DAVIDSON—The province’s decision to scratch $1.5 million in funding to the horse racing industry has local horse breeders looking for greener pastures.

As a result of budget cuts in the 2012 provincial budget, Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming recently announced funding to horse racing will end at the end of this racing season.

At $1.1 million Prairieland Park, which operates Marquis Downs in Saskatoon, received most of the $1.5 million gaming grant that was used by tracks in Saskatchewan to supplement purses, which keeps horses, their owners and trainers coming to the province.

In return, the government made back about $850,000 in taxes on wagers made by fans.

Although the grant is gone, the taxes will remain.

The announcement comes on the heels of a tough 2011 season for the Saskatchewan bred thoroughbred industry, says Rose Backlund, president of the Saskatchewan division of the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society.

In her annual report to members, she said breeders were already frustrated over low purses and lack of incentive programs for their restricted Sask. breds.

Purses in races restricted to Sask.-bred horses are much higher than open stakes races.

“In 2011, all the funding that we did receive from the government in the past was given directly to Prairieland to disperse at their will and ironically, our share was drastically reduced,” she said.

As a result, it reduced their program and they lost three of their races.

“Many breeders have either sold their mares, never got them covered or foaled them out of the province,” she said.

At Cherry Grove stables near Loreburn where Backlund and Brett Doell raise thoroughbred racehorses they are considering racing at Assiniboia Downs in Winnipeg for the 2013 season.

For full story, please see this week’s edition of The Davidson Leader.

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