Dozens of Quebec horsemen and breeders, and even a couple of horses, made a brief return visit to Hippodrome de Montreal today
in an effort to stir public and government interest in the plight of the Quebec racing industry, which has been without live racing since December, with no resumption imminent.
Alain Vallieres, president of the horsemen’s association (ATAQ), called on provincial horseracing agency SONACC to take back Hippodrome de Montreal, which it still owns, and for the provincial finance minister to cut off the continuing flow of VLT profits to racetrack operator Attractions Hippiques, using the money instead for a purse fund for the industry.
With Attractions Hippiques well behind in its lease payments, SONACC could and should reclaim Hippodrome de Montreal and oversee the presentation of live racing there until a suitable alternative is found, Vallieres said.
“Enough is enough,” Vallieres said. “The government shouldn’t hide behind legal procedures. It has to take position. There are 3,000 jobs at stake.”
Attractions Hippiques has been in creditor protection since June. Its latest request for another extension has been suspended while Montreal Superior Court Judge Chantal Corriveau decides whether to continue presiding after a challenge by horsemen’s association lawyers. Her husband is an associate of a law firm representing Attractions Hippiques’ lenders, whose legal fees in the case are being paid by the racetrack operator.
(A Trot Insider exclusive by Paul Delean)
Enough is enough indeed.
Enough is enough indeed. Horsemen can't live without live racing. It's time to get back there and do what we're supposed to do like the old days and race those 50 weeks per year like we used to.
Leonardo Francesco
YES ENOUGH IS ENOUGH WAKE
YES ENOUGH IS ENOUGH WAKE UP THE GOVERNMENT
GILLES GAUTHIER
Who can accuse Judge Cnatal
Who can accuse Judge Cnatal Corriveau of "conflict of intetest" just becasue her husband(another lawyer, is an associate of a law firm representing Attactions Hippiques lenders whose legal fees are being paid by the racetrack operator. How dare they, lawyers don't have conflicts of interest they only have self interest!!
je comprend vraiment pas ou
je comprend vraiment pas ou vous vous en allez avec vos demarches Messieurs de l'ATAQ,
j'espere me tromper mais je crois vraiment que vous avez manquer le bateau en refusant la plan de restructuration, difficile a comprendre aussi comment vous avez pu refuser le plan sans meme demander aux membres ce qu'ils eux en pensait, peut-etre un vote de la part des membres aurait eu un different resultat de la decision que vous avez prise,
bonne chance dans vos demarches,
Gil Mercier