Ontario has released a five-year plan for a “sustainable horse racing industry in the province” based on the final Horse Racing Industry Transition Panel report.

The province will provide up to $400 million over five years to sustain a wide range of racing opportunities that are supported by strong business plans, including branding and marketing, responsible gambling, the Horse Improvement Program, animal welfare and business planning.

A new racing entity “Ontario Racing Live” will be the organization responsible for channeling this money to the industry, with splits for the province’s three breed divisions as previously recommended: Standardbred Live, Thoroughbred Live and Quarter Horse Live.

“Ontario Racing Live” will also focus on transparency, accountability, customer focus and a positive return to the province’s taxpayers. Track operators will be required to submit an approved business plan to Ontario Racing Live and agree to accountability requirements.

While these duties were predominantly performed by the Ontario Racing Commission prior to the report, the ORC will see its role return to racing’s regulator. Premier Wynne stated that ORC Chair Rod Seiling has retired and that Elmer Buchanan has been nominated as his replacement. That appointment is subject to Cabinet approval and review by the Standing Committee on Government Agencies.

The eight tracks that will comprise Ontario’s circuit will be Clinton Raceway, Flamboro Downs, Georgian Downs, Grand River Raceway, Hanover Raceway, Mohawk Racetrack, The Raceway at the Western Fair District and Woodbine Racetrack. The goal for the report was to create a circuit of world-class live harness racing, and The Star reports that 90 percent of that $400 million in funding will be allotted to these racetracks as well as quarter horse facility Ajax Downs. The other 10 percent will be for smaller regional racetracks to support “grassroots” level racing.

The PDF of the Final report appears embedded below.

Province Launches Five-Year Plan for Horse Racing Industry Ontario Government Committed to Sustainable Future for Horse Racing

Ontario has released a five-year plan for a sustainable horse racing industry in the province based on the final Horse Racing Industry Transition Panel report.

The plan will strengthen the industry and support future growth by:

Providing up to $400 million over five years to sustain a wide range of racing opportunities that are supported by strong business plans, including branding and marketing, responsible gambling, the Horse Improvement Program, animal welfare and business planning.
Integrating horse racing with Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) modernization plan, which includes researching potential horse-themed lottery products and leveraging the corporation’s business, marketing and responsible gambling expertise within the horse racing industry
Restructuring the Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) into two divisions — one that will continue its existing regulatory functions and a separate division that will distribute funding and work with the OLG on industry development to grow the racing fan base.

Strengthening and supporting the province’s horse racing industry is part of the Ontario government’s three-part economic plan to invest in people, invest in infrastructure and support a dynamic and innovative business climate.

Subject to Cabinet approval and review by the Standing Committee on Government Agencies, Horse Racing Industry Transition Panel member Elmer Buchanan will assume the role of chair of the ORC to lead the implementation of the five-year plan. Mr. Buchanan will replace retiring ORC chair Rod Seiling.
The $400 million in funding will support world class racing through a wide range of activities and programs, including branding and marketing, responsible gambling, the Horse Improvement Program, animal welfare and business planning.
Funding will be tied to accountability and transparency measures and will provide a positive return on the investment of public funds. Racetracks will need to provide business cases to receive funding.