HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1987-09-02, Page 15The Goderich Township Bantam Boys are again the Huron County Inter Township
Recreational Baseball Champions. This is the third year in a row that they've won the ti-
tle. They've been champs for four out of five years, and finalists another year. The 1987
team members are, front row, left to right, Mark Penning and Jason Potter. Back row -
Ian Koetsier, Andrew Dykstra, Coach Jack Mayhew, Barry Diehl, Mark Ritchie, Daryl
Hemmingway, Everet Ridder, Josh Feltham, Jason Cox and Derek Bradshaw.
Horse racing is alive
and growing in Ontario
Two events, not two weeks nor 100 miles
apart, represent both ends of what is, by
world standards, the incredibly large scale
the sport of horse racing represents in the
province of Ontario.
One of the most prestigious and ex-
hilarating events in the world is the Queen's
Plate attended by more than 25,000 spec-
tators including the Royal Family. The
other is "Fair Day" in Sutton, Ontario,
equally exciting to the 500 enthusiastic
harness racing fans.
Be it harness horses at the Sutton Fair
racing for a purse of $300 and a horse
blanket, or the thrilling stretch drive of the
128th running of the Queen's Plate at Wood-
bine, there are more racing dates
(thoroughbred, standardbred and quarter
horse) in the provinces of Ontario than in
any other state or province in North
America.
The three thoroughbred tracks, and the 17
standardbred (Horses that race in harness
behind a sulky) facilities conduct over 1900
race cards per year. That is, in all
likelihood,more than in any other jurisdic-
tion in the world.
Those 1900 race cards mean big business
for the Ontario government, and a big boost
for the economy of the province. According
to the Ontario Racing Commission ( the
government agency that oversees and ad-
ministers all racing in the province)
$828,082,671 went through the mutual
machines in 1985 (the last year that figures
were available). When you consider that the
Ontario government takes out between
seven and nine cents of each wagered
dollar, you can certainly see just how impor-
tant an industry horse racing has become.
A study done by the Woods Gordon
management consultants group dated
February, 1986, estimated the "total annual
economic impact" of the horse industry in
Canada to be approximately $3.8 billion - an
amazing figure. The same study found
100,000 people in this country ( excluding
owners) we employed by the horse industry,
and an additional 20,000 people who indirect-
ly serviced the industry.
It is little wonder then, that when the rac-
ing industry indicate,d to the Ontario govern-
ment that some form of subsidy was
necessary to increase the attractiveness of
physical plants, as well as strengthen the
marketing or racetracks to the general
public, the Liberals responded with a $40
million shot in the arm. While the
Racetracks Assistance Program has been
far from perfect, for many of the tracks
around and province, it has been the
catalyst for a record year of increased at-
tendance and wagering. For the Ontario
government, it was simply a matter of
solidifying an extremely important revenue
generating industry.
The joy, fun, and excitement that goes
along with the sport of horse racing cannot
be measured in figures, never -the -less, it is
still the main reason people return again
and again.
The attraction of new fans to the sport of
horse racing will be the key to the industry's
success. Attendance and handle are up in
1987, and that is a good sign for the industry
and the twenty operating race tracks across
Ontario.
A good sign too, is the packed grandstand
at Woodbine and the crowded bleachers at
the country fair in Sutton. Both mean racing
is alive and growing in Ontario.
Successful standardbred
breeding farms in
southwestern
Many of the most recently successful
standardbred breeding farms can be found
in the southwest corner of Ontario. Seelster
Farms, in Lucan and Killean Acres in Inger-
soll. may not yet rival the powerful Arm-
strong Brothers operation that rolls
"forever" along Highway 10, but for these
newer" breeders, prepotent sires and
superlative marketing and promotional
skills have certainly made them a force to
reckon with.
Armstrong Farms, for its part, looms as a
world-wide leader in the breeding of stan-
dardbreds. In 1986, Armstrong Brothers
were second only to the giant Hanover Show
Farms of Pennsylvania in money won.
