The American Quarter Horse Journal’s Q-Racing Annual Review, the compilation of information, statistics and histories for American Quarter Horse racing, will be in mailboxes shortly. It’s also available for purchase for $10 per copy.

In the annual review, American Quarter Horse racing enthusiasts will find important information including the champions both current and historical, industry numbers, world and track records, stakes history, starters index, and statistics on industry-leading horses and people.

In January, the award-winning The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal was folded into its sister publication, The American Quarter Horse Journal. For more than 20 years, the Racing Journal was the print media’s most complete monthly source on American Quarter Horse racing. Now you will find that same great information and more in the Journal’s Q-Racing section.

More immediate information and up-to-the-minute news can be accessed via our Web site at www.aqharacing.com. The Web site, which complements the monthly printed Q-Racing section in the Journal, covers daily events on the industry and also offers complete lists of qualifiers to major stakes, charts of stakes and information about the Bank of America Racing Challenge. The latest rankings of the top-200 leading racehorses, owners, breeders, trainers, jockeys and sires by earnings and wins are also available. Statistics on the Web site are updated Tuesday-Friday each week.

In addition, there’s the twice-weekly Q-Racing Newsletter, which provides you with the latest news, stakes previews, reviews, trial previews and results and racing history. It’s all free and delivered straight to your e-mail. Visit www.aqharacing.com to sign up.

The annual review is available for purchase for $10 per copy. However, if you purchase a subscription to The American Quarter Horse Journal, which includes the Q-Racing section 12 times a year, you will get the Q-Racing Annual Review for free. Call (800) 291-7323 to subscribe for $25 for one year.

March 8, 2010 – Johannes Orgeldinger of Grosswallstadt, Germany, was elected president of the American Quarter Horse Association today.

Orgeldinger, a 25-year breeder of American Quarter Horses, is the first person from outside the United States to serve as AQHA’s president.

Orgeldinger and his wife, Astrid, own and operate a gravel and stone company and JOMM Ranches in Grosswallstadt as well as Main River Quarter Horses in Gainesville, Texas.

At AQHA’s Annual Convention in Kissimmee, Florida, Peter Cofrancesco III of Sparta, New Jersey, was named first vice president. Cofrancesco is chair of the Grinnell Group of Companies, which includes several entities, including solid waste and recycling, real estate and concrete products manufacturing.

Cofrancesco was American Quarter Horse Youth Association president in 1991 and is the first youth president to serve on AQHA’s Executive Committee.

Gene Graves of Grand Island, Nebraska, was elected second vice president. Graves is auctioneer of Diamond G Auction Company and is a Realtor for Century 21.

New members were also named to the AQHA Executive Committee today. Johne Dobbs of Champaign, Illinois, and Johnny Trotter of Hereford, Texas, were elected.

Dobbs, a director from Illinois, owns Johne Dobbs Equine Insurance. She becomes the second woman to serve on the AQHA Executive Committee.

Trotter, a director from Texas, is president and chief executive officer of Livestock Investors Ltd.

Starting today, Quebec can once again wager on thoroughbred and harness racing after an agreement between WEG and the Quebec Jockey Club.

According to a report in today’s Montreal Gazette, the Quebec Jockey Club was authorized for Internet betting by the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Association once it secured a live racing permit. A 10-day meet is set for Ayer’s Cliff with 50 more dates in the works.

The article also states that takeout for Quebec’s punters will be lower than the days of Paritel and Attractions Hippqiues, coming down from 30 per cent takeout to 23 per cent through HPI and WEG.

WEG issued announcements on the agreement in both English and French on Thursday morning:

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After months of being shut out from legally wagering on horse racing, fans of the sport in Quebec are now able to watch and wager on over 150 racetracks from the around the world thanks to an agreement announced today between Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) and Le Club Jockey du Quebec (CJQ).

