After dedicating 25 years to Jamaica’s horse racing industry, Dr. Sophia Ramlal has transitioned to a new chapter in her career, as she recently stepped into the role of Director of Veterinary Services in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Mining.

Ramlal’s last official day with the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) and, by extension, the horse racing fraternity was January 26, which marked the end of an era for one of the sport’s most respected figures.

Throughout her tenure, she navigated numerous challenges, ranging from routine health evaluations to urgent medical interventions during races. Her proactive approach to equine welfare emphasized proper treatment and rehabilitation to ensure that racing horses remained in peak condition for competition.

For Ramlal, the shift to her new role on February 3 does not signify a departure from her deep-rooted passion for equine care but rather an expansion of her responsibilities to safeguard Jamaica’s animal and public health.

“That (new role) is some big shoes to fill, and it is really still in the service of the people of Jamaica. It is a job that takes me and keeps me working for the Government of Jamaica with slightly different responsibilities, a lot more responsibilities. So I'm looking forward to that challenge, another period of growth,” Ramlal said in a recent interview with the Quick Galloper.

“I could never cut contacts with horse racing. That’s in my blood, born, bred, and raised,” she said, reflecting on her lifelong connection to the sport.

“I grew up around horses through my father, who was an owner for many, many years, and even before coming to the racetrack, I would have been to farms and knew that I wanted to come and work here. So it certainly does not mean cutting really what has been a lifetime with this product. It does mean fostering avenues and creating the alliances that we can build on,” she added.

While her expertise in equine health remains invaluable, her new role encompasses a far broader scope. As Director of Veterinary Services—also referred to as Chief Veterinary Officer—Ramlal now oversees national disease management, import and export regulations for all animals, quarantine operations at Jamaica’s ports, and the overall health and well-being of the country’s livestock and companion animals.

“All of those things fall within that division, and I get to be part of that team that is going to manage not just those duties that horsemen are familiar with, but so much more that seeks to ensure the health and well-being of all animals and then also the attendant benefits of protecting animal and public health, human health by extension,” Ramlal shared.

“Horses are a big part of it, but goats, sheep, cattle, dogs, cats—every live animal that comes into this country has to go through the Ministry of Agriculture and the quarantine division at Plum Point,” she explained.

Though the transition means a step away from the day-to-day interactions with horsemen and racing fans, Ramlal remains committed to supporting the industry in her new capacity. In fact, her expertise and longstanding dedication to veterinary science will now contribute to a larger national framework, ensuring both animal and public health are safeguarded.

 “This role allows me to continue working on projects we started at the Racing Commission while fostering new collaborations and ensuring Jamaica’s animal health standards remain strong,” she ended.