Canada

Buckley Resigns From Woodbine

Woodbine's Senior Vice President of Standardbred and Thoroughbred Racing Jessica Buckley resigned from her position to pursue other opportunities, according to a press release circulated on Twitter Friday. Buckley had been in that role since 2020. Prior to that, she served as President of Woodbine Mohawk Park. "On behalf of our organization, I would like to sincerely thank Jessica for her many contributions to our business, the horse racing industry, Woodbine Mohawk Park, and both our Standardbred and Thoroughbred Racing programs," Woodbine's Jim Lawson said in the release. Woodbine Entertainment...

[ Read More ]
Roth Joins Woodbine Board of Directors

Owner and breeder Jaime Roth of LNJ Foxwood Stables has been appointed to the Woodbine Entertainment Board of Directors. "Woodbine is excited to announce the appointment of Jaime to its Board of Directors," said Christine Magee, Chair of the Woodbine Entertainment Board of Directors. "We look forward to working with Jaime and will benefit greatly from her expertise as we leverage her horse racing experience to continue to grow the sport of horse racing in Ontario, and our brand and racing product globally." Roth is a graduate of the University...

[ Read More ]
Pricey Into Mischief Filly Scores at Woodbine

2nd-Woodbine, C$92,730, Msw, 5-14, 2yo, f, 4 1/2f (AWT), :52.41, ft, 4 3/4 lengths. ADORA (f, 2, Into Mischief--Southern Ring {MGSW-Can, SP-USA, $343,998}, by Speightstown) was heavily favored in this debut and ran to the money with a decisive graduation. Dueling on the front end early, the $450,000 FTSAUG buy sauntered clear with ease in the lane to win by 4 3/4 lengths in :52.41. Delilah's Revenge (Good Magic) closed greenly late to get the better of a photo for second at 44-1 for her freshman sire (by Curlin). The...

[ Read More ]
Eugene Melnyk Passes Away at 62

Eugene Melnyk, the owner of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League and a prominent horse owner and breeder who was a member of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame, has passed away at age 62. His death was announced Monday by the Senators, which posted a statement from Melnyk's family on its website, which noted that he died "after an illness he faced with determination and courage." The team did not disclose the exact cause of death. He underwent a liver transplant in 2015. A native of...

[ Read More ]
CTHS Alberta Details '22 Mare Recruitment Program

The Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (Alberta Division) outlined the new Mare Recruitment Program (MRP) offering incentives to mare owners who bring an in-foal mare to Alberta to foal in 2022. The criteria for the MRP program are: Breeders will receive a C$750 incentive for each in-foal mare brought to Alberta. The in-foal mare must not have foaled in Alberta in 2020-21. Mares that were eligible for the HBPA Mare Purchase Program are not eligible for the Program. Maiden mares are eligible for the MRP upon proof that mare resided outside...

[ Read More ]
Number of Graded Stakes in Canada Decreased

The Jockey Club of Canada's Graded Stakes Committee held its annual review of the graded and listed stakes races in Canada and the number of graded stakes in Canada will decrease to 40. The decrease is due partially to individual racetracks choosing to place selected races on hold for the 2022 season and other races that have felt the repercussions of the pandemic. Additionally, two graded stakes races were downgraded. After reviewing the NARC figures and the RQS numbers for all listed and black-type races in Canada, the committee determined...

[ Read More ]
Ontario's Mare Purchase Program Receives Funding Boost
Ontario's Mare Purchase Program Receives Funding Boost

Ontario Racing's Thoroughbred Improvement Program Committee has approved an additional $200,000 for its Mare Purchase Program, bringing the total to $700,000 after an enthusiastic response from breeders. "The main focus of this program is to give Ontario horse people the opportunity to buy a better mare, and higher quality stock," said David Anderson, Breeder Representative on the Board of Ontario Racing and member of the TIP Committee. "There are people who still want to buy horses, and this will help them." The program applies to the Keeneland January Sale, as...

[ Read More ]
Racing in Canada Remains Resolute Amid COVID Turbulence

by Nigel Reid The memory of what COVID-19 restrictions did to Canada's racing industry during the past 18 months, allied to the looming spectre of the troubling new variant, has done little to dispel the general uncertainty surrounding the sport north of the 49th parallel. However, if the results of what was a truncated season are to be believed, there is cause for optimism over the manner in which the sport, especially at the country's flagship Woodbine facility in Toronto, bounced back in 2021. Indeed, rumours of Canadian racing's demise...

[ Read More ]
Woodbine to Implement Vaccination Policy

Woodbine is implementing a COVID-19 Vaccination Policy for its staff, horse racing participants and contractors starting Sept. 15. The track is fully supportive of the Government of Ontario's requirement for guests to provide proof of vaccination in select settings which includes horse racing venues and casinos. As per the Government of Ontario's new policy, guests entering Woodbine Racetrack or Casino Woodbine, Woodbine Mohawk Park Racetrack or Elements Casino Mohawk, Greenwood Teletheatre and WEGZ Stadium Bar will be required to provide proof of full vaccination as of Sept. 22. Employees will...

[ Read More ]
2021 Alberta Thoroughbred Breed Improvement Program Announced

Horse Racing Alberta has released the details of the 2021 Thoroughbred Breed Improvement Program. The total Thoroughbred allocation for breeders, owners and stallion owners has been increased to $1,581,465 for this season. Breeders' will share in $340,233 available to breeders of horses of all ages foaled in Alberta placing win, place and show in all sanctioned races in Alberta having a minimum $7,000 purse and where entered at or above a minimum $6,250 claiming price. The bonus will be paid after the conclusion of the Alberta racing season. Bonuses will...

[ Read More ]
OLG Returns as Sponsor of Canadian Triple Crown

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. (OLG) will partner with Woodbine Entertainment Group for the 2021 Canadian Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing. OLG has been a long-time sponsor of the Triple Crown, encompassing the Queen's Plate at Woodbine, the Prince of Wales S. at Fort Erie and the Breeders' S. at Woodbine. "OLG's continued support of horse racing helps organizations like Woodbine bring the fast-paced action of horse racing to more Ontarians," said Jim Lawson, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment. "With their support, we are able to enhance premier Thoroughbred racing events...

[ Read More ]
New Bonus Plan for BC Owners & Breeders

The British Columbia Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders Association (BCTOBA) and Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association of British Columbia (HBPA of BC) have banded together to help owners and breeders of British Columbia after noticing a decline in mares bred and a decline in entries to local sales, both believed to be due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. A five-year, two-part plan has been established. Internal adjustments to the purse accounts will provide a 35% bonus to those owners racing a BC-bred in 2022 through 2026, an increase from the current...

[ Read More ]
X

Never miss another story from the TDN

Click Here to sign up for a free subscription.