HRBC welcomes Leslie Godlien as a Director to represent the owner category for a 1 year term. Congratulations Leslie!
May 27, 2020 Update on Standardbred Canada Technician, Jim Mohorich
Jim Mohorich has begun chipping as of yesterday, May 26th so if you need your foal done, please call Jim at 604-649-1119 or 604-836-3712 and make an appointment.
Message from the President - During this time of isolation and social boundaries, the board members of HRBC were happy to accept the offer from Robin Rutledge to design a template that would allow HRBC to produce a monthly newsletter that would keep the membership updated on the many changes that have occurred and are about to occur in the next several months.
TODAY IS THE LAUNCH OF THIS NEWSLETTER, members will receive this via email this afternoon. ENJOY!
Randy Rutledge, HRBC President
Attention Owners/Breeders - On Thursday, April 30th at 12:00 pm the BC Bonus/Broodmare cheques will be ready for distribution.
Election Votes - April 23, 2020- On behalf of HRBC directors and staff, we would like to congratulate the newly elected directors: Breeders - Lynda Atkinson, Kelly MacMillan; Owners - Bill Pambrun, Darren Poloway; Driver/Trainer - Jim Marino, John Vukelich. Please note that the elected directors will begin their term after the Annual General Meeting, date to be announced.
Reminder to all Horsemen: Track closes promptly at 1:00 pm each day and only light exercising is permitted per agreement between HRBC and GCGC.
Membership, due to COVID-19 the office staff will be working from home during April 8th and 9th and during Easter stat holiday in order to complete the tasks at hand. If you need to contact Diane, send email to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Thank you for your patience during this time
Emergency Task Force for BC Horse Racing
Summary of meeting – April 7, 2020
The Emergency Task Force for BC Horse Racing was informed today by Great Canadian Gaming Corp. (Track Operator) that it will re-open Hastings Racecourse on May 1 for stabling.
The Track Operator will be working on protocols regarding physical distancing and safeguarding the health of all racetrack personnel in advance of May 1. Details of training/exercise protocols will be finalized in conjunction with the thoroughbred horsemen’s associations.
It was also noted that standardbred horses are being permitted to return to be stabled at Fraser Downs @ Elements, with light exercise only allowed.
The Track Operator stated its position that it is not willing at this point to conduct live racing at either Hastings or Fraser Downs unless spectators can be present, should health authorities permit such gatherings to occur at some point in the future. Racing would need to have spectators present in order for the Track Operator’s business model to be potentially sustainable.
Representatives of both breed sectors expressed their appreciation to the Track Operator for its flexibility in allowing an easing of earlier restrictions that led to the almost total removal of horses from the Hastings backstretch and a significant reduction in the number of horses stabled at Fraser Downs. The intention is for representatives of both breeds to continue to work with the Track Operator in order to resolve concerns and have the industry be as ready as it can be for a potential resumption of the racing seasons.
Breed sector representatives indicated their breed associations are working to increase awareness of federal and provincial emergency aid programs for people throughout the industry. This includes backstretch workers who can apply for the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) program, as well as owners, trainers and other employers who may be eligible for wage subsidy programs put in place as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. The associations are gathering information about these benefit programs, posting it on their websites and working one-on-one with individuals to ensure benefits can flow to those who need them.
Update - April 4, 2020
Great Canadian and the horsemen at Fraser Downs have reached an agreement whereby horses currently stabled at Fraser Downs will be permitted to jog on the track, subject to the conditions that had been laid out previously. This will commence Saturday, April 4, 2020.
In addition, the BC Horse Racing Industry Management Committee has agreed to create an Emergency Task Force for BC Horse Racing. The purpose of the task force is to provide a communications capability by which the BC horse racing industry and its stakeholders can be kept informed about industry developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic in a timely and accurate way. The membership of the task force will include members of GC, Thoroughbred Sector, Standardbred Sector, Brian Butters (HRIMC Chair) and Bill McNeill, GPEB (non-voting member of HRIMC). First meeting to take place next week.
