The Racing season at Prairieland Park has been cancelled.  Marquis Downs organizers say this is the second year they have had to make the difficult decision to call a halt to a Thoroughbred racing season.

Officials note logistical issues such as the ability to get jockeys into Canada given travel restrictions, quarantine requirements, visa approvals and extremely limited airline scheduling to the Caribbean.

Seventy-six per cent of their professional jockeys come from the Caribbean. Prairieland Park says like many other businesses it has seen a 90 per cent reduction in overall operations, net profit declined by 82% in 2020 and projected losses from this year will exceed $2 million.

Prairieland’s revenue is derived from trade shows, banquets, agricultural exhibitions and the Exhibition itself. Further announcements are expected this spring including the status of the Saskatoon EX.