Despite obvious financial constraints, the newly ratified Thoroughbred Racing BC (TRBC) group has agreed to implement a Wintering Program for 2024/25. The scheme, which is an acknowledgement of the economic pressures that face owners who commit to keeping lower-level claimers over the winter months, has been set at $2,000 for each qualifying horse. While this amount is lower than in previous years, it remains a generous incentive and stakeholders have committed to review the amount should finances improve.
As most will recall, Thoroughbred Racing BC (TRBC) was created in 2023 to provide a single voice and management of the thoroughbred industry. HBPA of BC, BCTOBA and CTHSBC were all part of the initial committee structure.
In recent months, changes were made so that the TRBC would become a trust. Each of these three original organizations would be able to appoint trustees, and these trustee,s following a strict list of conditions, would oversee racing and breeding of thoroughbreds in BC BCTOBA and HBPA both agreed to these more detailed conditions.
However, the CTHS BC has rejected those conditions and has declined to join the trust.
Saturday, March 1 was the first meeting of the newly formed TRBC. Initial Trustees are HBPA President David Milburn and HBPA Vice President (Owners) Denise Praill, along with BCTOBA BC President Ole Nielsen and BCTOBA Secretary, Mike Heads.
In order to meet the terms and conditions of the TRBC trust, the first thing the Board did was to appoint the Chair of the TRBC on an interim basis. The Interim Chair is HBPA director, Gary Johnson.
The Board of Trustees appointed Gary as Interim chair as it requires unanimous approval of all trustees.
In addition to confirming details of the latest wintering program and the intention to hold a sale of horses of racing age, the TRBC board also received a report from Denise Praill on continuing efforts to secure a long term funding and management agreement with government.
Recently, a committee consisting of Denise Praill and Gary Johnson, along with Harness Racing BC representatives Rick Mowles and Kelly Macmillan, met with MLA and Attorney General Nikki Sharma, whose constituency includes Hastings Park. It was a positive meeting and Minister Sharma agreed she would reach out to assist with arranging additional meetings with various ministers. The TRBC will report more when there is definitive news.
After multiple requests for a spring sale of race horses, the newly ratified Thoroughbred Racing BC Board (TRBC) has decided to sponsor a sale of horses of racing age on Saturday, April 19, 2025.
For more information on the Winter Program and the upcoming sale, visit Horseracing BC here.
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