Page 16 - 22 February 2013

CANADA
The Future of QH Racing in Ontario
The past six months have been trying.
by Kim Ito
Although there have been a lot of changes to On- tario government, and hope for the future for some of the tracks, the future of Quarter Horse racing in On- tario is looking bleak. Any news specifically relevant to the Ontario Quarter Horse racing industry have been few and far between. Since the call for the end of the Slots At Racetracks Program, we have witnessed:
A number of letter writing campaigns, rallies,
protests and gatherings.
The release of the OMAFRA Panel’s report – most
notably suggesting that horse racing is integral to rural Ontario and that there needs to be considerably more funding allotted than was announced earlier in the year to allow for a successful transition into a new model.
The resignation of the Premier of Ontario Dalton McGuinty, along with that of Minister of Finance Dwight Duncan, both of whom had a hand in end- ing the slots program. Also, a public comment by the Liberal Party that they may have made a mistake in cutting the program so hastily and the stepping down of Minister of Agriculture Ted McMeekin.
The election of the new Premier of Ontario Kathleen Wynn, who is also the new Minister of Argriculture.
Woodbine Racetrack and Mohawk Racetrack receive race dates and make deals with the OLG, allowing for a 2 year program to be established to give time for more discussion about the future of TB and SB rac- ing. Also, the recent announcement that the Horse Improvement Program will receive $30 Million.
As I said, hardly a whisper. The OMAFRA panel did note that if racing were to continue at Ajax Downs then a home market would be necessary in order to sustain purse levels, and that race dates should drop to 30 days per year from 45. However, a “Presidents Message” in a recent newsletter sent to QROOI (Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario) members, stated “Although we expect news any day regarding the state of Quarter Horse racing in the province of Ontario, we are concerned the OMAFRA Transition Panel has not taken steps to confirm at least our 2013 racing season. I am extremely concerned that we are still only talking 2 and 3 years ‘band-aid’ deals. This will do little to stop the exodus from the breeding shed...our industry will need to continue its campaign for long term commitments from the Ontario government to support our submitted long term, self-sustaining model, while con- tinuing to develop our current and new revenue streams.”
The newsletter explained that QROOI President Bob Broadstock met with the OMAFA panel Jan. 15 and “presented a revised 5-year plan for Quarter Horse Rac- ing in Ontario”. Details have yet to be published openly.
For those in the QH industry, the past 6 months have been trying. Brynn & Carol Robertson of Erin, ON, are
one of many family operations finding this winter tougher than most. “I don’t know if there will be racing or not this year,’ said Carol. “The uncertainty is downright depress- ing. Before all of this we were making long term plans, and now you can’t even plan for next year or this summer or even next week.” And there’s also breeding to consider. “We have six broodmares, as well as our weanlings and yearlings and older horses. It’s so hard to know what to do.”
Like many others, Carol & Brynn are frustrated. “The government is not looking after us so we need to look after ourselves. We have lost all faith in govern- ment. Why does everything have to be a secret? Why can’t the government keep us up to date on what’s going on? It feels like the only place they have looked at racing is at Woodbine and Mohawk.” And the most disheart- ening message coming from government is the silence. “At first you think they’re finally moving ahead,” sighs Carol, “and then you realize, not with us they’re not.”
Chantelle Bourgeois & Dean Link of Eniskillen, ON are also angry. “It’s a violation of trust,” said Chantelle. “We did exactly what they told us to – Get Invested, Get Involved. If this had been two corporations instead of citizens and government, and one party had so misled the other and terminated agreements without warning and caused such hardship, you can bet there’d be a lawsuit.”
Chantelle sat on the QROOI Steering Commit-
tee last fall, which brought a number of industry stakeholders together to develop a plan for the industry following the end of the SAR program. “Under the circumstances we tried to put together a solid plan to move forward. We were confident at that time that we would be racing in 2013. Now, I have no idea.”
Barry Wood of Port Perry, ON, involved in QH racing for over 45 years, is feeling desperate. “I’m scared. We’re almost ready to start training and most of us are investing in a race season that may never come. I would have been better off if they’d told me last fall we wouldn’t have racing this year. Being strung along on a hope and a prayer all winter long is going to destroy us completely.” More to the point, Barry is concerned how we can get to a new season from this point at this time of the year. “We don’t know how many race dates we have; we don’t have a stake program; we don’t know what purse levels will be. This has been going on far too long. How can govern- ment make promises to their constituents and then take it all away like that. It’s pretty disgusting, the whole thing, and in my opinion, all to fill a couple of men’s pockets.”
It’s my hope that by the time this article makes its
way to Speedhorse readers, some deal will have formed for Quarter Horse racing stakeholders in Ontario. If not, there may be a lot less news coming from North of the Border than even the little provided over the past 11 months.
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SPEEDHORSE, February 22, 2013
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