On September 2, 2022, the Horse Racing Alberta (HRA) Board of Directors held a Special Board Meeting to approve the 2023 budget allocations for Purse Support, Breed Improvement, and the Horse Population Incentive Program. This was done to provide the industry stakeholders timely information prior to the 2022 Yearling sales for Thoroughbreds/Quarter Horses and Standardbreds.
The HRA Board approved the following program budget allocations:
1. Purse Support Program allocation:
- 2023 - $13,500,000 Approved Budget
- 2024 - $14,500,000 Approved Budget
- 2025 - $15,500,000 Projection
- 2026 - $16,000,000 Projection
The overall projected Purse support increase between 2022 and 2026 is 28%. Purse support amounts for 2025 and 2026 are projections that are reviewed annually and may be subject to change.
2. Breed Improvement allocation:
- 2023 - $3,900,000 Approved Budget
- 2024 - $4,200,000 Approved Budget
The overall increase between 2022 and 2024 is 23.5%. Projected Breed Improvement program amounts for 2025-2026 are currently under review.
3. Horse Population Incentive program is extended for 2023
The total program allocation of $500,000 will be split between Racing Associations/Tracks as follows:
- ASHA - $200,000
- HBPA - $200,000
- AQHRA - $50,000
- ACTRA / “B” Tracks - $50,000
4. The HRA Board has reviewed and approved the 2023 Race Day Calendar
The following schedule is subject to confirmation from Century Racetracks, ASHA and HBPA.
“A” CIRCUIT SCHEDULE
There will be a total of 54 Thoroughbred race days and 72 Standardbred race days as follows:
Century Mile:
- Thoroughbreds will start training at Century Mile on March 1. The meet starts on May 6 and ends on September 2 (38 race days); and
- Standardbreds will race at Century Mile from January 7-28, 2023 and then again from September 8 and until December 31 (34 race days).
Century Downs:
- Standardbreds will begin racing at Century Downs on March 11 and run until August 12 (34 race days); and
- Thoroughbreds will begin racing at Century Downs from September 9 to October 29 (16 race days).
“B” CIRCUIT SCHEDULE
There will be a total of 49 Thoroughbred race days and 17 Standardbred race days.
Rocky Mountain Turf Club
- Thoroughbreds start training in March. The Spring meet starts on May 6 and ends on June 27 (16 race days); and
- Thoroughbreds return on September 3rd and the Fall meet ends on October 7 (16 race days).
Millarville
- Thoroughbreds run on July 1, 2023 (1 race day).
Evergreen Park
- Thoroughbreds run from July 8 until August 27 (16 race days).
The Track On 2
- Standardbreds race from July 2 to September 17 (17 race days).
(HRA)