Horse owners frustrated after last year's winnings not paid out
It's not off to the races for horse owners, many still waiting for winnings from last fall
Horse owners in New Brunswick are still waiting to be paid thousands of dollars in race winnings from last year.
Horse Racing New Brunswick delayed the start of its season past May in an attempt to settle its books, but instead of holding off until all owners were paid, the races began on Canada Day.
"That was basically a joke," said Dawn Hubbard, owner of Ultimate Stables in Moncton.
"Those people who raced yesterday are going to be paid before the people from 2014, which doesn't make any sense to me."
Hubbard said the association owes her $5,827.00.
"We're very frustrated and we've been patient. We've waited over the winter months and kind of carried things ourselves," Hubbard said.
Race winnings from September and October 2014 were not paid to horse owners, according to Roberta Nixon, the executive director of the provincial association.
Nixon said about 50 owners haven't been paid, but she wouldn't disclose the exact amount the organization owes the owners. She said they would receive their money by the end of August.
HRNB ran into money troubles because of lack of government funding, a decrease in wagering amounts and certain revenue streams not coming through for the organization, according to Nixon.
The provincial government cut funding to the industry in 2012.
Last August, Horse Racing New Brunswick launched a lawsuit against the provincial government for allegedly breaching contract after failing to place 150 video lottery terminals at racetracks.
Nixon also said there shouldn't have been so many races last year, which are costly to run.
"Some of those September, October dates ... they shouldn't have raced as many times as they did," said Nixon.
Horse owners divided
Not all horse owners are against the season starting, even though last year's winnings haven't been paid.
Charles Miles is a horse owner, trainer and driver. He said he's optimistic owners will be paid back by the association.
"It is not a good thing, but we've been through tough times before," Miles said.
"We will get through this and hopefully we'll come out the other end much better for it."
Nixon started her post as executive director of the provincial association in May. She said she's been brought in to problem solve and develop a strategic plan to move the organization forward.
Nixon said the plan includes protocols to prevent a similar situation in the future.
She would not reveal what those protocols were, saying it's an internal matter that she's not prepared to discuss publicly.
Maritime Provinces Harness Racing Commission, the industry regulator in New Brunswick, allowed HRNB to start the season on Canada Day, without paying horse owners from last year first.
CBC News was not able to reach the commission for a comment.