FEBRUARY 2013 THE RIDER /31
OHRIA Applauds Woodbine Entertainment Group for Deal to Ensure Horse Racing for 2013/14
The Ontario Government and Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG), owners of Wood- bine Racetrack in Toronto and Mohawk Race- course in Campbellville, announced a deal that will allow WEG to continue to host thoroughbred and standardbred racing in 2013 and 2014. WEG, which is known for its world class racing and facilities, have negotiated a short term deal with the Government of Ontario. This deal will ensure that there is racing at WEG in 2013 and 2014 while a more sustainable and long term
ORC Movers to OMAFRA
The Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) will be reporting to the Ontario Ministry of Agricul- ture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), effec- tive immediately. The announcement of the min- istry change was included in a news release which indicated that an agreement in principle has been made between the Government of Ontario and Woodbine Entertainment Group.
ORC Chair Seiling has already had commu- nications with Minister McMeekin and ORC Executive Director Steve Lehman has spoken with a number of senior OMAFRA personnel. As it has with other ministries, the ORC looks for- ward to building a strong working relationship with OMAFRA.
racing model is negotiated between WEG and the Province.
While the Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association (OHRIA) applauds the efforts of those involved in this short term agreement, OHRIA will remain vigilant in pursuing an agreement with the new Premier of Ontario and OMAFRA to ensure a sustainable horse racing and breeding industry for the long term. “OHRIA thanks Minister McMeekin and the OMAFRA panel; Elmer Buchanan, John Snobelen and John Wilkinson, and from WEG Jim Lawson and Nick Eaves, for their efforts,” commented OHRIA President, Sue Leslie, “While this announcement ensures racing for the next two years at WEG, it does not deal with the five year breeding cycle and the investments made by breeders, horse owners, and race track operators all across this Province. Horse racing must be integrated into the OLG’s overall gam- ing strategy in order for the industry to remain
sustainable.”
In 2012, the OLG implemented a Modern- ization Plan which includes the building of 29 new casinos in the Province while terminating the highly successful Slots at Racetracks Pro- gram and excluding horseracing from the Province’s overall gaming strategy.
offset the cannibalization of the industry’s wagering dollar to the slots, and the municipality where the racetracks are located received a 5% share of the slots revenue.
Initiated in 1998, the Slots at Racetracks (SAR) Program was a partnership between the horse racing industry, the OLG and the race- track’s host municipalities. For more than a decade, this Program has been a remarkable source of revenue for the Province with more than $9 billion (since 2001) in revenue being generated for the Province and used to build hos- pitals, community centers, as well as infrastruc- ture and donations to community organizations, mainly in rural areas. Under the SAR Program the Province received 75% of slots revenue, the horse racing industry received a 20% share of the slots revenue, a figure which was negotiated to
Since 1998, the $2 billion horse racing industry, which employs more than 55,000 Ontarians has faced increased competition for its wagering dollar from OLG’s expansion of its casinos, lotteries and slots facilities. With the SAR Program ending on March 31, 2013, the horse racing industry is facing an uncertain future while OLG continues to expand its opera- tions in direct competition with the horse racing industry and excluding it from its overall gaming strategy.
For more information on the Ontario horse racing industry, the Slots at Racetracks Program and the proposed OMAFRA Sustainability Model please visit
www.value4money.ca For information on this press release con- tact OHRIA, 416-679-0741 or
ohria@ohria.com
The ORC will continue to support and be a resource to OMAFRA as the racing industry works to move to a more self-sustaining model. For further information, please contact Rod Seiling at the Ontario Racing Commission at (416) 213-052
Sovereign Awards Ceremony
Winning in Paradise
The Jockey Club of Canada is excited to announce that the 38th Annual Sovereign Awards Ceremony will once again kick off the new racing year in 2013 at Woodbine Racetrack. Honouring the Canadian Champions of 2012, the 38th Sovereign Awards Ceremony will be held on the third floor of Woodbine Race Track in Toronto on Friday, April 19, 2013, the evening before Woodbine’s Opening Day of Thoroughbred Racing. The 2013 Live Thorough- bred meet at Woodbine will commence the fol- lowing day, April 20.
The Jockey Club of Canada Announces the Date for the
Double Month Triple Show Spectacular
YOU CAN BE THERE! March 15th-1th
All Equine Show in London March 28th-31st
Can-Am All Breeds Emporium in Orangeville
March 29th to 31st Ontario’s Mane Event in Toronto
The elegant, cocktail-attire celebration will begin at 6pm with a champagne reception, fol- lowed by a buffet-style gourmet dinner, and tropi- cal entertainment along with the evening’s feature event, the presentation of the Sovereign Award Trophies to Canada’s Racing Champions of 2012 and Canada’s Horse of the Year.
Tickets are each $250 plus applicable taxes (tables of 10 are $2500) and must be reserved in advance by contacting The Jockey Club of Cana- da at 416-675-7756 or email: jockeyclub@bell-
net.ca
For a list of the 2012 Sovereign Award Finalists go to:
http://www.jockeyclubcanada.com/2012- sovreign-award-finalists/
The Jockey Club of Canada was founded in 1973 by E.P. Taylor to serve as the international representative of the Canadian Thoroughbred industry and to promote improvements to Thor- oughbred racing and breeding, both in Canada and internationally.
The Jockey Club of Canada also operates as a field office of The Jockey Club (New York); organizes the Sovereign Awards; administers the Canadian Graded Stakes program; liaises with foreign Jockey Clubs; promotes Thoroughbred ownership; and represents Canada at international racing conferences.
Contact us at 1-877-743-3715, email
barry@therider.com www.therider.com
https://twitter.com/theridercom http://www.facebook.com/pages/TheRiderNewspaper
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