Quarter Horse Racing Ontario

[Blanchefle Strycker]

In2023, a Mare Breeding Incentive Program is offered to encourage the breeding of racing Quarter Horses in Ontario and increase the future racing population. Full details will be available in the 2023 Criteria Book.

To be eligible:

* Mare must have been enrolled previously in the QHRIDP or raced at Ajax Downs in 2022 or 2021

* Owner must be enrolled in the Program

* An Application must be made

* Mare must be enrolled in the Program at time of Application for Incentive

* A veterinarian's certificate must be provided showing mare is in foal 60 days or more post breeding

The incentive will be paid to the owner of the mare at time of breeding. That person or entity must be enrolled in the Program. If the mare's ownership changes, it is the responsibility of the owner at time of breeding to make an application, and provide proof of the mare being in foal 60 days or more post breeding. Applications are due no later than 15 days after the last day of racing. Applications will be approved at the discretion of the Program Administrator.

2024 Mare Breeding Incentive Application

Racehorses, or those with potential to race in the future, are recorded in the Program Registry as Ontario Foaled, Ontario Bred, Ontario Sired or any combination. The record for that horse indicates its status which remains with the horse for life and no further application is necessary for racing purposes.

The Program Registry recognizes the following horses as Ontario Bred, Ontario Foaled and/or Ontario Sired for the purposes of competing in races with these conditions, or for benefiting from programs under the Ontario Quarter Horse Racing Industry Development Program.

List of Accredited Racehorses as of July 8, 2024

This report now includes only active racehorses. For a full report, please contact the Ontario Racing office.

Should a horse be scratched prior to or not finish a race, that race will not count towards bonus eligibility for that horse.

The payment per trainer or owner will be capped at $10,000. The Third Start Bonus will paid out twice, with applications due August 31 and seven days after the last day of racing. Please note that beginning in 2023, applications are to be submitted to Ontario Racing

2023 Third Start Bonus Application Form

Horse racing in Canada, like all sectors of equine sport, was forced to make some serious concessions last year in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Quarter Horse racing, although a small market in Canada compared to Standardbred and Thoroughbred racing, does have a thriving industry which can boast some of the richest races in all of Quarter Horse racing and a significant historical legacy in Canada.

Life at the track saw a major cultural change, with health regulations impacting the way the sport of horse racing was carried out. Racing was the first professional sport to successfully return to its regular season, although a shortened one. As a result, horse racing in Canada and globally reached new audiences because horse racing was one of the few sports that could return to regular airing by broadcasters. It set an example to all professional sports of how to return safely in the era of the pandemic.

The AQHA Canadian Champion of the Year went to freshman Eyesa Timber. The two-year-old gelding was bred and is owned by Wesley Oulton of Alberta. With impressive performances in 2020 on tracks in both the United States and Canada, the 2018 gelding claimed wins at the Alberta Bred Futurity and the Canada Quarter Horse Cup Futurity. Owner trained, Eyesa Timber finished the 2020 season with a record of seven starts: 4(2)-2-0 and earnings of $56,491 USD, racing at distances from 250 yards to 400 yards.

Country Boy 123 became the richest Quarter Horse racehorse in Canada, reaching the half million dollar benchmark in career earnings in 2020. Owned by Ruth Barbour of Hillsburg, Ontario the 2013 bay gelding has won 27 races at eight different distances during his impressive career.

Canadian Quarter Horse breeder Wesley Oulton of Olds, Alberta, consigned the high selling yearling O Tuxedo; the black gelding sold to Preston Crow Chief of Lethbridge, Alberta, at the 2020 Alberta Quarter Horse Racing Association's Canada Quarter Horse Cup Yearling Sale, held September 18 in Red Deer, Alberta. The sale is the most prestigious and richest in Canada.

These funds were already committed to the industry through the Funding Agreement for Live Horse Racing between Ontario Racing and OLG. To enable this access, Ontario Racing, OLG and the other parties to the Funding Agreement have entered into an amendment to the Funding Agreement, a copy of which will be posted on the Ontario Racing website.

In order to be eligible to receive funds pursuant to this interim measure, owners must complete an application which must be submitted to Ontario Racing Management Inc. (ORM). Eligibility requirements for this program include the following:

Subject to meeting the above eligibility criteria, for the months of April and May, should racing continue to be suspended, racehorse owners will be eligible to receive the following payments, each of which is estimated to cover half of the monthly costs associated with boarding, feed and training fees (veterinary, blacksmith, shipping, and other fees are not included in this estimate):

Horse owners can apply for payments under this interim measure by submitting an application form to Ontario Racing, c/o Sarrah Young syo...@ontarioracing.com. Application forms will be available on the Ontario Racing website.