HorsePlayer Interactive (HPI), WEG’s online account-wagering platform, is now available to both Quebec’s harness and thoroughbred racing fans at HorsePlayerInteractive.com. HorsePlayer Interactive is Canada’s first and only legal pari-mutuel account wagering service.

Le Club Jockey du Quebec has made drastic cuts to the historical takeouts used in Quebec, thereby returning more money to horseplayers. Quebec will match takeouts from Canadian tracks (including WEG products) and will adopt Ontario strategies for takeouts on foreign tracks. Further to this, the five-year deal includes full participation in the HPI Rewards program, which will offer cash back to players automatically on a weekly basis.

“Some of the country’s most enthusiastic racing fans live in Quebec, so we are thrilled to offer HorsePlayer Interactive to them,” said Sean Pinsonneault, WEG’s Vice-President of Wagering Services. “We’re delighted to partner with such a progressive group like Le Club Jockey du Quebec which is committed to rebuilding the Quebec racing business from the ground up with a strong focus on the customer.”

CJQ, a not for profit organization, was formed in June of 2009 by a group of horse owners passionate about the sport and committed to its survival in Quebec. Serge Savard, a prominent Quebec businessman, long time standardbred owner, and Montreal Canadiens legend is a member and offers his support of CJQ’s objectives.

“This is the start of a new beginning for Quebec racing fans, horsemen and all others involved in the sport,” said Le Club Jockey du Quebec spokesperson, Jocelyn Faucher. “The significant cuts that we have made to the takeouts will be recognized by the customer immediately and should strengthen our foundation as we take a conservative approach to returning racing to the province in a healthy and vibrant way.”

HPI now provides wagering services to all provinces except Manitoba.

Entries for the 2010 Canadian Yearling Sale close on Monday, March 15 at 5:00 p.m.

Set for Saturday, September 11 and Sunday, September 12 at SC’s Sales Pavilion at Flamboro Downs, the 2009 Canadian Open Yearling Sale boasted an increase in average sale price of nearly 40 per cent in 2009 from the prior year’s sale.

To enter horses, visit the Canadian Yearling Sale page by clicking here. For additional information on the Yearling Sale, send emails to salesstakes@standardbredcanada.ca or call 905-858-3060 and ask for the Sales Department.

Clinton, ON – March 1, 2010 – The Regional Equine & Agriculture Centre of Huron Inc. (REACH Huron) is attracting students from further afield with their programming line-up, as participants fly in from out of province to attend weekend workshops.

On February 20 and 21, REACH Huron held its second Equine Reproduction course, with students hailing from as far away as Connaught, near Thunder Bay, Swift Current Saskatchewan and even Aylesford, Nova Scotia.

“We are really pleased to be attracting participants from out of province” says Melanie Prosser, Director Program Services for REACH Huron. “It is only our second offering of this particular course, and we have yet to be in operation for a full year so these results are very encouraging.”

The two-day program utilized the state-of-the-art equine teaching facility. Course participants spent the day and a half in the ITSI Teaching Lab, which is fully furnished with everything needed to teach all aspects of Equine Reproduction. On the second day, under the tutelage of Dr. Katie Crossan of Kirkton Veterinary Services and Doug Nash, Equine Reproduction Specialist at REACH Huron, the participants were all able to see, do and practice the artificial insemination process with the facility’s mares and stallion in the Glengate Farms Teaching Barn.

Alissa Cue travelled from Nova Scotia to attend the two-day workshop. She said “the course was very well rounded and an excellent resource for anybody in the breeding industry or thinking about getting into the industry.” Alissa added “the course had excellent speakers and was very hands on. It (REACH) is also a wonderful facility.”

REACH is located in Clinton, Ontario, with facilities that include a climate controlled indoor and warm-up arenas, teaching barn and lab. The facilities are also home to a full educational facility with high-tech classrooms, dorm rooms and a community kitchen. Future plans include stabling for shows and 40 RV hook-ups. For further information, please visit www.ReachHuron.ca.

