COVID-19 Aid Available to Ontario Racehorse Owners

As the COVID-19 pandemic rages around the world, horsemen in Ontario will get some relief via an aid package put together by the Ontario Racing task force.

By application, owners of Thoroughbreds, Standardbreds, and Quarter Horses will have the opportunity to access certain purse funds that remain available under the funding agreement with Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation. 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 during the suspension of live racing in the province because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ontario Racing, OLG, and other parties to the funding agreement have entered into an amendment, a copy of which will be posted on the Ontario Racing website.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ontario Racing created a task force to address the financial impacts on the horse racing industry. The task force has worked closely with OLG to structure the funding process.

Eligibility Requirements

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

• Horses must be trained and raced by an Ontario-based trainer with a valid AGCO license;
• Certification that the horse is in residence in Ontario, or has completed a stall application for the 2020 race season, or is otherwise verified to be coming to Ontario for the 2020 race season;
• The horse's first start following the resumption of racing in Ontario must be at an Ontario track, unless otherwise approved by Ontario Racing;
• Horses must be at least 3 years old and either have not yet raced or have raced since Jan. 1, 2019

Subject to meeting the above eligibility criteria, for the months of April and May, should racing continue to be suspended, Thoroughbred owners will be eligible to receive $1,500 per month, Standardbred owners $1,000 per month, and Quarter Horse owners $750 per month. Each payment 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 (syoung@ontarioracing.com). Application forms will be available on the Ontario Racing website.

Standardbred horses who were qualified to race during the last week of March will be eligible to 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, 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 horsemen's associations so they can continue to offer benefits, benevolence activities, and additional assistance to those in need. The Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association of Ontario, which is a member of the task force, will assist Ontario Racing in reviewing applications.