August 6, 2021
Media Release
Sent on behalf of Harness Racing BC, and Horsemen's
Benevolent and Protective Association of BC
Media Release
For immediate release
August 6, 2021
BC Government Provides Help to Horse Racing
Harness Racing BC (HRBC) and the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association of BC (HBPA) welcome the decision by the BC government to provide financial assistance to horse racing in British Columbia.
Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth wrote to the HRBC and HBPA announcing a $3 million grant to be split evenly between the two organizations to “minimize the employment impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on horse racing workers”.
Kelly MacMillan, President of HRBC, expressed his thanks to the BC government, Minister Farnworth, and Mike Starchuk, the MLA in Surrey – Cloverdale, for their commitment to support Fraser Downs”. “This is the best possible news for horse racing overall,” said MacMillan. “Breeders, owners, trainers and all the backstretch workers whose jobs were impacted by COVID have been anxiously awaiting some good news. The BC government and all the MLAs we talked to listened, and they came through big time.”
David Milburn, President of the HBPA, also added his thanks to MLAs, especially Niki Sharma, the MLA for Vancouver – Hastings, home of the Hastings Racecourse. “We were facing an uncertain future,” said Milburn. “Now we can look forward to extending the current season for at least another month and will be able to turn our attention to working on a full season in 2022,” he added. “We’re excited to start welcoming back thousands of horse racing fans from across BC who come out every year to enjoy the races. The future of horse racing in British Columbia looks much better after this announcement.”
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For more information contact Nigel Holmes, Executive Director, Harness Racing BC, 604 788 7589 David Milburn, President, Horseman’s Benevolent and Protective Association, 604 725 2027
Benevolent and Protective Association of BC
Media Release
For immediate release
August 6, 2021
BC Government Provides Help to Horse Racing
Harness Racing BC (HRBC) and the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association of BC (HBPA) welcome the decision by the BC government to provide financial assistance to horse racing in British Columbia.
Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth wrote to the HRBC and HBPA announcing a $3 million grant to be split evenly between the two organizations to “minimize the employment impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on horse racing workers”.
Kelly MacMillan, President of HRBC, expressed his thanks to the BC government, Minister Farnworth, and Mike Starchuk, the MLA in Surrey – Cloverdale, for their commitment to support Fraser Downs”. “This is the best possible news for horse racing overall,” said MacMillan. “Breeders, owners, trainers and all the backstretch workers whose jobs were impacted by COVID have been anxiously awaiting some good news. The BC government and all the MLAs we talked to listened, and they came through big time.”
David Milburn, President of the HBPA, also added his thanks to MLAs, especially Niki Sharma, the MLA for Vancouver – Hastings, home of the Hastings Racecourse. “We were facing an uncertain future,” said Milburn. “Now we can look forward to extending the current season for at least another month and will be able to turn our attention to working on a full season in 2022,” he added. “We’re excited to start welcoming back thousands of horse racing fans from across BC who come out every year to enjoy the races. The future of horse racing in British Columbia looks much better after this announcement.”
-30-
For more information contact Nigel Holmes, Executive Director, Harness Racing BC, 604 788 7589 David Milburn, President, Horseman’s Benevolent and Protective Association, 604 725 2027
HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE CTHS BC BOARD OF DIRECTORS by Dave Pihl, President CTHS BC Division
Not Bourbon (Not Impossible – Bourbon Belle) passed away on December 28, 2025, at the age of 20. Bred and owned by Charles Fipke and trained by Roger Attfield, Not Bourbon was an exceptional racehorse whose accomplishments earned him a place in Canadian racing history. During his career on the track, Not Bourbon captured some of the nation’s most prestigious races, including the Queen’s Plate, Plate Trial, Queenston Stakes, and Overskate Stakes. As a two-year-old, he showed early promise by winning the Bull Page Stakes and setting a track record for six furlongs at Woodbine. Over the course of three racing seasons, Not Bourbon earned more than one million dollars, and his outstanding three-year-old campaign was recognized with a Sovereign Award. Retired to stud, Not Bourbon went on to become a champion sire in Ontario, further cementing his legacy in the breeding shed. In 2020, he relocated to British Columbia, standing his first season at Emerald Acres in Aldergrove, before moving to Flying Horse Farm in West Kelowna, where he continued to make a meaningful contribution to the provincial breeding industry. Not Bourbon will be remembered for his talent as a racehorse and his contributions to breeding in both Ontario and British Columbia.
CTHS BC'S Position Regarding The TRBC Joint Trust Agreement
BAKKEN on the move Bakken on the Move BC's leading sire for the past five years has been relocated and will stand at Steen and Cathy Reggelsen's Strideaway Thoroughbreds in Armstrong for the 2025 season
Huge blow to Hastings as CTHS President passes just two weeks after his Willow Creek Farms secures its second consecutive leading-owner title
