In 1952, the OJC purchased and closed the money-losing Thorncliffe Park, purchased and closed the Hamilton Racetrack, and purchased the Fort Erie Racetrack for . Renovations began immediately at Fort Erie and at Woodbine, financed by a public offering of stock for . In 1953, the OJC bought Stamford Park in Belleville. It was closed and redeveloped. In 1955, Taylor himself purchased the competing Orpen-owned Dufferin Park Racetrack and Long Branch Racetracks for million ($ in dollars). The Orpen tracks were closed and redeveloped and the Orpen race charters transferred to the OJC. The OJC continued the Canadian International and Cup and Saucer stakes races that had been held at the Orpen tracks.
History
Woodbine Racetrack
Woodbine Racetrack | History
The Ontario Jockey Club under E.P. Taylor. In 1951, it was operated by the Ontario Jockey Club (OJC). Woodbine Entertainment Group Earle C. Morgan
how many lengths did secretariat win the belmont stakes
user
31 lengths.
assistant
who was "secretariat"?
user
An American Thoroughbred racehorse.
assistant
who owned this horse?
user
Penny Chenery.
assistant
how many years did it's career is racing last?
user
From 1972 to 1973.
assistant
which was the last race the horse competed in?
user
Canadian International Stakes .
assistant
where is this competition held?
user
Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario.
assistant
who built this racetrack?
user
The racing charters acquired from the other tracks enabled the OJC to run 196 days of racing, more than double its allowed total of 84 days in 1952. All of the efforts at racetrack acquisitions and closures were designed to support a new "supertrack". In 1952, the OJC identified the new location of the racetrack at Highway 27 east of the Toronto airport and bought over . The architect chosen was Earle C. Morgan. Although Morgan had not designed a racetrack, he spent the next two years developing the design in conjunction with Arthur Froelich who had designed Hollywood Park Racetrack and Garden State Park Racetrack in the United States.
Woodbine Racetrack | History
In 1963, the OJC opened the Mohawk Raceway harness racing track in Campbellville, Ontario.
Woodbine Entertainment Group | History
The Ontario Jockey Club (OJC) was founded in 1881 to improve the quality of horse racing in the city of Toronto. William Hendrie, President of the Ontario Jockey Club, and of the Hendrie Co., Limited, was a railway promoter and capitalist who was the founder of one of the most prominent families in the history of Thoroughbred racing in Canada. With the creation of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 1976, Hendrie was elected to the Builders category. In the 19th century, the city of Toronto had several racetracks. The OJC operated from the Greenwood Race Track, a facility then known as Woodbine Race Track.
Woodbine Entertainment Group | History
Woodbine Racetrack is a racetrack for thoroughbred horse racing in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Owned by Woodbine Entertainment Group, Woodbine Racetrack manages and hosts Canada's most famous race, The Queen's Plate. The track was opened in 1956 with a one-mile oval dirt track, as well as a seven-eights turf course. It has been extensively remodeled since 1993, and since 1994 has had three racecourses.
Woodbine Racetrack | Introduction
P. Taylor, George C. Hendrie and J. E. Frowde Seagram, undertook an acquisition and consolidation program for southern Ontario racing. The OJC bought and closed the Orpen-owned Dufferin Park and Long Branch race tracks. By 1956, the OJC operated just three facilities consisting of the Fort Erie Racetrack in Fort Erie, Ontario and two facilities in Toronto. A new facility for Thoroughbred horse races was constructed in Etobicoke, and given the name Woodbine Racetrack. The Old Woodbine facility was completely renovated and renamed Greenwood Raceway in 1963. It held both harness racing and Thoroughbred racing meets until its closure at the end of 1993.
Greenwood Raceway | Introduction
The current Woodbine carries the name originally used by a racetrack which operated in east Toronto, at Queen Street East and Kingston Road, from 1874 through 1993. (While the Old Woodbine Race Course was at the south end of Woodbine Avenue, the current Woodbine is nowhere near it.) In 1951, it was operated by the Ontario Jockey Club (OJC) and held the prestigious King's Plate, but competed with several other racetracks in Ontario and was in need of modernization. During the 1950s, the OJC, under the leadership of Canadian industrialist and horse breeder E. P. Taylor began a program of racetrack acquisitions aimed at becoming the biggest and most profitable operator in Ontario horse racing, similar to Taylor's earlier acquisitions and consolidations in the Canadian brewing industry.
Woodbine Racetrack | History
Greenwood Raceway was a horse racing facility in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Inaugurated in 1874 as Woodbine Race Course at the foot of Woodbine Avenue and Lake Ontario, it was owned and operated by two gentlemen named Raymond Pardee and William J (Jiggs) Howell. Within a few years, financial problems resulted in the property reverting to Joseph Duggan, the original landowner and retired innkeeper. In the early 1880s, Duggan founded the Ontario Jockey Club (OJC). The facility hosted seasonal harness racing for Standardbred horses and flat racing events for Thoroughbreds. Harness racing dates were transferred from Thorncliffe Park Raceway to Old Woodbine to fill the gap between the spring and fall thoroughbred meets, and the track was known as Greenwood Raceway during the harness meet.
Greenwood Raceway | Introduction
The new track was designed to hold 40,000 spectators, have ample parking, three race courses and two training tracks. It had stable space for 1,000 horses and rooms for 700 employees. The grandstand, designed to get as many people as close to the finish line as possible, included several restaurants and cafeterias. Construction on the new supertrack began in 1955.
Woodbine Racetrack | History
Woodbine was a single lane paved concession road (third concession line laid 19,800 ft (6,000 m) east of Yonge Street from Steeles Avenue to York Mills Road and an open allowance (unopened road allowance) southwards to Lawrence Avenue East. It was named for Woodbine Racetrack, later as Greenwood Raceway. It is also believe that former track owner William J. Howell operated a tavern at then 88 Yonge Street called The Woodbine House which was re-used by Howell for his horse track. In Toronto, the portion of Woodbine Avenue north of Eglinton Avenue to Highway 401 was removed when the Don Valley Parkway was constructed in the 1960s.
Woodbine Avenue | History
The track was at the junction of Kingston Road and Queen Street East, with only a narrow strip of land between it and Lake Ontario. Thoroughbred racing continued at Old Woodbine on a shortened six-furlong (1,207 m) track. Harness races were at first conducted on the Thoroughbred track, but serious problems with mud (including the starting gate being immobilized) led to the construction of a five-furlong (1006 m) stone dust harness track inside the Thoroughbred track. This track was known for its tight turns and long back and homestretches. In the early 1950s, the Ontario Jockey Club, led by directors E.
