As a result of a historic agreement between the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association of Ontario and the Fort Erie Live Racing Consortium, seven additional Thoroughbred racing dates have been added to the 2012 schedule.
During a press conference held on October 18th, it was announced that the 2012 racing season would be shortened by seven less racing dates citing “market conditions and financial constraints” which would have seen the season come to an end on October 16th, 2012.
The Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association of Ontario, (HBPA) is an association which represents owners and trainers of thoroughbred racehorses. The HBPA initiated an application to the Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) for the use of the funding for both the added purse structure and operational costs to fulfill the added dates at Fort Erie.
With the additional seven days of racing, the 2012 Fort Erie racing season will now conclude on Tuesday, October 30th.
“Once again I congratulate the board of the HBPA for finding a way to support live racing at Fort Erie,” said Sue Leslie, President of the HBPA of Ontario. “We wanted to do all we can to encourage a healthy horse population for the start up of the 2012 racing season. We hope this will encourage our trainers and owners to participate at Fort Erie in even larger numbers providing full fields in order to help the purse account and cover the expenses of the FELRC.”
The FELRC is a community, not-for-profit corporation with the sole mission of maintaining and enhancing live racing at the historic 115 year old, Fort Erie Race Track. It was founded by the Fort Erie EDTC, the HBPA of Ontario and the Town of Fort Erie whom govern and operate it.
“We have a terrific and vibrant relationship with the HBPA because of our unique mission and shared goals,” said Jim Thibert, CEO of the FELRC. “As strong advocates for live racing, we share the zeal to do better and more for our industry and those who rely upon it. But as a not-for-profit corporation we are ever diligent in our need to operate within our financial resources. We were therefore very excited when the HBPA proposed the application to the ORC for seven additional days of racing and we are all pleased the ways and means were approved.”
Opening day of live racing is scheduled to begin Sunday, May 6th, 2012.
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