Page 177 - July 2019

PAINT RACING’S FUTURE IN
BIG SKY
COUNTRY
Story by Jamie Howard, photos provided by APHA
Horseracing is a big part of Montana’s history. In fact, horseracing rules were formally formed in the territory for races at
the Territorial Fair in 1868, 21 years before Montana gained statehood. Paint Horses have been a large part of that history. Their popularity in the area is largely due to the Native American horsemen of the Crow Nation. Even through the years racehorse wagering was illegal in Montana, from 1915–1930, horseracing remained popular at the Crow Fair. Races on the reservation kept Paint racehorses active in the state.
Through the peak, the Montana race circuit had 16 racetracks with 143 race days. The circuit contained Paint stakes races at Miles City Bucking Horse Sale, Missoula, Great Falls and Billings, along with races at Crow Agency.
APHA’s 2005 Champion Running Regular Registry 3-Year-Old Gelding Crow Sovereign wins at Los Alamitos
Some notable Paint Horses have come
a 2000 bay solid mare by Treasured and out of Amazing Trace QH, was APHA’s 2003 Champion Running Solid 3-Year-Old Filly, and Crow Sovereign, a 2002 brown tobiano gelding by Aze Beduino and out of Hurrah For Spots, was APHA’s 2005 Champion Running Regular Registry 3-Year-Old Gelding. Kories Silk, a 2006 sorrel tobiano mare by Judys Lineage and out of Steppin On Silk QH, set a Paint record covering 300 yards in :15.135 at Yellowstone Downs’ 2009 meet, a record which still stands today with APHA.
Like many Western states, casinos and video gaming have taken their toll on horseracing. Montana currently runs race meets at Miles City and Great Falls. The races are mixed-breed races, so Paints run with Quarter Horses. Paint stakes races haven’t
change, due to State Senator Mark Blasdel’s recent efforts. Senate Bill 183, signed by the Governor on May 1, directs the Montana Board of Horse Racing to study the feasibility of bringing electronic betting on historical horseracing to the state.
Horsemen across the United States are quite aware historical horseracing has been successful in restoring race purses and breed programs. The neighboring state of Wyoming has had great success in developing a lucrative Wyoming-Bred program and has added purses to renewed racing.
The Montana Board of Horse Racing is to present the study to the 2021 legislative session for lawmakers review. It’s ironic, Montana, a state with such a long and colorful horseracing history, might see new life in the sport with “historical
horse racing.”
“Horseracing is a big part of Montana’s history. In fact, horseracing rules were formally formed in the territory for races at the Territorial Fair in 1868, 21 years before Montana gained statehood.”
f f
APHA’s 2003 Champion Running Solid 3-Year-Old Filly Star Trace wins the Yellowstone Downs Paint Derby
r r
o o
m m
t t
h h
e e
M M
o o
n n
t t
a a
n n
a a
r r
a a
c c
e e
c c
i i
r r
c c
u u
i i
t t
s s
. .
S S
t t
a a
r r
T
a a
c c
e e
, ,b
e e
e e
n n
h h
eld since 2011, although this could e
T
r
b
r
SPEEDHORSE July 2019 175
PAINT HORSE BULLETIN