Greenwood Raceway | Introduction
"Our sport wasn't keeping up with the progress made in other areas," he once said. "We had too many tracks... our patronage was falling, we had low purses and many bad horses, and I was afraid that racing might die here as it did in Quebec." Instead of operating fourteen racetracks each with 14-day race meetings, he concentrated the industry in Toronto and Fort Erie. In 1956, he opened "new" Woodbine racetrack on the outskirts of Toronto while renovating "old" Woodbine (subsequently renamed Greenwood racetrack). New Woodbine developed into a world-class venue, especially when Taylor convinced Penny Chenery to have Secretariat make his final start in the Canadian International in 1973.
E. P. Taylor | Thoroughbred racing
In 1953, E. P. Taylor became president of the Ontario Jockey Club. During his term, Taylor bought out competing tracks, making the OJC the largest operation in the province, starting with the Thorncliffe Park Raceway. In 1955, the OJC bought out the Dufferin Park Racetrack and the Long Branch Racetrack from the Orpen family. The tracks were closed and their important stakes races were moved to the new Woodbine which opened in 1956. Hamilton and Stamford tracks were also bought and closed. In 1962, the club bought out the Fort Erie Racetrack and OJC tracks now held all three races of the Canadian Triple Crown.
Woodbine Entertainment Group | History
In 1952, the OJC purchased and closed the money-losing Thorncliffe Park, purchased and closed the Hamilton Racetrack, and purchased the Fort Erie Racetrack for . Renovations began immediately at Fort Erie and at Woodbine, financed by a public offering of stock for . In 1953, the OJC bought Stamford Park in Belleville. It was closed and redeveloped. In 1955, Taylor himself purchased the competing Orpen-owned Dufferin Park Racetrack and Long Branch Racetracks for million ($ in dollars). The Orpen tracks were closed and redeveloped and the Orpen race charters transferred to the OJC. The OJC continued the Canadian International and Cup and Saucer stakes races that had been held at the Orpen tracks.
Woodbine Racetrack | History
Horse racing meets are held at Woodbine Racetrack in the northwestern suburb of Rexdale in Toronto. Woodbine is the only horse racing track in North America which stages, or is capable of staging, thoroughbred and standardbred racing programs on the same day. Woodbine hosts two of the three legs of the Canadian Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing—the opening Queen's Plate on its Polytrack synthetic dirt course, and the closing Breeders' Stakes on grass. In 1996 Woodbine became the first and only track outside the United States to host the Breeders' Cup World Championships. The Woodbine facility is also home to the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.
Sports in Toronto | Horse racing
Woodbine Mohawk Park is a harness racing track in Milton, Ontario. It is owned by the Woodbine Entertainment Group, formerly the Ontario Jockey Club, and is about 30 km west of the company's other racetrack, Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario. Woodbine Mohawk Park also has more than 1000 slot machines, affordable 1 cent slots, and higher stakes room, operated by Elements Casino Woodbine; some of the revenue from this operation is used to increase the horseracing purses. The track was opened on April 26, 1963 by the then Ontario Jockey Club as Mohawk Racetrack and 4,338 people attended. The 400-acre site was constructed at a cost of $3.5 million with could house 828 horses in the barns and had enough parking for 3,000 cars.
Mohawk Racetrack | Introduction
Dufferin Park Racetrack was a racetrack for thoroughbred horse races located on Dufferin Street in the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was demolished in 1955 and its stakes races moved to Woodbine Racetrack as part of a consolidation of racetracks in the Toronto area. The track was owned by Abe Orpen and his family after his death. Only in length, it was also called Little Saratoga. The site is now a shopping centre.
Dufferin Park Racetrack | Introduction
The track continued as Greenwood Raceway and eventually closed. William J. Howell, owner of the original track had a hotel, Woodbine House, on Yonge Street and likely origin of the street's name. Part of its site of the old track is now today Woodbine Park, while another section is housing.
List of north–south roads in Toronto | Woodbine Avenue
The site is today part of an industrial area in Etobicoke, including a large Goodyear Tire facility. Along Horner Avenue at the railway line, there remains a column from the south entrance and a grove of trees leading north, marking the entranceway. The site is marked by a historical plaque. The two stakes races originated at Long Branch - the Canadian International Stakes and the Cup and Saucer Stakes - are continued today at Woodbine Racetrack in north Etobicoke.
Long Branch Racetrack | Legacy
The racetrack was renamed Greenwood Raceway after the New Woodbine Racetrack opened in another part of the city in 1957; Greenwood Raceway was demolished in 1994. Despite this, the "Woodbine Loop" name persists. No passenger access.
Toronto streetcar system loops | Woodbine Loop
The very first Canadian Standardbred Horse Society Yearling Sale took place at the Woodbine Sales Arena with 30 yearlings cataloged. On April 18, 1970, there was a record crowd of 11,470 in attendance for the International Drivers Competition that featured drivers from 8 different countries.
Mohawk Racetrack | Introduction
The first four renewals were run at Carleton racetrack. After that, the Queen's Plate became a "movable feast", with politicians from all over modern-day Ontario vying to host the race in their constituency. Fifteen different race tracks hosted the race over the next two decades, with distances varying from one to two miles. In 1883, the race moved to Old Woodbine, located in eastern Toronto along Lake Ontario. The race continued to be held at Old Woodbine until that track was replaced by "New" Woodbine in northern Toronto in 1956. The race has been run at Woodbine ever since. In 2006, Woodbine changed the track surface for the main track from natural dirt to a synthetic surface known as Polytrack.
Queen's Plate | History
It was raced at Woodbine Racetrack from 1956 through 1967 after which it was hosted by Fort Erie Racetrack through 1975. In 1976 the race returned to Greenwood Raceway where it remained through 1993. It returned to its prest location at Woodbine Racetrack in 1994. The race was run in two divisions in 1984. Since inception it has been contested at various distances:
Jacques Cartier Stakes | Introduction
Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG), originally the Ontario Jockey Club, operates two horse racing racetracks, a casino and off-track betting stations in the Greater Toronto Area of Ontario, Canada. Woobine also owns and operates the Canadian digital television service, HPItv and operates Canada's only online wagering platform for horse racing HorsePlayer Interactive. WEG is responsible for operations of the race track at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto and also operates at Woodbine Mohawk Park in Campbellville, Ontario. It employs over 2,300 people in its operation. Woodbine Entertainment Group also operated the Turf Lounge from 2003 to 2015.