HRBC Board of Directors March 26, 2020 Meeting- Please note important announcement from the HRBC board as follows:
1. Due to the financial restraints due to COVID-19, Environmental fees will be waived beginning April 1, 2020 to September 1, 2020
2.Stake Payments for the BC Bred, Linton/Bath Open and Sales Stake payments to Standardbred Canada that are due on May 1, 2020 has been extended to July 2, 2020. Please remember to send full payment to Standardbred Canada per your stake forms that you received from Standardbred Canada
3.Wendell Smith/ Marian Young Memorial, 3 year old BC Bred stakes that had a final to be raced in March will be postponed until racing remsumes. Date will be announced to those owners/trainers who had paid the start fee to enter.
4. Keith Linton/Penny Bath 3 year olds that were to race in April 2020 will be postponed until racing resumes. The horses that will be eligible to pay a start fee will be the horses that were paid up the sustaining fee in February of 2020 with Standardbred Canada
5. AGM scheduled for April 8, 2020 has been postponed to a later date.
6.Ballot deadline was marked for March 23, 2020 but due to mail issues and difficulty on entering the backstretch to drop off ballots, deadline has been extended to April 15, 2020.
HRBC thanks all members for the cooperation during this difficult time.
Members,
To help you with understanding what financial help is available from the government due to COVID-19, please find attached files that offer the information you will need to apply.
COVID-19 Provincial Support and Information - Printable
COVID-19 Provincial Action Plan, Tax Changes - Printable
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2020 - GREAT CANADIAN REVERSES THE SHUT DOWN OF BARNS
Great Canadian Gaming Corp. will allow the facilities to stay open, but no training will be allowed. Access to the track itself will be allowed for walking their horses, but no exercising/training.
BREAKING NEWS: B.C. premier announces $1,000 payment for those unable to work due to COVID-19
Please see story posted on the HRBC facebook page.
ATTENTION MEMBERSHIP:
Please view update of March 23, 2020 regarding the issues of stabling due to COVID 19 as listed below.
HRBC UPDATE AS OF MARCH 23, 2020 - Click file to view
COVID-19 STABLING/TRAINING TASK FORCE CORRESPONDENCE - Click file to view
Update for Members - March 23, 2020
Considering the current concerns with the developing COVID-19 situation, Elements Casino announced effective Saturday, March 28th, training will no longer be allowed at Fraser Downs Racetrack. Stabling will continue to be allowed until Wednesday, April 1st, per original agreement, and on the assumption that circumstances related to the spread of the COVID-19 virus do not change significantly.
Please be advised that Elements Casino will temporarily suspend all operations as of Sunday, March 15, 2020 at 11:59 pm. With regards to whether or not racing has been cancelled has not as yet been determined but will offer an update once we have confirmation.
We appreciate your understanding during this unprecedented situation.
IMPORTANT UPCOMING ITEMS/DATES:
Attention 2020 HRBC Members:
The Board of Directors of Harness Racing BC Society hereby gives notice of the Annual General Meeting for 2020. AGM to be held on Wednesday, April 8th, 2020 at 5:00 pm in the Backstretch Restaurant. Please note that nominations for the vacant Director positions close on March 2nd. Nomination form can be printed from the file listed below.
NOMINATION FORM - Printable
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Due to poor track conditions, Friday evening's (Jan. 24th) race card has been cancelled. Track crew will continue to work deligently to prepare the racing surface for Sunday's race card.
HRBC 2020 STAKE SCHEDULE IS AVAILABLE - Click Stakes and go to Stake Schedule/Forms
4 YEAR OLD BC BRED MARES STAKE - CANCELLED DUE TO INSUFFICIENT ENTRIES
HRBC ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - APRIL 8, 2020 - MUST BE A MEMBER OF HRBC IN GOOD STANDING TO VOTE
AWARDS BANQUET - APRIL 14, 2020 - NEWLANDS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB - TICKETS $50 PER PERSON
To nominate your favourite horse or person please give your written nominations by filling out the BC Standardbred Industry Awards Banquet Criteria as shown below.
