Antigua Turf Club President Hansen Richards held nothing back in a blistering response to critics questioning the proposed Cassada Gardens Racetrack development, systematically challenging their credibility while defending his vision for the facility’s future.
The lengthy letter — written after Richards circulated in the early hours of Saturday morning that he was served with legal papers by police at his workplace — follows the leak of internal WhatsApp group communications to Observer Media. “I am very tired of the disrespect and quite frankly I have nothing to gain in this initiative,” Richards wrote.
A virtually irate Richards who was first elected to the helm of the Club in 2023, attacked the legitimacy of those who signed the complaint letter, noting that several aren’t even paid ATC members. He challenged critics who he claims are neither bona-fide ATC members nor horse owners, alleging some previously attempted to orchestrate leadership changes for their own benefit while now accusing him of conflicts of interest.
Richards catalogued issues from previous administrations, including race days with no financial statements provided, unaccounted membership funds, environmental stop orders with no information provided, and unfulfilled promises of investment.
“For years, we have been promised investment after investment by credible investors, yet we have never seen one,” Richards wrote of past leadership.
He dismissed several signatories as non-members who refused to pay dues, while calling out critics for publicly opposing the Caravelle development while privately seeking employment with the company.
Richards provided detailed information about the proposed structure involving Mecke Development Corporation Inc. (of which he is Director), the ATC, and Caravelle Group which was expounded on in a previous post.
The President emphasized all agreements have been approved by government legal counsel, ATC legal counsel (Stapleton Chambers), MDC legal counsel, Grant Thornton, and Caravelle’s legal counsel, with documents submitted to Inland Revenue.
The development currently awaits Cabinet approval, with negotiations stalled over the government’s refusal to grant an 8% gaming tax exemption—approximately US $400,000 yearly that “the government wants to keep from the ATC.” Grant Thornton is negotiating with Cabinet on this issue.
In a dramatic turn, Richards revealed a “secret” FIFA meeting to develop Cassada Gardens with US $2.6 million for football use, attended by several current critics along with FIFA and ABFA representatives. Could this be one of the reasons as to why the Government has been slow in its decision making regarding the 50-year lease agreement, concessions, and tax exemptions?
Additional alleged conflicts include thousands of dollars in outstanding debts owed to contractors and former officials, as well as prize monies owed to various parties before racing resumes.
“Let’s talk about those conflicts and unconstitutional and unethical practices for a second,” Richards challenged.
Despite criticism, Richards catalogued his accomplishments such as acquired land formerly occupied by Starlit (site of illegal dogfighting and sewage dumping). He also secured boundary exchange on the property’s southern side, placed EC $5 million in escrow for ATC, reshaped the racetrack with Willy D Enterprise (free of cost) and incorporated ATC as non-profit with bylaws and directors.
“The ATC had no legal structure until this present Executive Committee,” Richards stated. “No one wanted to give us any money because of the stigma the ATC has. That’s why we are rebranding and rebuilding!”
Richards concluded with pointed questions designed to remind critics of the ATC’s troubled past such as “Do we really want to go back to the days of racing without any assurance of being paid? Do we really want to go back to a constitution that stipulates the president has the final decision on the outcome of a race where he/she may have a personal interest in that race? Do we want to go back to sick and broken down horses running on a concrete type surface? Do we want to go back to relying on gate receipts to pay purses?”
He reminded members the next election is in 2027: “When the time comes, pay your dues and may the best person be voted in for President.”
His final demand: “I don’t have to be liked but appreciate and respect the title!”
Whether Hansen Richards is a visionary reformer or a conflicted operator remains a matter of perspective. What’s undeniable is his combative defence of a development he believes represents the ATC’s best path forward—and his willingness to publicly expose the alleged shortcomings of those who stand in his way.
