Attractions Hippiques, the company that owns Quebec's four horse-racing tracks, is declaring bankruptcy and has closed down its operations for good, including the former Blue Bonnets track in Montreal.After 16 months in creditor protection, the company said its restructuring plan is no longer viable, and it is preparing to sell off its assets, including its 17 teletheatres, in order to pay its creditors.In a statement, the company blames the government's decision to cut off revenue from video lottery terminals (VLTs), and its refusal to provide additional support for the struggling industry. Attractions Hippiques said it is considering legal action against the government" for the significant monetary damages suffered by itself, its creditors and shareholders."The company, which is owned by Senator Claude Massicotte, has blamed its financial woes on lower-than-expected revenues from its Loto-Québec gaming rooms known as Ludoplexes. Click here to read full story... Posted October 15, 2009
Harlequin Ranches' Spice Route is the only Canadian interest in the $2 million Canadian International Championship Stakes being held at Woodbine tomorrow. The International is a "Win and You're In" race for the Breeders' Cup next month. Trainer Roger Attfield has his work cut out for him as the five year old gelding hasn't raced for at least three months. (Posted October 16, 2009)
John Stavropoulos wrote an interesting owners blog for Horse Racing Alberta stressing the positives of Alberta breds...
The 2009 Alberta thoroughbred racing season drew to a premature close on Thanksgiving Day. Did everyone vacate the Northlands backstretch with a clear understanding of what to expect next year, which will enable them to plan accordingly?
The answer has to be no, since the 2010 Alberta racing landscape has not been finalized. The absence of certainty is not unexpected - in fact, it is the norm. Frustrating maybe, but complaining or assigning blame is a pointless exercise. At the end of the day, the horsepeople are responsible for this industry and receive all benefits from it - why not embrace reality, focus on the great things we have and try to make this industry better. Open a newspaper and see how the rest of the world is doing - the grass is green here - we just need to keep watering it. Read the rest of the Owners Blog... (Posted October 19, 2009)
The Alberta Standardbred Horse Association held its annual Yearling Sale in Olds, Alberta on October 17, 2009. The standardbred owners and breeders seem to have an optimistic outlook for the future as prices were fairly strong. The total sales was $445,300 and the average price per yearling was $6,361 with 70 horses sold. For full results of the ASHA Sale, click here. (Posted October 20, 2009)
First Public Race Horse Auction Held in China! BEIJING (Reuters Life!) - Why buy a racing car when you can own a race horse?
That's the question wealthy racing enthusiasts in China seemed to ask when they gathered in Beijing recently to bid in the country's first public auction for race horses since the founding of the People's Republic 60 years ago.Until now, all racing horses in China have been imported from foreign countries by individual buyers."In general, horse racing leagues develop rapidly in countries with ... social stability and robust economies," said Wang Junning, vice-chairman of the Beijing Equestrian Association."So, this occasion gives us the opportunity to develop China's own industry."There were 82 horses in the auction and the highest bid reached $170,000. But one major obstacle remains in the sport's growth in China: there are several horse racing leagues in China but gambling is still banned on the mainland. Click here to read the article... (Posted October 21, 2009)
The 2010 Olympic Games will have an impact on horse racing in B.C. as VANOC has ordered Hastings Park to close for the month of February. Some of the figure skating events and short track speed skating are to be held in the Pacific Coliseum which is in close proximity to the race track. The City of Vancouver, who owns the site, has agreed to waive the $100,000 lease for the month of February however that still leaves racetrack employees without compensation. This morning the Canadian Union of Office and Professional Employees, which represents 200 members at Hastings, voted 74% in favour of job action. (Posted October 23, 2009)
THE JOCKEY CLUB RELEASES 2009 REPORT OF MARES BRED STATISTICS
The Jockey Club today released Report of Mares Bred (RMB) statistics for 2009 that further confirm the accelerated decline in North American Thoroughbred breeding activity.
