Yesterday, at the founding meeting of Horse Racing New Brunswick Inc., Jamie Hachey was named president of the upstart organization handed the task of overseeing standardbred racing in the province.
Transcontinental Media has reported that Hachey was one of 12 board members elected at the Fredericton meeting, and that he represents the Maritime Breeders Association, one of three breeder groups on the board.
The article goes on to state that Normand Leger of Shediac is the Atlantic Standardbred Breeders representative and Glen 'Bucky' McEwen of Sussex will represent the New Brunswick Standardbred Breeders Association. Five members from horsemen groups were also elected, consisting of David Lund, Moncton; Ian Donald, Fredericton; Ross Galbraith, Saint John; Andy Sutherland, Woodstock and Clayton McCoombs, representing the North Shore Trotting Association of Miramichi.
Steve Downey (Saint John), Howard Spalding (Hampton) and John Breau (Moncton) were also elected as members as large, while Reg Petitpas of Shediac Bridge, and of Somebeachsomewhere fame, was elected as an industry client representative.
The new board was scheduled to have its first business session yesterday afternoon, but it was postponed because of a winter storm. The appointment of an executive director was also delayed.
Jeff Malloy, the provincial government's point man on this file, said there was a provision for two government appointees to sit on the board as ex-officio members. Transcontinental Media reports that Malloy explained the title of the new company Horse Racing NB , not 'Harness Racing' was intentional because of the fact that thoroughbred racing is simulcast to outlets in the province.
Staff for the new organization will be hired in new year.
Malloy will continue to assist the industry until an executive-director is hired.
(Transcontinental Media)