Woodbine Entertainment Group | Introduction
The Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame was established in 1976 to honor those who have made a significant contribution to the sport of harness and thoroughbred horse racing in Canada. It is located at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario. The Hall of Fame annually inducts Thoroughbred and Standardbred horses, sulky drivers, jockeys, trainers and the horse racing industry's builders.
Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame | Introduction
The record for most wins by a jockey on a single raceday at Woodbine is seven, set by Richard Grubb on May 16, 1967, and twice equaled by the legendary Canadian jockey Sandy Hawley, first on May 22, 1972 and then again on October 10, 1974. Major Stakes races for Thoroughbreds run annually at Woodbine include the:
Woodbine Racetrack | Thoroughbred races
The following graded stakes were formerly ran at Woodbine in 2019:
Woodbine Racetrack | Grade I
Woodbine Racetrack is in Etobicoke, and not anywhere close to Woodbine Avenue. Greenwood Race Track used to be located at the south end of Woodbine Avenue until it was demolished in 1994. Greenwood Race Track was the original Woodbine Racetrack until the construction of the current Woodbine Racetrack in 1956. The name was then transferred to the new facility. Known as "Old Woodbine Race Track" for several years, the facility changed its name to Greenwood Race Track after nearby Greenwood Avenue.
Woodbine Avenue | Distinction from Woodbine Racetrack
Although the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame (CHRHF) was founded in 1976, it was not until 1997 that it had a physical location. At that time, the Ontario Jockey Club granted a permanent site located at the West Entrance to Woodbine Racetrack. The Hall now includes information on each of the inductees plus related memorabilia including trophies, silks, old racing programs and bronzed horseshoes. Each year, special displays are created to honour some of racing's greats such as jockey Ron Turcotte or pacer Cam Fella. In 2014, the Hall commemorated the 50th anniversary of Northern Dancer's wins in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Queen's Plate with a series of initiatives such as an online timeline of his career, the induction of his trainer Horatio Luro, a special tribute at the annual ceremony and a calendar.
Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame | Background
Casino Woodbine contains 100+ table games, 3,500+ slot machines, 220+ electronic table games, and 100+ dealer assist stadium gaming. Table games include blackjack, roulette and baccarat. It is open 24 hours a day, option of valet parking, and has a complimentary shuttle bus from the Toronto Pearson International Airport or from the surrounding hotels.
Woodbine Racetrack | Casino
The Connaught Cup Stakes is a Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Run in late May, the Grade II race is open to horses aged four and older. Raced over a distance of seven furlongs on turf, it currently offers a purse of $196,750. The Connaught Cup was first run in 1912 on dirt at Toronto's Old Woodbine Race Course. As a result of World War I, there was no race held in 1918 and 1919 and it was not run in 1930. The Great Depression saw much consolidation in the horse racing industry with track owners reducing the number of races run and the amount of the purses being offered.
Connaught Cup Stakes | Introduction
In 1916, partners Charles Millar, H. D. "Curly" Brown, Abe Orpen and Thomas Hare built the Kenilworth Park Racetrack on just outside Windsor, Ontario. They bought the grandstand from the defunct Kenilworth Racetrack in Buffalo, New York, dismantled it and reconstructed it at the new track. To make the racing legal, the partners bought an old racing charter that permitted 14 days of racing. It opened as an independent track on September 2, 1916, staffed by the Dufferin Park staff. In 1917, the track joined the Canadian Racing Association (CRA) and held two CRA meets, a seven-day meet in August and a seven-day meet in October, as well as its own season in July.
Kenilworth Park Racetrack | History
In 2016, the surface was changed to Tapeta. Because of the change in racing surfaces, Woodbine maintains several sets of track and stakes records. The fastest time for the race since 1957, the year in which the race was set at its current length of miles, is 2:01 4/5, set by Kinghaven Farms Izvestia in 1990 over a dirt surface. However, because the race is now run over an artificial dirt surface, the modern stakes record is 2:01.98, set by Mighty Heart in 2020. In 1902, the year after Victoria's death, the race became the King's Plate, after her successor, Edward VII.
Queen's Plate | History
The Connaught Cup was suspended after the 1932 running and was not revived until 1952. In 1956 it was moved to the newly built Woodbine Racetrack where in 1958 it was converted to a turf race. It was run in two divisions in 1984.
Connaught Cup Stakes | Introduction
The Woodbine Oaks is a Canadian Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario. Inaugurated in 1956, it is the premier event for Canadian-foaled three-year-old fillies and the first leg of the Canadian Triple Tiara series. Raced over a distance of miles on Polytrack synthetic dirt, the Woodbine Oaks is currently sponsored by Budweiser and currently offers a purse of $391,200. First run at miles, since 1959 the distance has been set at miles. Originally called the Canadian Oaks, in 2001 it was changed to the Labatt Woodbine Oaks, and then to the Woodbine Oaks presented by Budweiser in 2008.
Woodbine Oaks | Introduction
Since April 9, 2016, the surface has been Tapeta; it was Polytrack from August 31, 2006 through 2015, and a natural dirt surface prior to that. Two chutes facilitate races at seven furlongs [] and at . The innermost oval was originally a 7/8-mile [] grass oval until the E. P. Taylor turf course opened in 1994. It was then converted to a crushed limestone dirt course and was used for harness racing until April 2018. It was then converted back to a second turf course for the 2019 thoroughbred racing season. The first race on the new Inner Turf was run on June 28, 2019 and was won by Bold Rally with Eurico Rosa da Silva aboard.
Woodbine Racetrack | Physical attributes
Parkwood Stable was a thoroughbred racing stable founded in the early 1930s, located at Conlin Road and Simcoe Street North a few miles north of Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. Owned by the wealthy automobile maker Col. Sam McLaughlin, a long-time director of the Ontario Jockey Club, the stable was a significant force in Canadian thoroughbred horse racing whose racing silks and trophies won are on display at the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in Toronto. McLaughlin and his stable won Canada's most prestigious race three times, capturing the King's Plates with Moldy and Hall of Fame inductees, Kingarvie and Horometer.
