Never confuse movement with action.
Ernest Hemingway
Last week Horse Racing Alberta posted a story entitled – 25 Years of Telling The Story of Alberta Horse Racing
Phil will be honest. Phil never saw it.
Phil hasn’t bet an Alberta based race for over a decade and has a pittance of interest in Alberta horse racing, but heard from the Ennead that Phil should comment on a story about Horse Racing Alberta celebrating 25 years of mismanaging taxpayers’ dollars. Phil won’t disappoint the Ennead.
With 25 years being the Silver anniversary Phil was reminded about Silver bringing the hammer down on the Clippers.
The answers are all out there, we just need to ask the right questions.
Oscar Wilde
Phil has a question:
With all of the sports scribes clamouring about how severe a blow losing 5 first round picks is how can Jeff Jackson and Stan Bowman still have their positions with the Edmonton Oilers when they let 2 first round picks who had already developed into full time players slip through their hands for a bag of beans with none being magic.
It don’t take a genius to spot a goat in a flock of sheep.
Cowboy Wisdom
The budget should be balanced not by more taxes, but by reduction of follies.
Herbert Hoover
Don’t ever let your business get ahead of the financial side of your business. Accounting, accounting, accounting. Know your numbers.
Tilman J. Fertitta
The Ennead understands that Phil may make light in some instances and add in a couple of musical interludes to help you enjoy your tomato sandwich and peach pie.
Music is a fantastic peacekeeper of the world, it is integral to harmony, and it is a required fundamental of human emotion.
Xun Kuang
Study Finds – Music Doesn’t Just Distract From Pain, It May Rewire How The Brain Feels It
Phil has a question:
Is it the medical marijuana that helps with the pain or the tunes you listen to while imbibing it.
The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it.
George Bernard Shaw
When Phil glanced over the story Phil didn’t see any numbers, all Phil saw were a few awards for cute little videos being touted as accomplishments. When it comes to Tim Horton’s Tom Thumb everyone gets a medal awards Phil will tell you that Phil never got one for Most Gentlemanly Player.
Titles of honor are like the impressions on coins, which add no value to gold or silver, but only render brass current.
Laurence Sterne
Phil’s not going to denigrate the awards that the Undertaker was given, but Phil does have a question:
Do you know the difference between a position and a job.
Since the videos that produced these awards were produced on Horse Racing Alberta’s nickel why are there no numbers showing how these videos helped to grow the Alberta handle from 2001 to 2026.
Since the videos that produced these awards were produced on Horse Racing Alberta’s nickel why are there no numbers showing how these videos helped to grow the number of races in Alberta from 2001 to 2026.
Since the videos that produced these awards were produced on Horse Racing Alberta’s nickel why are there no numbers showing how these videos helped to grow the total purses paid in Alberta from 2001 to 2026.
Since the videos that produced these awards were produced on Horse Racing Alberta’s nickel why are there no numbers showing how these videos helped to grow the Alberta foal crop from 2001 to 2026.
Since the videos that produced these awards were produced on Horse Racing Alberta’s nickel why are there no numbers showing how these videos helped to grow the Alberta sales auctions from 2001 to 2026.
The Ennead knows that the reason there are no numbers in that story is that if there were numbers that story would not have a happy ending as those numbers would show that what the story calls accomplishments of the Director of Marketing & Promotions for Horse Racing Alberta have not been successful at renewing or promoting the horse racing industry in Alberta over his 25 years of cashing pay cheques.
The Three Branches of Government: Money, Television, and Bullshit
P. J. O’Rourke
Horse Racing of all breeds in Alberta needs Miracle Max’s help.
Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.
P. J. O’Rourke
The Ennead understands that horse racing of all breeds is in dire straits right across North America and it doesn’t need busy work it needs a determined, concerted effort to maintain its status quo and exceptional effort to grow.