The Regional Equine & Agricultural Centre of Huron Inc. (REACH) is a non-profit corporation functioning as a “motel for education”, offering innovative programming, as well as recreational activities to support the equine, agricultural and other industries.

Instructor Doug Nash in the Glengate Farms Teaching Lab at REACH Huron.

Mitzy Tait-Zeller from Swift Current, SK learning how to palpate a mare.

Dr. Crossan (l) and Alissa Cue (r) from Nova Scotia palpating a mare.

If you require any of these photos in larger resolution please contact director@reachhuron.ca

This past fall the Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario Inc. were represented by
a few of its Board Directors at the above stated AQHA recognized Racing function.
During the meeting portion of the event the racing committee heard from a large number
of individuals present as follows:

They were demanding answers from AQHA and the RMTC with regard
to the current influx of ‘Super clenbuterol’ across North America. This
drug is a concern for every jurisdiction. The RMTC reported that they have
been provided with a small sample of the drug and have analyzed its
composition. They report that it is 97 times stronger than Ventipulmin and
poses a significant risk to the health of our racehorses. New Mexico has
moved to implement a ban on clenbuterol use entirely in an attempt to stop
the use of ‘Super clenbuterol’ The QROOI has been working closely with the
Ontario Racing Commission and the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency (CPMA) on a
solution for the 2010 racing season.

Another hot topic from the Challenge Championships was the discussion on
proposed changes to the Bank of American racing Challenge program. The AQHA
is working on a proposal that would see stallion owners pay nomination fees
based on the number of mares bred in each season. These foals would then be
eligible to nominate to the challenge. This additional funding is earmarked
for an additional 3 races on championship night all of which would have a $1
million dollar purse. The racing committee were not sure if this proposal
should move forward as part of the agreement would mean that the challenge
would not move from Los Alamitos for a minimum of 4 years. Goto
www.aqharacing.com to read the complete
proposal. Bob Broadstock did (as has been done for 3 years) push AQHA to
select a challenge regional race to run at Ajax Downs. He stated that
currently the QROOI members are not nominating to the challenge because of
the fact that no regional races run in Ontario or close by. We are simply
lumped in with Alberta and they currently run all of the Canadian regional
challenge races. He also asked that if Ontario is to be provided with a
regional race that it be part of a long term commitment that would allow the
Ontario breeder to begin to nominate foals.

Comments from another Board Director were: The trip to the Challenge Races was very interesting and informative. The AQHA meetings were at a level I’ve not experienced here in Ontario and it was very informative to have so many top-level owners, breeders, vets, etc. all discussing issues that affect us all. The cloning issue was a hot topic and tended to have many people on the edge of their seats. More information will follow on this as more research is gathered. The veterinary report ‘the white paper’ outlined new drug rules and testing procedures – all which will have an impact on all of North America Quarter Horse racing. There are huge efforts underway to make racing clean and fair for all at all racetracks. Our president, Bob Broadstock is very well respected by all and his conscientious efforts will benefit all of us here racing Quarter Horses in Ontario. It was an eye-opener to see ‘beyond Ajax Downs’ and how other race tracks are dealing with the same issues that plague us here – both on the positive and negative side. On the positive, we are so fortunate to have a brand new track and great purse money, on the negative – we still need to grow beyond our ‘small club’ attitude and look more at the business and professionalism of racing horses to be more successful.
In closing, I am confident that trips such as this taken by the directorship of the QROOI will give us new ideas and better ways to accomplish the results that will make us even better in the future.

March 1, 2010 - The Ruidoso Select Sales Company has announced the dates of the 2010 sales for yearlings and Quarter Horses this summer at the sales pavilion adjacent to Ruidoso Downs.

The Ruidoso Select Yearling and Broodmare Sale, which annually produces the highest average for yearling Quarter Horses, will be held on September 3-5, immediately following that day’s races at Ruidoso Downs. The broodmares will be offered at the start of the sale on September 3.

