Royal Turf Club pledges clean racing and good governance

With the conclusion of the first race conducted by the newly-formed Royal Turf Club (RTC), the stage is now being set for the next few races which will take place on 10, 16, 23and 30April.

RTCPresidentSuranjith Premadasa and Secretary Lucille Dahanayake whilst expressing their pleasure at the way their inaugural race was conducted, expressed some concerns regarding certain false impressions that have been created regarding the RTC. 

“One such myth was that the RTC excluded the Sri Lanka Turf Club (SLTC) from the race and this led to clashes between the SLTC and RTC.  This is completely untrue and no such incidents ever occurred and neither would the RTC permit such incidents to occur either. However the SLTC owes a lot of money to people and therefore both on and off the race track there are many who are not happy with the SLTC, but the RTC assures the public that they will ensure that nobody is harmed on the race course,”said Premadasa.

Dahanayake was quick to dispel yet another myth pertaining to the fact that no members from the SLTC participated in the races. “All SLTC members participated in the races except the Jayaratnes. In fact five members of the SLTC were present and participated in the races, with IsiraDassanayake, former President of the SLTC and a current committee member, winning a race, as well as Ajantha de Soyza, current SLTCPresident, who won a Stake in the GaminiDissanayake Memorial Trophy Class 2 1400 metrerace. Dassanayake also established an all-time record by winning the RTC’s first-ever race when his horse Beautiful Lankan won the very first race held by RTC on 20March.”

RTC CEO Wayne Wood said that of the horses who ran at the race on 20March, only eight belonged to members of the RTC, while 32 horses belonged to members from SLTC.“In fact we have asked the SLTC to conduct their own races and have pledged that we will participate in their races as well. So far though no dates have been given by the SLTC for their races. SLTCCommittee Member Samadhi Fernando, SLTC Member Irrugalbandaraas well as SLTC Committee Member AnuraDelgodawere all present at the races and enjoyed the day’s events.”

Premadasa went on to say that the RTC was also encouraging the Sri Lanka Army to form its own racing club. “In fact they will be conducting their own races in which we too will be participating.”

Premadasa added that previously there was an Act to the effect that only the Ceylon Turf Club and the Gymkhana Club could run races in Sri Lanka, “however that act was repealed in 1987 and since then any club can run races”.

Premadasa also said that the RTC had so far provided 40 direct jobs and 200 indirect jobs and this is was expected to increase with new horses coming in, in April. The RTC is also planning a medical scheme for the local ponies, an animal hospital and a jockey training facility to be managed by veteran horseman Sinclair Marshall from Canada.

“Good governance on the race track which involves clean racing, testing for dope, fairplay, gentlemanly behaviour, and racing for all, is what the RTC stands for and we will ensure that these practices continue into the future as well,”said Dahanayake.