On Friday, August 9, the Ontario Racing Commission announced that the Lakeshore Horse Racing Association has been granted preliminary approval in the process which could see the group obtain a license to operate a racetrack.

The Lakeshore group has applied for a license to operate race dates at Leamington Raceway in 2013.

The ORC release states that a preliminary inspection of the site was conducted, and the officials involved with LHRA were subject to a due diligence review. With the completion of this phase, the application will now proceed to the filing of specific details and materials to complete the process.

In its release, the ORC stated that preliminary approval is not to be interpreted as any level of licensing.

The contents of the ORC release on the matter appear below.

The Director of the Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) has granted preliminary approval to the Lakeshore Horse Racing Association (LHRA) as the next step in the continuing process for a license to operate a racetrack.

In April 2013, the ORC received an initial application from LHRA for a licence to operate a racetrack at the Leamington Raceway. A preliminary inspection of the site was conducted and the officials involved with LHRA were subject to a due diligence review. With the completion of this phase, the application will now proceed to the filing of specific details and materials to complete the process.

For example, LHRA is now required to provide:

• Evidence that they have secured sufficient funding to operate the racetrack
• Details confirming the availability and adequacy of the facility (as per ORC requirements)
• Other required documentation related to their plans for the proposed track

As the Crown Agency that regulates horse racing, the ORC implements a rigorous application process in order to protect the public interest, the safety of all participants and to maintain the integrity of racing.

To be clear, preliminary approval is not to be interpreted as any level of licensing. The concept of preliminary approval was established so that applicants for a new racetrack would have confidence that their principals would be suitable for licensing. No approval of the licence will be considered until such time as the applicant has met all of the requirements.

Please be advised that any aggrieved party has the right to appeal the Director’s decision to the Commission.