Uncertainty about the future of horse racing in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan continues to grow this week as an investor group backed out of negotiations to conduct a 2021 race meet at Marquis Downs, the province's only licensed racetrack.
The local population of approximately 300 horses, as well as their owners, trainers, and caretakers, are left with few good options, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic also forced the cancellation of the 2020 race meet. According to Saskatchewan HBPA executive director Eddie Esquirol, approximately 180 of those horses were able to move to neighboring provinces for 2020 racing, but the rest were unable to earn any income last year.
With no existing commitment from Prairieland Park, the operator of Marquis Downs, for a 2021 meet, horsemen are being forced to make hard choices about their futures.
“We recognize they have expenses as an operator,” Esquirol said, “but we as horsemen, our costs are still there whether there's horse racing or not.”
“Horse racing has been part of Saskatchewan's heritage for over 100 years and been a part of Indigenous people's culture since time immemorial,” he continued. “Our respected indigenous people of Saskatchewan represent 50 percent of the owners, trainers, grooms, exercise riders, gate crew and pari-mutuel staff; many who are fifth and sixth generation horse families.”
Prairieland Park has been operating live Thoroughbred race meets at Marquis Downs since 1969, consisting of 24 to 30 days of racing per year. The track does not simulcast its signal, so it relies exclusively on attendance, on-track handle, and the handle at its off-track betting facilities in several locations across the province.
Saskatchewan is also the only province in Canada that does not receive government funding for horse racing; adjacent province Alberta receives over $40 million annually between breeding incentive programs and purse funds, Esquirol said.
Following last year's cancellation of the race meet, Prairieland met with the HBPA in July to propose an 18-day race meet for 2021. In November, Prairieland upped the proposal to 20 days, with one less race per race day. The HBPA countered with a minimum of 24 race days, but Prairieland rejected that offer.
To date, Prairieland has yet to apply for race days in 2021.
In late December, the HBPA was approached by an investment group called Pan Am Horse Racing with a proposal to lease the Marquis Downs facility for a 40-day race meet in 2021. The proposal called for a two-to-five year commitment, an investment in simulcasting, provincial government funding of $2.5 million, and included a backstretch jockey/groom school aimed at the local aboriginal population.
Publicly-available financial documents indicate that Prairieland Park loses between $300,000 and $500,000 on racing each year at Marquis Downs, Esquirol said.
Pan Am entered into negotiations with Prairieland Park in early 2021, but a press release on Thursday, Feb. 18 indicated that Pan Am was no longer seeking to lease the Marquis Downs facility this season.
“After much analysis, legalities and consideration, Pan Am has concluded that due to the unfortunate and unforeseen circumstances primarily related to the pandemic, Thoroughbred racing will have challenges in the upcoming 2021 season that cannot be easily overcome at this time,” the release said.
Pan Am did suggest the potential for hosting meets at Marquis Downs in 2022 and beyond, as well as its commitment to build a the jockey/groom school.
“As a testament of its commitment to the future of horse racing in Saskatchewan and Canada, Pan Am will provide support through the establishment of a First Nations Equine School,” the release read. “The school's aim is to revitalize Saskatchewan's horse racing industry by providing the necessary future workforce expertise, reflecting our shared heritage and supporting Indigenous youth, culture and identity to benefit us all.”
Still, that leaves the 500 or so individuals directly involved in horse racing at Marquis Downs without a home in 2021. The backstretch would normally open on April 1, so horsemen are being forced to decide whether they'll try to race in other provinces again this year, wait another season without racing, or perhaps leave the industry altogether.
“Another year of no racing at Marquis Downs will mean Saskatchewan horse people will be forced to relocate to other tracks such as Assiniboia Downs in Manitoba, ten hours away, thus creating undue difficulty for families, owners, trainers, many who have a second job in Saskatchewan,” said Esquirol. “Relocation means paying double rent and utilities both in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Furthermore, being faced with the 14-day interprovincial quarantine when they arrive. All while the Marquis Downs race facility sits empty.
“Saskatchewan has some of the most loyal fans in North America where there is tremendous appetite for sports and crowds have been huge the past number of years. You don't have to live in the bluegrass state of Kentucky to have the passion and desire to be part of the horse racing industry. People call it the 'Sport of Kings' when in reality 80 percent of the industry is made up of everyday hard-working people, who may otherwise be unemployable. They are up at 5 a.m. to do what they love; it's a passion.”
Esquirol said he hasn't given up on securing a 2021 meet, even if the odds are against it.
“Our plan now is to re-affirm the government ask and work with SPPC (Selective Placement Program Coordinator) to negotiate race days for the 2021 meet,” Esquirol wrote on Facebook on Friday, Feb. 19. “SPPC have been notified that horsemen/women stand strong and are planning to have a successful race meet in 2021. I know many of you have contacted your MLA's (Members of the Legislative Assembly) to date. We ask that you continue to voice your concerns.”
Representatives of Prairieland Park did not respond to requests for comment by deadline for this story.
The post Saskatchewan Horsemen Facing Uncertainty As Their Lone Racetrack Could See A Second Year Of No Racing appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
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