Page 4 - January 2005 The Game

4 The Game, January 2005 Your Thoroughbred Racing Community Newspaper
Letter to the Editor
Dear Editors,
I read with interest articles in the last 2 issues of The Game and the latest issue of the International Digest co authored by Dr. Baker and Mr. A. McKinnon. In that the commentary calls into question numerous decisions made by the C.T.H.S. Board of Directors past and present I felt compelled to comment.
First of all let me make a few things abundantly clear. The C.T.H.S. is here to represent all breeders in the province. We encourage any interested party to contribute ideas and constructive criticism whenever possible. Mr. McKinnon and Dr. Baker have in fact been invited to attend the next board meeting to offer any input that they may deem valuable. Similar opportunities have been offered to other members in the past.
I found numerous factual errors in the commentary submitted and feel that many of the remarks are way off base. I hope that we can clarify some of these issues when we sit down.
I must make a few defensive remarks with regards to our sales and our prospective sales center. There were 3 auction companies that put in a tender to manage both our yearling sale selection and auctioneering. The board’s decision to go with Ryan Mahan and Associates was not taken lightly. To call his credentials into question borders on the ludicrous.
Who is Ryan Mahan and what does he know about our market? Quite simply he is the lead auctioneer for the largest sales company in the world. He is highly respected and has a passion for the Ontario industry. Mr. Mahan was the auctioneer when our sale was run by Canadian Breeders Sales for some 10 years. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge and credibility.
Regarding the selection process, Mr. Donaldson is a conformation expert that regularly “short lists” for many top international buyers. There are few people in the
horse industry that couldn’t learn a thing or two from him. Also, Mr. Donaldson passes the test as someone who has absolutely no axe to grind with anybody in the Ontario industry. In short, he brings no baggage with him.
Yes, I agree that there were too many horses accepted to the Selected Sale. This will be rectified in the future but a reduction in numbers won’t be universally hailed. Plain and simple, we have 270 stalls to use and a limited time to use them. Numbers are a problem.
With regards to the C.T.H.S. Sales/Training Center. We have been totally up front with our efforts. In a perfect world we would never leave Woodbine Racetrack to sell our horses. We have worked very hard at building support and financial alliances so that we can afford to have an appropriate facility in the future. Ideally this would include other purposes than simply a sales site. This undisputedly makes the most economic sense. This task is the most difficult obstacle that I have faced since my involvement with the C.T.H.S. began many years ago.
Our TIP program has been very well received over the past several years. It gets scrutinized annually and will not doubt continue to undergo change to meet the needs of the breeders. It did not all of a sudden fail us. Remember that as you cash your breeders awards cheques, stallion bonus cheques or as you review a very lucrative stakes program.
Let me reiterate, constructive criticism of the C.T.H.S. decisions are more than welcome. I don’t know of any C.T.H.S. director that wouldn’t be happy to make our industry better. In as much as these submissions may help us resolve our problems I say thank you.
R. Glenn Sikura, President,
C.T.H.S. ONTARIO DIVISION. 12/09/04
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Letter from the Editor
Dear Readers,
My sincere apologies go out for any offense I may have unwittingly caused in reference to a recent article published in The Game.
It is the goal of The Game to pro- mote the thoroughbred horse racing industry and you can be assured that The Game will adhere to that goal when choosing the articles which are published in future issues.
In my dealings with the CTHS, Ontario Division, both personally and professionally, I know that the Board and the Staff work very hard and diligently for all of their mem- bers and they are committed to the promotion and livelihood of the thor- oughbred breeding industry in Ontario.
Sincerely,
Stacie Roberts Managing Editor
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