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Long-Term Plan for Ontario Horse Racing Looms

After reaching short-term agreements with 11 of the province's 17 racetracks to continue live racing for 2013, the Ontario government is ready to map out a long-term plan for the industry.

Canada's Marchfield to Stand in South Africa

Marchfield, 9-year old son of A.P. Indy, will stand in South Africa. He is to leave Park Stud in Ontario, where he has been since his retirement in 2011, for Moutonshoek Stud joining stallion Mambo in Seattle.

Acting Naughty Prevails in Whimsical Suprise

Acting Naughty had her consistency rewarded with her first stakes victory in the $149,689 Whimsical (Can-III) at Woodbine April 28, coming from off the pace in her seasonal debut.

Ontario Panel Wants Probe of Slots Decision

Members of the Ontario Public Accounts Committee passed a binding motion April 10 that calls for the Auditor General's office to investigate cancellation of the slots-at-racetracks program.

Fort Erie, Province Have Lease Agreement

The Ontario government said March 26 it has reached "tentative transition funding agreements" with Fort Erie and two harness tracks, Flamboro Downs and Georgian Downs.

Extension of Ontario Slots Program Discussed

The Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association said March 19 it is "working closely" with Ontario lawmakers to extend the slots-at-racetracks program in the province.

Naughty New Yorker's First Foal Arrives

The first reported foal by graded stakes winner Naughty New Yorker is a colt born March 6 at Ascot Stud near Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada, where the stallion stands.

Ontario Plans Partnership; No Details Yet

Woodbine Entertainment Group said March 8 it is "pleased" Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne plans a stronger partnership between the province and horse racing industry. But it remains to be seen how much revenue is at stake.

Midnight Interlude to Stand in India

The 2011 Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) winner Midnight Interlude has been sold privately to Nanoli Stud in India, owner Arnold Zetcher confirmed Feb. 15.

'Equine Forum' to Address Ontario Situation

A member of the Ontario Provincial Parliament will address the end of the slots-at-racetracks program in Ontario during an 8:30 a.m. EST segment on the "Equine Forum" Jan. 26.

Woodbine Reaches Agreement with Ontario

Woodbine officials say an agreement in place with the province of Ontario will ensure live racing and industry stability for the next two years.

BC Winner Court Vision Sires First Foal

Five-time grade I winner Court Vision had his first reported foal arrive when a filly was born Jan. 20 at Hill 'n' Dale Farm in Canada.

Dynamic Sky Impressive in Pasco Win

Dynamic Sky recovered from a tough trip to win the $100,000 Pasco Stakes over stablemate Sky Commander Jan. 12 at Tampa Bay Downs, giving owner John Oxley and trainer Mark Casse consecutive scores in the race.

Spendthrift, Park Stud Fees Unchanged

Spendthrift Farm leaves its stud fees unchanged in Kentucky and regional markets. The farm has 11 stallions in Kentucky and others at Park Stud (Ontario), Keane Stud (N.Y.), and Elite Thoroughbreds (La.)

Ontario Report: Changes Ahead for Racing

Cutting the number of Thoroughbred race dates in Ontario and reducing purses are some of the recommendations put forth by the government commissioned Horse Racing Transition Panel in a final report released Oct. 30.

Move by Ontario Premier Blow for Racing

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty announced Oct. 15 that he will be stepping down as leader of the province and will also prorogue the government until a new leader for the Liberal party can be named.

Niigon, Won Queen's Plate, Dies

Niigon, winner of the 2004 Queen's Plate Stakes at Woodbine, died Oct. 14 after suffering a broken femur in his stall at Colebrook Farms Stallion Station near Uxbridge, Ontario, Canada.

War Cry Represented by First Winner

First-crop sire War Cry was represented by his first winner Oct. 7 at Woodbine when homebred filly Jean's a Lady won a $50,000 maiden special weight by a neck for trainer Steve Attard and owners John Curtis and Gino Panza.

Declines Continue at Canadian Preferred Sale

Gross and average plunge at CTHS Canadian-bred preferred yearling sale Sept. 8.

CTHS Yearling Sale Opens With Declines

A cloud of uncertainty hovered over the first session of the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society's (Ontario division) annual selected yearling sale Sept. 3 at the Woodbine sales pavilion in Rexdale, Ontario.

Woodbine Seeks to Cut 11 Racing Days

Citing uncertainty due to the scheduled end of its slots-at-racetracks program in March 2013, Woodbine has submitted a request to the Ontario Racing Commission to cancel 11 Thoroughbred Thursday afternoon programs.

Grade I Winner Showing Up Gets First Winner

Showing Up, a leading turf runner as a 3-year-old, was represented by his first winner when his 2-year-old daughter Number One Dancer won at Camarero Race Track

Panel Supports End of Ontario Slots Subsidy

Saying it was "poor public policy," a three-person horse racing transition panel has concluded the Ontario government did the right thing by ending the slots-at-racetracks program.

Will Ontario Slots Program Be Revisited?

