Jockeys weighing in at Hobby Horse Hall

(Photos Freddie Maura c1945 and the pictures were donated to the Bahamas Historical Society by Mr Soldwedel)

The museum of the Bahamas Historical Society is a magic mirror to the past. The outer reflections on the walls are the bones of history but in the inside the draws and cupboards we glimpse the folk and the world they lived in.

I recently unearthed these images that not only show our historical past but evoke strong emotions from the memory of an entertainment facility that gave employment to many people.  

At about this same time last year Harold Munnings wrote a group letter that brought response from some individuals:

Dear All,

In 1937, my grandparents' horse, Morning Star, won the Duke of Kent Cup at Hobby Horse Hall. On Sunday I went rambling about the old race track and took these pics. I've been wanting to do this for years

His pictures reflected his thoughts

Approach to the grand stand. I'm somewhere near the spot where the prize was presented to my grandmom I think

Standing under the balcony

Overgrown stairway entrance

It was deathly quiet but there was lots of evidence of crack addicts using the place

View down the main straightaway. Decaying steel girders overhead and in the deathly quiet I kept listening for sounds of collapse. A rusted and broken spiral metal staircase led to an observation deck above the roof. Even I was not crazy enough to try get up there.

The start

And I am sure one year later Harold’s greeting is still valid - Best wishes to all the Christmas and in the coming year.

The derelict stands

The good old days are good and gone.

Cheers, a toast to the good times past. Robin Roberts

I have been looking at these ruins for years and always wished to explore them as my father, the late Basil North and my cousin Angela Archer Scott rode in the gentlemen's and ladies' races at some point and I think that my mother , the late Audrey Isaacs North used to work there part time as many  Bahamians did in those days. The next time you go exploring there let me know.

All the best for the New Year.

Gail S.

My maternal grandfather, Johnny Saunders,was a horse owner and avid patron of Hobby Horse Hall.His horse was named Anne , after one of my cousins (his granddaughter) and his jockey's colours were red and white in recognition of St. George's Sporting Club which represented "Out East PEOPLE".

Further, one of the first jobs my wife, Sandy, got was at the race track where her bosses were the late Reg Labosky and Garth Kemp.

Hobby Horse Hall holds a lot of memories for many Bahamians as it opened employment opportunities for many Bahamians as horse owners, horse trainers, jockeys, veterinarians, HANDICAPPERS, ticket sellers and a range of activities. In essence it created a sustainable industry and acted as well as a social outlet for thousands.Hobby Horse Hall  represented an era-an epoch ,which ,in many ways, came to an abrupt end.How sad?

Maybe there should be a "movement" to revive the Aura of a new Hobby Horse Hall. 

Godfrey Eneas

AND  there were a more longer letters  from Jackson Burnside and Larry Smith

May I wish you all a blessed Christmas Season!