There have been many deaths in the equestrian world this week. In Canada we lost Zurcarlos, a beautiful show jumping stallion who would delight the crowd by bucking whenever he completed his round:
More bad news. It is relevant to Jamaica as Jamaican born Laurie Silvera has been there as a horse trainer for a long time (not sure if he still is). He still has his accent too.
"Laurie is recognizable at the racetrack for the 10-gallon Stetson hat he often wears"
There are other Jamaicans working there too, for example, his son Arthur. Not sure if Jamaican Kim Allaby still exercises horses there.
Second Woodbine barn placed under quarantine, racing to continue under tight restrictions
Some 120 thoroughbreds are under full quarantine at Woodbine after the equine herpes virus was detected in lab tests done on two horses.
Thoroughbred racing will continue at Woodbine Racetrack despite five horses having tested positive for the highly contagious equine herpes virus (EHV-1).Two barns, Nos. 1 and 3, are under full quarantine and none of the approximately 120 horses are allowed to leave the barns for training or racing for seven days, through June 19.
In addition, no horses are allowed to enter or exit Woodbine without Ontario Racing Commission approval for the same seven days.
Five horses from Barn 1 that were entered to race on Friday have been scratched and, according to Dr. Adam Chambers, manager of veterinary services for the ORC, it could be one to four weeks before the quarantined horses will be able to race.
The restrictions could cut down on the number of entries for races at Woodbine and, in particular, Fort Erie, which has a small horse population and relies on Woodbine horses to fill its racing cards.
The EHV-1 virus was detected Tuesday evening from lab tests done on two horses in Barn 1who showed fever and neurological problems. One of them was humanely put down.
The other three horses that tested positive were from Barn 1 but none have shown any symptoms. Another horse in Barn 3 has a fever. Those horses are currently in isolation in the old standardbred paddock on the west side of the racetrack.
“It’s a waiting game now,” said Chambers, who has tested all horses in Barn 1 once but awaits two clean sets of tests. “I need to see how many more fevers I get before I can relax any of the restrictions and it’s a little too early to be optimistic about that right now.”
Chambers said the EHV-1 virus is “like chicken pox” in that it resides in all horses’ systems. “In times of stress it can come out and become a disease.” The symptoms include cough, nasal discharge and neurological problems.
The ORC also requires that all horses stabled at Woodbine, some 2,200 animals, must have their temperatures taken and recorded visibly on the horse’s stall door for inspection. The track ponies, who live in a separate barn and are hired out each morning, will not be allowed to leave their barn during the restrictions. Stable employees such as grooms and exercise riders have strict routines as to cleaning themselves and equipment between horses.
He arranged some simulcasts between Caymaanas Park and Woodbine and there was a band and Jamaican food on those days. Haven't seen it advertised for a while but it was fun.
You know who was like that. Bobby Charlton. Wore a BIG cowboy hat. Years ago I was doing some trade show modelling and and old man walked by wearing a big cowboy hat, walking with a cane and a whole heap of rings. He looked like he owned the place.
Later when I was on break I saw him. Naturally I spoke with him as he really stood out. Immediately heard the Jamaican accent and he told me who he was and about his experience on The Harder They Come. I wish I could find a photo of him when he was an old man.
We have some colourful characters in our community.
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