Some horsemen are so pessimistic about the future of horse racing in the southern town that they have sold some of their horses.
Horse racing was last held in Vieux-Fort last October.
Recent attempts by the Southern Equestrian Association to continue the highly anticipated activity, has been futile.
The event, which is usually held during Creole Heritage Month, Independence and Emancipation Day celebrations, usually attracts a large and spirited crowd from various parts of the island..
Local horse racing in Vieux-Fort came to a halt earlier this year, as a result of the old runway, also known as The Base or Caca Bef, where the event was usually held, been leased to Rubis West Indies Limited by the St. Lucia Air and Seaports Authority (SLASPA).
Since then, the Southern Equestrian Association has been searching for a proper venue to hold the event. Recently, it was finally able to find one at Beanfield, but is now awaiting the authority to give them the permission to use it and provide them with the necessary assistance to make the venue suitable for horse racing.
“The way things are going, I don’t expect local horse racing to revive in Vieux-Fort. The authority does not seem to be interested in reviving the event,” a horse racing enthusiast said.
Marcus “Nightmare” Kangal, a horseman, lamented: “Some horsemen are now selling their horses because they see it as a waste of money feeding them and can’t get a chance to make money on them. They rear horses to make money. It’s an investment for many of them.”
According to Kangal, who owns several horses, which he usually race, the reason why he is still rearing them is because he loves horses.
“Right now people in Vieux-Fort are not even talking about horse racing. Horse racing is dead in Vieux-Fort,” he said.
Kent Richard, another horse racing enthusiast said: “Horse racing has died in Vieux-Fort. I don’t think it will be revived.”
Another lamented that if the event dies, it will result in some young men in the community getting involved in unproductive activities which will not be good for the community.
Residents from various parts of the south recalled the excitement horse racing created in Vieux-Fort.
“I really enjoyed the event. It was so exciting. I am hoping that it will not die,” a resident of Laborie said.
In the meantime, the horse racing track in Beausejour, Vieux-Fort, where the Southern Equestrian Association had tried to obtain permission to hold horse racing, is being taken over by bushes.