Rose Campbell
Curtis Myrie, Contributor
IT'S A case of galloping testosterone. Hormones bolting from the gate.
It has to be, because how else can you explain the protestations by Lee Clarke and Vin Edwards, president and vice president of the Racehorse Trainers' Association, over the appointment of Rose Campbell as the first president and chief executive officer of Caymanas Track Limited (CTL).
She is the second of only two women holding this office in the horseracing industry in the world - and she sits up straight in the saddle; comfortable, confident ... and not about to dismount over the clamour being raised by the likes of Edwards that she is not the right person to run a three billion dollar a year industry.
Some men, I suppose, like horses on hind legs, rail and rant just over the thought of this happening. Misplaced macho, that's what it is - from post to post. Gender has never determined the course of excellence being run. It's pure poppycock ... men in a stew, snorting, over perceived threats to what they claim as their entire domain; with the risk now of legitimate concerns being derailed because the muscle and manliness paraded merely mask the cries
of a 'baby-boys' choir.
They are not to be taken seriously - and we'll never find enough handkerchiefs for their weeping eyes. Like spoilt children they should be told to stand in the corner. Their letters of protest should be left in the bin.
No one is being asked to be star struck by Rose Campbell, though you could be held in a daze by her vibrancy and assertiveness. No need to feel overpowered however if you're a man or woman who is secure.
You'll find her easy to talk to, as Stratton Palmer and myself did in our over two-hour interview last Wednesday about her plans and direction. Her story is an interesting one.
A lover of horses from childhood, this University of Technology graduate (then the College of Arts, Science and Technology), with an MBA from Barry and a Phd being pursued at Kennedy Western, was appointed to the Board of CTL seven years ago. In a robust and sometimes riotous company of men, she sat at the end of the table, the sole female, undaunted. There was really no discomfort, she says, for she was accustomed to being surrounded by men.
Years as a secretary, with the practice of 'soaking things up like a sponge', she says, she began to note, meticulously, all that was important to be learnt about the industry. So increasingly, she would be interjecting in the various discussions, providing the relevant and correct information. Rose Campbell could be relied on.
For this reason, chairman of CTL, Danny Melville, simply asked her one day to move from her end of the table and join him at his. She was to make her mark thereafter restructuring the Engineering, Marketing and Racing departments, providing an entire shift in human resources.
Another sound mark was made with the management and marketing of the Super Stakes and other special events.
As president and CEO 'she fully understands', she says, 'all that's required', admitting that this would not have been the case some three to four years ago. 'I am ready now,' she smiles with all that sultry appeal, 'and I am not about to be distracted'.
Transmitting, like a television station, to some 70 off-track betting parlours, the plan for increasing both market and revenue is to 'up-link' the signals for greater reach locally and broadcast overseas. There is to be refurbishing of the 41-year-old plant and for more customer comfort, work is to be done on seating, general boxes, telephone lines and female facilities.
The 12-foot high perimeter wall around the park to keep out stray animals in particular has been completed and construction is to begin on the road from the Meadowvale Gate to the grandstands to get rid of the persistent dust problem. To solve the drainage problem, a flood basin is being put in where it is being planned that the water from this will be used on future exercise and turf tracks. Car park facilities will be improved for a capacity of 120 cars and CTL is committed to the building of 60 new stables and the landscaping of the sites.
There will be improvements in working conditions for jockeys, trainers and grooms and a 'wholistic centre' for jockeys in particular (with facilities for counsellors and all) has been opened. Training and development of the staff will be a continuing process.
There is lobbying for higher returns to punters (75-80 per cent since we're benchmarking the Calder Race Track and as is the standard internationally). She says the tax rate of seven per cent is also too high, with less than one per cent being charged in some states of the US.
Her doors will always remain open to all the concerned parties and groups in racing, "for it is in the interest of the industry that a middle ground be reached' she says.
She harbours no fears about succeeding and importantly will be submitting a performance criteria contract. 'There's no other way that I want to be paid', she says, 'it's simply a matter of remuneration if the job is done'.
That ought to provide a degree of comfort to detractors, and the lady is standing by her claim. She can't be asked to dismount without the time being given to get the job done. Let's hush the crying choir. Have them safely behind the gates. No need right now for trumpeting doom. No need for the din. 'I welcome the challenge', she says, 'I'm determined to succeed'.
Let's take our mounts beside her. Let's all join the ride.
Curtis Myrie is a sports journalist and marketer, specialising in promotional campaigns, advertising, television production and publications.
