B.V.I. Friday, April 17 – Residents of the Territory are being encouraged to attend Sunday’s official ceremony to celebrate the re-naming of the Little A Race Track in Sea Cow’s Bay to the Ellis Thomas Downs.

The ceremony begins at 3:00 p.m. and will include remarks by Premier Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE, Minister for Communications and Works and Third District Representative, Honourable Julian Fraser, RA, the honouree, Mr. Ellis Thomas as well as a special guest speaker from the United States Virgin Islands.

In a recent GIS Radio Report, Mr. Keith Dawson, a member of the Committee to Re-name the Little Race Track, noted the diverse nature of Mr. Thomas’ contribution and encouraged residents to come in their numbers to show appreciation.

“Anybody who has any love for horse racing or horses needs to come out and give recognition and give honour where it is due to this gentleman who has played the role of horse racing historian, race organiser, announcer, trainer, breeder, stable and booth owners and pioneered the importation of horses.”

According to Mr. Dawson, the general sentiment in the community is that “Mr. Thomas is the single most important contributor to the development of horse racing in the Territory.”

The re-naming of the Little A Race Track to the Ellis Thomas Downs is in keeping with Government’s commitment to honour persons who have made invaluable contributions to the overall development of the Territory.

“In any nation or any territory, it is necessary to recognise and honour those individuals or groups who have contributed significantly to the development of that territory, what makes it unique and what has caused it to have the character that it has,” Mr. Dawson said, quickly adding that “Mr. Ellis Thomas of Sea Cow’s Bay is such a person, based on his contributions, primarily in the area of horse racing. “

Mr. Dawson noted too that Sunday’s ceremony will bear special significance. “What we see that is very significant with this one, is fortunately Mr. Thomas is still alive, still going strong, still has his faculties about him and will be able to himself appreciate being honoured at this time.”

Sunday’s ceremony at the Ellis Thomas Downs in Sea Cow’s Bay will also include cultural performances by students from schools in the district and will culminate with the unveiling of a monument in honour of Mr. Thomas.

The ceremony will be the second of its kind in recent times to honour stalwarts of the Territory who have selflessly contributed in one way or another to the development of the Virgin Islands (UK).