Harness Racing BC (HRBC) and the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association of BC (HBPA) welcome the decision by the BC government to provide financial assistance to horse racing in British Columbia.
Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth wrote to the HRBC and HBPA announcing a $3 million grant to be split evenly between the two organizations to “minimize the employment impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on horse racing workers.”
Kelly MacMillan, President of HRBC, expressed his thanks to the BC government, Minister Farnworth, and Mike Starchuk, the MLA in Surrey – Cloverdale, for their commitment to support Fraser Downs”. “This is the best possible news for horse racing overall,” said MacMillan. “Breeders, owners, trainers and all the backstretch workers whose jobs were impacted by COVID have been anxiously awaiting some good news. The BC government and all the MLAs we talked to listened, and they came through big time.”
As a result of the grant, the Hastings Racecourse meeting is extended to September 28th. The track had funding to go through the end of July, which was stretched to the end of August thanks to a $1 million loan from owner/breeder Glen Todd.
On Aug. 8. with the government grant announced a purse increase effective August 19th was announced of at least $2000 in every category. Also the BC Bred Bonus is being upped to 35% to the end of meet.
There will also be a $1,500 incentive bonus to any BC resident purchasing a horse at the upcoming CTHS BC Yearling and Mixed Sale.
The Wintering Program will be announced this coming week to assist the low level claimers and the Fresh Horse Incentive Program is returning to assist owners purchase new horses over the fall and winter for the 2022 racing season at Hastings
.David Milburn, President of the HBPA, also added his thanks to MLAs, especially Niki Sharma, the MLA for Vancouver – Hastings, home of the Hastings Racecourse. “We were facing an uncertain future,” said Milburn. “Now we can look forward to extending the current season for at least another month and will be able to turn our attention to working on a full season in 2022,” he added. “We’re excited to start welcoming back thousands of horse racing fans from across BC who come out every year to enjoy the races. The future of horse racing in British Columbia looks much better after this announcement.”
More from Industry:
