The Rules Governing Horse Racing in Alberta are AMENDED as follows:

Chapter 3: General Horse Racing Rules, Part 2 Race Meetings \ Division 2 Entries and Nominations

The following rules are AMENDED to read:

160 g Horses owned or trained by the same person

(1) In all *races except *sweepstakes, not more than two (2) *horses owned or trained by the same interest may be entered in the same race, except when, the third (3) horse;

(i) “A” Circuit tracks the third horse makes the field larger than seven (7) horses,

(ii) “B” Circuit tracks the third horse makes the race field larger than six (6) horses,

(iii) “C” Circuit tracks the third horse makes the race field larger than four (4) horses.

If the race overfills and is not divided, the third entry holds no preference over any single or double entries. The second part of the entry, if the race overfills and is not divided, the second part of the *entry will be:

(a) if running in different ownership to the first part, preferred over a single entry but only if it has superior preference to the single entry, or

(b) if the entry has common ownership, the second part must not start to the exclusion of a single entry unless the single entry is an in-today, in which case they would draw to get into the race.

(2) If the second part of an entry is an in-today, all other interests will have preference to it in drawing into the race.

160 t Horses owned or trained by the same person currently states:

(1) In all *races except *sweepstakes, not more than 2 *horses owned or trained by the same interest may be entered in the same race and, if the race overfills and is not divided, the second part of the entry will be:

(a) if running in different ownership to the first part, preferred over a single entry but only if it has superior preference to the single entry, or

(b) if the entry has common ownership, the second part must not start to the exclusion of a single entry unless the single entry is an in-today, in which case they would draw to get into the race.

(2) If the second part of an entry is an in-today, all other interests will have preference to it in drawing into the race.

Dated in the City of Edmonton
in the Province of Alberta
this 4th day of April 2023.

Kent Verlik, Chief Executive Officer
HORSE RACING ALBERTA

 

The Rules Governing Horse Racing in Alberta are AMENDED as follows:

Chapter 3: General Horse Racing Rules, Part 1 Administration of Horse Races and Veterinary Care \ Division 3 Veterinary Care at Race Meetings

The following rules are AMENDED to read:

123 g Equine infectious anemia (e.i.a.)

(1) Any person who is responsible for a *race horse stabled on the grounds of a *race track for the purpose of racing must ensure that a negative test for equine infectious anemia (Coggins test) dated in the preceding 12 months (365 days), has been issued with respect to that horse.

(2) No person may bring a horse onto the grounds of a race track or permit the entry of a horse onto the grounds of a race track, unless a certificate of a negative test for equine infectious anemia has been issued with respect to that horse in accordance with subsection (1).

(3) A *horse the subject of a positive test for equine infectious anemia must be immediately reported, by its *trainer or other person in charge of it, to the *official veterinarian.

(4) On receipt of the report, the official veterinarian must arrange for the affected horse to be isolated.

Rule123 g Equine infectious anemia (e.i.a.) currently states:

(1) Any person who is responsible for a *horse stabled on the grounds of a *race track for the purpose of flat racing must ensure that a negative test for equine infectious anemia has been issued with respect to that horse on or after November 1 of the preceding year and before April 1 of the current year.

(2) Any person responsible for a standardbred horse stabled on the grounds of a race track must ensure that a negative test for equine infectious anemia, dated in the preceding 12 months, has been issued with respect to that horse.

(3) No person may bring a horse onto the grounds of a race track or permit the entry of a horse onto the grounds of a race track after March 31 of any year, unless a certificate of a negative test for equine infectious anemia has been issued with respect to that horse in accordance with subsection (1) or (2).

(4) A *race horse the subject of a positive test for equine infectious anemia must be immediately reported, by its *trainer or other person in charge of it, to the *official veterinarian.

(5) On receipt of the report, the official veterinarian must arrange for the affected horse to be isolated.

Dated in the City of Edmonton
in the Province of Alberta
this 4th day of April 2023.

Kent Verlik, Chief Executive Officer
HORSE RACING ALBERTA

 

Horse Racing Alberta is pleased to be offering the Respect in the Workplace course to HRA licensees. Respect is one of our core values, and the training will provide licensees with an awareness of the role we all play in working in a respectful environment. Licensees will be receiving an email with further details, or they can check with the License Clerks at the racetracks to register.

 This is your chance to take an online training program that will:

  • Provide awareness of the role we play in working in a respectful environment
  • Provide clear understanding of what bullying, abuse, harassment, and discrimination mean and how to prevent these behaviours
  • Encourage everyone to contribute to a safe, healthy, and respectful workplace

 


 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Respect in the Workplace?

Respect in the Workplace is a comprehensive online training program that addresses the topics of bullying, abuse, harassment, and discrimination in our workplace. Through many vignettes and role play, it describes appropriate strategies for dealing with those behaviours. The training was created by Respect Group and Horse Racing Alberta has endorsed the program.

What is a respectful workplace?

A respectful workplace is one that is healthy, safe, supportive and inclusive, and honours diversity. It is a place where everyone is valued; communication is polite and courteous; people are treated with respect; conflict is addressed in a positive and civil manner; and disrespectful behaviour is not tolerated. If you are licensed by HRA, you are expected to conduct yourself respectfully.

Why implement a training program about respect now?

Respect is an essential part of who we are in horse racing. We strive to provide a safe and healthy work environment for all licensees—one that promotes human rights and personal dignity and is free from any disrespectful behaviour.

Is the training mandatory?

