Horse Racing News

Thumbnail for The Majority of Ontarians Approve of Slots at Racetracks Program

The Majority of Ontarians Approve of Slots at Racetracks Program

Fully three quarters of Ontarians say they approve of the ‘Slots at the Racetrack” program (74%), and two thirds approve of the specific terms of the deal OLG has with Ontario’s horse racing tracks (61%) according to a new survey conducted by Forum Research on behalf of the Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association.   The […]
Thumbnail for ORC Notice to the Industry: Drug Warning

ORC Notice to the Industry: Drug Warning

The Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) advises all members of the Ontario racing  community to use caution when administering substances that may cause a positive test. In particular are those drugs which affect the oxygen-carrying ability of the  hemoglobin molecule. Severe penalties and sanctions will be imposed on trainers who possess, use or whose horses test […]
Thumbnail for OHRIA Plans Rallies at Liberal MPP Constituency Offices

OHRIA Plans Rallies at Liberal MPP Constituency Offices

As tens of thousands of Ontarians who rely on the horse racing and breeding industry continue to brace for the impact of the Ontario Liberal’s plan for the industry, the Ontaro Horse Racing Industry Association (OHRIA) is planning a number of rallies at MPP’s offices. Next Friday, March 30, 2012 supporters of Ontario’s horse racing […]
Thumbnail for The Economics of Horse Racing in Canada

The Economics of Horse Racing in Canada

The Ontario horse racing industry is contributing $4.5 billion or 77 per cent of the total annual economic contributions from racing in Canada, according to a new study released today by Equine Canada and Strategic Equine. The Economics of Horse Racing in Canada, an in‐depth report on the horse racing industry on a province‐by‐province basis, […]
Thumbnail for Sudbury Downs in Jeopardy

Sudbury Downs in Jeopardy

Members of the Ontario horse racing industry, turned protesters, lined their horse trailers up in front of Sudbury MPP Rick Bartolucci’s office Friday morning, looking for answers. They want to know what’s going to happen to them and to their horses if Sudbury Downs shuts down in the wake of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming […]
Thumbnail for OHRIA Launches Ad Campaign

OHRIA Launches Ad Campaign

After weeks of misrepresentation of the OLG Slots at Racetracks Program, the Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association (OHRIA) has begun to set the record straight with newly launched billboards and radio ads.   For the next four weeks, more than two-hundred billboards will share the success of the OLG Slots at Racetracks Program with the […]
Thumbnail for Open Letter to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Open Letter to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency

An Open Letter to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency March 13, 2012 Dr. Martin Appelt National Manager Meat Programs Division Canadian Food Inspection Agency 1400 Merivale Road Ottawa, ON  K1A 0Y9 Dear Dr. Appelt: In view of Dr. Brian Evans’ prolonged leave of absence, we are sending this package for your review. Enclosed please find […]
Thumbnail for Three Strikes and “Luck” is Out

Three Strikes and “Luck” is Out

A third horse fatality on the set of the drama “Luck”, starring Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte, has prompted the cancellation of the HBO series. After the final two episodes of the first season air, the show will not return, though season two was already in production. Earlier this week, at Santa Anita Park racetrack, […]
Thumbnail for Slots Closed at Fort Erie, Windsor and Sarnia Racetracks

Slots Closed at Fort Erie, Windsor and Sarnia Racetracks

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) has announced the closure of slot operations at Fort Erie, Windsor and Sarnia as of April 30th, as well as the demise of the long-standing revenue-sharing slots-at-racetracks program, set to end next year. OLG has pledged to contribute “reasonable payments” to affected racetrack owners and municipalities until March […]
Thumbnail for Wilson Gives it Her All On and Off Track

Wilson Gives it Her All On and Off Track

There is a wealth of impressive stats and successes from her 2011 campaign that Emma-Jayne Wilson could look upon with great satisfaction. But for the jockey closing in on 1,000 career wins, life in the saddle is more than just a numbers game. One hundred and thirty five trips to the winner’s circle at Woodbine, […]
Thumbnail for Prospective Powers to Tampa Bay Derby Score

Prospective Powers to Tampa Bay Derby Score

Prospective, conditioned by Woodbine’s leading trainer Mark Casse and ridden to victory by Woodbine’s leading rider Luis Contreras, all but stamped his ticket for the Kentucky Derby with a strong stretch run in Saturday’s Grade 2, $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby.   The dark bay son of Malibu Moon-Spirited Away, owned by John C. Oxley, wore […]
Thumbnail for Woodbine Speaks Up

Woodbine Speaks Up

The announcement by the government to cancel the Slots and Racetracks Program has immediate implications and raises serious concerns about the future of horse racing and breeding in Ontario. At the same time, Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) also recognizes the longer term opportunities presented by OLG’s modernization strategy. Given the success of our long-term partnership, […]
Thumbnail for Finance Minister Proposes End of Slots at Racetracks

Finance Minister Proposes End of Slots at Racetracks

The Ontario government has received a report from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) that proposes modernization of the system, an increase in its revenues by more than $1 billion a year, and the creation of 2,300 net new jobs in the gaming industry and nearly 4,000 additional jobs in the hospitality and retail […]
Thumbnail for Zenyatta Gives Birth

Zenyatta Gives Birth

Racing superstar Zenyatta gave birth to her first foal Thursday, March 8th at Lane End’s Farm in Versailles, Kentucky. According to Zenyatta’s website, the dark bay colt was born at about 10:10 p.m. Eastern Time, weighing 130 pounds, with a white star, and some white markings on his feet. The former Horse of the Year, […]
Thumbnail for OHRIA Says it’s Time to Check Your Facts Mr. Duncan

OHRIA Says it’s Time to Check Your Facts Mr. Duncan

Finance Minister Dwight Duncan provided an emailed statement to the Windsor Star on Wednesday March 7, 2012, regarding the OLG Slots at Racetrack program that contained a number of inaccurate statements.   “Since 1998 the horse racing industry has received $3.4 billion in government support, including $345 million last year alone. That’s more money than […]