Grassroots & Hobby horseman is what kept the industry alive for many years. It’s just about obsolete now & the ones they have are retirement age. Realistically, how many owners even break even a year? I’m not talking WEG, I mean those who race primarily at Flamboro, Western Fair, Kawartha, Rideau, Hanover, Clinton , Dresden, Hiawatha, Grand River etc.
The better solution if cutbacks are coming, is get rid of tracks where the owners have zero interest in racing, promoting it etc.
First on the chopping block would be Georgian Downs. The place was packed when it opened, they drove everyone off & don’t want to race.
The tracks who actually want to race & prote it are Grand River, Hanover, Kawartha, Leamington, Clinton, Western Fair…
In the grand scheme of things, they’re a few more closed tracks away from watching the industry crumble. Small summer tracks, horses who race in the summer help sustain the industry.
