On Thursday, Ontario Racing issued a release regarding the possibility of horseperson support payments in light of racing being suspended due to the current provincial lockdown.
The release is as follows:
In response to the Ontario government’s provincial lockdown measures due to COVID-19, Ontario Racing, its board of directors, and the Ontario Racing-formed Standardbred Task Force, are addressing the possibility of horseperson support payments (subject to regulatory approvals).
The payments currently being discussed are specifically related to horses who had a charted line in November and December but were subsequently impacted by the shutdown that was originally announced by the provincial government on December 26, 2020. Ontario Racing, its board members, and the Standardbred Task Force are also evaluating additional financial support for the month of January.
“Throughout the lockdown, Ontario Racing has worked diligently to ensure the best interests of the many Standardbred horsepeople whose livelihood has been impacted by the provincial lockdown,” said John Hayes, Chair, Ontario Racing. “We are carefully considering all options available to us, including the possibility of financial support. We remain committed to our mandate of acting as the voice of the Ontario Racing horse racing industry, and will provide further updates as more information is made available.”
(Ontario Racing)
With all due respect Mr.
With all due respect Mr. Hayes, there should already be cheques in people’s hands. I wrote in these comments back in December that OR, COSA, WEG, et al had 6 months to put their house in order as the second wave, if nothing else, was a possibility. Remember, not only are race horses not racing but the bills keep coming in. All horses in the care of licensed trainers should be on the list for “financial support”.