Page 61 - Canada Spring 2019

NEWS BRIEFS
Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario, Inc.
Equine Career Night at University of Guelph
The University of Guelph, located in Guelph, Ontario, will hold an Equine Career Night between 7 and 9 p.m. on March 7. The event will allow equine professionals, students and employees to connect and learn about job opportunities in the horse industry, and will also in- clude a used tack sale. The University of Guelph Bach- elor of Bio-Resource Management program is the only four-year degree studying horses available in Canada, and emphasizes both science and business skills. Regis- tration for the Equine Career Night is open until Feb. 28 by emailing eqevents@uoguelph.ca.
Ontario Racing Officials Sign Funding Agreement
The Ontario Racing Board of Directors on May 9 an- nounced the signing of an historic long-term funding agreement with the Ontario Government, which will allot up to $105 million annually to horse racing indus- try stakeholders over a 19-year period. The funding will be used to sustain horse breeding and racing, including purse management, operational expenses and capital improvements. Additionally, Ontario will continue the Enhanced Horse Improvement Program and intro- duced a new Racetrack Sustainability Innovation Fund, providing up to $6 million over three years. “Our government recognizes that the horse racing industry
is vital to communities across Ontario,” said Jeff Leal, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
QROOI Office Moves
The head office of the Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario, Inc. moved to Ajax Downs on Oct. 24 at 50 Alexander’s Crossing, Ajax, ON. The telephone, fax and email remained the same.
2019 Accredited Quarter Horse Stallions
The Ontario Quarter Horse Racing Industry Devel- opment Program announced the 2019 Accredited Quarter Horse Stallions. They are Azure Down There, Bodacious Jess, Caviar And Corona, Cold Hard Dash, Dash To The Arctic, Dashair, Divine Cartel, El Night Shift, Fire Finder, Goldun Pacific, Look At Magics Form, Maryland Magic, Mr Jess Tex, Ocean Dinastia, Oh Whata Snow, Panther Dash, Star Fire Dash, Streakin Down Home and Sugarman Perry.
Ajax Downs To Remain Open
According to the Quarter Racing Owners of On- tario, Inc. (QROOI), the Hon. Rod Phillips on Oct. 9 announced that an agreement in principle had been reached to allow for the continuation of operations at Ajax Downs. The agreement ensures a sustainable solution with no less than 500 slots at Ajax Downs through to 2026, and options to extend another 12 years after that, and will result in 10,000 direct and indirect jobs within Dur- ham Region and hundreds of millions of dollars
in private sector capital investment. The previous government had withdrawn their support from Ajax Downs. “The Premier and I promised to find a practical solution to protect jobs, and preserve this economic opportunity for the town of Ajax,” said Phillips, Member of Provincial Parliament for Ajax who was joined by Mayor Steve Parish and QROOI President Bob Broadstock. “Today, I’m pleased to announce that this promise made, is now a promise kept,” Phillips continued. “I com- mitted to continue to fight on behalf of the people of Ajax, and those who rely on the industry.”
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