GOVERNMENT is willing in any way possible to assist with the upliftment of the horse racing industry in Barbados. This assurance, on behalf of the government of Barbados, was given by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sport Lionel Weekes last Saturday evening at the Barbados Hilton Hotel.Weekes was delivering the feature address as he deputised for Minister of Sport, Anthony Wood, at the gala celebrating the 21st Anniversary of the Barbados Thoroughbred Breeders Association (BTBA).

It was an evening of pure elegance, with members of the local racing community resplendently attired as they joined the BTBA to make the occasion one that will long be remembered.

In his address, Weekes was mindful that the breeding of thoroughbred horses for racing has developed into an industry providing employment for nearly 2 000 persons.

He noted that the Government is acutely aware of the important contribution of horse racing to job creation, sports tourism  the earning of foreign exchange through the publicity of Barbados as a horse racing destination, the participation of overseas contenders and also through the participation of locals in overseas horse racing.

In addition, he thought that horse racing in Barbados had contributed significantly over the years to sports entertainment for the general public.

He further expressed the view that encouragement, information and education of the thoroughbred breeding industry should be made available to the schools and also to the public, via the print and electronic media. This, he thought, would result in the development and enhancement of the industry and by extension the sport of horse racing. He said: This industry should be looked upon as an investment opportunity. Assistance is therefore needed to help source training and educational programmes from experts in their field to give demonstrations and talks to members of the breeding and racing fraternity.

Every effort must be made to improve and maintain the standard of our local thoroughbred horse racing industry. One of the tenets of the racing industry world wide, is that a racing industry can only be as successful as its breeding industry.

This can be achieved with the establishment of breeding farms at suitable locations throughout the island in order to produce a greater number of horses for racing.

However, this will require careful management and a well trained staff, while the importation of a great number of high quality female horses is necessary in order for our industry to make greater leaps.

He was further mindful that large breeding farms will provide more horses for racing locally, regionally and internationally, as well as horses for sale on the overseas market. This, he thinks, would also create more jobs and earn more foreign exchange for our economy.

Therefore, the movement from this micro level to the macro level cannot be achieved overnight, but with sustained planning and dedication, it can be realised, he added.

Mr. President, members of the Barbados Thoroughbred Breeders Association, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, I congratulate the members of the Barbados Thoroughbred Breeders Association for their hard work and dedication in greatly assisting the horse racing industry. We must be cognisant of the fact that a successful breeding industry is highly important if not indispensable to a good horse racing industry.

I can assure you that the Government is willing to assist in any possible way with your efforts that will contribute to the upliftment of the industry, said Weekes.

On careful examination of the local horse breeding industry, it is realised that the rearing of local horses is indirectly an agricultural pursuit, with its end product destined for the sporting arena. It is therefore necessary for all stakeholders to unite fully in the fight for the continuity of the industry and for the furtherance of success, Weekes added.

Following exqusite dining, awards for outstanding contributions and performances were presented.