Standardbred horses that were qualified to race during the last week of March will be eligible to each receive $300, and drivers and trainers will receive 5% up to an accumulated maximum of $25,000 for each group.

If the suspension of live horse racing in Ontario as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic continues beyond May 31, 2020, the Task Force intends to present a revised proposal to OLG for the reallocation of purse funds under the Funding Agreement, which will include payments for 2-year- old racehorses as well.

Ontario Racing will continue to pay the 1.5% of purses to the horseperson's associations so they can continue to offer benefits, benevolence activities and additional assistance to those in need.

AQHA News and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more news and information, follow @AQHA Racing on Twitter, "like" Q-Racing on Facebook, and visit www.aqha.com/racing.

Ajax Downs is the only horse racing track in Ontario where you can experience Quarter Horse Racing, a high-speed, quarter-mile sprint that is fast and exciting to watch. Races take place weekly on Sundays between May and October, and are fun for the entire family.

Conveniently located right on site, is Casino Ajax, where you can try your luck on over 800 OLG Slot Machines, or simply satisfy your taste buds at The Gateway Restaurant, a full-service on-site restaurant that is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Certainly the news of the merging of Ontario Racing and the Standardbred Alliance, which puts all Ontario tracks and the three breeds of racehorses under one umbrella

can be good news for Quarter Horse racing when funding for the three breeds is announced in the New Year.

Milena Kwiecien of Burlington, ON has been growing her stable for 2 years and is a force in the business for years to come. There was also the growing stables of

Carol and Dave McIntyre (Big Dog) and James Bogar that are ones to watch.

Richard Wincikaby and DK Training Centre of Don Reid and Kim Ito continue to develop some of the best racehorses in the land and owners Rick Crispi, Bob and Marie

Broadstock, Chantelle Bourgeois, Heste Sport, Bryn and Carol Robertson, John Wilson, Gary McNichol, Goerge Coleman and of course, the Picov Cattle Company are big

players and passionate and dedicated.

The Champions of 2017 will be honoured at the annual QROOI ceremony and banquet, this year on Feb. 17, 2018 in Ajax at the Convention Centre.

This is always a fun party in which industry members celebrate the champions and get excited about the new season!

**Please come join us and help us to celebrate our 2017 Champions! Please contact Monique at the QROOI office to purchase your tickets. A block of hotel rooms has

been reserved at Ajax Hilton Garden Inn Hotel and the Homewood Suites Ajax. If you would like a room for that evening please speak with Monique or contact the hotels

directly. Ajax Hilton Garden Inn can be reached at tel:(905) 686-9400 and Homewood Suites can be reached at (905) 686-5969. Please use the QROOI code when booking

your room for a cheaper rate.

I made a small 15-metre circle at the bottom of the ring and urged Spook into a canter. As soon as I pointed her towards the first barrel I felt her dig in and move again to warp speed. She took the first barrel so tight I felt like I was in a slingshot, with her shift of weight pulling me back and then shooting me forward in the saddle.

Lee said to stay in balance going around tight turns, barrel riders need to sit back and bring their feet forward as this helps the horse shift his weight back onto his haunches to make the turn. Some riders even grab the horn of the saddle to help them stay back and deep in the seat.

Unequivocally, the Quarter Horse is boss of this sport, although Thoroughbreds, Appaloosas and Paint horses are common to see at barrel events as well. In fact, there is even an Arabian Barrel Racing Association in the US.

But breed aside, the biggest thing a barrel horse needs is heart, according to Lee. After that, you want good solid legs, strong hindquarters and good gaskin and rump muscles so the horse is able to shift their weight back on their hindquarters and make tight turns.

Mr. Hayes brings significant business management and executive expertise to the role of OR Chair, with former positions in finance and administration positions with General Electric, Black & Decker and Home Depot. He also has over 25 years of experience as a Standardbred race horse owner. He previously served as Gaming Director with Ontario Lottery and Gaming, with operational responsibilities at Georgian Downs, Ajax Downs, Grand River Raceway, Woodbine and other racetracks across the province. He most recently served as an At-Large Director of Ontario Racing.

3a8082e126