Nominate Your Horse or Person for an Award - Printable and return to the HRBC office
2020 Memberships are due December 31, 2019
BC MEMBER, HEATHER DAVIES ELECTED AS BREEDER DIRECTOR FOR THE WESTERN REGION.
On behalf of HRBC Board of Directors, staff and membership we would like to Congratulate Heather on the newly elected position to represent the Western Region for a 3 year term as a Breeder Director on the SC Board of Directors. Please see results below:
As a result of Director Nominations by the Standardbred Canada membership, five of the 15 seats on the SC Board of Directors were acclaimed. Ten seats were voted on by eligible Standardbred Canada members with 22 percent voter turnout.
Following is a list of the 15 Directors that were acclaimed or elected by the membership. This Board will serve a three-year term from 2020 to 2022.
Please join the Standardbred Canada staff in welcoming the new Board of Directors and in thanking the Directors that will not be returning.
The first meeting of the new Board will take place on Thursday, January 30, 2020 in Mississauga, Ontario.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2020 – 2022
WESTERN REGION
- Active Director: Blair Corbeil
- Breeder Director: Heather Davies
- Track Director: Paul Ryneveld (Acclaimed)
ONTARIO REGION
- Director: Blair Burgess, Jim Whelan
- Breeder Director: Gerry Belore, Ann Straatman
- Track Director: Ian Fleming, Bill McLinchey
QUEBEC REGION
- Active Director: Richard Veilleux (Acclaimed)
- Breeder Director: Denitza Petrova (Acclaimed)
- Track Director: Murielle Thomassin (Acclaimed)
ATLANTIC REGION
- Active Director: Andrea Rennison
- Breeder Director: Tony Zuethoff
- Track Director: Lee Drake (Acclaimed)
Standardbred Canada (SC) is pleased to announce that the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) will continue its partnership with SC on the Outstanding Groom Award for the fifth consecutive year. The award was introduced in 2015, and for the past four years has been presented at the O’Brien Awards Black Tie Gala.
Standardbred Canada is now accepting submissions for the award and the deadline to nominate an Outstanding Groom is January 3, 2020.
Do you know someone who puts their horses first; has worked in the industry for over five years, treats their horses with kindness and outstanding care, regardless of the horse or its ability? The candidate should have a strong work ethic, be dependable, a good sportsman and be based in Canada. Candidates must be over the age of 19. If you know or work with someone with these qualities, consider nominating him / her for this award.
Grooms are often the unsung heroes of harness racing and are critical to the success of any horse in any stable. Their relationship with the horse is by far the closest. Grooms provide the daily care and attention to the equine athletes. They keep the horses physically healthy and mentally happy, sometimes working seven days a week to make sure their horses are properly cared for.
Deadline for submissions is January 3, 2020. Please see nomination form below.
OUTSTANDING GROOM AWARD - O'BRIEN AWARD
2 YO Open Stakes STARTING FEES DUE: Dan Ingram Memorial 2 YO Open C&G & The Fraser Miss 2 YO Open Fillies are due Tuesday, November 19th
ATTENTION MEMBERS: During our recent sale on October 2nd, the BC Bred yearling "OLD BROWN TRUCK" was purchased for $20,000; bidder did not complete the sale transaction which led HRBC to place the BC & Ontario eligible colt up for auction on the auction site, Ongait. Please visit ongait.com to place your bid.
