ST. JOHN’S, Antigua and Barbuda – The Antigua Turf Club is set to convene its highly anticipated annual general meeting on Sunday, November 15, marking a key milestone in years-long efforts to reboot the island nation’s storied thoroughbred horse racing circuit. Hosted at 4:15 p.m. in the Eustace Parker Stand located on the grounds of the Cassada Gardens Racetrack, the gathering will bring together voting members, industry stakeholders, and club leadership to map out actionable strategies for reviving the dormant local racing ecosystem. Per a formal release from the club’s executive committee, attendees will first receive a full briefing on formal redevelopment proposals that have been formally submitted to the Antigua and Barbuda Cabinet, outlining targeted upgrades to the long-underutilized Cassada Gardens facility. The agenda will then move to deep dives into priority action areas, including outreach to prospective capital investment partners, frameworks to ensure long-term operational financial sustainability, and a phased rollout of regulatory and infrastructure upgrades required to host competitive thoroughbred meets once again. Club leadership will also present a structured plan to source and import certified thoroughbred stock, a critical step to rebuild the local racing horse population that has dwindled during the sport’s hiatus, while rolling out targeted incentives to re-engage horse owners, local breeders, and event participants. A landmark proposal to launch a dedicated, formal Horsemen’s Association will also be tabled for collective feedback: the new body is designed to serve as a unified advocacy voice for every segment of the local racing workforce, including horse owners, licensed trainers, jockeys, stable grooms, and professional exercise riders. Additional agenda items include the rollout of new recurring revenue streams to diversify the club’s funding base beyond one-off event proceeds, streamlined processes for 2025 membership renewals, and routine administrative housekeeping. The executive committee emphasized in its statement that the full Cassada Gardens redevelopment project carries far-reaching community benefits: the overhaul is projected to unlock new private sector investment, create dozens of full and part-time local jobs, position the venue as a draw for regional sports tourism, and catalyze sustainable growth across the entire local equine breeding and racing value chain. Leadership noted that the AGM falls at a pivotal juncture in ongoing negotiations with government officials and prospective private sector partners, and all eligible club members have been strongly urged to attend in person to contribute their perspectives on the sport’s future. At the time of the meeting announcement, no target date for the first post-hiatus racing meet has been finalized, and the club has not released public estimates for the total projected cost of the Cassada Gardens redevelopment project.
Antigua Turf Club to hold AGM on Sunday, Nov. 15, to discuss return of horse racing
