It’s not exactly good-news Monday today on Thoroughblog – some contentious issues are brewing – ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION, HORSES POST-RACING, AND CASINOS – there are lots of stories out there that are important to the industry we love.

These are the stories.

ECLIPSE AWARDS TONIGHT!
Havre de Grace a shoo-in for Horse of the Year

WATCH on DRF.COM at 8 p.m.

http://www.drf.com/events/2011-eclipse-awards-watch-live-beverly-hills-california

Havre de Grace – by Vanessa Ng

 

 

CASINO IN T.O. COULD BE TROUBLE FOR TRACKS

“One thing that is clear, is that the main economic losers would be these neighbouring

casinos and racetrack casinos, as Torontonians redirect their spending locally.” – Dr. Robert Williams, gambling researacher on the propsed casino in downtown Toronto

 DISCUSSION:
http://live.theglobeandmail.com/Event/Discussion_The_Globe_talks_with_gambling_researcher

_Dr_Robert_Williams_on_the_OLGs_Toronto_casino

ORIGINAL STORY IN GLOBE & MAIL:

Ontario mulls cashing in with a new Toronto casino
karen howlett AND elizabeth church

Ontario’s lottery corporation is pushing for a casino in Canada’s largest city, a move that would make downtown Toronto home to the country’s most lucrative gaming licence.

Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. is a key source of revenue for the province – in fiscal 2011, the agency contributed $1.9-billion to its coffers. But this proposal comes at a time of great economic uncertainty for Ontario. With the province in deficit, the government is under mounting pressure to find new sources of revenue and cut program spending.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/ontario-mulls-cashing-in-with-a-new-toronto-casino/article2301118/

Australia – ARTIFICAL INSEMINATION DECISION COMING SOON!

Decision awaited on challenge to TB breeding rules

by Neil Clarkson

The Christmas-New Year period is when most Australians and New Zealanders enjoy a few days off in the

sunshine to enjoy the trappings of summer at its height.

People put the worries of the year behind them and look forward to a new year.

One can only wonder how Australia’s Justice Alan Robertson enjoyed the holiday break. In the days before Christmas, he wrapped up a trial in the Sydney Federal Court which has put the very foundations of the thoroughbred racing industry under scrutiny
http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/2012/01/122.shtml

PAULICK REPORT ON THE BIZARRE KELSEY LEFEVER STORY

http://www.paulickreport.com/news/ray-s-paddock/every-one-of-them-is-dead/

 

ITALIAN RACING DECLINE ENDANGERS HORSES

Racehorses face butcher’s axe as recession forces courses to close

Owners find it cheaper to sell their thoroughbreds as racegoers abandon the sport in their droves

by MICHAEL DAY

It is not a good time to be a racehorse in Italy. Many Italians already had a taste for cavallo, but with the economy dipping and people staying away from the races, horse steaks, stews and cutlets are a set feature on many more menus.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/racehorses-face-

butchers-axe-as-recession-forces-courses-to-close-6290187.html