Hoss Talk

HEADLINE   Future of Hastings Park still stuck back in the barn

   A few months back, now-Premier Gordon Campbell told some key horse racing figures: "I'm not interested in measures to ... help the industry survive. We want it to thrive."
   
   Since then, the only news pertaining to the future of B.C. horse racing has been the old rhetoric:
   
   "An announcement with regards to horse racing in this province can be expected within the forthcoming two weeks."

   This silence routine has caused huge uncertainty. Top stables either race elsewhere or get out of the sport. This translates into thousands of jobs being lost from what was once a thriving industry in B.C.
   
   Last year, leading trainer Steve Bryant took a tremendous hit when owner Kim Hart opted to race his huge contingent in California.
   
   Harold Barroby is about to clinch his ninth trainer's title at Hastings Park. Despite this, he'll see his stable reduced from 30 horses to two by the time Hastings Park closes for the season.
   
   Two days ago, Canada West Ranches -- for years one of the top stables in Western Canada -- announced it was quitting.
   
   "The reason we were in the business is because we love horse racing," said co-owner Randy Shields.
   
   "That has not changed at all. I have a partner who would love to stay in horse racing. But the uncertainty of not knowing what the future holds for our sport is really making it impossible to run our   stable as a business."
   
   Prior to 1994, thoroughbred horse racing and standardbred racing were operated by private business.
   
   They were the glory years, without a doubt.
   
   The decline for thoroughbred horse racing is simple to decipher.

  In 1995, horse racing -- at the insistence of the horsemen themselves -- became a Crown corporation.
   
   It also meant that, instead of the sport being run by people with business savvy, thoroughbred racing was now being operated like a horse out of control with no guidance or a strategy on how to win.
   
   Horse racing deserves a better break than what it has received from politicians in this province for the past six years.
   
   Silence may be golden, but it sure doesn't give people hope when they have mouths to feed and mortgages due.
   
   Woodbine Entertainment has made a formal bid to take over Hastings Park.
   
   If there is a deal in the works, why not go ahead and announce it?
   
   If not, then bring in other private investors.
   
   But, for heaven's sake, get something done.
   
  Tom Wolski can be reached at www.sportofkingstv.com
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Source: Vancouver Province
E-mail Tommy Wolski at twolski@home.com