The Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (Ontario Division) will hold a general meeting of the membership on Tuesday, April 26, 2016 to discuss the changes to the Ontario Sired Racing Program.
It was announced in January that Woodbine Entertainment Group will reduce funding to the OS bonus program by 31%, or $1.4 million, for the 2016 racing season.
Citing the exceeded expectations of the OS purse bonus (which was raised to 40 per cent for 2015 for higher-level races) and declining horse supply, WEG will reduce the OS bonus and eliminate some restricted races.
The OS bonus will be reduced to 30 per cent in allowance races and maiden special weight (MSW) races and 20 per cent for all other eligible races. In addition several races have been eliminated:
- Maiden allowance OS races for three-year-olds and older will be eliminated. MSW OS races for three-year-olds will be offered only until midsummer, and continue all season for the two-year-olds.
- In 2015, Woodbine dropped the non-winners of three races lifetime, OS category, but added an optional claiming to the NW3 $20,000 and $40,000 claiming. For 2016, the optional portion will be dropped leaving the races as NW3 for both the $20,000 level and the $40,000 level.
Breeders have expressed concern about the negative impact these changes will have on the industry and CTHS members are invited to attend this meeting to share their views. The Board of Directors of the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (Ontario Division) will be on hand to answer any questions.
The meeting will be held Tuesday, April 26, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. at the Woodbine Sales Pavilion. Be sure to confirm your attendance no later than Friday, April 22nd by contacting the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society – Ontario Division office by phone: 416-675-3602; fax: 416-675-9405 or email: cthsont@idirect.com.
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