USTA donates $5,000 to Classy Lane fire fund
January 6, 2016,from the USTA Communications Department
Columbus, OH — The U.S. Trotting Association announced Wednesday that it will make a $5,000 contribution to the official fund set up by the Central Ontario Standardbred Association to assist all of those affected by the tragic barn fire at Classy Lane Training Centre in Puslinch, Ontario on Monday evening.
“One of the saddest things to happen in the world of horses is a tragic barn fire that kills horses,” said USTA President Phil Langley in making the announcement. “It is something we all fear and many have experienced.
“My first experiences were in the 1960s when a fire at Maywood Park took the lives of several horses owned by Billy Johnston and trained by my father, then, not too long after, another fire at Washington Park that wiped out Bobby Williams’ stable.
“The sadness is never forgotten but it is heartening to see that in those cases and now, the industry draws closer to help some of its own with monetary donations and encouragement that will hopefully help everyone affected through a long recovery process.”
In that spirit, the USTA encourages everyone in the industry and racing fans everywhere to consider making a donation via an official GoFundMe page that has been set up by the Central Ontario Standardbred Association. For more on the COSA initiative, or to contact COSA, click here.
Donations, with checks made payable to “Classy Lane Barn Fire,” can also be mailed to: Central Ontario Standardbred Association, P.O. Box 297, Campbellville, ON L0P 1B0.
A barn fire at Classy Lane Training Centre in Puslinch, Ontario started at approximately 11 p.m. on Monday (Jan. 4) and claimed the lives of more than 40 Standardbred racehorses.
Firefighters, who responded to the blaze from five departments — including Hamilton, Guelph and Cambridge — have not determined the cause of the fire that destroyed the barn that housed horses trained by Ben Wallace, Roger Mayotte, Chantal Mitchell, Kris Di Cenzo, Dan Lagace and Floyd Amos.
The preliminary cost of the damage has been estimated to be between $4 and $6 million.
- Tragic fire at Classy Lane in Ontario (Tuesday, January 05, 2016)
A barn fire at Classy Lane Training Centre in Puslinch, Ontario, started at roughly 11 p.m. on Monday (Jan. 4) and claimed the lives of more than 40 Standardbred racehorses.
- Post Time with Mike and Mike announce fundraiser for Classy Lane horsemen (Tuesday, January 05, 2016)
Post Time with Mike and Mike would like to express their deepest condolences to those affected by the fire at Classy Lane Farm on Monday (Jan. 4) in Ontario.
- Meadowlands to host benefit for Ontario fire victims (Tuesday, January 05, 2016)
The Meadowlands Racetrack and its horsemen are joining together this weekend (Friday and Saturday) to raise funds for the victims of a devastating fire at Classy Lane Training Center in Ontario on Monday that killed more than 40 Standardbred racehorses.
- Ohio horsemen show support for Classy Lane barn fire (Wednesday, January 06, 2016)
On Saturday, January 9, 2016 Ohio Horsemen statewide will show support for the victims of the Classy Lane fire in Ontario,
- Tribute to honor fallen horses Thursday night at Woodbine (Wednesday, January 06, 2016)
The fire at Classy Lane Stables, which took the lives of 43 horses, has had a deep and dramatic impact on Ontario’s horse racing community.
- Big Jim breeding to benefit Classy Lane Fire Relief Fund (Thursday, January 07, 2016)
Phil Hudon is offering for sale a 2016 Big Jim breeding with all proceeds going to the Classy Lane Fire Relief Fund.
- Tribute held for Classy Lane victims (Friday, January 08, 2016)
Woodbine Entertainment Group dedicated Thursday evening’s (Jan. 7) card of racing to the equine lives lost in Monday night’s (Jan. 4) barn fire at Classy Lane Stables.
- PHHA pledges $10,000 to benefit Classy Lane fire victims (Friday, January 8, 2016)
To help provide immediate assistance for those affected by the tragic Classy Lane Training Center fire in Puslinch, Ontario, the Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen’s Association will contribute $10,000 to the fund created by the Central Ontario Standardbred Association.