Graeme Mitchell To Rideau

Published: December 3, 2008 01:17 pm EST

Trot Insider has spoken to Graeme Mitchell, veteran Quebec horse racing handicapper, television personality and jack of all trades, after he was let go by racetrack operator Attractions Hippiques Wednesday, December 3.

Mitchell confirmed that he will be partnering with Norm Borg of Rideau Carleton Raceway for a variety of on-camera and other projects related to racing in the Ottawa, Ont. region.

"I've been a part of the Quebec industry for 35 years," Mitchell said. "I'm not happy that I've been let go by Attractions Hippiques. They've been good to me, to an extent. I'm still friends with Gerard Landry. To tell you the truth, I thought that I was out of a job a month ago. The time had come."

The current demise of Quebec's racing industry has pained breeders, owners and all horsepeople, but that doesn't mean folks like Mitchell and other racing employees don't feel a similar sting.

"It's an absolute shame to watch what is happening in Quebec right now," Mitchell said. "When you've invested so much over the course of so many years, yeah, it hurts. I don't want to leave on bad terms or say an nasty things because I have got so much respect for the Quebec industry. It's full of good people and great horsemen. It's tough to see it in the shape it is right now."

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