The CTHS (Alberta Division) has been asked to assist in finding Thoroughbred breeding stock for India. They are looking for two stallions under the age of 7 that have never been used for breeding purposes before. The pedigree must have Northern Dancer or Mr. Prospector in it. They are also looking to purchase mares under the age of 5 that have also never been bred before and the purchaser does not wish to pay more than $7,000 per mare. Polar Genetics Inc. will be the agent for the sale. If you are interested in selling stock that fits the above criteria, please contact the CTHS office at 403-229-3609 or by e-mail cthsalta@telusplanet.net as soon as possible. (Posted December 19)
Premiering on Friday, February 6, at 9 p.m. ET/PT, Animal Planet presents JOCKEYS, a docu-soap which will chronicle the lives and careers of seven jockeys during the 30-day Oak Tree Meet at the Santa Anita Race Track. (Posted January 22, 2009)
The C.T.H.S. (Alberta Division) would like to offer condolences to the families of Mr. Andy Bryant and Mr.Guido DiLeandro.
Mr. DiLeandro passed away January 23 at the age of 76 years. He loved Thoroughbred horses and had trained and raced them from the time he was a young man. A Memorial Service will be held at Pierson's Forest Lawn Chapel, 4121-17Ave. S.E., Calgary on Tuesday, January 27 at 11:00 a.m.
Mr. Andy Bryant passed away on Saturday, January 24. He was the longest serving President and Chief Operating Officer of Horse Racing Alberta. A celebration of his life will be held on Wednesday, January 28, 2:00 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Church, 1307-14St. S.W., Calgary. In lieu of flowers, a trust fund has been established for his children, Tessa and Sean. (Posted January 26, 2009)
The decision regarding racing at Fort Erie is on hold until at least March 31. Fort Erie Economic Development and Tourism Corp. has offered to purchase the track for $35 million and run it as a not-for-profit corporation. The Ontario government has been asked to financially backstop the deal however it has expressed concerns about some of the details. Some of these concerns are in regards to having the Province guarantee earnings, wagering or sales at the racetrack. (Posted January 28, 2009)
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has issued a warning that semen from one of four Quarter Horse stallions that tested positive for contagious equine metritis (CEM) on a Kentucky breeding farm was shipped to Ontario and Alberta in the spring of 2008. CFIA and provincial animal health officials are currently tracing the shipments to identify potentially exposed animals. As a precaution, the CFIA will place these animals under quarantine until they have tested negative for CEM.CEM is a reportable disease in Canada and all suspected cases must be reported to the CFIA for immediate investigation by inspectors. There are international trade implications if a country loses its CEM-free status. CEM is a highly contagious disease that affects the reproductive tract of horses and can cause temporary infertility in mares. Until more information is available from the U.S., the CFIA is recommending that the equine industry and importers in Canada exercise caution and refrain from importing breeding horses, embroyos and semen from the U.S. For further information, go to thehorse.com or the Canadian Food Inspection Agency web site. (Posted January 7, 2009)
UPDATE: As of today there are 8 stallions in the USA confirmed infected in three different States. Three breeds are now involved (NOT Thoroughbred!). Canada has 10 traceouts exposed to CEM, four in Alberta and six in Ontario. Nine Canadian premises are under CFIA quarantine, three in Alberta and six in Ontario. The exposed animals and any contacts are included in the quarantine. (Posted January 16, 2009)
Canada Introduces Restrictions on Importation of all Equines, Equine Semen, and Equine Embryos from the USA (Updated January 19th)
CFIA has announced the introduction of import restrictions on horses and equine semen originating from the USA as a result of the current US outbreak of Contagious Equine Metritis. Horses and other equidae (asses, mules and zebras) will not require an import permit, but will require additional declarations on the health papers certifying that they have not been on a premises where Taylorella equigenitalis has been isolated during the 60 days immediately preceding exportation to Canada or a premises currently under quarantine or investigation for CEM; and that any female(s) in the shipment have not been bred naturally to, or inseminated with, semen from a stallion positive for CEM, or a stallion resident upon a positive premises or under quarantine or investigation for CEM. Additionally, the animals must not show any signs of CEM on the day of inspection. For more information, click here.