What a success! Last night during the 2019 HRBC Yearling Sale, we had 21 yearlings sold out of the 37 entered and hip # 20 Codename Cigar Box dominated the ring giving owner/breeder Surdale Farms Ltd.,sold to Kelly Hoerdt for a whopping bid price of $47,000, second in row was hip #16, If Only Id Known owned and bred by Surdale Farms sold to JJJ Stables for a price of $35,000, third in line was hip #27, Exotic Dragon owned and bred by Surdale Farms sold to Keith Clark for another big price tag of $25,000 and 4th in line was hip #4 Old Brown Truck owned and bred by Deborah Burstyk and sold to Justin Currie for a price tag of $20,000. To all of the consignors and new owners, CONGRATULATIONS!!
A special thank you to all of the sale staff for a job well done!!! To see the results from last nights sale, go to Events and click the file - 2019 HRBC Sale Results.
Total sales amounted to $256,500.00 with an average of $7,125.00.
2019 Horse Population Incentive of $750
In keeping with the commitment to increase the horse population for the Standardbred horse racing industry in BC, HRBC recognizes the importance of horses committed to racing at Fraser Downs Racetrack.
To view the conditions of this incentive please review the Letter of Commitment and Agreement below:
2019 HORSE Population Incentive Letter of Commitment and Agreement - Printable
ATTENTION MEMBERSHIP - EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 1, 2019 Harness Racing BC will be charging an ENVIRONMENTAL FEE of $20.00 per stall.
DRIVER FEE POLICY EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 19, 2019 - Beginning September 19th Harness Racing BC will be implementing a driver fee policy whereas driver fees will be deducted once a month off purse cheques from the said owner(s).
QUALIFIERS - Attention Horseman:
Qualifiers will begin on September 5th and September 12th @ 12:00 noon.
Jim and Bev Mohorich would like to ask for the cooperation of the members; it would be most helpful if you check your horses brand, you may have to clip to reveal the brand.
If after clipping the brand still is unreadable, get a printout of the brand and notify Jim as he will gladly chip your horse.
Time is of the essence as Jim and Bev Mohorich will be leaving the first week of September for Saskatchewan and Manitoba and will not be returning until mid or late September. If you take this opportunity and have a re-do, this will be done at no cost.
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING OCTOBER 2, 2019 HRBC SALE
Please be advised that Harness Racing BC Society has been given notice by the Cloverdale Rodeo & Exhibition Association that the Agriplex building which we had booked for our sale will be undergoing significant renovations that will necessitate a full closure from August 2019 – December 2019.
The HRBC Board of Directors has discussed several possibilities for the venue and a decision was made to have the Sale on grounds (FD backstretch). We would like to reassure you that a well put together sale can still be accomplished by renting the equipment needed to seat our guests comfortable and ensure the safety of our horses. If you should have any questions or concerns, please contact Diane Pennington at the HRBC Office.
HRBC IMPLEMENTS NEW POLICY FOR PURSE CHEQUES - EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 13, 2018
Members, please be advised that HRBC will be implementing a new policy regarding purse cheques that have multiple owners. The following options available to owners are as follows:
1. Owners must appoint an Athorized Owner allowing purse cheques to be made payable to only ONE OWNER.
2. Owners may fill out the HRBC Cheque Authorization form allowing HRBC to split the cheques accordingly. To have the form accepted, HRBC will need signatures of all owners of said horse with appropriate percentage of ownership listed.
2018 HRBC CHEQUE AUTHORIZATION - PRINTABLE
Please Note: Standardbred Canada Authorized Agent forms are to be completed with Standardbred Canada, BC Representative, Sandra Isbister. Please do not confuse the authorized agent forms with the CHEQUE AUTHORIZATION form you may be required to complete with HRBC.
HARNESS THE VISION...At Harness Racing BC, we strive to provide quality, exciting races to increase revenue for our industry participants and the government. Harness Racing in Cloverdale contributes substantially to the BC economic sectors more than most sports and entertainment through job creation in a variety of sectors - agriculture, hospitality, tourism and careers directly related to working with the horses in the racing industry
photo credit: Darren Lupul
