The killing of racehorse trainer Tony Kirlew at Caymanas Park on Friday has led to an outcry from persons in the trainers' association that his death was directly related to the fact that there is no longer a security presence in the stable area.

Earlier this year, as part of Caymanas Track Limited's (CTL) security restructuring, based on the company's dire financial situation, security personnel were removed from all locations other than those seen as critical to the functioning of the track such as sterile areas, administration and wherever money is being handled.

A feature of the security detail included patrols dispatched to the stable area after previous homicides over the years including the murder of security guards and two trainers, among others.

When the STAR visited the vast 196-acre Caymanas Park compound Friday afternoon, no more than seven security personnel were noted at static locations, in addition to two supervisors. Each security personnel were observed manning gates, in the vicinity where monetary transactions were being undertaken and the confines of the administration building.

Personnel at CTL disclosed that the horse racing promoting company was forced to cut its security detail due to the near bankrupt state of the company, or face the possibility of closure earlier this year.

Kirlew was shot and killed near his stable by two men who, it is said, gained access to the racetrack by breaching its perimeter fencing and lay in wait for the trainer who had entered the property in the company of his brother, who is also a licensed trainer.