After a long and successful history in the horse racing industry, the time has come for Bill & Paulette Loyens to wind down. Thus, his Windsong Acres will be conducting a complete dispersal this Fall.
Bill, now 79, told Trot Insider that he's "fed up with the uncertainty in the industry" since the Ontario government's decision to scrap the slots-at-racetracks partnership and yet to release its final vision for racing in the province. That report is expected to be released in early October.
After owning horses since 1959, Loyens has been scaling back operations since that 2012 announcement. The London, Ont. farm had six employees prior to the announcement and now just has two, and his stable has been slashed by more than half -- from 85 horses to just 40.
Windsong sold seven yearlings in the 2013 Canadian Yearling Sale, with the remaining yearlings entered in the 2013 Forest City Yearling Sale. Stallion shares, weanlings and horses of racing age will be offered at SC's Fall Extravaganza Mixed Sale later this month. Windsong's broodmares will be listed online through OnGait next week.
I have known Bill for thirty
I have known Bill for thirty years, and it is sad to see a top quality farm shut down.
Curious to me is Armstrong and Glengate had the foresight to shut down in advance of the Government renegging on the SARprogram. I did at the time think that they knew something the rest of us should have.
It is now early October.
It is now early October. Where is the government announcement? Peoples lives and futures depend on it. Folks, its time to get on your horse and ride.
Sad news indeed, we used to
Sad news indeed, we used to love seeing them at the Classic, they always had such lovely treats. I have enjoyed watching the success of this farm over the years. You will be missed.