Stability
A practical, long-range approach that puts the future of the sport ahead of short-term noise.
Racing has a future in British Columbia.
The Pacific Thoroughbred Racing Association is building a stable, credible, long-term path forward for the sport, its people, and the communities it serves.
Formed February 2026 with the endorsement of HPBA-BC.
Credibility
A clear public case for responsible leadership, transparent dialogue, and durable partnerships.
Sustainability
A model grounded in the people, horses, agriculture, and communities that make racing possible.
The case for racing
A future worth building starts with a sport that belongs to its community.
PTRA is focused on the conditions that allow thoroughbred racing to contribute meaningfully to British Columbia: a healthy equine culture, a viable agricultural ecosystem, and a race-day experience people choose to share in person.
Economic and agricultural value
Thoroughbred racing can again support direct and indirect employment across racing, agriculture, hospitality, and related local businesses.
A culture of connection
The track is more than a place to wager. It is a setting for competition, conversation, and a shared appreciation for the horse.
A public-minded path forward
We are assessing the work ahead with care, inviting constructive support, and building toward a model that earns confidence over time.
Leadership
Denise Praill
Chair
Denise Praill is a lifelong advocate for horse racing in British Columbia and Chair of the PTRA, working to bring live thoroughbred racing back to the province. She is the third generation of her family to be involved in horse racing and has held an owner’s licence for more than 20 years. Her racing experience includes grooming for a Hall of Fame trainer, working in track operations, and owning horses in partnerships, stables and with the Hastings Racing Club.
Denise holds IGCO regulatory approval as a Senior Official of a Gaming Services Provider and is a licenced gaming worker. She was elected twice to the HBPA-BC Board and also served an extended term on the board of New Stride Thoroughbred Adoption Society. She has been a BC Racebook social media ambassador, promoting local and Canadian racing. Denise is passionate about preserving BC’s racing history and recently rescued more than 25 vintage racing trophies at auction.
Professionally, Denise is CEO of Canuck Place Children’s Hospice, bringing more than 25 years of leadership experience across the nonprofit, philanthropic and private sectors. She has secured more than $100 million in philanthropic support throughout her career and is known for building strong teams, partnerships and relationships with donors, government and community leaders.
Denise believes BC racing can thrive through strong partnerships, corporate sponsorship, compelling fan experiences, modern communications and incentives that attract and retain owners. Her goal is to help build a sustainable, vibrant future for live horse racing in BC.
“Not just racing, but a year-round event facility that brings people together to celebrate the beauty of the horse and the thrill of competition.”
A race-day experience with room for longtime followers, new fans, and the wider community.
A path forward
Deliberate by design.
PTRA is approaching the future of racing as a long-term public-interest project: clear-eyed about the work, committed to the opportunity.
01
Listen and assess
Bring together the perspectives needed to understand the conditions for a sustainable return.
02
Build a credible model
Advance a clear, responsible framework for racing that can stand up to public scrutiny.
03
Reinvigorate the experience
Create an on-track culture that honours the sport and welcomes the communities around it.
A shared future
Stand with the future of racing.
Support a stable, credible, and community-minded path forward for thoroughbred racing in British Columbia.
Support PTRA