Three hundred and sixty nine "Armbro..."
horses went postward across the continent
and between them they won 879 races and
$6,478,426 worth of purse money.
While many of the Armstrong horses were
conceived and will sell in the United States,
the lucrative Ontario market is also a
strength of the organization. Both the top
ranked trotting stallion (Dream of Glory)
and the top ranked pacing stallion (Armbro
Omaha) stand at the Inglewood farm. Off-
spring of both these sires often average over
$25,000 at the Ontario yearling sales.
Prices of standardbred yearlings have
Ontario
risen steadily since the inception of the On-
tario Sires Stakes program. The OSS, which
returned $7.4 million to owners of winning
horses in 1985 has been the major catalyst of
this tremendous increase. When the pro-
gram was introduced in the late 1970's the
average price of yearling at the CSHS
(Canadian Standardbred Horse Society )
yearling sale was just over $3000. Now the
Canadian Classic, held each September,
averages over $15,000 per head.
The figures for the thoroughbred side are
even more staggering. The average price of
the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society's
Woodbine Select sale was over $50,000 per
yearling. Total sales for that single event
were over $11,000,000.
The economic impact of the sport is ob-
vious. In terms of spectators and their total
expenditures, the scope of horse racing in
Ontario grows even greater. The Woods
Gordon report of February, 1986 indicates
that over 16,000,000 attendances across
Canada grossed a total '`spectator expen-
diture" of $428 million. Ontario, being the
largest jurisdiction, makes up the greatest
part of those figures. Without a doubt, horse
racing is a major contributor to the
economy of Ontario.
Any size fish can be
a winner in contest
Administrators of the Molson Export Big
Fish Contest have discovered that there are
still some anglers who think they must catch
a Whojper to win the Ontario Federation of
Anglers and Hunters' Grand Prize Draw.
"Not so!", says Lance Males, Contest Ad-
ministrator. "Winning the OFAH Grand
Prize Draw is entirely a matter of luck.
Every Ontario resident angler over 19 who
enters a fish -any size fish -according to the
rules of the Molson Export Big Fish Contest,
has the same chance.
Since this is the first year for the OFAH
Grand Prize Draw, we expected to have to
do some extra work to make it clear who
was eligible. But we don't want anyone to
miss out on the chance to win a Dodge
Dakota pickup truck, a 15' Stryker bass boat
and trailer, and a 70 h.p. Evinrude motor, if
they've caught an eligible species of any
size! 6
CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1987—Page 15
WASN'T
THAT A
PARTY!
Thanks!
to our many customers,
neighbours and friends for
helping us celebrate our
20th Anniversary in business
SPECIAL THANKS MUST GO TO:
•The Fleming Ball Hockey Team for setting up
and manning the refreshment booth.
•The Fabulous Fowl ups, their wives, and children,
for table set up Thursday and then their efficient
serving of all the food.
• Gerry Blake, Ed Bezaire, Bill Lobb and Jack Tebbutt
for cooking the pork.
• The wonderful Fleming Feed Mill family for making a seemingly
impossible catering job appear easy and fun.
Ps -
Congratulations • • • •to our �lem-
ho put forth
Ing Bale earn who
effort all
daV3
a tremendous
the m
Saturday n ent. Just get -
pitch TO he Diamond was a
ting to
feat worthy of recognition let
the A finals!
alone getting to
Bill, marg, Ian Jim
Dl 4 w PRIZE w�
•Bobs and pat WINNERS VV�R�
and Ka am pbell d
*Sandy and Anne Abell
*Sp
nanand WillyReiniok
s d Verduna�0or
•J• ad Vann
Nee
Sandra walkVansts e
contest species include Largemouth Bass,
Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike,
Muskellunge, Walleye ( Pickerel), Brown
Trout, Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Speckl-
ed Trout, and Salmon. Fish must be caught
in Ontario waters, and may be entered in
either the Live Release Category or the
Catch and Keep Category. No entry fee is
required.
