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No loss of horses or major stable damage
October 30, 2025
President of the United Racehorse Trainers' Association (URTA), Captain Marlon Brown, says Caymanas Park escaped significant damage following the passage of Hurricane Melissa, clearing the way for a quick resumption of horse racing at the Gregory Park-based facility.
Brown told STAR Sports that while there were some reports of structural damage to a few barns, including that of former champion trainer Anthony "Baba" Nunes, there were no reports of injury or loss of horses.
"I have not heard of any loss of horses at the track, and the only stable that has gotten any significant damage is the stable of (Anthony) Baba Nunes," said Brown.
"His stable is the only one that has seen any major damage, and apart from that, it seems like we have only suffered minor damage throughout."
Melissa, a category five hurricane, struck on Tuesday, devastating western parts of island.
Brown is relieved that the storm's impact was not worse.
"It could have been worse if we had gotten a direct hit from this hurricane, like that of the western side of Jamaica. So I guess we are counting our blessings at the moment."
He added: "I don't see anything that would cause us to have an extended delay to the restart of racing."
NUNES' HORSES
Meanwhile, Nunes shared that although his barn suffered substantial structural damage, his horses came through the ordeal safely, thanks to the dedication of his staff.
"First of all, we have to say a great big thank you to my staff for being here throughout the hurricane," Nunes said.
"I was getting updates and videos as we were going along. The great news is all horses have come away unscathed. There are a few scrapes and bruises, but nothing serious."
RELOCATING ANIMALS
Nunes, who currently has 70 horses in his barn, revealed that five roofs over horse stalls were lost and that his team had to relocate animals during the height of the storm.
"We lost five roofs over horses and had to relocate them during the second half of the hurricane," he said.
"We also had a tree that must have been a hundred years old that came down and actually broke up the range on which the stalls are. The roof system broke away and damaged the front of two stalls, but luckily we were able to move the horses safely."
Nunes expressed gratitude that the facility avoided catastrophic damage, stating that a direct hit could have crippled local racing for months.
"We have to be thankful because if that eye came across this side of the island, I honestly believe that Caymanas Park racing may have been down six months to a year," Nunes said.
"We here at the track and the Nunes family and stable want to send our prayers and love out to all of those on the western side of the island."
