When the saddening news regarding the lacklustre state of Windfields Farm and its equine grave sites came to the fore last week, a swell of outrage flowed from the horse racing community. According to a report, that outrage has not fallen on deaf ears
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In a follow-up article by the Toronto Star, urban affairs reporter Carola Vyhnak has revealed that the graves on the Oshawa, Ont. property, which serve as the final resting places for such industry icons as Northern Dancer, have been tended to since the initial report which displayed the area as all but entirely neglected.
As the first report explained, Windfields Farm and its grave sites, had been left virtually untouched for months upon months. After the farm was closed, the land was transferred to the control of developers and Durham College. The college is in the process of transferring its part of the land to the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, but until that transfer is complete, the land which serves as the final resting spot of some of the nation's greats is left to sit. A memorial which would adequately respect the legacy of the champion runners is planned, but far down the road at this point.
The UOIT's director of Communications and Marketing, Lisa Banks, has now gone on the record as saying that the graves have been tended to since the negative feedback.
Banks was quoted as saying that UOIT has the utmost respect for the farm and the horses buried there. “They’ll get the proper respect they deserve,” she said.
According to the follow-up report, Banks explained that the grave area has been has been 'mowed, weeded and primped.' She also stated that the graves will never be moved and that the area will receive bi-weekly maintenance.
Standardbred Canada thanks all of its readers, and readers of the Toronto Star, who took action to ensure that our Canadian equine heroes are honoured in an appropriate and respectful manner.
(With files from the Toronto Star)
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