Information regarding the 2008 Bonus payouts from the Breed Improvement Program is now available. In 2008, the total earned by eligible horses on Breeders Bonuses was approximately 30% ($900,000) on a total eligible amount of $3,000,000. The 2008 Stallion Bonuses paid to stallion owners - whose 2, 3, 4 and 5 year old progeny won, placed or showed in all races from the $13,000 claiming level and up including maiden races - amounted to a payout of 14% ($250,000) on a total eligible amount of $1,785,714. In 2007, the Breeders Bonuses were approximately 30% ($1.1 million) on a total eligible amount of $3,236,553 and the Stallion Bonus was 11% ($250,000) on $2,188,285. (Posted January 7, 2009)
The Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame recently launched their new website at http://www.canadianhorseracinghalloffame.com/ It has a variety of videos and other information posted on it including their recent newsletter.
For any of our members who had phone betting accounts at Stampede Park, it appears that these were ended in December. If you would like to set up an account again, this service is now being provided by Horse Player Internet. They are based in Toronto and can be reached at 1-888-675-8886. (Posted January 8, 2009)
The Livestock Identification and Commerce Act (LICA)and the Livestock Identification and Commerce General Regulation were proclaimed in force as of January 1, 2009. LICA is a consolidation of the Brand Act, the Livestock Identification and Brand Inspection Act and the Livestock and Livestock Products Act. For horse owners, LICA actually provides one main advantage over the previous acts. With the new act, livestock manifests are no longer required to transport horses within Alberta except if the horse is being transported for sale or slaughter or to an inspection site.
New manifest forms are now available from Livestock Identification Inspectors. To find copies of the complete Act and Regulations, information is available at Livestock Identification Services Ltd. http://www.lis-alberta.com/ or at Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development http://www.agric.gov.ab.ca/ (Posted January 12, 2009)
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TCA, TRF and The Jockey Club Announce Checkoff Program |
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When Thoroughbred owners and breeders in North America submit their foal registration applications on or after January 1, 2009, they will be able to participate in a voluntary checkoff program, created and administered by The Jockey Club, which will assist two organizations that provide post-racing care for Thoroughbreds. The joint announcement was made by Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA), the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) and The Jockey Club. Additional information is available at http://www.thoroughbredcharities.org/. The TRF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to retiring Thoroughbred racehorses after they are finished racing. In addition to its programs at correctional facilities, TRF operates retraining and adoption facilities and satellite farms across the country and currently maintains approximately 1,800 horses. Additional information is available at http://www.trfinc.org/ or http://www.jockeyclub.com/. (Posted January 15, 2009) |
The Horse Welfare Alliance of Canada was recently formed as a response to concerns relating to the humane care and handling of horses. The group is made up of provincial equine organizations and farm animal care groups and their purpose is to disseminate correct information relating to the Canadian horse industry regarding the care of horses in their various roles and stages of life. Information can be found on their website at http://www.horsewelfare.ca/ (Posted January 16, 2009)
The results of Keeneland's horses of all ages January sale are now available. As expected prices were down with a decrease of 53.4% in gross revenue, 48% in average price, and 44.1% in the median price. The 1,338 horses that sold during the six-day sale grossed $32,824,000 and averaged $24,532. The median price was $9,500. In 2008, the 1,493 horses that sold grossed $70,446,000 with the average being $47,185, and the median at an all-time high of $17,000. (Posted January 19, 2009)
Animal Health Act and Three Regulations Came Into Effect on January 1, 2009
The new Animal Health Act, Alberta's primary animal disease control legislation, came into effect on January 1, 2009, along with three new regulations. This Act will ensure a rapid and effective response to an animal disease occurrence. An article was recently published in the Red Deer Advocate which sensationalized the requirements for horse/land owners. The article also misquoted Dr. Darrell Dalton who made a short presentation regarding the new legislation at the recent Horse Breeders & Owners Conference in Red Deer, and also delivered an educational session on biosecurity. For a little "Horse Sense and Premise ID" clarification go to the Ag Info Centre web site.
The Traceability Premises Identification Regulation requires that all those keeping "recordable animals" on their property must have a premises identification number. Horses are included in the list of recordable animals. For more information on the Animal Health Act, the Traceability Premises Identification Regulation, or to obtain a copy of the premises ID application, go to the Government of Alberta web site for Agriculture and Rural Development. For further information, contact the office of the Chief Provincial Veterinarian at 780-427-3448.
