The St. Thomas/St. John Horse Racing Commission is investigating conditions at the Clinton E. Phipps Racetrack on St. Thomas and has halted all racing after three horses had to be euthanized when they suffered injuries during the races held Dec. 22.
The Sports, Parks and Recreation Department issued a press release on Wednesday afternoon acknowledging the incidents and shared a letter from the commission detailing its efforts to investigate what went wrong.
“The Commission has reviewed the injuries that occurred on the race day, consulting with veterinarians, jockeys, trainers, and track personnel,” the letter states. “Several factors have been identified that may have contributed to the events, including pre-existing injuries, the age and overall health of the horses, the ease and availability of medication used by owners, and the condition of the racing surface.”
The track had been closed since the 2017 hurricanes, when it sustained heavy damage, and reopened to great fanfare last May for the traditional St. Thomas Carnival races after Southland Gaming of the Virgin Islands completed most of the rebuild.
However, the actual track the horses race on is the responsibility of the Sports, Parks and Recreation Department and it has not been refurbished, said Hugo Hodge Jr., chairman of the St. Thomas/St. John Horse Racing Commission, in a call with the Source Wednesday evening.
As a result, Hodge said the commission will bring in an expert from the mainland to inspect the track and determine any necessary improvements, and no races will be scheduled or authorized until that process is complete.
Additionally, the commission will collaborate with a safety officer from a neighboring track in the United States to identify any other procedures that could enhance the safety measures currently in place at the Clinton E. Phipps Racetrack, the letter stated.
Going forward, all horses will also undergo a full veterinary examination prior to the race in which they are entered, it said, and the attending veterinarian will have full authority to scratch any horse deemed unfit to race.
However, until construction of a barn/lab facility is complete, the commission is unable to fully drug test horses, said Hodge, who added that it is about 85 percent finished and is expected to be operational this year.
The letter noted that “the use of medication on racehorses is a significant concern, particularly as it relates to the incidents on December 22, 2024. We acknowledge that this issue is currently beyond our full control due to the existing legislative suspension of anti-doping testing for banned substances.”
With the completion of the testing barn, the commission will advocate “for the reinstatement of anti-doping regulations as racing continues. This would allow for better oversight and regulation of medication use in the territory,” the letter said.
In its press release, the Sports, Parks and Recreation Department said it acknowledges “the significance of maintaining a safe and competitive environment for the community’s enjoyment and commend[s] the STT/J Horse Racing Commission for its thoroughness in addressing the situation. We also appreciate the patience and understanding of the community and the race jockeys during this ongoing investigation.”
Likewise, the commission said it “is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of both jockeys and horses, fostering fair opportunities for horse owners, and creating a sustainable and enjoyable racing environment. We will continue to collaborate closely with race promoters, horse owners, and other stakeholders to achieve these goals and to ensure that horse racing remains a safe, fair, and viable sport in our community.”
Both the department and the commission also extended their “deepest sympathy” to everyone affected by the events of Dec. 22.
