Source: Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society: British Columbia Division 

Harness Racing BC (HRBC) and the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association of BC (HBPA) welcome the decision by the BC government to provide financial assistance to horse racing in British Columbia. 

Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth wrote to the HRBC and HBPA announcing a $3 million grant to be split evenly between the two organizations to “minimize the employment impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on horse racing workers.” 

Kelly MacMillan, President of HRBC, expressed his thanks to the BC government, Minister Farnworth, and Mike Starchuk, the MLA in Surrey–Cloverdale, for their commitment to support Fraser Downs.  “This is the best possible news for horse racing overall,” said MacMillan. “Breeders, owners, trainers, and all the backstretch workers whose jobs were impacted by COVID have been anxiously awaiting some good news. The BC government and all the MLAs we talked to listened, and they came through big time.” 

David Milburn, President of the HBPA, also added his thanks to MLAs, especially Niki Sharma, the MLA for Vancouver–Hastings, home of the Hastings Racecourse. “We were facing an uncertain future,” said Milburn. “Now we can look forward to extending the current season for at least another month and will be able to turn our attention to working on a full season in 2022,” he added. “We’re excited to start welcoming back thousands of horse racing fans from across BC who come out every year to enjoy the races. The future of horse racing in British Columbia looks much better after this announcement.” 

For more information contact Nigel Holmes, Executive Director, Harness Racing BC, 604.788.7589; or David Milburn, President, Horseman’s Benevolent and Protective Association, 604.725.2027. 

Photo courtesy of CTHS BC Division website