Parkwood Stable | Introduction
The Clarendon Stakes is a Thoroughbred horse race currently run annually at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Held in early July, the sprint race is open to two-year-old horses foaled in the Province of Ontario and is contested over a distance of five and a half furlongs on Polytrack synthetic dirt. It currently offers a purse of $150,000. Inaugurated in 1926 at Toronto's now defunct Thorncliffe Park Raceway, it was known as the Clarendon Plate. In 1953 the race was moved to the Old Woodbine Racetrack then in 1956 to its present home at the new Woodbine Racetrack. In 1967 Dancer's Image won this race and went on to win the following year's Kentucky Derby.
Clarendon Stakes | Introduction
These courses were originally without grandstands. The custom of conducting a single, four-mile (6 km) race consisting of as many heats as were necessary to determine a winner, gave way to programs consisting of several races. Match races between horses from the South against those from the North drew crowds as high as 70,000. Several hotels (including the Snedeker Hotel and the Forschback Inn) were built in the area to accommodate the racing crowds.
Woodhaven, Queens | History
First run as the Maple Leaf Cup Trot on August 3, 1950 at Thorncliffe Park. In 1954 Standardbred the race was moved to the Old Woodbine track. Renamed the Greenwood Raceway in 1963, the race remained there until the track closed in 1993. From 1994 through 2001 Woodbine Racetrack was home to the Maple Leaf Trot after which it shifted to its present location at Mohawk Raceway.
Maple Leaf Trot | Locations
The My Dear Stakes is a Canadian Thoroughbred horse race run annually in late June at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario. Open to two-year-old fillies, it is contested over a distance of five furlongs on Polytrack and currently carries a purse of approximately $101,000 +. The race was named for the retrospective American Champion Older Female Horse of 1923, My Dear, whose greatest performances came at the Old Woodbine Race Course. Inaugurated at the now defunct Thorncliffe Park Raceway in Toronto, in 1956 the race was moved to the Old Woodbine Race Course then the following year to the newly constructed Woodbine Racetrack.
My Dear Stakes | Introduction
Long Branch Racetrack was a horse-racing facility in Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada. It was situated in Etobicoke, then a township, just north of the village of Long Branch and just west of the city of Toronto. It operated from 1924 until 1955 at a location west of Kipling Avenue, north of Horner Avenue and south of Evans Avenue. The track is the originator of two stakes races that are still run today - the Canadian International Stakes and the Cup and Saucer Stakes. The track opened in September 1924. It was owned by Abe Orpen and his family which also owned the Dufferin Park Racetrack in Toronto.
Long Branch Racetrack | Introduction
The racetrack was named after its owner and operator Richard Beasley (1761–1842), who was a soldier, political figure, farmer and businessman. It was a popular spot featuring both trotting and steeplechase racing.
Locke Street (Hamilton, Ontario) | History
Inaugurated as the Valedictory Handicap in 1952 at the Dufferin Park Racetrack, it was moved to the new Woodbine Racetrack for the 1956 running where it remained through 1960. From 1961 through 1993, the race was hosted by Greenwood Raceway; thereafter, the race returned to Woodine where it remains. The Valedictory was originally run on dirt but in 2006 Woodbine switched to a synthetic "all weather" surface (originally Polytrack and then Tapeta starting in 2016). Always a longer distance race, over the years it has been contested at a variety of distances: There was no race run in 1953 and the regularly scheduled race on December 7, 2008 had to be canceled due to extreme cold weather.
Valedictory Stakes | History
The Woodbine Mile is a Grade I stakes race on turf for Thoroughbred racehorses three years old and up held annually in mid September at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Canada. Currently sponsored by Ricoh, the Woodbine Mile offers a purse of C$800,000, a reduction from the previous purse of $1,000,000 (1999–2016). Part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge series, the winner of the Woodbine Mile automatically qualifies for the Breeders' Cup Mile. The inaugural race in 1988 was sponsored by Molson Breweries with a purse of $750,000 and run as the Molson Export Challenge, reflecting the name of the company's flagship beer.
Woodbine Mile | Introduction
The Woodstock Stakes is a historic Canadian Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario since 1885. Held in mid April, the sprint race is open to three-year-old horses and is contested over a distance of five and a half furlongs on Polytrack synthetic dirt. It currently offers a purse of $97,488. Inaugurated in 1885 at the now defunct Old Woodbine Race Course in Toronto, over the years the Woodstock Stakes has been contested at a variety of distances:
Woodstock Stakes | Introduction
The Victoria Stakes is a thoroughbred horse race run annually at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Held in mid June, it has been raced on Polytrack since 2006 over a distance of five furlongs. In 2015 it was changed to six furlongs. Open to two-year-old horses, it currently offers a purse of $96,363. Named in honor of Queen Victoria who had died in 1901, the Victoria Stakes was first run in 1903 at the Old Woodbine Racetrack. Following that facility's closure, the race was moved in 1956 to the new Woodbine race track. For 1979 only, it was raced on turf.
Victoria Stakes | Introduction
In 2005, the Brazilian horse, Leroidesanimaux, set the record for the largest margin of victory at seven and three-quarter lengths while carrying the highest weight of any winner in the race's history at 124 pounds. In 2009, Ventura became the first female to win this race in 13 years. In the process, she also set the record time of 1:32.04. Wise Dan broke this record in 2013 while becoming the first two-time winner of the race.
Woodbine Mile | Historical notes
The Ontario Colleen Stakes is a Canadian Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario. Open to three-year-old fillies, it is raced on turf over a distance of one mile (8 furlongs). Prior to 2016, it was run in late August but now is run in late September. Inaugurated in 1979 at the Fort Erie Racetrack, the following year it was moved to the Woodbine Racetrack. It remained there through 1993 and then returned to Fort Erie for the 1994 running. Since 1995 it has been at the Woodbine facility. The race was run in two divisions from 1979-1989, 1993, 1995-1996.
Ontario Colleen Stakes | Introduction
Running one of the most successful racing stables in North America, at Toronto's Old Woodbine Race Course, his horses won numerous races including five editions each of the Maple Leaf Stakes, the Connaught Cup, and the Grey Stakes. Racing success led Jack Ross to build a second breeding and racing stable near Toronto he called Agincourt Farms and a third such operation in the State of Maryland called the Yarrow Brae Stud Farm.
