The Raceway at Western Fair District, Leamington Raceway, Flamboro Downs and Rideau Carleton Raceway all hosted Caretaker Appreciation Day events last weekend as part of National Caretaker Appreciation initiatives facilitated by Standardbred Canada.
The weekend of July 19-21, tracks, stables and training centres from across the country hosted events recognizing and rewarding caretakers in different ways, and the tracks that weren’t racing at that time had the option of hosting a fall event.
Some of the ways in which caretakers were recognized at events last weekend included: names announced in post parades and winner’s circle, complimentary refreshments, draw prizes, and more.
“I was paddocking for Donnie Rankin. I thought it was a well-presented show of gratitude towards caretakers and hard working people of the horses in our industry,” Tammy Durbridge (Leamington Raceway)
“I think caretaker appreciation day is a tremendous way to recognize the grooms. You can see it throughout the paddock that the grooms feel more appreciated and prouder,” Mark MacDonell (Flamboro Downs)
The Ontario events were supported by Ontario Racing (OR) and The Central Ontario Standardbred Association (COSA). OR donated VISA gift cards for prize draws to all participating tracks and COSA provided HPI cards for one winner from each race on the card.
Standardbred Canada would like to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to all of the racetracks, associations, sponsors and partners who supported this initiative.
Harness Racing BC is rescheduling its Caretaker Appreciation Day event at Fraser Downs. Originally slated for this Friday, October 11, it will now be scheduled in December, with a date to be confirmed in the near future.