Hambletonian Day, 2016, was Canada Day in New Jersey! Our local horses, owners, breeders, trainers and drivers, put on a show, appearing regularly in The Meadowlands winner’s circle on one of the biggest stages in the harness racing world.
It’s a testament to tremendous horsemanship, and a long term commitment to breeding, buying and being the best - of course highlighted by an amazing Hambo win by Marion Marauder!
Other than simply patting Canadians on the back, and moving on, there are lessons we should not overlook:
1) Good, lucrative racing programs, in all jurisdictions, are vital to OUR success. As technology forces the world to shrink – through communications, live feeds and widespread Internet availability, we are increasingly all in this together.
Who knows - that customer today attending his first harness race in Denmark or Germany could very well be betting on The Prix D’Ete or Gold Cup & Saucer in 2025. And a buyer from Sweden or China would think nothing of spending his money at a yearling sale in Canada if he can find the horses he is looking for.
When harness racing suffers in Italy or Australia, it’s our struggle too. When the industry in Florida, Pennsylvania or Michigan is in a battle, it’s our battle. And when challenges are being felt in Saskatchewan, Quebec or Newfoundland, it’s our collective strength that will win the day.
2) We need to be loud and proud of our accomplishments. On one single day, Canadian horsepeople brought more than a million dollars back into Canada. Most of that money will be reinvested over and over again at breeding farms and training centres in this country. How aware is our government about these accomplishments? How aware is the public?
There is a huge global market for Canadian stallions, yearlings, racehorses and our simulcast signal. That ultimately makes our industry more viable, and is a story we must not shy away from.
It is also a truly national story, not provincial - with horses like Shamballa (Quebec breeder), Control the Moment and Manhattan Beach (Alberta breeders) and Marion Marauder (Ontario connections) all near the top of their respective divisions. We have great Canadian success stories from coast to coast, including numerous maritime and west coast accomplishments to boast about as well.
3) National pride is one of the few things that binds us. We all have different favourite athletes, teams, and people we admire, but when they wear our national colours, we cheer over their wins, and weep over their losses together.
With the World Driving Championship and 250th Anniversary of Canadian horse racing both taking place in 2017, what better time to focus more on global competition in our sport?
Let’s begin the fight to get horse racing into the Olympics. Let’s focus on putting together national racing teams to compete against other countries, on a regular basis. Let’s have our stars wear the Maple Leaf abroad and prove that we are indeed the best in the world.
Hambletonian Day will come and go, but the Canadian legacy in this sport will outlive every one of us. It’s our time now. Let’s make the most of it!
Darryl Kaplan
[email protected]
