Hastings' Weekly Round-Up
With just four weeks to go until opening day, spring training gathered momentum this week as the rain finally relented. There was also some good news on tariffs!
Thoroughbreds to Remain Tariff Free
On Wednesday, April 2nd, President Donald J. Trump announced a sweeping update to the United States’ global tariff structure, aimed at enhancing national and economic security. Among the updates, thoroughbred industry stakeholders received positive news: horses eligible under the USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) will continue to cross the U.S.-Canada border duty-free.
“For Canada and Mexico, the existing fentanyl/migration IEEPA orders remain in effect, and are unaffected by this order. This means USMCA-compliant goods will continue to see a 0% tariff...”
Under the USMCA, thoroughbred horses (classified under Codes 0101.21.00 for pure-bred breeding animals and 0101.29.00.20 for others used for racing) retain their status as duty-free goods, ensuring uninterrupted cross-border movement vital to the industry.
In response, Prime Minister Carney has announced that the Government of Canada will be responding to President Trumps tariff orders by matching the U.S. approach with a 25% tariff on all vehicles imported from the U.S. that are not compliant with USMCA. There being no reference to any other counter tariffs, this would indicate that Canada, like the U.S., will maintain the status quo as it relates to the USMCA agreement.
This is exceptional news for our community. The continuation of duty-free transport recognizes the long-standing and mutually beneficial relationship between Canadian and American thoroughbred breeding and racing operations.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the many industry members, organizations, and government officials in both countries who voiced the importance of this issue. Your dedication and collaboration were instrumental in protecting the interests of our cross-border industry.
We also express our deep appreciation to U.S. businesses and officials who engaged with our concerns and understood the economic and cultural significance of our thoroughbred trade.
Please Note:
Continue to carry appropriate documentation when transporting horses, including proof of foaling location (USA or Canada).
If you encounter any issues at the border, please notify us immediately so we can provide support.
HBPA Board Meeting
The monthly HBPA board meeting took place via Zoom this week, with a wide range of topics again discussed.
Denise Praill (Vice-President Owner) led the discussion regarding the current request from Ministry staff for updated information on the needs of the industry. This information was requested to be received by April 11. Denise and Gary Johnson have put it together to deliver by April 7, with a meeting scheduled for April 11, either via Zoom or in Victoria.
Denise also said that there is a meeting planned with the Deputy Minister in Victoria on April 17 to further discuss the industry’s case for funding.
PURSES: In other discussions, David Milburn (President) reported that TOBA supports no change in purses for 2025 compared to 2024. The board acknowledged and supported the desire to keep purses at least on a par with last season while hoping that any government support may result in purse levels being readdressed.
RULE CHANGES: The rules committee met to discuss several small changes to rules, details of which will be released once finalized. All suggested alterations were well received by stakeholders with the exception of a proposed revamping of the whip rule. It was felt now was not the time for wholesale changes to the regulations relating to whip use and the subject will be addressed again at some point in the future.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
● Dates were confirmed for the general Spring meeting (May 10 at 11:30 in the Grandstand) and the next Board meeting (April 26 at 11:30) in the George Royal Room
● Denise reminded folks about April 6 coffee/breakfast at the Gap
● Mark Freeman gave a club update on membership saying there are currently about 150 members
● Horse numbers on grounds are currently estimated to be about 220, with around 50 more coming shortly. The number of 300 is expected to be met
Don’t Forget!
The Thoroughbred Racing B.C. trust (TRBC) is to hold an information session for owners and breeders at the Best Western Premier hotel in Vernon, B.C. next Saturday, April 12, from 1:00pm until 3:00pm.
The meeting will include a discussion regarding the upcoming racing season, as well as ongoing plans for the future of the industry in B.C.
ALL current, former or future owners AND breeders are VERY welcome and, while RSVPs are not required, it would be helpful if those planning to attend could let either Gary Johnson (garycj5460@outlook.com) or Neil Stajkowski (hbpaneils@gmail.com) know via email.
Time:
1pm – 3pm (coffee and muffins will be provided)
Place:
Best Western Premier Hotel
5350 Anderson Wy, Vernon, BC V1T 9V2
Tel: (250) 558-5000
Spring Training
Woodbine’s New Racing Directors
The two women have played pivotal roles in the Thoroughbred and Standardbred industries and are now its new Racing Operations directors.
Throughout horse racing history, women have made invaluable contributions to advancing the sport, from breaking barriers as jockeys and trainers to influencing its development as owners and breeders. Respected figures like Woodbine Entertainment’s Megan Walker and Martha Wakely have played pivotal roles in reshaping the industry and inspiring future generations.
Though their respective careers at Woodbine focus on different breeds – Walker with the Standardbred division and Wakely with the Thoroughbred division – both share a deep passion for horse racing that has driven their careers.
On March 24, Walker was promoted to Director, Standardbred Racing Operations, while Wakely was promoted to Director, Thoroughbred Racing Operations.
“Megan and Martha’s leadership, expertise, and unwavering dedication have been instrumental in driving the success of our racing operations. Their ability to foster collaboration and uphold a high standard of excellence has made a lasting impact on both Standardbred and Thoroughbred racing,” said Michael Copeland, CEO of Woodbine Entertainment. “These well-deserved promotions recognize not only their accomplishments but also the immense value they bring to our organization and the broader horse racing community.”
Jim Lawson, Executive Chair, Woodbine Entertainment, added, “These promotions are in recognition of hard work and a testament to the immense value Megan and Martha bring to the organization. It reflects their dedication and the significant impact they have each made in shaping a brighter future for our entire team.”