J. K. L. Ross | Thoroughbred racing
Summerville Outdoor Olympic Pool, an outdoor elevated Olympic-sized swimming pool, overlooking the beach. Construction for the pool started in 1961, and it was designed to add temporary scaffolding for the spectator seats in the event Toronto was to ever host the Olympics. The Martin Goodman Trail runs along the boardwalk.
Woodbine Beach | History
The Shepperton Stakes is a Thoroughbred horse race run annually in early August at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. An Ontario Sire Stakes, it is a restricted race for horses age three and older. Raced on dirt over a distance of six and one-half furlongs on Polytrack, the Shepperton Stakes currently carries a purse of $95,488. The race is named in honor of Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee, Shepperton. Inaugurated in 1976 as a 7 furlong race at Greenwood Raceway, the following year it was modified to its present 6.5 furlongs and shifted to the Fort Erie Racetrack where it remained until 1981 when it was moved to Woodbine Racetrack.
Shepperton Stakes | Introduction
Kenilworth Park Racetrack was a horse racing racetrack just outside Windsor, Ontario, Canada. It was owned by Toronto businessmen Abe Orpen, Charles Vance Millar, H. D. Brown and Thomas Hare. Orpen also owned Dufferin Park Racetrack and Long Branch Racetrack. It was notable for a match race between horses Man o' War and Triple Crown winner Sir Barton in 1920. The track operated from September 1916 to 1935. It was one of three racetracks that operated in the Windsor area while horse racing in Michigan, specifically Detroit, was banned. The track operated for only two years after horse race betting in Michigan was legalized in 1933.
Kenilworth Park Racetrack | Introduction
The Simcoe Stakes is a Canadian Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario. The race is restricted to Canadian foaled two-year-old colts and geldings sold through the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (CTHS) Ontario yearling sale.
Simcoe Stakes | Introduction
Speed record: Largest margin of victory: Most wins by a jockey:
Woodbine Oaks | Records
The Achievement Stakes is a Canadian Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario. An allowance race restricted to three-year-old horses foaled in the province of Ontario, it is held on the July 1 Canada Day holiday and run on Tapeta synthetic dirt over a distance of six furlongs. The race currently offers a purse of $150,000. First run as the Achievement Handicap at the Fort Erie Race Track in 1953, over the years the event has been run on both dirt and turf and at a variety of distances:
Achievement Stakes | Introduction
Among its thoroughbred races, the track notably hosted the Prince of Wales Stakes, the My Dear Stakes, and the Clarendon Cup. The track operated until 1952 when it was sold to the Ontario Jockey Club who shut down thoroughbred racing on June 23, 1952 and harness racing on the site on August 12, 1953. The property was sold to a newly formed real estate development company. The raceway was demolished in 1954. Today, the old racetrack site is commemorated by two streets named Grandstand Place and Milepost Place and the number of residential and commercial buildings that took on racetrack stable names like Churchill, Maple Glen and Willow Glen.
Thorncliffe Park Raceway | History
The discontinuing of the Display Handicap left the Valedictory Stakes at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario (run at 1¾ miles) as the longest stakes race run on the dirt in North America.
Display Handicap | Introduction
The Polo Park Racetrack was a Canadian horse racing facility in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Considered one of the finest racetracks in Western Canada, it was built by Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee R. James Speers. The six-furlong track opened in 1925 (replacing Speer's River Park Racetrack) under the charter of the Winnipeg Jockey Club and the charter of St. Vital Agricultural Society in Winnipeg, Manitoba. At the same time, James Speers founded the Prairie Thoroughbred Breeders' Association to promote a breeding industry in Western Canada. In 1930 he created the Canadian Derby, a premier race for Canadian-bred three-year-old Thoroughbreds hosted by Polo Park Racetrack until its closure in 1956.
Polo Park Racetrack | Introduction
Besides the track, the facility had stables, grandstand and clubhouse for the Manitoba Jockey Club. In the winter the racetrack constructed two large toboggan slides, which operated in each direction. James Speers acquired land to build what would become Assiniboia Downs and granted an option on the Polo Park lands to real estate developers who wished to build a shopping centre on the site. Speers died in July 1955 and Polo Park Racetrack closed at the end of the 1956 racing season. The new mall opened in 1959. Winnipeg did not have a racing meet in 1957, but Assiniboia Downs opened in June 1958 and racing continued.
Polo Park Racetrack | Introduction
The Glorious Song Stakes is a Thoroughbred horse race run annually in mid-November at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. A race open to Two-year-old fillies, since 2006 it has contested over Seven furlongs on a synthetic "all weather" track surface. Inaugurated in 1981 at Toronto's now defunct Greenwood Raceway, in 1994 the race was moved to the Woodbine facility. It is named in honour of Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame filly, Glorious Song, owned by Frank Stronach and Nelson Bunker Hunt.
Glorious Song Stakes | Introduction
Connaught Park, later known as Hippodrome d'Aylmer, was a thoroughbred, steeplechase and harness racing track, later having a casino and live betting parlor, that operated from 1913 until 2009. The track was located in the Aylmer, Quebec district of Gatineau, Quebec, Canada, near Ottawa, Ontario. It had two tracks: a one-mile dirt track used until 1954 for thoroughbred racing, and a half-mile dirt track, used for harness racing. Racing ended in 2008 after its owner declared bankruptcy. The site was sold in 2009 for a housing development.
Connaught Park Racetrack | Introduction
The Attorney-General of Ontario, W. F. Nickle claimed that the Canadian government had granted the license without consulting him first. Nickle declared the letters patent received by Orpen to be invalid because they were for athletic purposes only, meaning that betting was illegal. The case went to trial where the Crown argued that the letters of incorporation for the Long Branch Racing Association made no mention of horse-racing. The defence readily admitted that the track had accepted wagers and paid a percentage of wagers and an amusement tax to Ontario. Long Branch lost the case and was fined $249, but announced that they would continue with their next set of races in October 1924.
Long Branch Racetrack | History
Woodbine has been a regular host for the Breeders Crown. Since the event changed to a one-night format in 2010, the facility has hosted three times—2011, 2012, and 2015. Woodbine was also the host of the North America Cup for three-year old pacing colts and geldings from 1994–2006. That race along with the Elegant Image Stakes for three-year old filly trotters and the Good Times Stakes for three-year old colt and gelding trotters, have been moved to Woodbine's sister track, Woodbine Mohawk Park. Starting in 2018, all standardbred racing has been moved to Woodbine Mohawk, as the 7/8 standardbred track is being converted into a 2nd turf course.
