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Owner Provides Hastings With $1 Million Interest-Free Loan To Extend 2021 Season

Racehorse owner Glen Todd, who operates as the North American Thoroughbred Horse Company, has provided a $1 million interest-free loan to the purse account at Hastings Racecourse in Vancouver, British Columbia. According to the Vancouver Sun, that funding will allow the track to extend the 2021 race season by another month.

The purse account is generally funded by online wagering platforms, the casino, and trackside wagering. With COVID-19 shutting down Hastings in March of 2020, there was only enough money for 25 race dates that summer. This year, again, there was only enough revenue to support 25 race dates from May 3 to Aug. 2.

“People were getting desperate, we were going to have to lay all these people off, they had no where to go with their horses,” Todd told the Sun.

With the additional funding Todd provided, racing will now continue through Aug. 31. David Milburn, president of the local Horsemen's' Benevolent and Protective Association, said the hope is that the extra month of racing in August will allow revenue streams to rebuild enough to continue funding purses through additional race dates in September.

Milburn also said Hastings has received no assistance from the provincial government during the pandemic.

“We are asking the government to step up to ensure the jobs of the people that work with the horses, and the people who live here who call the track home,” Milburn told the Sun. “We continue to engage with government and we are hopeful.”

Woodbine Hosting One-Day Pop-Up COVID Vaccine Clinic Wednesday

Woodbine will host a pop-up COVID-19 vaccine clinic at the track Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. for anyone requiring a first or second dose, including Toronto residents and those who work at Woodbine Racetrack, Casino Woodbine and the Casino Woodbine development. The vaccine clinic, which is operated by Unity Health Toronto, will operate for one day and is open to individuals 12 years and older in 2021 and who live or work in Toronto.

Woodbine Racetrack previously hosted a six-day pop-up COVID-19 vaccine clinic in May 2021. During that clinic, more than 15,300 individuals received their first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. For the July 28 pop-up clinic, 3,000 Pfizer doses will be available to anyone who is eligible and who have yet to receive their first or second vaccine dose.

“We are very proud and grateful to be able to host another pop-up clinic at Woodbine Racetrack for the benefit of all who have not yet received their first or second dose, including our employees and backstretch stakeholders,” said Jim Lawson, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment. “As a company, we are committed to doing our part to make our communities safe and this is one way we are able to contribute.”

The pop-up COVID-19 vaccine clinic will be safely located outside of the Woodbine grandstand. Residents attending the racetrack for the clinic are asked to observe signage and follow the instructions of onsite personnel.

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Kentucky HBPA College Day Returns Sunday at Ellis

Kentucky HBPA College Day is back at Ellis Park this Sunday after a COVID-19 forced year hiatus.

Full-time college students can enter a drawing to win an iPad Mini or a $1,000 scholarship after each of Sunday's races.

The Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association, which represents racehorse owners and trainers at the state's five Thoroughbred tracks, is sponsoring the iPad Mini giveaway and is teaming with Ellis Park for the $1,000 scholarships.

“College Day is an investment in our industry's future,” said Marty Maline, executive director of the Kentucky HBPA. “This is a promotion we're committed to building on. We believe if we can get college students to come to the track for the first time that we'll see them return. These could be our future horse owners, racetrack executives and horsemen–and certainly our next generation of racing fans.”

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RCA to Work With UK Government Over New Covid-Passport Regulations

The Racecourse Association (RCA) will be working closely with the UK Government to ensure the successful rollout of the new covid pass requirement after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a full COVID-19 vaccination would be required prior to entry at “venues where large crowds gather” beginning in October of 2021. Johnson was speaking on 'Freedom Day', the date when the majority of coronavirus restrictions were eased in England. Racecourses were allowed to begin hosting unrestricted numbers of spectators on Monday.

Prime Minister Johnson said, “I should serve notice now that by the end of September, when all over 18s will have had the chance to be double jabbed, we are planning to make full vaccination the condition of entry to nightclubs and other venues where large crowds gather.

“Proof of a negative test will no longer be sufficient.”

In response, the Racecourse Association (RCA) issued the following statement: “The RCA notes today's announcement from the Prime Minister that as of Oct. 1, 2021, the Covid Pass is to be made mandatory for certain events in England.

“We welcome the fact that this inception date will allow all British adults to have the option of being double vaccinated.

“While we all sincerely hope the days of Covid restrictions are behind us, it is vital that horseracing and the wider sports/leisure economies have contingency plans to avoid commercially damaging restrictions being re-imposed but equally allow us to host safe events.

“Our immediate attention now turns to working with Government, stakeholder partners and member racecourses to understand the detail behind this plan and map out what will be a significant logistical operation.”

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