JMLS Unveils New Racing Organizer Amid Controversy

A recent photograph has shed light on what the officials apparently overlooked during a recent horse race – namely, that Donohoe’s left foot was out of its stirrup. This oversight raised questions about whether an inquiry was conducted regarding this crucial incident. Furthermore, concerns were raised about the substantial prize money awarded to the winner of that race.

The emergence of a third racing organizer appeared to be part of an ongoing effort to prevent the Mauritius Turf Club (MTC) from regaining control of the racing organization in Mauritius.

The announcement of this new racing organizer was first published in the official magazine of People’s Turf Plc last Thursday, September 19, before being prominently featured in a national newspaper on Saturday, September 22.

This report was authored by a journalist who not only hosted racing programs for PTP but also recently traveled to Madagascar at the personal invitation of Jean Michel Lee Shim (JMLS).

This development is confirming longstanding fears that JMLS is determined to obstruct the MTC’s return, even if it means stirring up further unrest in an already crisis-ridden sector.

Week-End has uncovered that this is merely another strategic move by JMLS, aimed at causing confusion in the racing world at a time when he finds himself under pressure from the government and various political figures.

The racing magnate is currently navigating a precarious situation as his racing organizer license hangs in the balance.

The government is in negotiations with the Mauritius Turf Club to resume organizing races, with the essential condition that JMLS and his affiliates be effectively excluded from the equation.

Moreover, the Mauritius Social Democratic Party (PMSD), currently aligned with the ruling Militant Socialist Movement (MSM), has explicitly opposed the involvement of People’s Turf Plc in race organization, aligning its stance with that of the MTC.

Consequently, MTC President Gavin Glover has demanded that Jean Michel Lee Shim and his companies, including PTP and Global Equestrian Limited, be barred from any future racing organizations as a prerequisite for the MTC’s return to managing races.

Tensions Came to a Head

Two weeks ago, Week-End reported on a tense meeting between trainer Shirish Narang and Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth.

In this meeting, Narang, who has been deprived of his racing license by the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA), accused JMLS of sectarian practices within his companies.

Narang’s remarks triggered a fierce backlash from JMLS, who, aware of Narang’s accusations, threatened to withdraw all of his horses.

In light of Narang’s vulnerable position, JMLS allegedly offered him a role as a race organizer, despite his lack of a management license or relevant experience.

JMLS even proposed to provide his own CEO, Khulwant Kumar Ubheeram, to handle the administrative responsibilities associated with this role.

The announcement of the new racing organizer, dubbed AMB Turf PLC, carries strong community implications, especially ahead of elections.

Looks like it is designed to sow discord within the government’s ranks at a critical juncture in negotiations between Pravind Jugnauth’s representatives and the MTC.

A scheduled meeting between the two parties was notably canceled last Tuesday.

Unveiling an Instrumental Move

Despite the promises made to Shirish Narang, the mission assigned to him by JMLS has not gone unnoticed.

The details were publicized in an editorial for the People’s Turf Plc magazine, which JMLS himself inspired.

The editorial mentioned AMB Turf Plc, an entity supposedly led by Narang to impress the Prime Minister.

This insider information, along with references to Lovesh Ramlochun and Adrien Duval, highlighted JMLS’s mastermind role in this operation, crafted to destabilize the government’s electoral strategy.

It seems evident that this move is part of a broader strategy by JMLS to thwart the MTC’s anticipated return, which has garnered government support and backing from a coalition of opposition parties (PTr-MMM-ND-ReA) seeking to reclaim control of the Champ de Mars.

In the meantime, People’s Turf Plc still has a licensing fee of Rs 250,000 to settle to finalize the 2024 season, including two race days featuring foreign jockeys scheduled for October 5 and 6.

Following his recent trip to Madagascar, where he claimed to enhance the horse racing scene, questions remain regarding JMLS’s future plans.

Source: Le Mauricien