In this month’s edition of TROT we recognize the 2015 Hall of Fame Class, all those wonderful individuals, equine and human, who have been identified by their peers as worthy of induction into our hall of honour. Congratulations to all those being inducted, and also to those who were nominated.
Former Horse of the Year and premier stallion Artsplace, double millionaire producing dam J Cs Nathalie, iconic breeder and builder Charles Armstrong, O’Brien award winning driver Bill Gale, and the late lifelong journalist and communicator Harry Eisen are worthy inductees, and will represent our industry well in the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.
For those reaching the Hall of Fame, it is a pinnacle achievement of their careers. If we looked at our Canadian harness racing industry as a whole, what would a hall of fame achievement for our industry look like?
I am sure we would use words like sustainable, with predictable and growing revenue sources, so that the significant employment and economic impacts of our industry would continue to be felt across the country. Our governments would recognize and value partnering with our industry, and seek ways to expand that partnership.
For those areas where harness racing is experiencing tough times, or where tracks may have closed for various reasons, we would use terms like renewal and rebirth.
We would also mention expansion, making our product more available via many more platforms, and expand our potential wagering base. We would also talk about expanding our fan base, and welcoming many more people to come enjoy the wonderful experience of live harness racing all across the country.
In order for all these things to happen, we need to make things happen. We need to think differently, develop new ideas and only move in only one direction - forward.
What if we all committed for 2015 to start a five star project for each track. Each point on the star represents one area in need of new ideas. The five areas include fans, owners, bettors, new partners, and new events.
Pick a point that you feel you have a good idea for and share it with the official at your track. We have to stop fearing failure and keep trying until something sticks.
The Gold Cup & Saucer race started out as just an idea to add some things to make one race special. Now it has grown to be a nationally anticipated, exciting and very successful event. We have events like this all across the country in their own way, which are major attractions in their areas, and focal points of their racing and tourism seasons.
Our challenge is to build, make things bolder, brighter, and more attractive to more people.
Just pick a point of the star and start thinking... we need to shoot for the stars.