Per the Occupational Health and Safety Code, all employers in Alberta must have employees complete certain training courses, including recognition and the appropriate response to violence and harassment and the procedures for obtaining assistance. By accessing this course through HRA, the training is free.

How long will it take me to complete the training program?

The training takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. You can start and stop as desired, and the program can be completed incrementally and at your own pace. Please try to complete the training within 2 weeks of starting it.

Why should you participate?

We all want to be a part of a workplace where we feel valued, safe, and respected. Respect in the Workplace provides greater awareness of the shared responsibility we all have to help foster such an environment. This training provides standard tools and common understanding to empower everyone to prevent bullying, abuse, harassment and discrimination in the workplace.

How do I access the training?

The training is available online. You will be emailed a URL link to register for and access the course. This is an important step to ensure we have an accurate list of licensees who have successfully completed the training.

Sit with anyone who works with horses for ten minutes, and you will undoubtedly hear stories of the good and the bad, from long ago and more recently, and always about the one that got away.

These stories are what we want to hear from you!

Send them to us. If you found it interesting, then other people in the horse industry probably will too. Whether it’s about people, horses, or even other four-legged critters, these stories are best when shared.

Also, we are revamping the Horse Racing Alberta website. What changes do you think we should make? What content would you like to see?

Drop us a line and tell us what’s on your mind. Give us the best that you have, and we will do our best so everyone else gets to enjoy it too!

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Over $350,000 on the line - one of the biggest paydays in Alberta Harness racing

Saturday, October 15th — Post Time 1:15

Interviews with Fred Gillis, Bill Andrew, Connie Kolthammer, Rod and Jackie Starkewsky — featuring horses Staring Role, OutlawBurntPopcorn and Outlaw Blue Island — and charities Perky In Pink, Stollery Children's Hospital, Ronald McDonald House, Lacombe Fire Department and Olds Mountain View Emergency Shelter.

Since 2010, Fun For Fans has donated over $250,000 to Alberta charities.

- a joint Shinelight / HRA project

One of the richest days on the Alberta harness racing calendar - also with two 2-yo stake races - the Brad Gunn Memorial and the Norm Kennedy Memorial. Four major end-of-summer stakes at Century Downs in Calgary, Alberta.

Saturday, September 17th — Post Time 2:15

On September 2, 2022, the Horse Racing Alberta (HRA) Board of Directors held a Special Board Meeting to approve the 2023 budget allocations for Purse Support, Breed Improvement, and the Horse Population Incentive Program. This was done to provide our industry stakeholders timely information prior to the 2022 Yearling sales for Thoroughbreds/Quarter Horses and Standardbreds.

The HRA Board approved the following program budget allocations:

1. Purse Support Program allocation:

  • 2023 - $13,500,000 Approved Budget
  • 2024 - $14,500,000 Approved Budget
  • 2025 - $15,500,000 Projection
  • 2026 - $16,000,000 Projection

The overall projected Purse support increase between 2022 and 2026 is 28%. Purse support amounts for 2025 and 2026 are projections that are reviewed annually and may be subject to change.

2. Breed Improvement allocation:

  • 2023 - $3,900,000 Approved Budget
  • 2024 - $4,200,000 Approved Budget

The overall increase between 2022 and 2024 is 23.5%. Projected Breed Improvement program amounts for 2025-2026 are currently under review.

3. Horse Population Incentive program is extended for 2023

The total program allocation of $500,000 will be split between Racing Associations/Tracks as follows:

  • ASHA - $200,000
  • HBPA - $200,000
  • AQHRA - $50,000
  • ACTRA / “B” Tracks - $50,000

4. The HRA Board has reviewed and approved the 2023 Race Day Calendar

The following schedule is subject to confirmation from Century Racetracks, ASHA and HBPA.

“A” CIRCUIT SCHEDULE

There will be a total of 54 Thoroughbred race days and 72 Standardbred race days as follows:

Century Mile:

  • Thoroughbreds will start training at Century Mile on March 1st. The meet starts on May 6th and ends on September 2nd (38 race days); and
  • Standardbreds will race at Century Mile from January 7th-28th, 2023 and then again from September 8th and until December 31st (34 race days).

Century Downs

  • Standardbreds will begin racing at Century Downs on March 11th and run until August 12th (34 race days); and
  • Thoroughbreds will begin racing at Century Downs from September 9th to October 29th (16 race days).

“B” CIRCUIT SCHEDULE

There will be a total of 49 Thoroughbred race days and 17 Standardbred race days.

Rocky Mountain Turf Club

  • Thoroughbreds start training in March. The Spring meet starts on May 6th and ends on June 27th (16 race days); and
  • Thoroughbreds return on September 3rd and the Fall meet ends on October 7th (16 race days).

Millarville

  • Thoroughbreds run on July 1, 2023 (1 race day).

Evergreen Park

  • Thoroughbreds run from July 8th until August 27th (16 race days).

The Track On 2

  • Standardbreds race from July 2nd to September 17th (17 race days).

Regards,

Kent Verlik, MBA
Chief Executive Officer

Stakes Day is coming to Century Downs - featuring the top 2 year old horses in the ASHA Filly Pace and the Century Casino Pace - plus the Gord & Illa Rumpel Memorial Stake and the Ralph Klein Memorial Stake. There's $250K on the line in these four races!

Saturday, August 13th — Post Time 2:15

HORSE RACING ALBERTA
CENTURY DOWNS RACETRACK LICENSING OFFICE HOURS

Starting July 1 - through August 13, 2022
Office Hours
Wed / Thu / Fri / Sat: 8:30 am – 2 pm
Closed Sun, Mon, Tue