Woodbine closing for rest of year

Company asked government for help: CEO

Thoroughbred racing at Woodbine Racetrack will shut down for the rest of the year as of Monday, the result of the provincial government placing Toronto and Peel Region into the grey “lockdown” zone because of the spike in COVID-19 cases.

Woodbine Entertainment officials hoped the province would exempt racing from closing early — the season was scheduled to end on Dec. 13 — during the new lockdown measures given Woodbine’s impressive record in keeping the COVID-19 virus at bay.

The Woodbine backstretch employs more than 2,000 people. The cancelled race cards ( 12) at Woodbine represented a significant opportunity for horsepeople to earn purse money that is critical for their livelihoods and the welfare of their horses as they enter the off- season for thoroughbred racing in Ontario.

Many horsepeople were already devastated financially because of the late start to the 2020 season. Approximately 1,300 track employees were either temporarily or permanently laid off as a result of the COVID-19

OUR SOLE MANDATE IS TO SUSTAIN THE INDUSTRY.

pandemic, and the shutdown on Monday will put even more out of work.

“We have been, and continue to be, extremely supportive of the government’s efforts to reduce the spread of COVID- 19 throughout our province and appreciate the many difficult decisions they have to make,” said Woodbine Entertainment CEO Jim Lawson.

“We have approached the government to explain the impacts this decision will have on our business and the horse racing industry in Ontario. With a better understanding of our operations, and based on our safety record in operating live racing at our racetracks, we hope that the government will consider these impacts in the future and assist us in managing the potentially devastating impact to horsepeople and animal welfare this early shutdown will cause.

“Our organization’s sole mandate is to sustain the horse racing industry that supports the livelihoods of 20,000 families throughout the province,” Lawson added. “Woodbine Entertainment is the engine of that industry, and this early shutdown further impacts our business.”

According to provincial regulations, horse racing would not be allowed in a lockdown, but training would.

Racing has been conducted at Woodbine this season without spectators.