The All American Futurity (G1), which offers a $1 million first-place check, will be contested over 440 yards on September 6. The purse of the 2011 All American Futurity is projected at an all-time high of $2.4 million with a record $1.2 million first-place award.

The New Mexico-bred Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred Sale will be held on August 20 and 21 and the sales pavilion. These yearlings will be eligible to compete in the lucrative New Mexico-bred program at tracks throughout the state for their entire racing careers.

February 24, 2010 - OQHRA will host its annual awards banquet this weekend, February 27, at Heritage Place in Oklahoma City. They will be recognizing the 2009 Racing Champions of the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association, The Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission and AQHA Regional High-Point Champions.

The banquet kicks off at 5:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception, followed by a short OQHRA business meeting and the awards presentations. A chicken fried steak dinner will be served at 8:00 p.m. There will be a silent auction and free valet parking will be available.

Tickets are $30 and reservations are to be made by Thursday the 25th. Call the OQHRA office at (405) 216-0440.

OHRC recipients have not yet been notified, so please check the list for your horses! Or visit www.aqha.com

February 22, 2010 - Eclipse Sales Company has announced a new “Buyer and Sellers Bonus” and a “Mixed Session” to their annual Select Yearling Sale schedule in 2010. The 2010 sale will again be held in the Sales Pavilion at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas on August 7.

The most exciting news comes in the form of a “Cash Bonus Program” for both consignors and buyers of Quarter Horse yearlings.

“We are going to pay $15,000 in bonuses during the 2010 Select Quarter Horse session to consignors and buyers,” Jay Helzer, Sales Manager announced today. “We will gladly pay you to buy and/or sell a yearling with us,” he added.

The 2010 sales bonuses will be paid as follows:

* $5,000 bonus to the consignor of highest seller excluding RNA’s (horse must sell).
* $5,000 bonus to leading consignor with most horses that go through the sale ring.
* $2,500 bonus to licensed trainer with most purchases.
* $2,500 bonus to buyer with most purchases.

Bonuses will be paid only on the yearling session and the buyer and trainer must be different parties.

The sale company has also added a “Mixed Session” to their annual Select Quarter Horse Yearling format during the August event. The first session will feature Quarter Horse foals of 2009 and the second session will be a “Mixed” venue of all-age Quarter Horse, Paint, Appaloosa, Arabian and Thoroughbred mares bred to Quarter Horse Stallions.

For additional information on the “Buyer and Seller Bonus” and/or consignment forms contact the sales company at (940) 365-9907. Deadline for entries is May 31.

The Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario Inc. (QROOI) held their February 2010 Board Meeting on Wednesday February 17, 2010 at their Head Office.

In attendance were Bob Broadstock – President, Erik Lehtinen - Vice President, Directors – Steve Hunter, Rene Hunderup, Brian Farrell, Greg Watson and Doug Cheetham. Also in attendance was Greg Fernandes of the Administration as recording Secretary.

Discussions included but not limited to the following:

1. Briefing by President Broadstock on the matter of Slot Funding at Ajax Downs and general approach with the ORC to resolve situation. There was lengthy discussion on this very important issue.

2. Update of number of members interested in serving on Committees.

3. The Board accepted the letter of resignation submitted by Helen Sweenie who has been the Treasurer of the QROOI and thanked her for the many years of service in that position.

4. The Board approved that the Annual Members Meeting would be held on Saturday April 10, 2010 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Ajax Ontario starting at 1:00 PM

5. Nick Coukos of Ajax Downs joined the meeting for general discussion on a) number of training days during April (weather permitting) and Ajax Downs Race Secretary will issue notice b) lengthy discussion of General Improvement Plan involving all areas of Ajax Downs in preparation for 2010 racing season. c) some clarification needed on certain issues before Condition Book can be issued.

6. On a motion by Director Hunderup, seconded by Director Farrell the Board unanimously approved a policy (which was already posted on the website) that supports Ajax Downs evoking Track Rule #52 subject to consultation with the QROOI prior to trespassing any licensed individual(s).