Rawle Toney Wrote Via Social Media : It has been three days since the tragic death of 19-year-old jockey Keshawn Periera at the Rising Sun Turf Club during the penultimate race of this year’s Guyana Cup, yet there has been no official statement from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, nor any condolences from President Irfaan Ali, whose stable was celebrated as the winner of the event.
The Guyana Cup, recognized as the country’s most significant sporting event outside of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), raises questions about accountability in the wake of this incident. The recent Horse Racing Authority Act, passed in April, was designed to regulate the sport and ensure that incidents like this would be investigated, holding negligent parties accountable. However, the absence of action following Keshawn’s death highlights a failure to implement these necessary standards.
Keshawn’s death has sparked outrage, particularly as jockeys had previously voiced concerns about the track conditions at Rising Sun Turf Club, deeming them unfit for competitive racing due to recent rainfall. Unfortunately, their warnings went unheeded, leading to a tragic outcome.
“Horse racing, like any sport, carries risks, but Keshawn’s death was preventable,” stated Rawle Toney, who has been vocal about the need for accountability. “The government should have issued condolences to Keshawn’s family, announced an independent inquiry into the incident, and committed to holding those responsible for negligence accountable.”
Silence in the face of such tragedy is viewed as complicity rather than leadership. The Horse Racing Authority Act was meant to serve as a protective framework for jockeys, horses, and the sport’s integrity, yet there has been no follow-up on its enforcement.
“Horse racing deserves better. The jockeys who risk their lives on the track deserve better. And most importantly, Keshawn Periera’s family deserves answers and accountability,” Toney added.
As the community mourns the loss of a young talent, calls for action and transparency continue to grow. The time for the government and relevant authorities to respond is long overdue.
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