JOHNSON, Roy, July 10, 1927 - September 1, 2009
It is with sorrow we announce the passing of Roy Johnson, who passed away peacefully at the Forest Grove Care Centre at the age of 82 years. Roy was born in Airdrie, Alberta and raised in the Ogden area of Calgary. In his early years he was employed as a thoroughbred groom, becoming a jockey, then a trainer. Roy was the first Westerner to win the Queen's Plate in 1965 with ‘Whistling Sea' for Paul Olivier and in 1968 with ‘Merger' for Max Bell. In 2003 Roy was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame. Roy is survived by his ex-wife Florence, his son Terry (Terena), grandchildren Denise, Mathew and Sophie, and his great-granddaughter Natalya, as well as his two sisters, Maivis Poulsen of Medicine Hat and Midge of Calgary, his brother Harry (Bunny) of Vancouver, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Gathering to celebrate Roy's life will be held on between 2pm - 4pm on Monday, September 14, 2009 at the RAMSAY WELCOME CENTRE (1140 - 8 Street S.E., Calgary, AB) At Roy's request tributes can be made for injured jockeys directly to The Jockeys Benevolent Association, (JBAC) 555 Rexdale Blvd, Toronto, ON, M9W 5L2. A final family service and burial will be announced at a later date.
Visit the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame to read about Roy Johnson's influence on horse racing.The Jockey Club Releases 2008 Breeding Statistics:
The Jockey Club today reported that 3,439 stallions covered 56,901 mares in North America during 2008, according to statistics compiled through Sept. 9, 2009. These matings have resulted in 31,727 live foals of 2009 being reported to The Jockey Club on Live Foal Reports received as of Sept. 9, 2009.
As in past years, The Jockey Club estimates that the reporting of live foals, at this point in time, is approximately 90 percent complete. The reporting of live foals of 2009 is down 8.2% from last year at this time when The Jockey Club had received reports for 34,561 live foals of 2008.
“As we announced last month, the North American registered foal crop projection for 2009 has been revised downward to 34,000 and the live foal returns to date reflect that,” said Matt Iuliano, The Jockey Club’s vice president of registration services. “Although breeding activity has been in decline for several years, the rate of decline accelerated in both the 2008 and 2009 breeding seasons so we will see fewer live foals born next year as well.” (Posted Sept.23)
To read entire article, click here...
The Lacombe Globe reported in yesterday's paper that Alberta Downs will not be having any further racing this year. Final approval is still needed from Alberta Environment and Lacombe County before further construction will be able to take place. There are three applications from Alberta Downs for Alberta Environment to approve. One deals with the use of ground water for the horses,one for using the surface water in Whelp Creek for irrigation purposes and the third for the operation and maintenance of water works on site. Lacombe County will not issue a development permit until Alberta Environment has approved the applications.A final decision is expected late this month or early October. (Posted September 24, 2009)
Horse Racing Alberta Announces 2010 Live Race Dates
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Edmonton, Alberta – Horse Racing Alberta (HRA) announced today the Working Committee’s PROPOSED race days for the 2010, live horse racing schedule. (Friday Sept.25 2009)
Northlands Park in Edmonton would be awarded a total of 85 A thoroughbred days from May 15, to October 10, 2010. Northlands Park would also be awarded a total of 47 A standardbred days from February 12, to April 17, and November 19, to December 19, 2010.
Evergreen Park in Grande Prairie would be awarded a total of 25 B days of standardbred racing from September 3, to October 23, 2010. The runners at Evergreen Park would race a total of 25 days from July 2, to August 21, 2010.
Rocky Mountain Turf Club in Lethbridge would be awarded a total of 35 days of runners from May 28, to June 27, and from September 3, to October 11, 2010.
Lacombe would offer 50 A standardbred days of racing from May 8, to August 29, 2010.
Millarville would continue with their popular Canada Day races on July 1st.
Shirley McClellan, Chair of Horse Racing Alberta stated, “There are many challenges facing the horse racing and breeding industry in Alberta. The proposed 2010 race schedule is structured to address the unique needs of all breeds and tracks in these difficult economic times.” Mrs. McClellan also stressed, “The Industry Working Committee consulted and worked closely with all stakeholders in the formation of this schedule. The intent is that daily purse monies will be similar to 2009 purse structure keeping the economic challenges in mind. Next steps will be the formal negotiation between the Horsemen’s Associations with the tracks leading to a finalized schedule for approval by HRA.”
Horse Racing Alberta is a private, not-for-profit organization mandated to govern, direct, control, regulate, market and promote the Alberta Horse Racing and Breeding Industry. For further information, please contact:
Horse Racing Alberta - Mrs. Shirley McClellan 780-415-5432 (Posted September 27,2009)
86 year old horse trainer, Lorne Dupont, has retired after 70 years involved in horse racing in Alberta. Curtis Stock of the Edmonton Journal has written an article about Lorne and his life. To read the article, click on Lifetime of Horse Racing Brings Love, Happiness and Tragedy.
