"Harness Racing is facing an uncertain future,” says author Tina Sugarman of England, who recently penned her first novel, Horse Flesh, which is a fictional thriller mystery that takes place in a harness racing community in Canada.

“The threat of virtual reality terminals replacing live racing is real indeed,” Sugarman explained. “I believe that safeguarding the welfare of the horses who put on the show is one important way to give harness racing a chance to reclaim the fan base it has lost over the last few decades.

“We need to attract people who like horses and love watching them compete,” Sugarman said. “Those are exactly the sorts of people who filled up the grandstands 30 or 40 years ago. Putting the horse centre stage separates this sport from all other forms of entertainment and gambling, but people need to know that it's not tainted by scandals, drugs or exploitation of the animals.”

Sugarman talked about some of the solutions to these problems in her novel.

“I've presented my blueprint in the closing pages of Horse Flesh,” Sugarman said, “to show some of the ways this can and should happen.

"Taking harness racing into the 21st century, using transformative technology that will plunge fans right into the heart of the action and bring the thrills and spills of racing into the grandstand is a no brainer,” Sugarman added. “The ‘wow’ factor is the missing ingredient that will spell success. Real horses raced honestly and retired honourably will banish the threat of virtual horse racing forever.”

Sugarman urges people to read Horse Flesh and take a look at the ideas she has presented in her novel.

“I will personally help support any and all programs that are started up doing my suggestions,” Sugarman said. “It can and will help our industry grow in attendance and popularity.”

Horse Flesh is available at all online booksellers in both paperback and e-reader formats.

Tina Sugarman's debut novel was born out of her personal experiences and portrays a faithful and compelling insight into the world of harness racing. She has been involved with Standardbred horse racing in Ontario for nearly two decades, spending summers on a horse farm just a few miles from Mohawk Racetrack, the premier harness racing track in Canada.

(Tina Sugarman)