The Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association today issued a release saying the organization supports the Ontario Racing Commission's 2011 Ontario Racing Program
. OHRIA President and Chair Sue Leslie was quoted as saying “This very well could be a turning point for standardbred racing in Ontario.”
The release appears below in its entirety.
February 15, 2011
Notice to the Industry
Re: 2011 Ontario Racing Program
As the voice of the Ontario Horse Racing Industry, OHRIA would like to express to industry participants that it endorses and supports the framework of the Ontario Racing Commission’s 2011 Ontario Racing Program.
John Blakney, executive director of the ORC, noted that the decision on how racing was allocated in 2011 was based on the framework for standardbred race date allocation which emerged from input and consultations with the racing community. This framework, which introduces a provincial and regional approach to standardbred racing, was determined after 12 months of open and transparent discussions with all industry associations, including OHRIA.
“This very well could be a turning point for standardbred racing in Ontario,” commented Sue Leslie, president and chair of OHRIA, “For all of you who have kept an open mind and have been committed to change, we congratulate you.”
The ORC admits that 2011 will be a transition year for the new racing framework and they have assured the industry that they will closely monitor the results and consider adjustments where necessary. Ensuring the financial sustainability of all industry partners and continuing to adapt racing schedules to meet consumer demand must be priorities as the framework unfolds.
“OHRIA understands that the 2011 standardbred framework is a work in progress, not yet fully developed. However it does lay the foundation to allow for further discussion and strategies moving forward,” stated Leslie. “We encourage the standardbred racing industry to continue its hard work and collaboration through the ORC to further improve the race date plan.”
For more information on the 2011 Ontario Racing Program visit ontarioracingcommission.com or contact OHRIA at [email protected]
Related Stories
• ORC Update On 2011 Racing Program
• ORC Announces Decision On 2011 Ontario Racing Program
Yea right same olde same
Yea right same olde same olde no significant changes!
The ohria supports this
The ohria supports this program knowing full well that it does nothing for the single most important segment of the race game namely the customer/gambler. This is an industry who simply does not care about it's customer base and they show it over and over again. I guess they better keep there fingers crossed and hope the slot revenue never gets taken away from them because the industry as a whole is unwillingly to take any real measures to attract new gamblers to the game or to attract back former big players such as myself.