ASHA President’s Opening Address

May 2026

 



I want to begin by thanking all the members who attended our 2026 ASHA AGM. It was the strongest turnout we’ve seen in many years, both in person and online. Your engagement matters — especially this year, when the decisions before us will shape not only ASHA’s future but the direction of the entire Alberta horse racing industry. My thanks as well to Nancy and her team, her many volunteers, and to Century, Chef Josef, and all the staff for their outstanding hospitality.

The months ahead will be pivotal. All breeds will be coming together in Horse Racing Alberta–led meetings to negotiate a new five‑year Memorandum of Understanding. This MOU will form the foundation ASHA operates under — including race‑date allocations at each facility, and the formulas that determine how revenue pools are shared among the breeds. These pools fund our Stakes programs, Overnight Cards, and ASHA’s operating expenses, so the outcomes of these discussions will guide our path for years to come.

We held our first Board meeting last Saturday evening, and I was encouraged by the energy and participation around the table. This Board brings a strong mix of horse people and non‑horse people, youth and experience — one of the best balances we’ve had in recent years. Everyone contributed meaningfully to the discussion, and it was a promising start.

From that meeting, an Ad Hoc Committee is in the process of being created to gather data and prepare materials for the MOU negotiating team, which will be named soon. We also began reviewing several existing policies and received updates on purse funding. As many of you know, our growing horse population is both a blessing and a challenge — more horses mean more opportunity, but also more pressure on the budget to ensure everyone gets raced. While 2025 saw softer casino revenues due to some severe winter storms, I’m pleased to report that 2026 is trending well ahead of budget. These numbers will always fluctuate, but it’s encouraging to see them moving in the right direction. ASHA would like to thank our partners at both Century Tracks, Track on 2, and Horse Racing Alberta for their hard work on turning the numbers around.

Communication is a priority for this Board. I will continue providing updates after each Board meeting, along with shorter notes when needed. Our new Owners’ Chair, Chris Lambie, is also developing digital tools and anonymous voting channels to help gather member feedback and bring key opinions forward. We know communication is a common concern in every industry, and we are committed to keeping members informed and engaged.

In the meantime, you’ll continue to find me in some of my favourite spots — roaming the backstretch, along the stretch‑drive fence, or helping Josh on the Century live stream. I’m looking forward to this new term as President and to working alongside a dedicated Board and an exceptional team of staff. Together, we have an important year ahead, and I’m confident in what we can accomplish. I would like to wish everyone the best of luck in Racing and wish all the participants in the upcoming Western Regional Driver's Championship good luck and safe trips!

 

Best Regards

 

Don McDougall

President

Alberta Standardbred Horse Association