From left: Diane Constant, Kennedy Constant holding Chessa, then Chester Constant and Rory Constant pictured on the track at Marquis downs after Chester’s horse won a race. (Submitted photo/Diane Constant)

By Ian Gustafson

Runs in the Family

In the family for generations: Constant’s disappointed by permanent cancellation of horse racing at Marquis Downs

Mar 21, 2021 | 8:00 AM

A local family is devastated after it was reported recently that thoroughbred horse racing at Marquis Downs was permanently cancelled after Prairieland Park announced they will transition the track space to different sport.

Prairieland Park is looking to put an expansion team from Saskatoon into the pro soccer Canadian Premier League.

The track hosted horse racing for over 50 years.

Diane Constant from James Smith Cree Nation told paNOW her family is disappointed upon hearing the news because her children were practically raised there.

“It’s actually devastating because having the history there for so many years we expected our grandchildren to do the same thing,” she said.

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Her husband Chester Constant has been racing horses there since the early 1980s and started doing his own horse training in the 90s. She said as they spent a lot of family time at the track her sons started working there doing jobs such as stall muckers, and opening gates. Chester’s father Robert also had his horses race at the track in the 70s.

Because of the closure of Saskatchewan’s only track she said they will now have to travel to Lethbridge, Alta. or Winnipeg, Man. to race, which she added are both long drives. The last year, the track was closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic and they travelled to Winnipeg to race nearly every weekend during the season.

She explained Marquis Downs acted like a second home to their family.

“When the boys were younger, we would stay there all summer long and as they got older there was school and we’d go on the weekends and during summer holidays,” Diane said.

After the news broke Diane said Chester was very disappointed and even considered quitting altogether. After convincing him not to give up, the family is hopeful those in charge will change their minds and reconsider.

“I just really hope they clear things up and they rethink their decision to close Marquis Downs permanently for a soccer stadium,” she said. “I just really hope their decision is overturned by someone.”

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With files from CKOM

Ian.gustafson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @princealbertnow