Just days before a government panel is set to release recommendations for the future of horse racing in Ontario, the industry is receiving support from politicians questioning the end of the slots-at-racetracks program.

Graded Winner Marcavelly Gets First Winner

Marcavelly, a two-time graded stakes winner, sired his first winner when his son The B's and E's won a maiden special weight race on turf at Belmont Park July 15 for breeder/owner Mark Dodson.

Eaves: Closure of Woodbine Possible in 2013

As Woodbine prepares to hold the 153rd edition of the Queen's Plate June 24, Nick Eaves, the track's president, stunned the crowd at the June 21 post-position draw by revealing that Woodbine may be forced to close next April.

Ontario Pledges $50M in Transitional Funding

The Ontario government announced June 7 it will provide up to $50 million in transitional funding to the province's horse racing industry over the next three years.

Live Racing to End at Fort Erie This Year

The Fort Erie Live Racing Consortium announced after its general meeting June 5 that Fort Erie Racetrack will hold its last live race this year.

Canadian GSW Anne's Beauty Retired

Anne's Beauty, a three-time Canadian stakes winner, has been retired from racing after injuring a tendon while finishing sixth in the Hendrie Stakes (Can-II) at Woodbine May 19.

Ontario OKs Budget, Ends Racetrack Slots

The Ontario government April 24 passed a 2012 provincial budget that ends the slots-at-racetracks program operated by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp in March 2013.

Ontario Racing Lobbying in Advance of Vote

The future of the Ontario horse racing industry could be placed in serious peril April 24, when a vote on the 2012 Ontario provincial budget is scheduled.

Never Retreat Canada's Horse of the Year

Team Block's Never Retreat narrowly beat out a pair of 3-year old champions in Inglorious and Pender Harbour to be named Canada's Horse of the Year for 2011 at the 37th Sovereign Awards.

Worries Ahead as 2012 Woodbine Season Begins

A 167-day meet at Woodbine in Ontario, Canada, is set to begin April 6, but the lingering slots-at-racetracks issue could make the 2012 meet the last one of its kind.

Woodbine Re-Accredited by Safety Alliance

Woodbine in Ontario, Canada, has been re-accredited by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance, officials announced April 2.

Canadian Horseman Michael Colterjohn Dies

Dr. Michael Colterjohn, president of Gardiner Farms near Caledon East, Ontario, Canada, died March 28 following a battle with brain cancer.

Battle Looms Over Ontario Racetrack Slots

The Ontario government budget released March 27 calls for an end to the province's slots-at-racetrack program, but political opponents claim the fight isn't over.

Study Shows Racing's Value in Canada, Ontario

A recently released study shows horse racing has a $5.7 billion economic impact in Canada, and that racing in the province of Ontario accounts for 26% of total expenditures for the Canadian horse industry.

Society's Chairman Gets First Mares in Foal

Grade III winner Society's Chairman has gotten his first three mares in foal including Southern Oaks, a winning daughter of Vindication.

First Mare in Foal to Victor's Cry

Stakes winner/stakes-placed producer Itstartswithadream is the first reported mare to get in foal to grade I winner Victor's Cry.

The Camel Is in the Tent

How long will racino operators, legislators support racing's side of the business?

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At Large: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (10)

Talking out both sides of the mouth ... and trying to make sense of it all.

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Gural: Use Slots Money for Testing, Marketing

A proposal floated by Jeff Gural, who leases Meadowlands and operates two racetrack casinos in upstate New York, to use a percentage of gaming revenue for other pro-racing programs has support among USTA members.

Ontario: End Slots-at-Racetracks Program

The Ontario provincial government said March 12 it will be ending payments to racetracks through the slots-at-racetracks program in March 2013. The result could mean potential closures for many of the province's 17 tracks.

Canadian Champion Sand Cove Dies

Sand Cove, the 2010 Canadian champion older male, died Feb. 13 from complications from laminitis.

Chips Are Falling - By Tom LaMarra

What has horse racing learned from 20 years of racetrack-based casino gambling?

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Stakes-Placed Spaniard to Gardiner Farms

Stakes-placed Spaniard has been retired from racing and will stand the 2012 breeding season at Gardiner Farms near Caledon, Ontario, Canada.

Naval Strike to DW Stables in Ontario

Naval Strike, a 7-year-old son of Smart Strike, will stand in 2012 at David Warburton's DW Stables near Marmora, Ontario, Canada.

Ontario Horse Industry Rallies to Fight Cuts

The Ontario horse racing industry is set to hold a rally Feb. 22 to fight off potential cuts in slot machine revenue it receives from the provincial government.

Ontario Official Targets Racing's Slots Money

A top government official in Ontario Feb. 14 questioned the $345 million horse racing gets from province-operated slot machines given a $16 billion budget deficit.

Old Forester Tops Ontario TIP List

Old Forester, who stands at T.C. Westmeath Stud Farm in Ontario, Canada, topped the Thoroughbred Improvement Program stallion awards list.