Confirmation that BC stallions Counterforce and Ralis have been recognized as leading sires in the entire country coincides with other inspiring news at several levels for the BC racing industry.

Standing at Road’s End Farm in Abbotsford, Counterforce has been declared 2022 Leading Freshman Sire in Canada and Leading Juvenile Sire in British Columbia with a 1^st-Crop total of 13 foals including four winners and two black-type races. Air Force was the Progeny Earnings leading earner at $57,089 with total earnings credited to Counterforce of $137,792.

Ralis who had been standing at Canmore Farms in Aldergrove before being leased to Jim Alendal in Chilliwack, had a 1^st-crop total of nine foals with Above Average having earnings of $24,532 and full earnings totalling $81,154.

Counterforce and Ralis finishing one-two as leading sires nationally came on the heels of notification from the BC Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch (GPEB) that 47 race days at Hastings Racecourse have been approved for the 2023 season. 

“All of our people are enthusiastic and engaged,” said David Milburn, President of the Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association of BC. “We’re moving in the right direction. We’ve been through some difficult times with the pandemic but we’re coming back with lots of energy from everyone involved.”

Milburn made the comments following an all-day gathering of management from the various sectors of the BC racing industry. The seminar was sponsored by TBC Teletheatre and included members of the HBPA-BC, BCTOBA, CTHS-BC, BC Racebook, Harness Racing BC, as well as management from both Hastings Racecourse and Fraser Downs. 

The attendees were pleased that the 2023 dates at Hastings Racecourse will include the return of popular Friday Night racing on four occasions as well as two Monday night dates during the annual PNE Fair.

“Evening racing draws a different kind of crowd,” Milburn says. “I don’t know of any other racetrack with a 15-minute drive from the downtown area. I also don’t know of any other racetrack with a setting that includes a backdrop of mountains and the ocean. Night racing at Hastings brings a new brand of people to see what we have to offer.”

Friday night dates are scheduled with 7 p.m. start times on July 28, August 4, 11 and 18. The two Monday night cards are set for August 21 and August 28.

Opening day at Hastings Racecourse is Sunday, April 30 with the 2023 meet wrapping up on Sunday, October 15 with all afternoon starts at 2 p.m.

Nichelle Milner, Regional Manager of Racing Operations at Hastings, confirmed the track set-up date will be Friday, January 20 with move-in day scheduled for Sunday, January 22. Training begins Tuesday, January 24.