Roadtown, Tortola - Government officials and residents of the Territory were joined by neighbours from the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) on Sunday for the ceremony to celebrate the official re-naming of the Little A Race Track to the Ellis Thomas Downs.

Premier Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE described it as a humbling experience to be able to honour Mr. Ellis Thomas, “a man who has devoted his entire life to the development of horse racing in the Virgin Islands.”

Honourable O’Neal encouraged the Territory’s young people to regard Mr. Thomas’ work and his contribution to the development of the sport as an inspiration. “The love of horse racing is deeply embedded in the blood of Virgin Islanders and for us to maintain this tradition, we need the younger generation to accept the baton from elders like Mr. Thomas,” Honourable O’Neal told the gathering in Sea Cow’s Bay.

Referring to the monument of Mr. Thomas astride a horse which was unveiled at the close of Sunday’s ceremony, the Premier urged that it be regarded as “a symbol of pride in our very own Virgin Islands hero.”

He also implored upon those entrusted with caring for the facility to ensure that it is properly maintained and that the BVI remains at the cutting edge of the sport.

In his remarks, Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Julian Fraser, RA acknowledged the enthusiasm of Mr. Thomas which he said was largely responsible for the realisation of the facility that exists today.

Noting that the recognition of Mr. Thomas for his invaluable contribution has been long in coming Honourable Fraser said serious efforts must now be made to ensure the facility’s future survival.

Noting too that the facility cannot “expect to survive by relying exclusively on Government subsidies, particularly in times like these, when our expenditures are growing, and our revenue base is under attack by the global financial downturn,” Honourable Fraser recommended the establishment of a Management board with a specific mandate to make the Ellis Thomas Downs “economically viable.”

In his turn at the microphone, the honouree expressed his profound gratitude for the recognition given to him. Mr. Thomas called his family to join him on the stage, saying his children played a key role in helping him to endure the struggle of establishing the facility.

He recalled “many times at nights when I was on the race track cutting grass with a grass cutter preparing for August races, these were little tots and they used to be out there playing with the grass in the moonlight night and you could not imagine what help that gave to me, what assistance, encouragement, not to be there alone, beating myself but to have my children playing around.”

Sunday’s official ceremony also included remarks by former USVI Governor Dr. Charles Turnbull and Senator Carlton Dowe as well as the President of the BVI Horse Owners’ Association. Mr. Thomas’ biography was delivered by Ms. Yvonne Mactavious of the Race Track Re-naming Committee and there were cultural performances by students from schools in the area, as well as Ms. Nicole Donovan. The ceremony was chaired by Mr. Julian Willock, the chairman of the re-naming committee.

Government is committed to the recognition and honouring of individuals and groups who have made significant contributions to the overall development of the Territory.