The three member OMAFRA panel, charged with the transition of horse racing in Ontario, issued a statement on Nov. 6 revealing their expectations regarding the purse structure of the Ontario Sires Stakes program.
The full statement, in response to a request for clarification from the Standardbred Breeders of Ontario, is as follows:
“With the implementation of the recommendations by our panel, and with fine tuning of the funding in the weeks ahead, it is our expectation and intent that the current purse structure for the highly successful OSS program could be maintained for 2013 and beyond.”
Anna Meyers, President of the SBOA, sees the written statement as an important step in restoring confidence in Ontario’s world renowned breeding sector.
“The SBOA has asked the panel for clarity and they’ve provided this written response,” said Meyers. “At Harrisburg this week, we’re hearing a lot of questions from breeders that are selling Ontario-sired horses. We believe it is extremely important that buyers understand that this vital program will continue in its entirety and we hope this will give them confidence as they make buying decisions this week.”
While Meyers is pleased with the statement, she cautions that there is still work to be done. “We feel there is a lot of discussion that needs to take place on a number of issues, and we’re very hopeful that we’re able to to make meaningful progress on behalf of the many standardbred breeders in Ontario.”
The panel, which consists of Elmer Buchanen, John Snobelen and John Wilkinson, last month issued their panel report on the future of horse racing in Ontario.
Following the Harrisburg
Following the Harrisburg sale, I did some calculations.
New York, and New Jersey sales averages were both up slightly-Ny by $2115.00, NJ by $2577.00 Pennsylvania was down by $2650.00, Indianna was up by $2555.00. These are all acceptable variances from year to year.
Ontario's average, on the other hand, was a glaring $11,889.00 down from last year.
That is NOT acceptable. Proof positive of the damage done by a Liberal party and it's minister who did not even take the time to do a review of the impact the horse industry has in the province.
Remember the last report this
Remember the last report this government got...The 'Drummond Report'
they didn't use it....why would they consider this report...
wait for dates and purse structure...there maybe OSS, but everything else was cut in half... I can't see why they would let this slip by
that $40,000 purse number stated by McMeekin, just didn't fall out of the sky...it was a shot across the bow
Good line Bobbi. Is this all
Good line Bobbi. Is this all part of the "master plan"? Ted McMeekin certainly seems to be part of the government's mission to sabbotage the industry as we read in another article on SC. Promise the money for the purses so they look like the good guys and shut down the racetracks in rural Ontario. Interesting concept. Yet another backwards plan from the Liberals!
As the song says " You picked
As the song says " You picked a fine time...Lucille". This should have been announced weeks ago. Some breeders have been literally wiped out, but this could have salvaged something if buyers were privy to the information.
Too bad this statement comes
Too bad this statement comes two months too late for those breeders selling Ontario Sired Yearlings in the Canadian Open and Forest City Yearling Sales here in Ontario! May be timely enough to help out some of the US Breeders who are selling OSS Yearlings, but suspect, much more than a wide open statement such as this will be required to restore confidence in our Ontario Sires Stakes Program, and certainly not on the word of this Government, who can revoke this statement in a second if it suits them better, as evidenced during the past year!
Purses maintained.... but will race where???? If there are only 5 or 6 tracks left, including Woodbine and Mohawk, that still doesn't bode well for Grassroot OSS Racing.
It is encouraging but worded
It is encouraging but worded very cautiously. They announced this at the sale in Harrisburg and there was applause. Let's see what it does for the prices. Personally this isnt enough for me to go and spend big money on a foal. Call me pesimistic but this government can't be trusted. When I see it confirmed by race dates and purse structure, then I will give praise.
Georg Leber-ICR Racing
Finally, a step in the right
Finally, a step in the right direction but it is just a step. Hopefully, this panel will have seen the error of their ways, Mr. McMeekin will keep out of their way and some sensibility will prevail.