The 2023 Thoroughbred season came to a close with a nine-race card Sunday, Oct. 15 at Hastings Racecourse, leaving industry leaders encouraged about prospects for the future.
“We held our own in wagering handles and drew some huge crowds on special days,” says David Milburn, president of The Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association of BC (HBPA-BC). “Also, our fresh horse incentive program resulted in owners bringing 42 new horses to Hastings from other jurisdictions. It was a great help in filling fields.”
Matthew Ruhlman, Chief Operating Officer of BC Racebook, thanked racing fans for their support in 2023 and noted the on-track daily wagering average showed a positive increase over last year despite losing one racing date (Monday, Aug. 21) due to poor air quality.
“We will be coming back next year with some exciting new initiatives,” Ruhlman said.
Amadeo Perez served notice on Day One this past season that he had every intention of successfully defending his Leading Jockey title at Hastings. He rode four mounts to victory for four different trainers on opening day and stayed at the top of the leaderboard for the duration of the 45-day meet.
On closing weekend (October 14 & 15) Perez was in the winner's circle five more times to finish with an incredible 95 victories. That number included 10 Stakes wins.
“My focus is always on winning and to keep working hard,” Perez says. “It has been a great year. I am lucky to have so many good mounts.”
More often than not this year, his wife Ana, 11-year-old son Mizael and three-year-old daughter Alondra joined Perez in his victory celebrations. It became a family ritual.
Barbara Anderson-Heads was the pace-setter pretty well throughout season for Leading Trainer honors, finishing with 37 wins ahead of Steve Henson (28), Dino Condilenios (24), and 2022 winner Edgar Mendoza (23).
The Leading Owner standings ended in a deadlock with Willow Creek Farms and Rob and Sheena Maybin tied with 16 wins. The showdown came down to the wire with both connections having horses in the ninth and final race on closing day but unable to score a season-ending win.
The barns at Hastings were described early this week as “a mad scramble” by one backstretch worker who joined in the exercise of getting horses off the grounds as they settle elsewhere for the off-season.
“Our owners are the absolute best,” she says. “They absolutely trust the trainers to make sure their horses are well taken care of and in the best of hands.”
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