Danielle Smith’s courting of the Alberta separatists with a referendum that’ s a colossal waste of hard earned taxpayer dollars continues many years of fiscal mismanagement by the right of centre politicians whose conservatism fails to extend to fiscal responsibility. Blame the bogeyman in Ottawa rather than look after the province’s finances. Since Leduc No.1 Alberta has been on a boom and bust cycle with governments who spend like a sailor on shore leave rather than socking away some of those nuts for the future.
Maybe the Alberta government needs to bring in a different Kline.
Now you may ask yourself why is Phil telling me this.
You can tell yourself that the Ennead knows why Phil is telling you this.
A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.
George Bernard Shaw
Horse Racing Alberta is one of the far too many many Agencies, Boards and Commissions created by various Alberta governments that accomplish little except for lining the pockets of their cronies.
Horse Racing Alberta
Mission Statement
Posted in About Us.Horse Racing Alberta (HRA), is a private not-for-profit corporation that was established with the Alberta Governments proclamation of the Racing Corporation Act in 1996. The HRA was established to lead a racing industry renewal and to manage industry self-regulation.
Mission Statement
“Horse Racing Alberta will lead and enable a healthy, vibrant and progressive racing industry to function in the province of Alberta with high integrity and self regulated responsibility.”Objectives Of Horse Racing Alberta
In accordance with the Racing Corporation Act, the mandated objects of the HRA are as follows;1. To govern, direct, control, regulate, manage, and promote horse racing in any or all of its forms.
2. To protect the health, safety, and welfare of racehorses and, with respect to horse racing, the safety and welfare of racing participants and racing officials.
3. To safeguard the interests of the general public in horse racing.
Since 2001 the Calgary Stampede went out of the horse racing business and Calgary was without a horse racing track for a number of years until Century Casinos stepped up and built a slot parlour with a poor excuse for a horse race track tacked on as an afterthought. Tim Reid led Edmonton Northlands out of the horse racing business and again Century Casinos stepped up and built a slot parlour with a slightly better horse race track tacked on. Now Century Casinos is actively marketing the 2 race track based slot parlours along with the rest of their Canadian properties.
Bureaucracy is a giant mechanism operated by pygmies.
Honore de Balzac
Phil has a question:
Would you call that a racing industry renewal.
Would you call that a healthy, vibrant and progressive racing industry.
Would you say that the Director of Marketing & Promotions for Horse Racing Alberta aka “The Undertaker” has accomplished the objective to promote horse racing in any or all of its forms over his 25 years.
Organizational busy work tends to expand to fill the working day.
Tom DeMarco
The numbers are not hiding. Phil didn’t need ChatGPT, Grok or any other AI to find the numbers as they are in plain view on the Jockey Club’s and Horse Racing Alberta’s websites. Especially after the AI sites want you to get a subscription and pay money and Phil is fiscally responsible when it’s Phil’s nickel. Equibase has pretty good numbers as well but you need to do some calculations.
Alberta Population 2001 2,907,882
Alberta Population 2026 5,057,077
Alberta’s Population has increased by 73.9% from 2001 to 2025
Canadian Consumer Price Index with a base year of 2002 puts 2025 at 164.02.
The Jockey Club may be taking a bit of heat lately about its relationship to HISA but their stats are Divine.
The Jockey Club – Alberta 2026 Fact Book
Year Races Purses Starters Starts Race Days Avg. Field Size Avg. Purse per Race
2001 1,163 $11,911,024 1,379 8,417 166 7.2 $10,242
2025 612 $ 7,554,831 751 3,825 138 6.3 $12,344 ($7,518 adjusted for inflation)
Phil has a question:
When the number of thoroughbred races in Alberta have dropped from 1,163 in 2001 to 612 in 2025 would you call that a racing industry renewal.
When the number of thoroughbred races in Alberta have dropped from 1,163 in 2001 to 612 in 2025 would you call that a healthy, vibrant and progressive racing industry.
When the number of thoroughbred races in Alberta have dropped from 1,163 in 2001 to 612 in 2025 would you call that promoting horse racing.
