In a recent news release on August 6, 2021, the B.C. Government has agreed to finance both Harness Racing British Columbia and the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association of BC with a single CA$3 million grant. This comes after the legislature’s refusal to fund the sport in the spring which led to the Fraser Downs’ season coming to an earlier conclusion.
The suspension of the horse racing season at Fraser Down in mid-April this year has resulted in over 130 workers being left out without occupation. Due to the unprecedented situation and casino close in the province, the local horse racing industry has been left out without its usual financing from revenue on slot machines.
Live Racing Can Return
In a recent interview, executive director of Harness Racing BC, Nigel Holmes stated that the grant comes as a way to sustain the live harness industry in the province. The money will be used to host races, hire workers, payments for the purses, maintaining the track, stable the horses, and fund a host of agricultural support programs for breeding, rearing, and training.
Kelly MacMillan, president of HRBC stated the financing comes as great news for the local horse racing industry. According to her, breeders, owners, trainers, and backstretch workers have been patiently waiting for similar news for a long time. She added that the BC Government and all MLAs have listened to them and have obliged.
David Milburn, president of the HBPA said that the organization is now looking into extending the current season by adding another month to it. Then they will be changing their focus to a full 2022 season. Mr. Milburn added that the association is now looking forward to welcoming back thousands of the sport’s fans and that the industry is in a much better situation after the grant announcement.
Mr. Holmes has also declared that the grant gives the industry a great kickstart and in his opinion is very reassuring when the government supports the sports. According to him, harness racing at Fraser Downs can restart as early as the third week of September and run until the end of the current year. He also explained that the racing schedule for the track should be finalized in the upcoming 10 days or so.
Financially Troubled
Due to the occurrence of the unprecedented situation in March 2020, the Fraser Downs racetrack has been put into a very unfavorable position. Since casino properties in the province were closed down for almost 16 months, the track has been unable to receive its usual funding from the gaming properties. The track restarted operations in September 2020, for the first time since the beginning of the first lockdown.
July Proposal
This July, the Township of Langley has sent a letter of proposal to the BC Horse Racing Industry Management on how to deal with the turbulent harness racing industry. According to the letter, the township suggests replacing Vancouver’s Hastings Park and Surrey’s Fraser Downs with a new horse racing oval. The proposed all-weather track will be located on lands owned by the township at the North East corner of 216 Street and 80 Avenue, however, the project is only at discussion stages.
Source: Jordan, Malin “Government provides $3M in funding for horse racing in B.C.”, North Delta Reporter, August 9, 2021
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