Impasse! Horse racing at Ellis Thomas Downs remains at standstill
Horse racing at Ellis Thomas Downs remains at a standstill as government negotiations to resolve a longstanding impasse have yet to yield results.
2025-03-10 16:34:51 - VI News Staff
Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley confirmed that while discussions have been ongoing, they have not yet been successful.
“We have an impasse. We haven’t been able to get past the impasses yet as it pertains to the track. I made robust efforts to have discussions on something mutually beneficial. That hasn’t been successful as yet, but we continue to try,” Dr. Wheatley told reporters at a recent press conference.
The dispute centres around leasing agreements with the Thomas family, who own a portion of the racetrack land. Attempts to reach a compromise have proven challenging, but Dr. Wheatley reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to restoring horse racing.
It’s complicated
Deputy Premier Julian Fraser, who represents the Third District, where Ellis Thomas Downs is located, acknowledged the complexities surrounding the issue.