Are you starting to catch the same drift as the Ennead.
When the total purses in Alberta have dropped from $11,911,024 in 2001 to $7,554,831 in 2025 would you call that a racing industry renewal.
When the total purses in Alberta have dropped from $11,911,024 in 2001 to $7,554,831 in 2025 would you call that a healthy, vibrant and progressive racing industry.
When the total purses in Alberta have dropped from $11,911,024 in 2001 to $7,554,831 in 2025 would you call that promoting horse racing.
Are you starting to catch the same drift as the Ennead.
When the number of starters in Alberta have dropped from from 1,379 in 2001 to 751 in 2025 would you call that a racing industry renewal.
When the number of starters in Alberta have dropped from from 1,379 in 2001 to 751 in 2025 would you call that a healthy, vibrant and progressive racing industry.
When the number of starters in Alberta have dropped from from 1,379 in 2001 to 751 in 2025 would you call that promoting horse racing.
Are you starting to catch the same drift as the Ennead.
.
Foal Crop from the Jockey Club
Crop Year Alberta North America Pct. of NA Crop
2001 516 37,901 1.4
2024 150 18,000 *(*Estimate) 0.8
Phil Has a question:
When the number of thoroughbred foals in Alberta have dropped from 516 in 2001 to 150 in 2024 would you call that a racing industry renewal.
When the number of thoroughbred foals in Alberta have dropped from 516 in 2001 to 150 in 2024 would you call that a healthy, vibrant and progressive racing industry.
When the number of thoroughbred foals in Alberta have dropped from 516 in 2001 to 150 in 2024 would you call that promoting horse racing.
Are you starting to catch the same drift as the Ennead.
Phil agrees that the total North American thoroughbred foal crop is declining. However, the total North American foal crop in 2024 is 47.94% of the 2001 crop while the total Alberta foal crop in 2024 is 29.06% of the 2001 crop. Alberta thoroughbred racing is sliding into oblivion at a much faster rate than the rest of North America.
Phil could go through each and every number in the The Jockey Club – Alberta 2026 Fact Book and the results would be remarkably similar, but Phil will leave it up to you if you want to go through and compare the rest of the Jockey Club’s numbers.
Now that you’re probably starting to catch the same drift as the Ennead Phil will move onto a different set of numbers.
2001 Horse Racing Alberta Annual Report
2025 Horse Racing Alberta Annual Report
2001 Horse Racing Alberta Annual Report Comparison Yearling Sales
2025 Horse Racing Alberta Annual Report Thoroughbred Sales
2001 OFFERED SOLD GROSS AVERAGE
EDMONTON YEARLING 170 145 $1,165,600 $8,039
EDMONTON MIXED 54 48 $ 130,800 $2,725
TOTAL 224 193 $1,296,400
2025 YEARLING SALE TOTALS
Average Median Total Horses
Thoroughbred 14,036 10,000 $1,024,600 73
When the number of thoroughbred yearlings sold have dropped from 145 in 2001 to 73 in 2025 would you call that a racing industry renewal.
When the number of thoroughbred yearlings sold have dropped from 145 in 2001 to 73 in 2025 would you call that a healthy, vibrant and progressive racing industry.
When the number of thoroughbred yearlings sold have dropped from 145 in 2001 to 73 in 2025 would you call that promoting horse racing.
Are you starting to catch the same drift as the Ennead.
2001 Horse Racing Alberta Annual Report Alberta Handle
2025 Horse Racing Alberta Annual Report Alberta Handle
2001 Handle by Type
Alberta Live Alberta Simulcast Foreign Simulcast Total
$29,375,008 $22,699,137 $94,977,102 $147,051,247
HANDLE (BY TYPE) 2025
Foreign Simulcast 82,322,000
Live 3,899,000
Alberta Simulcast 1,890,000
TOTAL HANDLE SHARED WITH HRA 88,111,000
Export*** 33,509,000
TOTAL HANDLE 121,620,000
For his comparison Phil using the TOTAL HANDLE SHARED WITH HRA figure as the Export*** amount was negotiated by the recipient tracks with no help from Horse Racing Alberta and any benefit goes directly to the tracks.
