’s first foray into the horse racing world is expected to draw in owners, trainers, jockeys, horses, and fans from across North America, Europe and the Caribbean.

At the recent press launch, St Lucia’s Prime Minister Allen Chastanet said the dream of bringing top-class horse racing to the island started with St Lucian Winston Trim. 

Winston, who was involved with horses all his life, contacted China Horse Club Chairman and Founder Teo Ah Khing in 2016 and the pair decided to work together to introduce the ‘Sport of Kings’ to St Lucians. 

Unfortunately, Winston died in a motorbike accident in March 2017. However, his vision to share his passion and enthusiasm for horse racing with his compatriots will soon become a reality. 

Winston will also be honoured on the opening day with a sprint race named after him.  

Below is the schedule of events for 13 December:

11am –  Gates open

1.30pm – Vieux Fort Dash

2.10pm – Helen of the West Indies Stakes

2.50pm – National Day Sprint

3.30pm – Winston Trim Memorial Trophy

4.30pm – The Pitons Cup

5.30pm – Celebration Concert

The organisers are hoping this event will be the first step in establishing St Lucia as one of the best places in the region for horse racing enthusiasts. 

Race day is likely to be an occasion to remember.

Visit the official Royal Saint Lucia Turf Club website for more information.

Sources: Thoroughbred Daily News / The Royal St Lucia Turf Club / St Lucia Tourism Board / The Loop St Lucia