It was announced earlier this month that horseman Trevor Williams has been voted in as the new president of the Manitoba Great Western Harness Racing Circuit. Williams, who is a bank manager by trade, has said that the provincial industry has “a lot to look forward to.”
Williams and the Manitoba Standardbred industry were recently featured in a piece by Pembina Valley Online.
A Sustainability Review for the Manitoba Horse Racing Industry that was recently released by the Province of Manitoba has stated that the economic impact of horse racing in Manitoba is upwards of $142 million. In addition, the important industry provides hundreds of jobs for the province, generates direct tax revenue, and is an important contributor to the provincial economy – in both urban and rural settings.
The study also touched on the fact that it might be advantageous for the Manitoba harness industry to race in a larger market like Winnipeg along with its current rural presence.
"Racing in Winnipeg would be a huge plus for us,” Williams told Pembina Valley Online. “That being said, we want to keep our rural connection, our rural roots, that have got us where we are today."
In speaking about racing at the rural tracks in 2019, Williams said that "all the towns seem excited for another year.” He went on to add that “nothing will change for 2019, and we should have dates released fairly soon."
(With files from Pembina Valley Online)