On May 25, 1961, United States President John F. Kennedy delivered a speech to Congress. In it, he stated,
“I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth.”
The statement was extremely bold, and kicked off one of the largest and most expensive initiatives in American history.
In this issue of TROT, we asked top leaders in Canadian harness racing, along with participants and fans of the sport, the following question: “In a ‘perfect’ world, if everything goes exactly as you’d hope, what does horse racing look like in your region in 20 years?”
If I was asked that question, I’d smile and give MY man on the moon speech.
In a perfect world, in 20 years, a resurgence of horse racing has swept this nation from coast to coast.
Tracks offer a well choreographed three hour entertainment product that draws thousands daily. But instead of the $65 it costs to attend a major sporting event or Medieval Times, horse racing offers a better quality entertainment experience for just $29 per person, and grandstands are constantly sold out.
Bettors are treated with $1 million jackpots, that can be won, every single night, at every single track. Horse racing is back on the Rideau Canal in ¬the winter and at more than 50 agricultural fairs across Canada in the summers. We’ve reconnected with community and with rural Canada.
The racing product is packaged for at home distribution and is a world leader, now available in 150 countries around the world. The industry has spurred on a technological revolution in person to person and interactive gambling. It has combined pari-mutuel, fixed odds and exchange wagering in a way never previously imagined.
Partnerships with major technology companies have opened the door to new possibilities and the Canadian brand of racing and gambling entertainment is a global success story.
In 2035, like in 1935, horse racing is the number one revenue generating sport, and the number one gambling activity in Canada.
Horses are household names again and horse farms are the doorway for the public to see into rural Canada. New ownership syndicates allow us to purchase shares of horses at every lottery terminal in the country. For just $50, you can buy a share of a horse as a Christmas or birthday gift. The ownership, participant and breeder base has surpassed 250,000 people, and is expanding annually.
Racing is fully integrated into communities, no longer isolated from those outside the game. Strong relationships between participants and hospitals and children’s facilities bring the love of the horse out into the towns and cities that support the sport.
All levels of government are true partners in racing, because they are aware of the benefits this amazing sport brings to their constituents. The sport is fully self-sufficient and the government support is focused primarily on research and development, and global growth.
And at every track, at every fair and at every racing exhibition in the country, the horse and the customer stand jointly as the top priority. It is something that we NEVER forget.
John F. Kennedy’s goal was achieved on July 20, 1969, when Apollo 11 Commander Neil Armstrong stepped off the Lunar Module’s ladder and onto the Moon’s surface.
Kennedy accomplished his objectives with five months to spare. I have a feeling we’ll need the entire 20 years for mine.
Darryl Kaplan
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