Owners move to help jockeys, agents at Caymanas

In a show of support for the over 94 jockeys and agents who are now unemployed following the suspension of racing at Caymanas Park, a group of prominent owners, headed by Carlton Watson, has presented a cheque valued at more than $1.1 million to Shane Ellis, president of the Jamaica Jockeys Guild on Tuesday.

Watson, a former champion owner, told STAR Sports that a lot of jockeys and their agents have fallen on hard times since the suspension of racing in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and so the owners have come together to assist them.

"We understand what is happening at Caymanas Park. People are suffering, people are getting laid off, people are crying, and the racetrack is situated in a very poor community," said Watson.

"The jockeys are persons who don't get a regular salary, and so if they don't ride, then they won't get a salary," he said.

"So after giving the grooms over 300 care packages, the jockeys' president and a few other riders reached out to me, and I called upon some very prominent owners at Caymanas Park to help and they have come on board and supported me well with this project," Watson said.

"As a very prominent owner and being here every day, I understand their pain, and so it was easy for me to get the other owners on board to make this donation."

He added that each jockey and agent will receive $10,000.

"In times like these, a $10,000 package to somebody who is not working will go a far way," Watson said.

Meanwhile, Ellis, a former champion jockey, said he and the other riders are very delighted with the support that they have received from the owners.

"We really appreciate what the owners have put together and I want to thank them for their kindness," said Ellis. "I am very happy about this, because at least they are thinking about us, and I do believe that this donation will go far way in assisting most of us."