Throughout this past week, Board members from Fredericton Exhibition Ltd. (FEL) and Horse Racing New Brunswick (HRNB) met with Standardbred Canada to discuss reaching an agreement to secure live race horse racing at Fredericton Raceway.
The FEL and HRNB have agreed to continue working together in hopes of a successful conclusion.
Horse Racing New Brunswick will present a business plan to FEL in the coming weeks that will outline its plans to continue horse racing at Fredericton Raceway, which will be subject to FEL Board approval.
Kathy MacLean, the president of HRNB, expressed that “HRNB is working hard to ensure racing continues at Canada’s oldest track and is willing to make changes to address concerns which will be reflected in a realistic five-year business plan.”
Mike Vokey, FEL's executive director, reiterated the Board’s position that “obstacles that have prevented an agreement remain and the FEL Board of Directors is open to consider HRNB's five-year plan. FEL supports harness racing and will make a decision based on what is best for the future of the exhibition."
After the meetings, Dan Gall, president of Standardbred Canada, stated, “I would like to thank both parties for meeting with me to discuss their concerns, and we encourage FEL and HRNB to set aside their differences and work together to save the sport and an industry that Fredericton has been a part of for over 100 years. Nothing would make Standardbred Canada more proud than knowing that Fredericton will remain a part of our industry as we celebrate the 250th year of horse racing in Canada next year as our nation celebrates its 150th anniversary."
During the next two weeks, HRNB will continue to focus their attention on working with FEL to secure a long-term agreement for the horse racing industry in Fredericton.