Woodbine Racetrack | Standardbred races
The horse landed in one of the infield ponds, dumping his jockey in the process. In recognition, the winning jockey of the Cup jumps into the pond in celebration. A number of other stakes races were once run at Fort Erie but have since been transferred to Woodbine. This includes the Bison City Stakes, the second leg of the Canadian Triple Tiara for fillies. Northern Dancer won the Summer Stakes in 1963 when it was still run at Fort Erie.
Fort Erie Race Track | Racing fixtures
The Hendrie Stakes is a Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Held in mid May, the Grade III sprint race is open to fillies and mares, aged four and older and is contested over a distance of six and a half furlongs on Polytrack synthetic dirt. It offers a purse of $116,205 with an additional $50,000 for Ontario-bred horses provided by the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (CTHS) through its Thoroughbred Improvement Program (TIP). It was inaugurated in 1975 and run at the Fort Erie Racetrack for the first two years as the George C.
Hendrie Stakes | Introduction
Woodbine was an Ontario provincial electoral district that existed from 1926 to 1967. It covered a section of the eastern city of Toronto east of Jones Avenue and west of Woodbine Avenue. In 1966 there was a major redrawing of the riding boundaries in Toronto and the riding was split. The portion east of Greenwood Avenue was merged into the Beaches—Woodbine and the portion west went into the Riverdale riding.
Woodbine (electoral district) | Introduction
The Star Shoot Stakes is a Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Run in mid April, it is the first stakes race of the Woodbine racing season. An ungraded stakes race contested on dirt over six furlongs, it is open to three-year-old fillies. Inaugurated in 1956 at Greenwood Raceway, and named for Star Shoot, the sire of Sir Barton, the race was hosted by the Fort Erie Racetrack from 1967 through 1975 before moving to its present location at Woodbine Racetrack in 1976. Since inception it has been contested at various distances: The Star Shoot Stakes was run in two divisions in 1961, 1979, 1986, and in 1999.
Star Shoot Stakes | Introduction
The track operated two seven-day horse-racing meets annually, one in June and another in the fall. Located on a rail line, special trains were run to the track from downtown Toronto. A dispute erupted between Orpen and the Government of Ontario. To operate the track, Orpen had applied to the Government of Canada to incorporate the Long Branch Racing Association which would operate the track. The letters patent were published in the Canada Gazette on September 6, the day the track held its first races in a meet of seven races a day for seven days. The Government of Ontario immediately attempted to shut down the track, while also collecting a percentage of the wagers placed at the track.
Long Branch Racetrack | History
The Queenston Stakes is a Canadian Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario. Run in early May, the stakes race is open to three-year-old horses who were foaled in the Province of Ontario. Raced over a distance of seven furlongs on Polytrack synthetic dirt, it currently offers a purse of $150,000. The Queenston Stakes was first run in 1956 at Fort Erie Racetrack in Fort Erie, Ontario as a furlong sprint race. From 1976 through 1979 the race was hosted by Greenwood Raceway then in 1980 it was moved to Woodbine Racetrack. Since inception, it has been run at various distances: The race was run in two divisions in 1960, 1961, and 1976.
Queenston Stakes | Introduction
The site of Thorncliffe Park was a farm owned by Robert T. Davies (and previously by John Taylor), the wealthy founder of the Dominion Brewing Company. An avid participant in horse racing, under the banner of Thorncliffe Stable, he raced both thoroughbred and standardbred horses. After Davies' death in 1916 his estate sold the property to a group of investors from Baltimore, Maryland who built a horse racetrack. The track had a simple but small grandstand structure (and covered area) on the northside of the track, stables to the northeast and more stables and parking at the northwest side. Home to Thoroughbred horse racing, the track also revitalized harness racing in Toronto following its opening on July 21, 1917.
Thorncliffe Park Raceway | History
Time record: Most wins Most wins by an owner:
Woodbine Mile | Records
It was changed to its current name in 1949. The race was run from 1937 to 1952 on dirt at a distance of 1 mile 70 yards. World War II consolidations saw the race shifted to the Dufferin Park Racetrack from 1942 to 1945 before returning to Long Branch in 1946. In 1953, the racing distance was increased to miles and remained at that distance after moving to the new Woodbine Racetrack in 1956. Converted to a turf race in 1959, the Cup and Saucer Stakes was raced at miles from 1973 to 1982 but then reverted to its miles in 1983.
Cup and Saucer Stakes | Introduction
In 1954, the eligibility was revised to ages three and up with no residence restriction. The race name was modified slightly from 1966 to 1980 when it was known as the Canadian International Championship Stakes. From 1981 through to 1995 the race was known as the Rothmans International for its sponsor, the Canadian subsidiary of Rothmans International plc. Since 2003 it has been sponsored by Pattison Outdoor Advertising. Inaugurated in 1938 on the dirt at Toronto's Long Branch Racetrack, except for consolidation during World War II it remained there until 1956 when the track closed its doors. Moved to Woodbine Racetrack in 1956, in 1958 it became a turf race.
Canadian International Stakes | Introduction
Orpen appealed to Canadian Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier directly and was granted a federal charter. Orpen, along with other businessmen incorporated the "Metropolitan Racing Association of Canada", under a federal racing charter, which allowed betting on the site beyond provincial controls. The Association was originally capitalized for , divided into 40 shares of $100 and six of $10. The track had its stables to the south of the track, along with a winter barn which was also used for offices. The public entrance was at the south-east corner of the property, through the stable yard. Betting was handled by bookmakers who operated in front of the grandstand and in the infield, and bets were also made on races at other tracks.
Dufferin Park Racetrack | History
The Toronto Cup Stakes is a Canadian Thoroughbred horse race run annually on turf at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto. Run in early July, the race is open to three-year-olds and is run over a distance of miles (9 furlongs) on turf. Inaugurated in 1890 as the Toronto Cup Handicap at the Old Woodbine Racetrack, it was raced on dirt and open to older horses until 1935. From inception through 1898 it was raced at miles, then from 1899–1934 at miles. There was no race in 1918 and 1919 and was suspended in 1935 then revived in 1953 restricted to three-year-olds and competed at a distance of miles on dirt.
