Horse Racing Alberta (HRA) has approved the 2026 Budget, reflecting a disciplined approach in response to current economic conditions while maintaining strong support for the province’s racing and breeding industries.

“We remain committed to stewarding Alberta’s horse racing industry responsibly and sustainably,” said Kent Verlik, Chief Executive Officer of Horse Racing Alberta. “Despite a challenging economic landscape, HRA’s program funding remains strong, with 93 percent of all revenue directed to horse people and racetrack operators and 7 percent allocated to administrative costs. Our priority continues to be ensuring that as much funding as possible flows directly to the industry.”

HRA Board Chair Diana McQueen emphasized the Board’s prudent decision-making: “The Board of Directors undertook a careful review of the economic realities impacting our industry. The adjustments within the 2026 budget reflect those conditions while safeguarding the long-term health of racing in Alberta. The Board is confident that this budget represents a responsible balance between stability today and growth opportunities in the future.”

Purse Funding Allocation

For 2026, Horse Racing Alberta has approved total purse allocations of $16 million, supporting racing opportunities across Thoroughbred, Standardbred, and Quarter Horse breeds. While this reflects a small decrease from 2025, Alberta continues to offer one of the strongest purse structures in Canada outside Ontario, maintaining solid opportunities for owners and trainers in all sectors.

Breed Improvement Program (BIP) Funding Allocation

The Breed Improvement Program (BIP) will be $5.05 million in 2026, continuing HRA’s longstanding commitment to strengthening Alberta’s racing population and supporting key organizations including the CTHS Alberta Division, HBPA of Alberta, Alberta Community Racing Association, Alberta Standardbred Horse Association, and Alberta Quarter Horse Racing Association.

Program metrics have shown that investment in this program increases our racing population by fostering stronger breeding operations and elevating the overall quality of the racing stock.

Incentive Programs - Racehorse Procurement Incentive Program (RPIP) Funding & Racehorse Shipping Incentive Program (RSIP) Funding

Developed in 2022, the Racehorse Procurement Incentive Program (RPIP) was designed to facilitate an increase in field sizes and the overall horse population in Alberta. The Racehorse Shipping Incentive Program (RSIP) supports ship-in costs associated with moving horses around the province to facilitate the availability of horses at each racetrack. The Horse Racing Alberta Board voted to support the continuation of these programs in 2026, with a reduction in the housing subsidy for both HBPA Alberta and ASHA, but allocating a budget of $600,000 to further strengthen the province’s racehorse population.

All programs and funding allocations have been approved by the Horse Racing Alberta Board of Directors.

For specific information and breed program details, please visit the following websites:

• Thoroughbred: hbpaalberta.ca; cthsalta.com; actraracing.ca
• Standardbred: asha.ab.ca
• Quarter Horses: aqhra.ca

MEETING: Century Mile Racetrack & Casino - December 13, 2025

In the opinion of the Board of Judges, GROOM, KENZIE-TAYLOR JUDYTH WEIMER, PERM. ADD.: PENHOLD, ALBERTA, CANADA, D.O.B. SEPTEMBER 8, 2000, did violate HORSE RACING ALBERTA Rule 286(a); A person violates these rules who, in the opinion of the judges/stewards board, conducts themselves in a manner prejudicial to the best interest of horse racing; for her conduct towards a HORSE RACING ALBERTA licensee in the barn area on December 5, 2025.

PENALTY: KENZIE-TAYLOR WEIMER is hereby REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE RESPECT IN THE WORKPLACE ONLINE COURSE.

The RESPECT IN THE WORKPLACE course to be completed within fourteen (14) days, Friday, December 26, 2025. The RESPECT IN THE WORKPLACE online course must be completed in the HORSE RACING ALBERTA Licensing office.

Ruling # Cancelled

MEETING: Century Mile Racetrack & Casino - December 13, 2025

In the opinion of the Board of Judges, OWNER/TRAINER/DRIVER, OUTRIDER, MARIE CHARLOTTE BROOKING, PERM. ADD.: CALGARY, ALBERTA, CANADA, D.O.B. FEBRUARY 7, 1971, did violate HORSE RACING ALBERTA Rule 286(a); A person violates these rules who, in the opinion of the judges/stewards board, conducts themselves in a manner prejudicial to the best interest of horse racing; for her conduct toward another racing participant in the barn area on Friday, December 5, 2025.

PENALTY: MARIE BROOKING is hereby FINED THE SUM OF ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($100.00) AND MUST COMPLETE THE RESPECT IN THE WORKPLACE ONLINE COURSE.

In accordance with HORSE RACING ALBERTA Rule 297(1) fine to be paid within ten (10) days and complete the RESPECT IN THE WORKPLACE online course within fourteen (14) days, Friday, December 26, 2025.

The RESPECT IN THE WORKPLACE course must be completed in the Horse Racing Alberta Licensing Office.

MEETING: Century Mile Racetrack & Casino - December 13, 2025

In the opinion of the Board of Judges, OWNER/TRAINER/DRIVER, JACQUES WILFRED LAMBERT, PERM. ADD.: RED DEER COUNTY, ALBERTA, CANADA, D.O.B. OCTOBER 14, 1982, did violate HORSE RACING ALBERTA Rule 134(2)(b)(ii)(3); If a horse is on the EIPH certified list, its trainer or the trainer's licensed representative must, before the horse competes, if a Standard bred, the trainer or his authorized representative must report with the horse to the test barn at the appointed time for the injection and assist if required, the administration of furosemide. The stewards/judges board must scratch a horse from a race if the requirements of this section are not met; thereby causing “IMASHIPWRECK” to be scratched unnecessarily from Race 11, Friday, December 12, 2025.