Rules for the contest and the draw are
outlined on every Molson Export Big Fish
Contest entry foe m. Entry forms are
available from all Molson representatives,
Chrysler dealers, Evinrude dealers, Cana-
dian Tire stores, most lodges and resorts, or
from the Ontario Federation of Anglers and
Hunters, PO Box 28, Peterborough, Ontario
K9J 6Y5, or (705) 748-6324.
The contest closes November 30, and the
OFAH Grand Prize Draw winner will be an-
nounced on January 15, 191
BUSINESS AND
DtRECTORY
2-7741
GLASS / ALUMINUM
See us for your building projects
•Glass and Mirrors
•Energy Efficient Replacement Windows
•Seamless Eavestroughing
\ •Complete Range o4 Aluminum or
Vinyl Siding and Building Products
•Window and Screen Repairs
\�.
Door Service and Repairs
C3.1 COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL
clintOn
4,) d EL, k D �I
24 Princess St. West, CLINTON 482-3322
DEMOLITION SERVICE
— DON NICKEL —
FREE ESTIMATES FREE DEMOLITION OF SOME BUILDINGS
VANASTRA DEMOLITION
SPECIALIZING IN DEMOLITION OF HOUSES & BARNS
REASONABLE RATES
USED BUILDING MATERIALS
SEASONAL HARDWOOD
AVAILABLE IN BUSH OR FACE CORD
5th AVENUE. VANASTRA R R 5 CLINTON
Bus, 482-5533 Res 482-7451
E. TING / AIR
DITIONINC
• LENNOX
'4 -BAILEYS
All You Need
to Remember
About
Home Comfort
'BAILEY$ 262-2020
Heating and Air Conditioning
We're proud to be Your LENNOX Dealer
Serving from Lucan to Blyth
Inst !lotion
SALE and SERVICE ond Ports
KEITH SIEMON
FARM SYSTEMS LTD.
R.R. 4 Walton Phone 343-2734 or 482-7971
FOR FREE PLANNING AND ESTIMATES
GLASS
LOW
CONTRACTOR
PRICES
Full Selection Of
WINDOWS Storms
-Replacement
•New Construction
DOORS •Entrance Systems
-Mirror 8 Patio
•Aluminum Storms
RESCREENING PLEXIGLASS
All. GLASS WORK
SALES - SERVICE
INSTALLATION
D & D GLASS
Located in Vonastra
482-7869
McKILLOP
MUTUAL
INSURANCE
COMPANY
91 Moira St. South, Seaforh
Office 527-0400
FARM, HOME,
COMMERCIAL,
AUTO COVERAGE
— AGENTS —
E.F. "Bill" Burst 527-1455
Bob McNaughton 527-1971
Graeme Craig 887.9381
Banter & MacEwen Insurance
Brokers Ltd. 524-6376
JOHN WISE INSURANCE
BROKERS LTD 482-3401
INSURANCE
JOHN WISE
INSURANCE BROKERS
LTD.
General Insurance
Guaranteed Investments
Clinton
Office: 482-3401
Rea.: -82-7265
OPTOMETRY
R.W. BELL
OPTOMETRIST
The Square. GODERICH
524-7661
JOHN LONGSTAFF
OPTOMETRIST
Seoforth 527-1240
Monday, Tuesday,
Thursday, Friday
9:00 - 5:30
Saturday
9:00 - 12:00 noon
Closed Wednesdays
BY APPOINTMENT
Free parking on premises
R:EP'AIR:S
Clinton Electric
+ixrtptiri'it
Appliances
Sales & Service
AP'PLY614CE REPAIRS,
t✓'o ALL MAKES
Elmetrlaol Muluatmcaanee
Weakly Icostore Spealala
Smm Erle Selholleraberger
90 Alban S1., Ctlaotmn
482-3646
APPLIANCE
and
REFRIGERATION
REPAIR SERVICE
Jia Br',Afoot
482.7032