Grooms can eat again as racing resumes at Caymanas Park

Fabian White, president of the Jamaica Grooms Association (JGA), says the suffering groomsmen have endured over last two months will now be eased following the announcement of the resumption of racing next Saturday at Caymanas Park.

White told STAR Sports that many grooms have fallen on hard times following the lockdown of racing on March 21 after the Government shut down the racing industry in efforts to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We are very excited because everybody is ready and raring to go," said White. "We are dying to hear the bugle blowing again at Caymanas Park," he said.

"Our grooms are suffering because of the low wages that they are getting, and once racing resumes next Saturday, then a lot of their sufferation will be eased somewhat," White said.

Minister of Finance Dr Nigel Clarke told Parliamentarians on Wednesday that off-track betting parlours (OTBs) will be allowed to resume operations under outlined protocols aimed at limiting the spread of the virus.

White noted that a groom receives $3,700 to take care of one horse per week, out of which statutory deductions are also made.

More than suffering

"They are more than suffering because if you are looking after two horses you will collect like $26,000 after statutory deductions for the month," White said.

"Tell me what you can buy with $26,000 when you live with women and kids. But now when his horse runs a fourth or a fifth in place then he will get something extra, which he uses to assist his family," he said.

White also said that many of the groom's licences have expired since March 31 and many of them are finding it very difficult to come up with the $16,600 to renew them.

"I want to appeal to anybody that can help us to come forward and send something to the Racing Commission and say this is for the groom's licence because any little help will go a far way for us," he said.