For true comparison purposes if you adjusted the 2025 Handle for inflation it would equate to $53,726,000.
For true comparison purposes if you adjusted the 2025 Handle for inflation and population growth in the province of Alberta it would equate to $31,056,000.
Phil has a question:
When the total HRA Handle has dropped from $147,051,247 in 2001 to $88,111,000 in 2025 would you call that a racing industry renewal.
When the total HRA Handle has dropped from $147,051,247 in 2001 to $88,111,000 in 2025 would you call that a healthy, vibrant and progressive racing industry.
When the total HRA Handle has dropped from $147,051,247 in 2001 to $88,111,000 in 2025 in would you call that promoting horse racing.
Are you starting to catch the same drift as the Ennead.
Phil could go through each and every number in the 2001 Horse Racing Alberta Annual Report and 2025 Horse Racing Alberta Annual Report and the results would be remarkably similar, but Phil will leave it up to you if you want to go through and compare the rest of Horse Racing Alberta’s numbers.
Phil has a question:
When the hay man comes collecting can you pay by showing him a video or does he want coin of the realm.
When the straw man comes collecting can you pay by showing him a video or does he want coin of the realm.
When the feed man comes collecting can you pay by showing him a video or does he want coin of the realm.
When the veterinarian comes collecting can you pay by showing him a video or does he want coin of the realm.
When the exercise rider comes collecting can you pay by showing him a video or does he want coin of the realm.
When the jockeys agent comes collecting can you pay by showing him a video or does he want coin of the realm.
When the landlord comes collecting can you pay by showing him a video or does he want coin of the realm.
Are you starting to catch the same drift as the Ennead.
Now you may ask yourself why isn’t Phil providing any growth numbers for Horse Racing Alberta.
A bureaucrat is the most despicable of men, though he is needed as vultures are needed, but one hardly admires vultures whom bureaucrats so strangely resemble. I have yet to meet a bureaucrat who was not petty, dull, almost witless, crafty or stupid, an oppressor or a thief, a holder of little authority in which he delights, as a boy delights in possessing a vicious dog. Who can trust such creatures?
Marcus Tullius Cicero
2001 Horse Racing Alberta Compensation
2025 Horse Racing Alberta Compensation
2001 Horse Racing Alberta Compensation
Positions Compensation Benefits Total
31.5 $ 829,691 $ 68,843 $ 898,534
Note (a): The office of the Chief Executive Officer was vacant for approximately half of the year
ended December 31, 2001.
For Comparison purposes Phil’s going to add in another $68,898 to make the total for 2001 – $967,432
2025 Horse Racing Alberta Compensation
Position (1) Base salary (2) cash benefits (3) non-cash benefits (4) Total 2025 Total 2024
41.4 $ 2,182,902 $ 70,588 $ 358,684 $ 2,612,174 $ 2,506,900
Phil has a question:
When the number of thoroughbred races in Alberta have dropped from 1,163 in 2001 to 612 in 2025 why did Horse Racing Alberta increase the number of Bureaucrats from 31.5 to 41.4 and increase compensation from $967,432 to $2,612,174.
When the total purses in Alberta have dropped from $11,911,024 in 2001 to $7,554,831 in 2025 why did Horse Racing Alberta increase the number of Bureaucrats from 31.5 to 41.4 and increase compensation from $967,432 to $2,612,174.
When the number of starters in Alberta have dropped from from 1,379 in 2001 to 751 in 2025 why did Horse Racing Alberta increase the number of Bureaucrats from 31.5 to 41.4 and increase compensation from $967,432 to $2,612,174.
Are you starting to catch the same drift as the Ennead.
When the number of thoroughbred races in Alberta have dropped from 1,163 in 2001 to 612 in 2025 would you call increasing the number of Bureaucrats from 31.5 to 41.4 and increasing compensation from $967,432 to $2,612,174 exercising fiscal responsibility.