Toronto Cup Stakes | Introduction
Sproule was also a sports journalist, writing for the "Toronto Star" and other publications, usually about horse racing. In 1914, he was quoted in the Ottawa Citizen as being opposed to the installation of "iron men" betting machines at Ottawa's horse racing track, arguing that the clientele that frequented smaller locations still preferred to bet on the books. Partnered with Paul Ciceri, Sproule owned the Coronado racing stable. Sproule's horse named Rocksilk won the first race on the programme for Canadian-bred horses at the 1920 King's Plate at Woodbine. Rocksilk was bred by the famous stud of the late Joseph E.
Harvey Sproule | Horse Racing
Speed record: Most wins by an owner: Most wins by a jockey:
La Prevoyante Stakes (Woodbine Racetrack) | Records
Abraham "Abe" Orpen and Thomas Hare, operators of the Dufferin Park Racetrack in Toronto, began construction on the new Long Branch track on June 26, 1924, under the supervision of Thomas Clarke. Construction of the half-mile turf track was completed in time for a seven-day meet beginning on September 6, 1924. Over 400 horses were in eight new stables with fifteen jockeys and 55 owners represented. The land for the track cost and the track facilities, including a 10,000-seat grandstand, cost . The first day was a big success as 10,000 attended. An additional one-mile-long turf track was added in November 1924.
Long Branch Racetrack | History
Woodbine Centre is a shopping mall in the Rexdale area of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is located across Rexdale Boulevard from Woodbine Racetrack in the former city of Etobicoke. Opened in 1985 by developer Cadillac Fairview, the over 130 store mall is home to Fantasy Fair, a year-round indoor amusement park. The fair houses a Charles I. D. Looff carousel. It is one of 13 still in operation today. They also have a 50-foot ferris wheel which they say is the only one in North America. Its design served as inspiration for property developer Sir John Hall when planning the MetroCentre, the UK's largest shopping mall, in the 1980s.
Woodbine Centre | Introduction
The King Edward Stakes is a Canadian Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario. The Grade II turf race is open to horses aged three and older and is raced over a distance of one mile (8 furlongs). Run in late June or early July, it currently offers a purse of CAD$200,000. Named for Edward VII of the United Kingdom who had been crowned king in 1901, the race was created the following year with its first running taking place in 1903 as the King Edward Gold Cup. It was raced on dirt at the Old Woodbine Park until 1958 when it was moved to Woodbine Racetrack and changed to a turf race.
King Edward Stakes | Introduction
The Fanfreluche Stakes is a thoroughbred horse race run annually during the last week of October at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Restricted to two-year-old fillies foaled in Ontario, it is contested on dirt over a distance of six furlongs. Inaugurated in 1981, the race is named in honor of J. Louis Lévesque's Hall of Fame filly, Fanfreluche.
Fanfreluche Stakes | Introduction
The Display Stakes is a Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Contested on a synthetic "all weather" surface over a distance of miles (8.5 furlongs), it is open to two-year-old horses. Raced during the latter part of November or early December, the ungraded stakes race offers a purse of C$125,000. Inaugurated in 1956 at Toronto's Old Woodbine Race Course as a sprint race, it was named for American Walter J. Salmon's colt Display, winner of the 1926 Preakness Stakes and who frequently raced in Canada where he won a number of important races. The Display stakes was run in two divisions in 1959.
Display Stakes | Introduction
Fort Erie Race Track was built by the Fort Erie Jockey Club and opened on June 16, 1897. It was at one time owned by the Cella family, who also owned Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. They sold it in 1952 to renowned Canadian horseman E. P. Taylor, acting on behalf of the Ontario Jockey Club. Prior to this acquisition, Fort Erie was regarded as a "ramshackle" facility that was restricted to only 14 days of racing a year. Taylor closed many of the smaller tracks around Ontario and instead focused on developing Thoroughbred racing in Toronto and Fort Erie.
Fort Erie Race Track | History
The Grey Stakes is a Canadian Thoroughbred horse race held annually during the first week of October at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto. A Grade III, it is open to two-year-old horses and is raced on dirt at a distance of miles. Since 2006, the dirt racing surface at Woodbine Racetrack has been the synthetic Polytrack. Inaugurated as the Grey Stakes at the Old Woodbine Racetrack in 1906, it was named in honor of the then Governor General of Canada, Earl Grey. Over the years it has been run at various distances: J. K. L. Ross, owner of the first United States Triple Crown Champion, Sir Barton, won this race five years in a row with future U.S.
Grey Stakes | Introduction
It is the only race track in North America which stages Thoroughbred and Standardbred (harness) meetings on the same day. The Canadian International and Woodbine Mile (1981) are Canada's most important Grade I races worth C$1,000,000 each, and have been won by many renowned horses such as Secretariat and Wise Dan respectively. Other key races include Woodbine Oaks (1956), Prince of Wales Stakes (1929), Breeders' Stakes (1889) and Canadian Derby (1930).
Horse racing | Canada
After a provincial racing charter was granted in 1894 to the "York Riding and Driving Association" to operate horse racing and sell liquor, a half-mile track was laid out on of land on the west side of Dufferin Street owned by Charles Leslie Denison. After Denison died, Abraham "Abe" Orpen leased the land from Denison for per year and opened Dufferin Racetrack in 1907. Horse race gambling was controversial at the time and the charter was revoked in 1909, although this was due to a legal technicality as the charter had not been used for several years prior to 1907.
Dufferin Park Racetrack | History
The Canadian Stakes is a Grade II Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Run in mid September, it is a Grade II event open to fillies and mares, three years of age and older. It is raced on turf over a distance of "about" miles. Known as the Canadian Handicap until 2006, it was inaugurated at the now defunct Greenwood Raceway in 1955 as a mile race on dirt and was open to horses of either sex, aged three and older. In 1964, the event was transferred to Woodbine Racetrack where in 1970 it became a race on the grass for fillies and mares only.
Canadian Stakes | Introduction
The Plate Trial Stakes is a Canadian Thoroughbred flat horserace for three-Year-Olds, foaled in Canada run annually at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario. Raced in early June, the -mile race on dirt is considered one of the most important prep races for Canada's premier horse race, the Queen's Plate. Inaugurated in 1944 at the Old Woodbine Race Course as a six furlong sprint race, it was moved to the new Woodbine Racetrack in 1957 following that track's closure. In the first forty-eight years, a total of twenty-two winners of the Plate Trial Stakes went on to win the Queen's Plate.
