The Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association (OHRIA) is calling on Premier Kathleen Wynne to pause the OLG’s modernization process until after the Auditor General releases his report on the decisions surrounding the OLG modernization plan. Today, the Standing Committee on Public Accounts voted to ask the Auditor General to investigate the OLG’s process in determining […]
Horse Racing News
In response to the European horse meat scandal, the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service has announced that they will be ramping up species sampling and testing. Inspectors will increase testing of raw and ready-to-eat meat products coming to the country from Iceland, Ireland, Poland, the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. All tests of imported […]
The Daily Racing Forum has reported that the California Horse Racing Board has lifted a ban on the use of feed products made by Purina Mills at its Turlock, California plant. The ban was instituted last month after the company’s products resulted in 48 positive tests for the banned medication zilpaterol, which is used to […]
The Manitoba Jockey Club (MJC) was granted a full, expedited Judicial Review Hearing in Queen’s Bench late yesterday afternoon – a process that can normally take many months to schedule. Given the urgency of the situation, the Judicial Review Hearing, under which legislative and executive actions are subject to review (and possible invalidation), will begin […]
The Ontario Legislature passed a motion to continue the Slots at Racetracks Program beyond the cancellation deadline imposed by the Liberals. In addition, the motion called for the suspension of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation’s gaming modernization plan until municipal referendums can be held in 2014. The motion, put forward by Essex MPP Tara Natyshak, received […]
The Jockey Club has established “Americas Best Racing,” an initiative focused on attracting new fans to the sport of Thoroughbred racing. It will kick into high gear over the next three weekends through special television programs, the launch of a new entertainment-focused website and Kentucky Derby sweepstakes. They are asking current fans to spread the […]
The Ontario horse racing industry received word today that three more tracks – Fort Erie Racetrack, Flamboro Downs and Georgian Downs – had reached deals to host live Thoroughbred racing in 2013, but with the slots at racetracks program set to expire in less than a week, the sustainability question remains. The Ontario Horse Racing […]
The Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association has announced that there will, in fact, be live Thoroughbred racing at Fort Erie Racetrack this year. Details will follow in the next couple of days. In a statement, HPBA Ontario president, Sue Leslie, noted: “As our future is largely dependent on customers wagering on our product, it remains […]
With the Horse Racing Industry Transition Panel’s March 31st deadline for negotiations with racetracks fast approaching, there is still word on the fate of Fort Erie Racetrack. The Horsemen’s Benevolent Protective Association of Ontario is involved in the ongoing discussions with OMAFRA’s Horse Racing Industry Transition Panel and various Ministries to maintain Fort Erie Racetrack […]
The Federal Budget released on March 21, 2013 contains two changes to section 31 of the Income Tax Act. The Jockey Club of Canada Tax Committee Chair, John Unger, has released the following statement regarding Section 31 of the Income Tax Act pertaining to the horse racing industry in Canada. First, the wording of section […]
The slow-motion train wreck known as OLG “modernization” continues to pick up steam and claim victims. One year ago, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) announced plans for a radical expansion of gambling operations in the province, in partnership with private interests. No longer would the OLG consider local economic development when locating their […]
The Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association is pleased to announce that the Progressive Conservatives and the New Democratic Party are again working together in the Legislature to support Ontario’s horse racing and breeding industry. OHRIA has been working closely with both parties on MPP Natyshak’s motion that calls for the extension of the Slots at […]
Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) has announced the first segment of Woodbine’s 2013 Thoroughbred stakes schedule. Thirty-seven added-money events, with purses ranging from $125,000 to $1 million, are planned through July 7. The 154th edition of the Queen’s Plate, first jewel in Canada’s Triple Crown of Racing, will carry a guaranteed purse of $1 million. The […]
Today the Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association was pleased to hear NDP MPP Taras Natyshak’s announcement regarding his party’s plan to introduce a motion calling on the suspension of the OLG’s modernization strategy until municipalities have held referendums in conjunction with the 2014 municipal elections, and the re-instatement of the Slots at Racetracks Program. “Time […]
Gary Boulanger, who guided filly Dancethruthedawn to victory in the 2001 edition of the Queen’s Plate, is on the verge of returning home to Canada in a remarkable comeback from serious injury. “I’m looking at all my options (for a return to riding full time), but Woodbine is my top choice right now,” said the […]