Based on RMBs received through Oct. 13, 2009, The Jockey Club reports that 2,409 stallions covered 45,317 mares in North America during 2009. The annual statistics include the number of mares bred to each stallion and represent approximately 92 percent of the mares that eventually will be reported as bred in 2009. According to historical trends, The Jockey Club expects to receive RMBs representing an additional 4,000 to 5,000 mares bred from the 2009 breeding season. The number of stallions declined 8.9 percent from the 2,643 reported at this time in 2008, while the number of mares bred fell 13.5 percent from the 52,410 reported at this time last year. RMB statistics for all reported stallions in 2009 are available through the Publications & Resources section of The Jockey Club's website at jockeyclub.com.
"Our mid-August projection of 30,000 registered foals in North America for 2010 was based on initial RMB returns, and these latest statistics reinforce that estimate," said Matt Iuliano, The Jockey Club's vice president of registration services. Iuliano noted that the largest decline in breeding occurred at the top end of the market, where the number of stallions covering 100 or more mares declined for the fourth consecutive year, from 113 in 2008 to 85 in 2009. These stallions accounted for 24.6 percent of the total mares reported bred this year, down from 28.0 percent in 2008. In 2009, Giant's Causeway and Medaglia d'Oro led all stallions with 194 mares bred. Rounding out the top five were Candy Ride (ARG), 182; Lion Heart, 180; and Corinthian, 171.
Thoroughbred breeding activity in Kentucky traditionally paces North America. During 2009, Kentucky's 307 reported stallions covered 19,059 mares, or 42.1 percent of all of the mares reported bred in North America. The number of mares bred to Kentucky stallions declined 10.6 percent against the 21,317 reported at this time last year.Of the top 10 states and provinces by number of mares reported bred in 2009 through Oct. 13, 2009, only Pennsylvania stallions covered more mares in 2009 than in 2008, as reported at this time last year. Pennsylvania jumped from tenth to fifth in number of mares bred in 2009, while Louisiana surpassed California for third. The top 10 states and provinces, ranked by number of mares reported bred in 2009 through Oct. 13, 2009, are:
|
State/Province |
2008 Stallions |
2009 Stallions |
Pct. Change |
2008 Mares Bred |
2009 Mares Bred |
Pct. Change |
|
Kentucky |
318 |
307 |
-3.5 |
21,317 |
19,059 |
-10.6 |
|
Florida |
202 |
155 |
-23.3 |
5,316 |
4,041 |
-24.0 |
|
Louisiana |
230 |
216 |
-6.1 |
3,515 |
3,048 |
-13.3 |
|
California |
233 |
201 |
-13.7 |
3,817 |
2,946 |
-22.8 |
|
Pennsylvania |
89 |
97 |
+9.0 |
1,237 |
1,603 |
+29.6 |
|
New York |
85 |
70 |
-17.6 |
1,839 |
1,561 |
-15.1 |
|
Texas |
191 |
174 |
-8.9 |
1,722 |
1,411 |
-18.1 |
|
Ontario |
77 |
72 |
-6.5 |
1,272 |
1,260 |
-0.9 |
|
New Mexico |
128 |
124 |
-3.1 |
1,456 |
1,222 |
-16.1 |
|
Oklahoma |
126 |
113 |
-10.3 |
1,335 |
1,222 |
-8.5 |
Posted October 28, 2009
Import Suspension Announced for Horses from Texas Entering Canada
Ottawa, ON—The Breeds & Industry Division of Equine Canada would like to inform all stakeholders that due to the outbreak of equine piroplasmosis in the state of Texas, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has asked the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to suspend the issuance or endorsement of export certificates for horses and other equines originating from the state of Texas. The imposed restrictions on the import of equidae into Canada from Texas are effective immediately. The CFIA has confirmed that the import restriction only applies to live horse, donkey or mule imports and not to equine semen or equine embryo imports. Read full article...
(Posted October 28, 2009)