Plate Trial Stakes | Introduction
The La Prevoyante Stakes is a thoroughbred horse race run annually in mid September at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. An Ontario Sire Stakes, it is a restricted race for three-year-old fillies. It is contested over a distance of one and one-sixteenth miles (8.5 furlongs) on all-weather track and currently carries a purse of $125,000. Inaugurated in 1975, it was raced at a distance of seven furlongs until 1979 when it was modified to a distance of one mile. Beginning in 2018, it was run at miles on the all-weather track. For 1977 only, the race was run on dirt and in 1979 it was run in two divisions.
La Prevoyante Stakes (Woodbine Racetrack) | Introduction
The Nassau Stakes is a Canadian Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario. A Grade II event raced in early June, it is open to horses aged three and older and run over a distance of one mile on turf. Currently, the Nassau Stakes offers a purse of $153,540. Inaugurated in 1956, it was raced on dirt until 1968 when it was shifted permanently to the turf. Over the years, it has been run at various distances both at the Woodbine Racetrack and at Fort Erie Race Track: On dirt:
Nassau Stakes (Canada) | Introduction
Woodbine Avenue is an arterial road laid out in the 1830s at about the time Toronto was founded. It begins just north of Lake Ontario in the Beaches district of Toronto. It proceeds north ending at O'Connor Avenue at the Don River valley. Another section exists north of Toronto from Steeles Avenue into York Region. A section north of Lawrence Avenue to Steeles Avenue was built but replaced by the Don Valley Parkway and Ontario Highway 404. The Woodbine Racetrack existed near its southern terminus for over a century and held numerous Queen's Plates until a new Woodbine track was built in Etobicoke.
List of north–south roads in Toronto | Woodbine Avenue
The Jacques Cartier Stakes is a Thoroughbred horse race run annually since 1954 at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Run near the beginning of the Woodbine spring meeting, the sprint race is open to horses aged four and older and is run over a distance of six furlongs on Tapeta synthetic dirt. In 2019, it became a Grade III stakes race and the purse was increased to C$125,000 with an additional $25,000 available for Ontario-bred horses. Inaugurated in 1954 at the now defunct Greenwood Raceway in Toronto, the Jacques Cartier Stakes is named in honour of the French explorer, Jacques Cartier.
Jacques Cartier Stakes | Introduction
The new western boundary became Jones Avenue from Queen Street East to Danforth Avenue. North of Danforth Avenue the boundary continued along Dewhurst Blvd. and south of Queen Street East the boundary continued along Berkshire Avenue and south to the lake. The boundaries remained until the riding was dissolved prior to the 1967 election.
Woodbine (electoral district) | Boundaries
The Sir Barton Stakes is a Thoroughbred horse race run annually in early December at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. An Ontario Sire Stakes, it is a restricted race for horses age three and older. Raced over a distance of miles on Polytrack, the Sir Barton Stakes currently carries a purse of $93,938. Originally restricted to three-year-olds, it is now open to older horses. Inaugurated in 1975 at Greenwood Raceway and moved to Woodbine Racetrack in 1994, the race is named for the U.S. Racing Hall of Fame colt Sir Barton, who was the 1st U.S. Triple Crown Champion.
Sir Barton Stakes (Canada) | Introduction
The Singspiel Stakes is a Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Stakes is run during the latter part of June on the same card as the Queen's Plate, as of 2008 it carries Grade III status. The race is open to horses aged three and older and is contested over a distance of miles on turf. It currently offers a purse of $125,000. Inaugurated in 2005, the race was named for Irish-bred Singspiel, who won the prestigious Canadian International Stakes at Woodbine Racetrack in 1996 and who was a son of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame filly, Glorious Song.
Singspiel Stakes | Introduction
The Victoria Park Stakes is a Canadian Thoroughbred horse race run annually since 1988 at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario. Raced in early to mid June over a distance of one and one-eighth miles, it is open to three-year-old horses. It was run on dirt until 2006 when the new synthetic Polytrack surface was installed. Named for Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee, Victoria Park, the ungraded stakes race is considered the last prep for the Queen's Plate for any Canadian-bred participants.
Victoria Park Stakes | Introduction
In the early 1950s, Mooney was hired by E. P. Taylor and George C. Hendrie to join the management team of the Ontario Jockey Club while the organization was working to reorganize Ontario racing. This reorganization culminated with the opening of Woodbine Racetrack on June 12, 1956. In 1957 he was named general manager of the Ontario Jockey Club. From 1971 to 1975 he was the OJC's president. During his tenure, the Canadian International Stakes became a race of worldwide importance. Its 1973 running served as the farewell race for Secretariat. In 1962 Mooney was named president of the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society, a Toronto-based organization that assists thoroughbred horse breeders.
John J. Mooney (horse racing) | Ontario Jockey Club
Thorncliffe Park Raceway was a racetrack in Leaside, Ontario, Canada that operated from 1917 until 1953. It was located east of Millwood Road, south of Eglinton Avenue East and north of the CPR railroad tracks. It was the first home of the Prince of Wales Stakes. The name is retained today in the name of the current Thorncliffe Park neighbourhood in Toronto.
Thorncliffe Park Raceway | Introduction
The Kennedy Road Stakes is a thoroughbred horse race run annually at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Run during the latter part of November, the Grade II sprint race is open to horses aged three and older. Raced over a distance of 6 furlongs, it currently offers a purse of C$200,000. The race was originally run on a natural dirt surface, but since 2006 has been on a synthetic "all weather" surface (Polytrack from 2005 to 2015, Tapeta starting in 2016). Inaugurated in 1989 as the Kennedy Road Handicap, it was named in honour of Kennedy Road, the 1973 Canadian Horse of the Year and a Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee.
Kennedy Road Stakes | Introduction
Founders Tom and Jennie Nicol sought to build their own racetrack after enjoying stock car racing at Long Branch Speedway. The couple bought 55 acres of land off Route 34 in Wall Township and built a one-third mile oval with 30° banking in the turns, unheard of at the time. Racing began in 1950 with the annual Turkey Derby capping each season on the Saturday following Thanksgiving Day beginning in 1974.
Wall Stadium | Origins