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An industry that is simply a way of life!
Alberta’s entrepreneurial spirit has long been the cornerstone of its success. Innovation and opportunity have deeply embedded roots in our rural history and continue to be strong forces in our growing, diverse communities. From our pioneering days to the present, the Alberta horse has been a significant contributor to our western heritage and continues to provide considerable economic and social benefit to our province.
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A Message from…
Dr. David C. Reid, MD, FRCS(C), MCh
Chairman & CEO
Horse Racing Alberta
“There are over 300,000 horses in Alberta, nearly 35% of all horses in Canada. While only a small percentage of these are racehorses, our industry is vibrant and growing and forms a major part of the provincial economy. Horse breeding and racing has deep roots in Alberta, spanning the agricultural, entertainment, tourism and gaming sectors. We touch every corner of the province, linking rural communities, small towns and major cities. Indeed, our economic impact is spread equally through rural Alberta and urban centres where our racetracks are located.”*
Economic Impact*
- The Alberta horse racing industry employs some 8,125 Albertans.
- The economic impacts or benefits associated with the horse racing industry in Alberta are estimated at $385 million ofr 2005, resulting from;
- Expenditures made by horse owners in breeding, raising, and racing horses,
- Expenditures made at horse races, and
- Subsequent rounds of spending from the businesses and people as a result of these expenditures.
- Over 52% of these total benefits, or $202 million, can be traced to rural communities of Alberta. This includes $77 million in direct expenditures on agricultural activities, consisting of $45 million for agricultural inputs such as feed, training, board, farrier, veterinary costs, plus $32 million for breeding and raising horses.
- The new horse racing facility by United Horsemen of Alberta will create construction benefits of 1,972 full-time equivalent jobs and generate $463 million in economic benefits for Alberta.
*Data from “The Economic Impacts of Horse Racing and Breeding in Alberta, 2005” by Serecon Management Consulting Inc., August 2006
Industry Links
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