The Ontario horse racing industry is contributing $4.5 billion or 77 per cent of the total annual economic contributions from racing in Canada, according to a new study released today by Equine Canada and Strategic Equine
. The Economics of Horse Racing in Canada, an in‐depth report on the horse racing industry on a province‐by‐province basis, identifies the significant economic contributions realized through horse racing in Canada – the industry generates more than 47,000 full-time equivalent jobs and $5.7 billion annually to the national economy.
The racing sector represents a small percentage of the total number of horses in Canada, but a significantly higher percentage of the overall economic contribution that comes from horses in Canada. With 45,000 horses active in the racing sector (five per cent of the total Canadian herd), the horse racing sector provides 26 per cent of the total economic contribution, and a $5.7 billion annual economic impact. Racing in Ontario represents the largest provincial sector for the national racing industry, with more than 68 per cent of the total racing opportunities and 86 per cent of the total purses earned in 2010.
The Economics of Horse Racing In Canada is the first in a series of ‘state of the industry’ reports to be developed by Equine Canada from the 2010 Canadian Horse Industry Profile Study, released in 2011. The 2010 study provided the country with the broadest and the deepest analysis of the national equine industry since Equine Canada first began producing the reports in 1998.
“The demographic and economic information garnered in the 2010 survey provided a wealth of information that is pivotal to demonstrating the contribution of the Canadian horse industry to the country’s overall economic health,” states Mike Gallagher, President of Equine Canada. “Our goal with the national study and related State Of The Industry reports such as this, is to better inform decision‐making and policy development as it affects our industry and our horses.”
“With a short, intense competition career for active race horses, the annual expenditure on products and services for race horses is significantly higher than for most other horses. Horse racing drives demand for specialist equine veterinarians, and equine health products and services that add to the health infrastructure for the horse industry as a whole,” states Vel Evans, author of the study.
“Through all our fifteen years of research for provincial, national and international horse industries, it has been apparent that where there’s a healthy horse racing industry, there’s a strong horse industry.”
“Horse racing in Ontario, and the thousands of men and women who work in this flourishing industry, play a very important role in this national success story,” adds Gallagher. “We strongly encourage the government of Ontario to work with the industry to ensure horse racing continues to grow and prosper. The benefits of this successful partnership are felt not only in Ontario but in every part of Canada, throughout our rural and farming communities, and among the tens of thousands of men and women who work with and care for our horses, or supply products and services to the horse racing industry.”
To read about the report in more detail, use the following links:
I agree with Mike I am going
I agree with Mike I am going to be 50 this year and have had my life turned upside down like others im sure. Ive been around horses all my life , there is no excuse to not be at this rally. Its one day out of your life to show your support for Horse racing and your horses. Which some are like extended parts of our familys. I know all horse groups are working hard, but its time to stand up. Hope to see everyone monday.
Here is a real letter to an
Here is a real letter to an Orono paper that I saw today:
Some chap in Orono had written into the paper thinking that the Racing Industry was asking for money from the Liberals.He stated that if the Race industry needed more money, they should "raise their bets." I called him up to ask him what he meant and he said,"You know, instead of a $2.00 bet, the bet should be raised up to $3.00."
He was of the opinion that people make money from the race track itself. I tried to explain to him how the pari-mutuel system works, but he could not be told. I offered to show him the SC website, but no go!!!.
I then proceeded to cut out his letter and mailed it to Mr. Darryl Kaplan at the SC website.
This poor soul had no idea of odds, etc. I told him that the Liberals were making a mistake with the race tracks, but he still wanted to charge more at the mutuel machines in order to bring more money into the track.
ONLY IN ONTARIO!!!!!!!
mike pennington I am
mike pennington
I am attending the rally on monday and for the life of me cant understand why we have a fractioned front line. I have been doing this all my life and will be 49 this yr. I came do greenwood when I was 15 yrs old and have been here ever since. My life depends on this decision.I greatly appreciate the work ohria has done and is doing but why are they splitting everyone up and telling us to only take direction from them.The OHHA has been around as long as I personally can remember and while some people may have become discontented with them in the last 10 yrs...mostly from what I understand was the antics of Jim Whelan who is no longer there they have always been there for the horseman. Up until this latest fight with the Liberals I personally and I guess should be ashamed to admit it didnt no anything about ohria so I understand peoples confusion. We need all horse groups to be represented there monday and its in Ohria Ohha And every individual involved in this industry in any way that needs to be there Im not sure where the problem lies with that but I implore our associations leaders to back each other in all endeavours and when communicating to government be on the same page we are all 1 big body of people and we need to show that...Ill wear an Ohria and an Ohha and any pin any one wants to make, lets just do it together..