When the total purses in Alberta have dropped from $11,911,024 in 2001 to $7,554,831 in 2025 would you call increasing the number of Bureaucrats from 31.5 to 41.4 and increasing compensation from $967,432 to $2,612,174 exercising fiscal responsibility.
When the number of starters in Alberta have dropped from from 1,379 in 2001 to 751 in 2025 would you call increasing the number of Bureaucrats from 31.5 to 41.4 and increasing compensation from $967,432 to $2,612,174 exercising fiscal responsibility.
With the handle dropping and the purses dropping wouldn’t increasing the number of Bureaucrats from 31.5 to 41.4 and increasing compensation from $967,432 to $2,612,174 be taking money out of the pockets of the Alberta horsemen that Horse Racing Alberta is supposed to be benefiting.
Are you starting to catch the same drift as the Ennead.
Can you stop at just one salted peanut.
In The Book Of Life, The Answers Are Not In The Back
Charlie Brown
Go back and listen to what the different Kline’s accountant buddy says about business and ask yourself if Horse Racing Alberta operates like a business.
The numbers paint a much different picture than the story entitled – 25 Years of Telling The Story of Alberta Horse Racing. but it’s up to you and the Ennead to reach your own conclusions.
With the slot revenue that Horse Racing Alberta receives being under siege by competition from new casinos close to Century Downs and soon to be close to Century Mile and from the Alberta Government’s recent opening of the On-Line Market the Ennead knows that the thoroughbred industry in Alberta’s future is pretty bleak and it needs all the help it can get.
Phil M. Stockmen
The Roving Rodent Reporter – Topo has awaken from a rather lengthy slumber and can only conclude that the more things in the Alberta racing scene change, the more they remain the same!
Phil continues to do crack investigative reporting along the same lines as Nick Shirley in the US.
Topo learned long ago that numbers don’t lie, humanoids do. Being a Mouse focused on the numbers there is no dispute that the results indicated are spot on. Phil’s analysis also touched on the obvious fact that under the leadership of “Superman Kent”, admin costs to run this Government bureaucracy increased whereas the Handle and associated Purses decreased. Topo sets the line on this statement at 1/9 of being fact. There is no need to waste time pouring through the audited F/S to confirm that Phil’s numbers are accurate since in Phil we trust to unearth the truth. Typical of any industry with government calling the shots the words “fiscally responsible” and “financially prudent” have been struck from all Webster dictionaries located in any Government Office. Topo wondered many moons ago – how the Alberta Government body whose sole role should be to regulate the industry, be given free rein to add the power to govern, direct, control, manage, market etc. etc. Except for the initial Regulator’s CEO, to the best of the mouse’s knowledge none of those employed have ever paid a monthly training bill or invested a dime in bloodstock purchases and furthermore basically have limited to no knowledge of the business they have a total mandate to control? Topo recently listened to a couple of a podcasts from his acquaintance – major thoroughbred investor/owner/breeder Mike Repole who indicated that the entire industry requires a regig since racehorse ownership is not economically viable for 95% of those investing in it. The irony is that he is in the 5% that are showing positive cash flow but feels with that with this skewed stat, change is required for the little guy and the business itself to survive.
Phil zeroed in on the latest communique praising the accomplishments and virtues of none other than that of the HRA “Undertaker” in what is now his 25th year in role of Marketing guru for the Industry. The Undertaker has without doubt withstood the test of time since during his tenure he has outlived these thoroughbred tracks that are no longer with us which Topo rattles off the top of his head – Hollywood Park, Arlington Park, Calder, Portland Meadows, Atlantic City, Rockingham Park, Playfair, Bay Meadows, Golden Gate, and in Canada – Stampede Park, Northlands Park, Marquis Downs and Hastings Park. A true mercenary he must be! He even outlasted the Queen Bee, however Topo waits for her impending comeback which no doubt will happen.