The man who was a driving force behind bringing the Grand River Raceway here is being recognized for his commitment and work in the horse-racing industry.
Veterinarian Ted Clarke, the unassuming general manager at the raceway, is being inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.
It’s one of the highest honours bestowed by the industry, but like most things, Clarke greets the News in his typical low-key fashion.
“It was probably a surprise more than anything,” Clarke said of his induction. “It’s certainly a marvelous honour.”
However, he added the honour cannot be solely attributed to his own work in the industry, which spans some 40 years.
“As much as it’s an individual honour, it was aided and abetted by staff and contemporaries,” Clarke said of those he feels should share the honour. “There were a great number of people who did a great deal to help.”
Kathy Wade Vlaar, chair of the hall of fame’s standardbred election committee, said despite Clarke’s “humble” nature, he is a deserving inductee.
“He’s certainly one of the most respected individuals in Canadian racing,” said Wade Vlaar. “He sincerely cares about the industry and he does everything in his power to ensure it has a healthy future.”
Clarke has worked recently during the difficult process of restructuring the industry after the provincial government announced an end to its Slots at Racetrack revenue program. The program was halted in late 2012, throwing the industry into turmoil.
Clarke said the work to restore a financial footing for the horse racing industry has seen those involved working together to come up with a formula that will ensure the industry’s future, including the formation of the Standardbred Alliance, which consists of eight tracks: Woodbine, Mohawk, Flamboro Downs, Georgian Downs, Western Fair, Clinton, Hanover and Grand River.
The partners have agreed to work together to co-ordinate a year-round racing calendar and establish consistent purse levels.
The provincial government has committed $100 million annually to the industry over the next five years. The money will be divided among the province’s race tracks depending on their size.
At Grand River it means about $1.1 million annually – and with average winnings of about $65,000 per race in a 48-race schedule, that means a shortfall of about $2 million. The additional money will come from slot revenue.
“There’s money going to purses from para-mutual sources – the machines,” Clarke said in an interview at the track.
“Can it work? That still remains to be seen,” he said of the industry’s future. “We think the concept is solid. I think everybody is pretty sure it will go.”
In his 40 years in the industry, Clarke has seen his share of controversy.
When he was hired by the Grand River Agriculture Society to manage the Elora track and see it through its planning stages, Clarke helped guide it through an Ontario Municipal Board hearing and a final Ontario Court of Appeal ruling in late 2001 that paved the way for the track to be built.
Clarke downplays concerns raised during that time, saying only “there was a protracted debate with the OMB and courts.”
“They very clearly wanted something that wasn’t cheap and glitzy, something that was more reflective of the community,” he said of public concerns.
“It was a long and frustrating process (that) had some value.”
Since it started operating in late December 2003, the track and slots have generated considerable annual revenue for Centre Wellington.
Grand River, according to Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation figures, attracts an average of 1,600 people daily.
Clarke’s colleague Hugh Mitchell, CEO of the Western Fair Association, mentioned “four C’s” to sum up Clarke’s contributions to the horse racing industry: commitment, cleverness, character and caring.
“In his own quiet way, he’s a visionary,” said Mitchell. “His integrity is beyond reproach … [and] he’s demonstrated a sincere caring for all stakeholders.”
For Clarke, his efforts are just about working within an industry he has enjoyed since he first started as a veterinarian and had his own race horses.
“It seemed to be fun,” he said of his initial entry into the industry.
Clarke will be officially inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame on Aug. 6 at the Mississauga convention centre.
