Page 6 - March 2005 The Game

6 The Game, March 2005 Your Thoroughbred Racing Community Newspaper
OHRIA Restructures
Reminder of Backstretch Access Rights at Woodbine
Since its inception (1994), the Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association (OHRIA) has been a very effective voice in representing the interests of the industry.
As the voice for all industry segments, OHRIA is undergoing a restructuring to reflect the realities of industry revenues and to realign itself to better achieve its original mandate.
One component of the restructur- ing is returning the administration of the Horse Improvement Program (HIP) to the Ontario Racing Commission (ORC).
Although HIP flourished under the direction of OHRIA, the Board has decided to refocus its energies on strategic industry issues. The time consumed by the OHRIA Board in considering HIP program delivery issues has detracted from the Board’s ability to properly serve its mandate.
“I look forward to continued dealings with the Board of Directors, with OHRIA now well positioned to address the numerous issues confronting the industry” identified Thomas Deacon, Chair of OHRIA. “I would like to assure the industry, HIP remains in very capable hands with OHRIA staff working with the ORC to ensure a seamless transition.”
“I would also like to thank Wendy Rinella for the contribution she has
made to OHRIA for the last two years as Executive Director. The reorganization will result in a reduced OHRIA staff level and Wendy’s services will no longer be required but we wish her well in her future endeavours.”
The transfer of HIP administrative responsibility to the ORC should be completed by June 2005.
“The Commission is firmly committed to the success of the Horse Improvement Plan and the 2005 season” stated Lynda Tanaka, Chair ORC. She further declared “OHRIA now has a wonderful opportunity to move forward to enhance its ability to advocate on behalf of the industry.”
The Horse Improvement Program has a total value of $50 million; it consists of a thoroughbred breed program which is referred to as the Thoroughbred Improvement Program and a standardbred program which is recognized as the Ontario Sires Stakes.
The Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association (OHRIA) is an umbrella association, which represents all segments of the horse racing industry. Horse Racing is a significant part of the agricultural sector and the most labor intensive in Ontario, generating over 60,000 jobs.
Steve Koch, Director of Backstretch Operations at Woodbine, would like to remind those returning to Woodbine that their Woodbine Backstretch Access Rights will expire on March 31, 2005.
In a February memo to horsepeople it stated that Backstretch Access Rights must be renewed before March 31 and in order to do so you must have a valid 2005 ORC license.
Backstretch Access Rights can be renewed at the East Gate Security offices throughout March, between the hours of 8a.m. and 3p.m., Monday through Friday. The office will then revert to a Wednesday through Sunday schedule beginning April 1.
The memo also stated that beginning February 28 and extending
through the end of March, every person entering the Woodbine backstretch will be asked to sign a WEG Backstretch Access Rights Form and effective April 1, entry will be denied to persons who have not yet signed this form and obtained a new sticker.
WEG will be conducting regular searches throughout the season to ensure that ORC Licenses and
Backstretch Access Rights forms are up to date. Entry will be immediately denied to any person not meeting the requirements.
According to WEG, the implementation and strict enforcement of the Access Rights program is to ensure safety and security on the backstretch and they ask that all people using the backstretch comply with the policies.
New Rules forVeterinary Care
According to the (ORC) Ontario Racing Commission’s Winter 2005 newsletter, Integrity Matters, new regulations improving the documentation of drugs administered to racehorses went into effect on January 1, 2005.
The rules are a result of the discussion paper titled, Enhancing Safety and Increasing Accountability, issued in June 2003, which proposed greater accountability in the prescription process so as to reduce the incidence of positive drug tests and potentially dangerous drug interactions.
A workable method of documenta- tion has been developed by the ORC and the Ontario Association of Equine Practitioners (OAEP) which
includes a printable database in which each drug is described as to its action, its method of administration, its clearance time, cautions about side-effects and it potential reactions with other medications.
This information is available for veterinarians to print and give to the trainer at the time that the drug is prescribed.
The two commissions agree that full disclosure is the best policy for the welfare of the horse.
Protocol for the new regulations will include a yearly meeting between the treating veterinarian and chief caregiver of the horse, at which time all medications are to be discussed and documented. Trainers are required to set up the meetings
with the treating veterinarian and advise him or her of any medications being used on the horse, including herbal and feed supplements.
A complete list of the rule changes for Veterinary Care are listed on Page 4 of the Integrity Matters newsletter.
Request For Nominations
The Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame
The Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame Thoroughbred Nominating Committee is seeking public participation in the nomination of candidates to be considered for induction in 2004 to the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.
The classification of Inductees are - Horses, Builders, Jockeys and Trainers.
Submissions must include as much detail as possible concerning the record and/or merits of the candidates nominated.
The submissions, if mailed, must be post-marked, or delivered by hand, or faxed no later than April 1st, 2005 to:
Chair of the Thoroughbred Nominating Committee Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame
Woodbine Racetrack
555 Rexdale Blvd., Rexdale, ON M9W 5L2 416-675-3993 ext. 2399 Fax:416-213-2126
Submissions will be considered carefully by the Thoroughbred Nominating Committee and, if approved, will be presented to the Election Committee which will vote by secret ballot on the nominees. A candidate must receive 75% of the votes cast to be declared.
For further information regarding eligibility contact: Louis Cauz at 416-239-6009 or 416-675-3993 ext. 2399
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