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Fort Erie Enjoys Increase In Handle At COVID-Free Live Meet

Fort Erie Race Track in Fort Erie, Ontario, may have been closed to fans this year, but the 123rd racing season was still one for the record books. Despite the massive impact of COVID-19 and the many obstacles it presented, Fort Erie Race Track was able to safely operate 39 race days while remaining COVID-free.

“This season we had a backstretch community with close to 500 essential horse people, and more than 100 active staff members, and we were able to complete our meet safely and without any positive COVID-19 cases,” said Tom Valiquette, chief operating and financial officer of the Fort Erie Live Racing Consortium. “It was crucial that we were able to operate this season, and I want to thank all of our community members for working together safely and following our COVID-19 protocols. Through the efforts of every one of our team members, we were able to put on another successful season during one of the most challenging years in our history.”

Despite being closed to fans, Fort Erie saw a record year for wagering, with $40.2 million wagered this season on 39 days, up from $29.9 million last year with 40 days. This includes 15 days this season where more than $1 million was wagered.

Closing day on Tuesday featured the Tour de Fort at two miles and 70 yards on the main track. Auntie Katherine took the lead early on with jockey Emile Ramsammy, and she held on to that position for both laps around the track until she crossed the finish line. Trained by Jennifer Davis for owner Big Boy Racing, Auntie Katherine also won the Puss n Boots Cup and the Molson Cup earlier this season. With four wins from five starts, Auntie Katherine was this year's meet leading horse.

It was a very successful season for jockey Juan Crawford, who claimed the title of leading rider this year with 48 wins. Among his many victories, highlights included the Puss n Boots Cup and the Molson Cup, both with Auntie Katherine.

“I try to make use of every shot that I get, whether it's a long shot or a favorite. I just want to give every horse a fair chance and do my best for the people that I'm riding for,” said Crawford.

Jockey Melanie Pinto was second this year with 37 wins, followed by Kirk Johnson. Julie Mathes finished the season as leading trainer with 29 wins at Fort Erie, and her husband David Mathes took home the title of leading owner.

Fort Erie recently hosted the 85th Prince of Wales Stakes on September 29. The event is the 2nd jewel in the OLG Canadian Triple Crown, won by Mighty Heart, who now holds the first two legs of the series. Trained by Josie Carroll for owner Lawrence Cordes, the one-eyed wonder will be looking to make a run at the Breeders' Stakes at Woodbine on October 24, in his quest to be the first horse to win the OLG Canadian Triple Crown since Wando in 2003.

Looking towards 2021, Fort Erie has applied for 40 race days again next year, operating primarily on Mondays and Tuesdays, beginning June 1 through to October 19. At this time, Fort Erie's Racebook will continue to remain closed due to COVID-19.

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Racehorse Relief Fund Launched

The Racehorse Relief Fund (RRF) has been started by the Racehorse Owners Association on Wednesday. The fund is a last resort to support the needs of racehorses whose owners are suffering financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications for the RRF opened on Oct. 14 and is part of a package of measures agreed and announced in April by the leadership of racecourses, horsemen and BHA. It will be initially funded by the Racing Foundation.

“This is about protecting horses and livelihoods,” said ROA Chief Executive Charlie Liverton. “As the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis continue to crystallise it is clear that some owners will be financially affected and no longer able to sustain training fees. As a last resort, we hope that this fund will help horses, trainers and owners find a solution that meets the high standards of welfare we expect and provides some financial stability to training yards.”

Added Racing Foundation Chief Executive Rob Hezel, “The Racing Foundation is proud to be supporting the RRF as the industry looks to minimise the hardship created by COVID-19 on its participants both human and equine. Equine abandonment is a concern for the sport during this period given the massive financial impact of COVID-19. The fund will provide a vital safety net to protect horses and prevent welfare issues occurring.”

For more information or to apply, please go to www.rrfund.co.uk.

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NYRA Announces Purse Increases Starting Oct. 18

The New York Racing Association, Inc. announced several purse increases which will take effect beginning Oct. 18 and continuing through the remainder of the Belmont Park fall meet.

Among purse increases: open maiden special weights will increase from $63,000 to $80,000 and New York-bred maiden special weights will rise from $52,000 to $70,000. Additionally,

purses for $25,000 open claiming company will see a $4,000 increase to $50,000, while the $40,000 maiden-claiming condition will now offer a purse of $43,000. For the complete list, click here.

“The myriad impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic–including the suspension of live racing and the closure of casinos across New York–forced NYRA to make significant adjustments to the purse structure to ensure operational continuity throughout the spring, summer and early part of the fall,” said NYRA Senior Vice President of Racing Operations Martin Panza. “NYRA made those strategic decisions early in the crisis so that we could restore our purses to near pre-pandemic levels as soon as possible to support New York’s horsemen and the 19,000 jobs connected to thoroughbred racing in New York.”

Panza continued, “Thanks to the incredibly strong wagering seen at Saratoga and into Belmont fall, coupled with the resumption of VLT revenues in early September, we are at this point even faster than expected. NYRA would like to thank Joe Appelbaum and the membership of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association for their hard work and collaboration in securing these increases.”

In addition to the purse increases, a retroactive purse payment for the first 16 days of the 27-day Belmont fall meet will be issued for 50% of the proposed purse increase. The retroactive adjustments are applicable to qualifying races starting on Sept. 18.

Following the Mar. 19 suspension of live racing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Belmont Park re-opened without spectators in attendance June 3 for an abbreviated 25-day spring/summer meet. Despite running 23 fewer days than in 2019, a 48% decrease, all sources handle during the spring/summer meet totaled $386,654,955. The spring/summer meet generated $15,466,198 in average daily handle from all sources, a 42% increase over the 2019 spring/summer meet.

All-sources handle for the 2020 Saratoga summer meet totaled $702,535,468 compared to $705,343,949 wagered from all sources on Saratoga in 2019.

For more additional information, please visit www.NYRA.com.

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IFHA: International Trainers, Jockeys Reflect On Working During A Pandemic

The 54th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities, organized by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), continued today with a discussion on participating and working in racing during the on-going pandemic.

The IFHA Conference is typically held in-person in Paris, France, the day after the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1), but in light of COVID-19, this year it is being conducted as a series of videos released during the first two weeks of October.

The third session was introduced by IFHA Vice-Chairman Brian Kavanagh, who is the chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland. Rishi Persad then moderated a panel featuring leading trainers and jockeys from around the globe. The pre-recorded Zoom discussion included trainers Charlie Appleby (Great Britain), Ger Lyons (Ireland), and Chris Waller (Australia) as well as jockeys Hollie Doyle (Great Britain) and Zac Purton (Hong Kong).

This international panel of trainers and jockeys discussed their experiences participating in racing during a pandemic, including the challenges surrounding staffing and how they are meeting the needs of owners. In addition, they offered commentary and feedback to racing administrators on concerns they have going forward as well as provided insight on the impact the pandemic and its restrictions have had on the mental health of both humans and horses.

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