The horse races at the Rocky Mountain Turf Club are free to attend, and run on Saturdays and Sundays starting May 6, 2023. (Photo: LNN)

By Christian Oldale

2023 horse racing season kicks off in Lethbridge

May 5, 2023 | 12:12 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Horse races are returning to Lethbridge this weekend.

The Rocky Mountain Turf Club is beginning its racing season on Saturday, May 6, 2023.

The races will run from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays every weekend until October, and admission to the action is free.

Max Gibb, CEO of the Rocky Mountain Turf Club said this will be a big year for the club, with bigger winnings for the racers, and they hope to keep seeing attendance go up.

He explained, “Our purses this year are the highest ever, minimum purse is $6,000, our stakes races are $10,000 and $12,000. It’s going to be an unbelievable season.”

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In addition to the weekly races, the Warrior Relay Races will be at the track in 2023. General manager Rose Rossi said there will be multiple Warrior Relay Races throughout the season, and she said the club will announce more details next week.

She added, “The warriors will be sprinkled amongst the races here, we have some big dates for them. You guys better be here for Canada Day, because it is going to be a whole lot of action with our warriors.”

A major priority for the races continues to be the well-being of both the jockeys and the horses, and the club has continued to implement safety precautions to make the races as safe as possible.

Assistant Director, Regulatory & Supervisor of Security and Investigations for Horse Racing Alberta, Theresa Sealy said that the safety procedures have evolved quite a lot over the last five years, and horse safety is their number one priority.

Sealy said, “The focus has been on horse welfare, so that’s number one. We have what’s called a commission veterinarian, and she watches every horse during the races.”

Stewards placed high up above the grandstands will be monitoring the races as well, making sure rules are followed and no extra dangers come to the horses and racers.

Jockeys are only permitted to use their riding crops three times during the races, and must communicate any troubles to other jockeys. They are also required to wear both a helmet and flak jacket that have been approved by the stewards for their own protection.

Livestreams of the races will be available on the club’s website.

Read more: Lethbridge News Now

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