On Wednesday, December 11 in the backstretch of Woodbine Racetrack, Woodbine Entertainment conducted the most recent edition of the ‘Stronger Together: United Ontario Horse Racing for a Sustainable Future’ series. The Wednesday installment discussed Woodbine’s 2019 live Thoroughbred season and what the future holds for the track.
Woodbine’s CEO Jim Lawson and Racing VP Jonathan Zammit spoke to issues facing racing at Woodbine going forward including horse population, urging rules, interference rules, medication, development on the property and initiatives.
On the Ontario Sired Stakes program: There will be more money put towards Ontario-bred races (as opposed to Ontario sired races), “It continues to be an important part of our program. But, we need to expand it to create more and better opportunities for those horses to return to race at Woodbine. What we need are more horses & more Ontario breds.”
On supporting a change to Category 1 Interference Rules: “I think we should and I think we will. Our rules today lead to results that horseplayers don’t like & horsepeople don’t like. I think Category 1 is a more logical approach.”
For more on Category 1 and Category rules for interference in races, read this link at the AGCO and take the survey – https://www.agco.ca/horse-racing/interference-consultation
On the urging rule test pilot: It’s a big change for the jockeys & we appreciate their support. Looking at all the data points & understanding what’s next is our priority for the off season. We’re always looking for ways to make our sport safer & improve perceptions.
New Racehorse Acquisition Initiative: In addition, Zammit said that a horse acquisition incentive will also be officially unveiled. He explained that the incentives are intended to help local horsepeople that are stabled at Woodbine Racetrack, and that the details will be released soon.
The program will centre on local horsepeople bringing ‘race ready’ horses to Woodbine from other locations.
Development/Construction: The finalizing of the nearby GO Train Station is on the urgent list and development of that may lead to the moving of the training track, CTHS sales pavilion. Lawson emphasized that there will always be a training track on the property.
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