John Snobelen

2016 Ontario Budget Makes Room for Racing

UPDATE: The Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association (OHRIA) has announced that two additional years of funding has been secured for horse racing in Ontario. The Wynne government has extended the financial commitment to the horse racing industry under the budget clause for OLG modernization. The annual $100 million in government support, along with breeder support through the […]

OHRIA Responds to Auditor General Report

The Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association (OHRIA) was not surprised by the findings contained in the Auditor General’s Report on the Ontario Lottery and Gaming’s (OLG’s) Modernization Plan considering the devastation the horse racing and breeding industry has endured since the cancellation of the Slots at Racetracks Program (SARP). “It is troubling when your own […]

OHRIA: Integration Key to Long-term Survival of Horse Racing Industry

The Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association (OHRIA) is pleased with the personal attention and progress that Premier Kathleen Wynne has given to ensuring the survival of the province’s horse racing and breeding industry. The recently negotiated five-year deal, which provides the industry with some stability, is much appreciated. The ultimate survival of the industry, which […]

Live Thoroughbred Racing at Fort Erie Race Track in 2014

The Board of Directors of the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association of Ontario, (HBPA), is pleased to advise there will be live thoroughbred racing at Fort Erie Race Track in 2014. Meetings to organize, schedule and promote the race meet at the historic border oval are taking place. Horse people can assist by spreading this […]

Fort Erie Race Track Update

Last week, the Horse Racing Industry Transition Panel released their final report, “Building a Sustainable Future Together; Ontario’s Five Year Horse Racing Partnership”. Pages 9 and 10 dealt specifically with the Fort Erie Thoroughbred track. It stated; “In short, the Panel can find no path to sustainability for a resident racing program…”. The Panel in […]

Horse Racing Industry Job Losses Double that of Blackberry

Rural Ontario knows the pain the Region of Waterloo is feeling as they brace for the massive layoffs Blackberry has recently announced. Since the cancellation of the Slots at Racetracks Program last year, job losses and business closures in Ontario’s horse racing industry are more than double the expected worldwide losses of Blackberry as they […]

Long-Term Plan Coming for Ontario’s Horse Racing Industry

Ontario has asked the Horse Racing Industry Transition Panel to bring forward a long-term plan to implement recommendations from its final report. As transition funding negotiations with track operators are now substantially complete, the province has asked the panel for a plan that sets a clear path forward on: • modernizing the governance and regulation […]

Horse Racing Industry Transition Panel Will Move Forward

The three member Horse Racing Industry Transition Panel has submitted their final report to the Honourable Ted McMeekin, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. The prorogation of parliament will not affect the discharge of the report and its recommendations which is anticipated to be officially released by the end of the month. In an […]

Positive Response from Horse Racing Transition Panel

A response on behalf of the government-appointed transition panel was sent to Ontario CTHS members. The response highlighted many of the positive conclusions in their Interim Report to clear up any misunderstandings in advance of the Yearling Sales. “In the Executive Summary of our Interim Report we state: “The panel concludes that a viable, world-class […]

Transitional Funding Plan Announced for Ontario Horse Racing Industry

The Liberal government has announced the establishment of a $50-million fund which will serve to help the Ontario racing industry transition from the profit sharing slots at racetracks program to self-sufficient, sustainable business model, over the next three years. In cooperation with OMAFRA (Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs), the government has formed […]