Numerous speakers attended the City’s Planning and Development committee Monday regarding concerns over Prairieland Park’s shutdown of Marquis Downs.

Eddie Esquirol, President of the Saskatchewan Division of the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association says in addition to how horse racing benefits the province’s economy, agribusiness and employment, even more important is how it helps youth.

“I’ve seen at risk youth come to the track and work in the back stretch.  Here they learn to care for animals, how to do chores, and how to work with mentors who come from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds and will teach them responsibility and pride.”

Esquirol says he’s seen young people grow up to become valued members of society and who in turn have their own children ,who grow up caring for horses at the racetrack.  Esquirol states the HPBA has reached out to Mark Regier CEO and Praireland Park to salvage the 2021 season but have not heard back from any of their requests.

Nicole Hein, representing horse jockeys at Marquis Downs believes Prairieland is falling short of the terms of their lease.  She says the lease specifically states the facilities are to be used for which they are built.

“With respect to the grandstand and racehorse barns, it’s pretty clear they were built for the purpose of horse racing and that is what they were intended to be used for during the term.  There is a separate provision in the same section that says all facilities have to be repaired and maintained to the original.”

Hein believes this means the grandstand cannot be repurposed for soccer, and barns cannot be demolished, even in part, without being in violation of the lease.  Hein says the City would have to specifically provide an amendment to the lease.

Jodi Manastyrski from the City Solicitor’s office answered by saying even though the barns and grandstands are mentioned in the lease, there is nothing that requires Prairieland to retain them.
She says the lease in fact contemplates changes and development being done.

Lloyd Weeseekase, a thoroughbred trainer and owner says Marquis Downs was home to 65 percent Indigenous representation, including trainers, owners and families.  He says in this family orientated industry, everyone gets involved.

“There are four to five generations of Indigenous families who come to Marquis Downs.  It’s their livelihood, and in turn these families help to generate the economy for Saskatoon and area.”

Weeseekase believes there are two reasons horse racing has struggled in Saskatchewan.  What he calls an increasingly toxic relationship with the track operator at Prairieland, and a lack of government support.  Wesseekase says needed infrastructure updates have not being done and there has been a decrease to racing overall.  Weeseekase believes Marquis Downs should be leased to a third party, who he says, will put more effort into the industry.