HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE CTHS BC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
by Dave Pihl, President CTHS BC Division
I would like to start off by wishing our staff member B-J Davidson, our Directors and Members a Happy New Year and All the best to you in 2026.
I don’t need to tell you that Thoroughbred Racing and Thoroughbred Breeding in B.C. has been in a negative direction for more than just 2025. The article by Jennifer Anstey posted in the 2025 Sire Book distributed by Canadian Thoroughbred provides a chronology to where we were at up to that point in time. The solution was an injection of money and a commitment by government to be a better partner.
It was quite a surprise to have our Provincial NDP Government during the later weeks of 2025 decide they had no interest in being a better partner and furthermore, would take steps to end horse racing at Hastings and potentially in B.C.
I will have more to say about our potential future later in this letter.
2025
Based on the number of B.C. Yearlings that owners were intending to send to a CTHSBC Yearling Sale, it was determined that a typical sale as had been held in the past was not economically feasible. Number of B.C. Breds were entered to the Alta Sale. There was, however, a small group of breeders who wished to have a live sale at Hastings Paddock and this did take place with about a dozen yearlings.
The indications are that breeding in 2025 for 2026 foals is low. Some breeders have stopped breeding; some breeders are taking steps to have foals in other jurisdictions to take advantage of breeder incentives and bonuses available in that particular jurisdiction.
Breeding is still an active business in B.C. and while there may not be a track in this province where the foals can eventually run, the horses bred here are eligible with proper registration to participate in tracks all across North America.
2025 BREEDERS' AWARDS PROGRAM - BAP
Ole Nielsen president of the BCTOBA and controller of the purse account funds, has advised us that the exact figures for the allocation of the Breeders Awards (10% allocation) will not be known until approximately January 15th, when the monies for December 2025 are received. It is hoped that total payment for the awards will be the amount that was budgeted for 2025, and that approximately $515,000 less the monies previously received for allowance awards will be received by early February.
Until we have the complete figures the percentage for the BAP awards cannot be confirmed. It is estimated that the percentages might be approximately 10% (broodmares) and 6% (stallions) for 2025.
Awards cheques will be distributed when the monies are received from BCTOBA.
IS THERE A FUTURE FOR THOROUGHBRED RACING IN BC?
Thoroughbred Breeding is just one component of the racing industry in this province. TRBC, comprised of HPBA, TOBA, Standardbreds (Harness Racing) are the other voices involved.
Without going into too much detail, the Standardbreds lost their venue part way through 2025 and Thoroughbreds are losing their venue as things are unfolding. The Standardbreds are in the process of establishing a “meet” in Osoyoos for 2026.
HPBA is taking steps to see if racing can continue at Hastings for 1-2 years to allow more time for a long-term alternative. In the alternative a short term “meet” at the end of the 2026 season (a minimum of 10 race days) also in Osoyoos is being considered.
Any funding available to CTHSBC for Breeders in 2026 is dependent upon either the success of the ‘racing component’ of the industry being successful as indicated above, or CTHSBC taking steps to try and have our portion of available funds through the Canadian Parimutuel Agency (CPMA), which is different than the slot revenue that the B.C. NDP are refusing to provide, held in trust and made available for payment to breeders of B.C. breds running in other jurisdictions. If this later option were to be viable, it would undoubtedly be a huge boost to the Breeding industry in B.C. This option however requires co-operation and support of HPBA specifically. I have reached out to David Milburn, president of the HPBA BC and while he is supportive in concept personally, he does not speak for the HPBNA Bd and currently HPBA is pursuing the prospect of ‘racing’ in B.C. in 2026 of some measure and will continue in the foreseeable time frame on that path. This unfortunately puts us in ‘limbo’.
Members will be updated with any changes as we learn of such.