Dubai World Cup 2025
The US$30.5million Dubai World Cup fixture at Meydan Racecourse on Saturday, 5 April will be seen in 170 countries in all corners of the globe.
The fixture is acknowledged as the world’s most international raceday, with more than a dozen countries set be represented across the nine showpiece races, headlined by the $12m Dubai World Cup, sponsored by Emirates Airline.
It’s known as the world’s most spectacular race day, and one of the UAE’s unmissable annual social occasions, the Dubai World Cup is an explosion of sporting excellence staged against an iconic backdrop. Add in fabulous fashion, endless entertainment, fine dining and a plethora of hospitality options – it is the ultimate day out, with something for everyone to enjoy!
With $30.5million in prizemoney across nine races, the best horses, trainers and jockeys from around the world will converge on Dubai for a thrilling day of action, which last year delivered winners trained in five different countries. The spectacle continues after racing too, when the multiple Guinness World Record-breaking Dubai World Cup closing ceremony lights up the sky for miles around.
With extreme heat in the forecast, organizers have decided to push start times by an hour in a surfeit of caution aimed at protecting horses and humans. The forecast for Dubai on Saturday indicates high temperatures of about 100 degrees with a low of 75.
Sheikh Rashed bin Dalmook Al Maktoum, chairman of Dubai Racing Club, said, “Ensuring the safety and well-being of horses, jockeys and guests is our top priority, the decision has been made to adjust the start time of the Dubai World Cup day. We remain fully committed to delivering an exceptional event filled with thrilling horse racing, world class hospitality, and a truly magical atmosphere befitting the Dubai World Cup.”
The action gets underway at 5:30am PDT, with the $12 million Dubai World Cup scheduled for 10:30am PDT. The whole card is available to view on HPIbet, with the big race also being carried live by Sportsnet360 from 8:30am PDT.
Keeneland Opening Weekend Weather Update
Due to a forecast of severe storms and significant flooding expected in the Bluegrass region of Kentucky this weekend, Keeneland has announced it is rescheduling the first two days of its Spring Meet to ensure the safest environment for horses, participants and fans. The decision was made following Gov. Andy Beshear’s declaration of a state of emergency ahead of potentially historic amounts of rain and strong winds across the state during the next four days.
Keeneland’s opening Friday, April 4 race card, including the $750,000 Central Bank Ashland (G1), now will take place on Monday, April 7. The Saturday, April 5 race card, featuring the $1.25 million Toyota Blue Grass (G1), will be rescheduled to Tuesday, April 8. Mondays and Tuesdays are typically non-racing days.
Journalism, Citizen Bull Set For Grade I Clash In Saturday’s $500,000 Santa Anita Derby
ARCADIA, CA (March 31, 2025)—JOURNALISM, widely considered the early favorite for this year’s Kentucky Derby, and last year’s champion juvenile colt Citizen Bull will meet for the first time Saturday in the 88th running of the Grade I, $500,000 Santa Anita Derby going 1 1/8 miles at The Great Race Place.
Journalism jumped to the top of this year’s 3-year-old division via a scintillating win in the GII San Felipe Stakes going 1 1/16 miles on March 1 at Santa Anita. Trained by Michael McCarthy, Journalism scored by 1 ¾ lengths in the San Felipe after running down another highly regarded 3-year-old, Barnes, who is also entered back in the Santa Anita Derby. The win by Journalism earned a lofty 108 Beyer Speed Figure, which is the highest recorded by an active 3-year-old this year.
Journalism is by Curlin out of Mopotism, a graded stakes winning daughter of Uncle Mo. Bred by Don Alberto Stable, Journalism was sold at auction as a yearling for $825,000 to Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. He is campaigned by the partnership of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Don Alberto Stable, Bridlewood Farm, Elayne Stables 5 LLC and Robert V. LaPenta.
Prior to the San Felipe, Journalism closed out his juvenile campaign with a win in the GII Los Alamitos Futurity in December. He sports an overall record of 4: 3-0-1 with $338,880 in earnings. In the most recent Kentucky Derby Future Wager, Journalism closed as the 5-1 favorite to win this year’s Run for the Roses.
Journalism will be ridden by Umberto Rispoli, who was also aboard for both of his stakes wins. Rispoli previously won the Santa Anita Derby in 2021 with Rock Your World. Journalism and Rispoli will try and provide McCarthy with his first win in the Santa Anita Derby.
Race For the Crown
Eyes on racing: From Netflix to the Triple Crown
We’ve seen what Netflix can do for other sports - Formula 1, tennis, American football. Entire fan bases created from scratch. Now, it’s racing’s turn.
📱 In the year following Drive To Survive's debut, Formula 1 gained over 1.5 million new US social media followers.
👥 The average US F1 viewer became nearly a decade younger, drawing in Gen Z and Millennials.
🏆 The US now hosts three Grand Prix events - Austin, Miami, and Las Vegas - since the show's success.
💰 F1 team values have increased by hundreds of millions, thanks to new global fan engagement.
Race for the Crown premieres April 22 on Netflix and it’s a massive opportunity for the industry. This is racing in the spotlight, reaching new audiences who’ve never stepped foot on a backstretch.
These kinds of shows shift entire sports. Let’s do our part to boost its reach:
Share it
Rate it
Watch it with someone outside the racing bubble
And let’s build on the momentum. With more eyeballs turning toward racing thanks to Race for the Crown, we’ve got a rare window to keep the story going - with content that speaks to new audiences where they already are. That’s where the Triple Crown UGC Campaign comes in: short, scroll-stopping videos that feel real, fun, emotional and reaching people who don't normally see it.