St. Kitts and Nevis Racing Commission appointed

Recent horse racing at Beaumont Park in St. Kitts. (Photo courtesy of Beaumont Park)

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, OCTOBER 5TH 2011 (CUOPM) – The Ministry of Industry has appointed the first ever St. Kitts and Nevis Racing Commission.

The persons who have been appointed with the consent of the advice and consent of the Cabinet are: Mr. Calvin Edwards, representing the Ministry of Finance; Mr. Christopher Evelyn and Mr. Richard S. Lupinacci, representing the Owners and Breeders; Ms. Donna Harris, representing the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs and Mr. Heston Hamm, Business Owner.

According to the Official Gazette, Minister of Industry, Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris’ appointment of those persons to the St. Kitts and Nevis Racing Commission, takes effect from the 24th of August 2011 and terminates on the 31st of August 2014.

The St. Kitts and Nevis Racing Commission is to regulate and control racing and the operation of racehorses and race dogs and to carry out such other functions as are assigned to it by or in pursuance of the provisions of this Act or any other enactment.

According to the legislation passed in 2009, the Commission shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal and may sue and be sued in its corporate name and may acquire, hold and dispose of any property.

The provisions of the Schedule shall have effect as to the constitution and operation of the Commission which shall be responsible for the regulation and control of the racing industry and in furtherance of its responsibility shall have the power to make all such rules as are necessary; undertake the registration of racehorses, dogs and owners; issue such licences and permits as may be required by this Act; establish training schemes for jockeys, stable lads and other personnel in the racing industry; administer and enforce rules made under section 22 and Regulations made under section 31; hear all disputes arising out of the Racing Rules made under section 22; and introduce and implement or assist in or undertake the implementation of any scheme for the development of the racing industry. The funds and resources of the Commission shall consist of such sums as may be appropriated by Parliament for the purposes of this Act; any fees collected in respect of the issue of licences and permits; moneys collected as penalties pursuant to section 29; all other sums or property which may become payable to or vested in the Commission in respect of any matter incidental to its functions under this Act or any other enactment. The Commission may apply its funds for the payment of expenses incurred in the exercise of its functions pursuant to this Act or any other enactment; the remuneration of the members of the Commission; the making of payments, grants or loans for all or any of the following purposes (i) the increase of prize money in connection with racing at racecourses; (ii) any purpose approved by the Minister for the improvement of the breeding of horses or dogs for racing; the setting up or the operation of any undertaking, or both, for the provision of horses, dogs, amenities and any other matter or things relating to racing and any other purpose properly chargeable to the revenue account.

The Commission may attach to any grant or loan made or proposed to be made pursuant to this section such conditions as the Commission may think fit. The Commission also has the authority to borrow sums required by it for meeting any of its obligations or discharging any of its functions and the power of the Commission to borrow shall be exercisable only with the approval of the Minister responsible for Finance as to the amount, the source of the borrowing and the terms on which the borrowing may be effected. An approval given in any respect for the purpose of this section may be either general or limited to a particular borrowing and be either unconditional or subject to conditions.