Canada

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Canada's Private Members Bill C-218, which amends the Criminal Code of Conduct regarding sports betting, was passed in the House of Commons Wednesday, Feb. 17. It will now continue to the Justice Committee, the Senate, and the Governor-General. A similar bill, C-13, introduced by the federal government to legalize single-event sports wagering while including language to protect the horse racing industry, is scheduled for a second reading Friday. Both are widely expected to pass and pave the way for Canadians to participate in single sports betting, while also adopting language...

The Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (Ontario Division) (CTHS), Ontario Racing Management (ORM) and Woodbine Entertainment have reached an agreement which includes the CTHS forming an industry relations sub-committee of its Board of Directors. This new CTHS Industry Relations Sub-Committee (IRSC), will include representation from the CTHS, ORM and Woodbine with a mandate to work together for the betterment of the entire industry. Initial members of IRSC include Peter Berringer (President (Ont) and National Vice President, CTHS), members of the CTHS Board of Directors, Tom Via (Chief Operating Officer, Woodbine Entertainment)...

Sam-Son Farm will be presented with the Special Sovereign Award during the 46th Annual Sovereign Awards Virtual Ceremony, which will be held in April. Selected by the Jockey Club of Canada's Stewards, the Special Sovereign Award honors those who have accomplished outstanding achievements and made a significant contribution to the Thoroughbred Industry in Canada. Over the past five decades, Sam-Son Farm, a Canadian Thoroughbred breeding and racing operation founded in 1972 by Ernie and Liza Samuel, has been the recipient of four Eclipse Awards, 13 Hall of Fame Awards and...

Sam-Son Farm, whose Thoroughbred racing and breeding operation dates back to 1972 and is considered a pillar of the sport in Canada, will be dispersing its stock over the next 18 months, primarily through public auctions handled by Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton. The liquidation of racing and breeding stock was announced via press release Oct. 28. Sam-Son executives did not cite a specific reason beyond saying in a prepared statement that: "After serious consideration and discussion, the owners have unanimously decided to initiate an orderly dispersal and to step back from...

Assiniboia Downs will be the first track in Canada to resume live racing with no spectators Monday night. They will run Monday through Wednesday with first post at 7:30 p.m. The track is offering $20 in free wagers when players launch their accounts. Players can sign up for an account at HPIbet.com or by phoning 204-885-3330 ext. 225. The track, in fact, is guaranteeing a $10,000 pick-4 pool.

Canada's version of the Eclipse Awards, the Sovereign Awards is set to be held during a virtual ceremony Tuesday evening at 8 p.m. Eastern time. The ceremony will be streamed live at www.woodbine.com and HPItv Canada. A digital program will be available for download at the Jockey Club of Canada website. The Sovereign Awards, which recognize the nation's best across 12 equine and five human categories, was originally slated for Apr. 16, but officials were forced to postpone the program due to the coronavirus pandemic. Media Sovereign Awards in the...