PENALTY: JACQUES LAMBERT is hereby FINED THE SUM OF ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($100.00).

In accordance with HORSE RACING ALBERTA Rule 297(1) fine to be paid within ten (10) days.

MEETING: Century Mile Racetrack & Casino - December 13, 2025

In the opinion of the Board of Judges, TRAINER, JUSTIN RICHARD CURRIE, PERM. ADD.: CALGARY, ALBERTA, CANADA, D.O.B. SEPTEMBER 19, 1991, did violate HORSE RACING ALBERTA Rule 134(2)(b)(ii)(3); If a horse is on the EIPH certified list, its trainer or the trainer's licensed representative must, before the horse competes, if a Standard bred, the trainer or his authorized representative must report with the horse to the test barn at the appointed time for the injection and assist if required, the administration of furosemide. The stewards/judges board must scratch a horse from a race if the requirements of this section are not met; thereby causing “HOTPIECEOFACE” to be scratched unnecessarily from Race 4, Friday, December 12, 2025.

PENALTY: JUSTIN CURRIE is hereby FINED THE SUM OF ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($100.00).

In accordance with HORSE RACING ALBERTA Rule 297(1) fine to be paid within ten (10) days.

MEETING: Century Mile Racetrack & Casino, Alberta, Canada - December 12, 2025

OWNER TRAINER/DRIVER, AUTHORIZED AGENT, JOHN DOUGLAS CHAPPELL, PERM. ADD.: OLDS, ALBERTA, CANADA, D.O.B.: SEPTEMBER 10, 1962, is hereby FINED THE SUM OF ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($100.00) for failing to notify HORSE RACING ALBERTA Security that the horse “MONEYBAGS” would be shipped-in to Century Mile Racetrack on Thursday November 27, 2025.

In accordance with HORSE RACING ALBERTA Policy No. RPL012 dated August 14, 2024.

In accordance with HORSE RACING ALBERTA Rule 123(1), 286(a) and 296(1)(a)(2)(a).

In accordance with HORSE RACING ALBERTA Rule 297(1) fine to be paid within ten (10) days.

MEETING: Century Mile Racetrack & Casino, Alberta, Canada December 9, 2025

OWNER/TRAINER/DRIVER, JOHN TORE MARCO VUKELICH, PERM. ADD.: NORTH SAANICH, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA, D.O.B.: JUNE 19, 1965, is hereby FINED THE SUM OF ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($100.00) for failing to notify HORSE RACING ALBERTA Security that the horse “ULLA LAW” would be shipped-in to Century Mile Racetrack on Friday, November 28, 2025.

In accordance with HORSE RACING ALBERTA Policy No. RPL012 dated August 14, 2024.

In accordance with HORSE RACING ALBERTA Rule 123(1), 286(a), and 296(1)(a)(2)(a).

In accordance with HORSE RACING ALBERTA Rule 297(1) fine to be paid within ten (10) days.

MEETING: Century Mile Racetrack & Casino, Alberta, Canada - December 6, 2025

In the opinion of the Board of Judges, OWNER/TRAINER/DRIVER, BLAINE PAUL COLE CHAPPELL, PERM. ADD.: MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY, ALBERTA, CANADA, D.O.B.: APRIL 13, 1996, did violate HORSE RACING ALBERTA Rule 456(vii); A monetary penalty and/or suspension may be applied by the starter of by the Judges for any of the following violations contained in subsections (i)-(vii). In addition, the Judges for any of the following violations contained in subsections (i)-(vii). In addition, the Judges may place the offending horse for a violation of subsections (iii), (iv) or (vi) of this rule: failure to come into position or remain in position on the gate; while driving #5 “TZILACATZIN” in Race 9, Saturday November 29, 2025.

PENALTY : BLAINE CHAPPELL is hereby FINED THE SUM OF FIFTY DOLLARS ($50.00).

In accordance with HORSE RACING ALBERTA Rule 297 (1) fine to be paid within ten (10) days.

MEETING: Century Mile Racetrack & Casino, Alberta, Canada - December 6, 2025

In the opinion of the Board of Judges, OWNER/TRAINER, FARRIER/PLATER, AUTHORIZED AGENT, BRENT FRANK BODOR, PERM. ADD.: CALGARY, ALBERTA, CANADA, D.O.B. JUNE 3, 1968, did violate HORSE RACING ALBERTA Rule 300(1)(c).

In accordance with HORSE RACING ALBERTA Drug and Alcohol Policy dated September 1, 2019, and HORSE RACING ALBERTA Rule 296(1)(a)(2)(a)(b) and 300(1)(b)(c)(2)(c) after supplying a BODY FLUID SAMPLE on Saturday, November 29, 2025, that resulted in a POSITIVE SAMPLE TEST for an illicit drug confirmed by Dynacare Laboratories on December 3, 2025.

PENALTY: BRENT BODOR is hereby FINED THE SUM OF THREE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS ($350.00), AND SUSPENDED AND DENIED THE PRIVILEDGES OF THE GROUNDS (INCLUDING GRANDSTAND) OF ALL RACETRACKS IN ALBERTA THAT COME UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF HORSE RACING ALBERTA FOR 30 CALENDAR DAYS DECEMBER 3, 2025 TO JANUARY 2, 2026 INCLUSIVE). Following his suspension, provided BRENT BODOR pays his fine and provides a negative sample test at his own expense, he will be considered for re-instatement.

Mr. Bodor may continue in his capacity as owner (financial only) during his thirty (30) day suspension.

BRENT BODOR must also meet with the HORSE RACING ALBERTA Director, Regulatory and Supervisor of Racing before re-instatement.