The Division of Tourism and Transportation of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) will host the 2nd Annual Tobago Day at the Races at the Arima Race Club, Santa Rosa Park, Trinidad on June 19, 2012 at 11:30 a.m.
Horse racing enjoyed a long and rich history in Tobago until Shirvan Park was destroyed by fire in the 1980s. Despite the industry’s untimely end on the island however, the contributions made to its development by Tobagonians have significantly influenced the sport in both Trinidad and Tobago. The THA therefore, has taken this opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of these icons at the Labour Day event.
The Tobago Day at the Races will consist of various elements brought together to exude the island’s vibrant, playful and dynamic spirit.
The day’s racing schedule will include 10 horse races, named after popular sites in Tobago. Each race will be run in honour of a Tobagonian horse racing legend, such as Frank Latour, the longest serving President of the Tobago Race Club; as well as McDonald Aird, who trained three successive Derby winners in the 1950s.
While the horse races will certainly provide sufficient excitement for onlookers, a day of Tobago sponsored races won’t be the same without the island’s trademark goat race. As such, the event will include two featured goat races: the Culloden Bay Stakes and the Courland Bay Stakes. Ten race goats sponsored by key tourism stakeholders, will journey to Trinidad with their trainers and owners for the occasion.
Beyond the nail biting drama of the races, a food court featuring Tobagonian cuisine and an impressive cast of heritage performers will engage and entertain patrons in between the action on the track.
The Tobago Day at the Races is an initiative of the Tobago House of Assembly, designed to highlight Tobago as a viable destination for Trinidadians and help promote domestic travel between the two islands.
