Horsemen Rally At Hippodrome De Montreal

Hippodrome de Montreal.jpg
Published: March 31, 2009 06:07 pm EDT

Dozens of Quebec horsemen and breeders, and even a couple of horses, made a brief return visit to Hippodrome de Montreal today

in an effort to stir public and government interest in the plight of the Quebec racing industry, which has been without live racing since December, with no resumption imminent.

Alain Vallieres, president of the horsemen’s association (ATAQ), called on provincial horseracing agency SONACC to take back Hippodrome de Montreal, which it still owns, and for the provincial finance minister to cut off the continuing flow of VLT profits to racetrack operator Attractions Hippiques, using the money instead for a purse fund for the industry.

With Attractions Hippiques well behind in its lease payments, SONACC could and should reclaim Hippodrome de Montreal and oversee the presentation of live racing there until a suitable alternative is found, Vallieres said.

“Enough is enough,” Vallieres said. “The government shouldn’t hide behind legal procedures. It has to take position. There are 3,000 jobs at stake.”

Attractions Hippiques has been in creditor protection since June. Its latest request for another extension has been suspended while Montreal Superior Court Judge Chantal Corriveau decides whether to continue presiding after a challenge by horsemen’s association lawyers. Her husband is an associate of a law firm representing Attractions Hippiques’ lenders, whose legal fees in the case are being paid by the racetrack operator.

(A Trot Insider exclusive by Paul Delean)

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