The HORSEMEN’S BENEVOLENT and PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION of ONTARIO had a celebration at Woodbine on November 7 to honour some of the top assistant trainers and grooms.
The HBPA Ontario, under president Sue Leslie, has a board of directors that currently includes Veronica Attard, Kevin Attard, Josie (Attard) DePaulo, Don McRae, Josie Carroll, Roger Attfield, Dan Vella and Sherry McLean.
The award winners include CASSANDRA JESCHKE, assistant trainer for Patrick Dixon. Jeschke is a top jockey at Ajax Downs and a horse owner, who has been working for Colebrook Farms for several years. There was a suggestion during the ceremony that Jeschke would not be a jockey much longer but she does gallop as part of her assistant’s job.
ERIKA SMILOVSKY, assistant to Darwin Banach, was also honoured.
NATALIE MCMULLIN, ROLANDO BUCKNER and TYLONN GREEN were the honoured grooms of the year.
The HBPA also gave out hoodies to backstretch workers.
This off-season, the HBPA will be in talks with Woodbine with regards to its two year agreement that expires after this season. The most recent contract talks, finalized in late spring of 2024 were contentious. Leslie told the Paulick Report that because Woodbine wants less racing dates, negotiations this winter will also be difficult.
Wagering on Woodbine racing continues to slide and small fields and a declining owner and horse population has had a negative impact on the product. Weekday racing, in particular Thursday cards, figure to be a discussion point regarding race dates for 2027.
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