Century Downs horse racing a big boost for the industry
CBC News | Posted: August 10, 2015 6:15 PM | Last Updated: August 10, 2015
'We've been waiting for 10 years,' says executive director of the Alberta Standardbred Horse Association
It was a big weekend for Alberta horse racing as Century Downs in Balzac held its first major stakes standardbred horse races.
The plans for a new horse racing track were first announced back in 2004, but it took more than a decade for the new track to be completed — making it difficult for many in the industry.
"It's a shot of adrenaline, is what it is," said Fred Gillis, executive director of the Alberta Standardbred Horse Association.
"I mean we've been waiting for 10 years for this to come to fruition. Now it's happening, we're racing [and] everybody is excited. I think our yearling sale last year, we hold it once a year, was up 150 per cent."
There are still more additions to come at Century Downs, including more barns, bigger grandstands and thoroughbred races.