TORONTO, ON – December 26, 2020 – In response to the Ontario government’s recent announcement of a provincial lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ontario Racing will continue to monitor the situation closely as it relates to the Standardbred racing industry and its many participants in the province of Ontario.
As outlined by the provincial government, the lockdown (which went into effect as of 12:01 a.m. on December 26) is currently set at 28 days. Purse monies provided for under the Long-Term Funding Agreement assigned to the cancelled racing days will be added to the remaining scheduled racing days once live racing resumes at affected racetracks in mid to late January. Lost racing days will not be rescheduled.
Should the lockdown extend beyond the current timeframe established by the provincial government, Ontario Racing will consult with industry leaders and industry partners on the next steps, including the possibility (pending approvals) of redistributing purse monies from cancelled race days in the form of horseperson support payments, available to eligible Standardbred horsepersons who have horses in active training in Ontario during the lockdown.
“As the voice of horse racing in Ontario, Ontario Racing, its Board of Directors and the Ontario Racing-formed Standardbred task force, remain committed to ensuring horsepeople across the province are kept informed of any pertinent industry-related news, including this temporary pause to live horse racing,” said John Hayes, Chair, Ontario Racing. “We are closely following the current situation and will provide any necessary updates.”
For the latest news on the lockdown in relation to racing in Ontario, please visit
ontarioracing.com/picks-results-and-news/topracing-headlines and
ontarioracing.com/member-information/news-racing-results/industry-news
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