The inaugural ‘Visit Barbados’ Derby Race Day at the Garrison Savannah will take place on Tuesday, August 1, from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m.
The announcement about the partnership between Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) and the Barbados Turf Club to host the third and final leg of the Barbados Triple Crown Series was made today at the BTMI Headquarters in One Barbados Place, Warrens. The third leg has been rebranded as the ‘Visit Barbados’ Derby Race Day.
Chairman of the BTMI, Shelly Williams said the organisation was pleased to be hosting the Derby. “I am just so proud and I think it is about time that we have this signature race. My Board thought it was time to have the tourism body represented in one of those races. We are very happy that the Sandy Lane Gold Cup has been so successful, and that itself is a signature event, and we look forward to making this a signature event,” she sated.
Mrs. Williams noted that the connection between horse racing and tourism in Barbados “is so understated and underrated”. She pointed out that through horse racing over the years, investments were made; there was the exportation of skills and knowledge through trainers; as well as Barbados being represented in the sporting world by local jockeys.
BTMI’s Director for the Caribbean and Latin America, with responsibility for Sports, Corey Garrett, spoke about the relationship between sports and tourism, indicating that the marketing department had been focusing on creating a hybrid model between the two sectors.
He said this involves entertainment being blended with sports at mass market events, which “bodes well for our tourism strategy as we are a destination that is known for festivals and events”.
Mr. Garrett noted that this is one of the missions of the BTMI, as it continues to position the destination in a way that attracts different types of tourists.
Director of the Barbados Turf Club, Rawle Batson, pointed out the Derby has been occurring for 84 years. He said: “We at the Barbados Turf Club are more than appreciative of the assistance that the BTMI is trying to do to promote sports in Barbados…. The Turf Club is more than grateful to the BTMI for coming forward at this time of the year to assist us in our marketing of our famous sport, horse racing.”
BTMI’s Sports Manager, Kamal Springer, shared the names of the eight races taking place on August 1. Those races are: Rise and Run; Pop Kite; St. Lawrence Gallop; Liquid Gold Feast; The Kadooment Sprint; The Pride of Barbados; De Las Lap; and the 2000 metres/10-furlong Visit Barbados Derby.
SportsMax will be on hand to capture what is known as one of the highly anticipated race days on the Barbados horse racing calendar, which will also feature entertainmentand segments acknowledging Emancipation Day, which is celebrated on August 1.