Horse racing is a popular sport in North America. Of all the countries with an active horse racing scene in the region, Canada has its fair share of major events, famous racecourses, and racehorses. A country where the first racing event was held in 1767 with a purse of $40 has come a long way since then, as horse racing has become a major spectator sport with numerous events happening throughout the year.
Like other countries, a sovereign body, the Jockey Club of Canada oversees thoroughbred horse racing in Canada. The Jockey Club maintains a dynamic grading system, whereby the Graded Stakes Committee grades races and categorises them into grades I, II, and III, respectively, according to the statistical analysis of the field’s quality in preceding years, given the race meets the minimum purse criteria.
More on that later, but let’s first look at Canada’s most significant horse races.
The Canadian Triple Crown
The Canadian Triple Crown entails three of the most prominent horse races in Canada. The series is held annually and reserved for three-year-old thoroughbred racehorses, bred in Canada. The Triple Crown was launched in 1959 and is similar in format to the Triple Crown held in the US, but the three races are held on three different tracks.
Here are the three major races that take place as a part of the Triple Crown.
The Queen’s Plate
The first race in the Triple Crown is the Queen’s Plate, which is Canada’s most significant and oldest thoroughbred horserace. The race runs over a distance of 2000 meters and is open to three-year-old thoroughbreds foaled in Canada, whereby 17 horses compete at one time.
The Queen’s Plate is held at Woodbine racecourse in Etobicoke, Ontario, in June or July every year. The Queen’s Plate was launched in 1860 and was referred to as the King’s Plate, from 1901 to 1952, in accordance with the male monarch’s reigning during that time. The prize money of the longest-running race in North American history is CAD 1 million.
The Prince of Wales Stakes
The Prince of Wales Stakes is the second race of the Canadian Triple Crown Series. The race is also reserved for three-year-old thoroughbreds, which have been foaled in Canada. The race takes place in September and runs over a distance of 1900 meters on a dirt track at the Fort Erie racecourse in Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada.
The Prince of Wales Stakes happened for the first time in 1929 at the Thorncliffe Park Raceway in Toronto, which is now non-functional. In 1959, the race became a part of the Triple Crown Series. The Prince of Wales Stakes has a purse of CAD 400,000.
The Breeder’s Stakes
The third race of the Triple Crown is the Breeder’s Stakes, a stakes race that, like its counterparts, is reserved for three-year-old thoroughbred horses bred in Canada. The race takes place in august of every year at the Woodbine racecourse in Toronto, Canada. The race runs over a distance of 1.5miles, making it the longest race of the Canadian Triple Crown series and has prize money worth CAD 500,000.
The 133-year-old race was held for the first time in 1889 and became a part of the Triple Crown Series in 1959.
Graded Stakes Races in Canada
Graded Stakes races are races for thoroughbreds that meet certain criteria set by the Jockey Club of Canada. As suggested earlier, the races are categorised into grades I, II, and III, respectively, according to the past years’ statistical analysis of the field’s quality.
While various criteria are listed for races to be categorised as a graded stake race, the major conditions require that the race has been conducted for at least two years with the same format and conditions and has the minimum specified purse money. For instance, the purse for Grade 1 is $300,000 and above.
Here are two Grade 1 Canadian flat horse races.
Woodbine Mile
The Woodbine Mile is a Grade 1 race open to thoroughbred horses ages three and older. The race runs over a distance of 1 mile at the Woodbine racetrack every year in September. With prize money of $1,000,000CAD, the Woodbine Mile is perhaps the most significant Grade 1 race in Canada.
The race took place for the first time in 1988 ad was titled the Molson Export Challenge, named after the signature beer of its main sponsor, Molson Breweries. Over the course of years, it underwent name changes as its sponsorship changed.
Canadian International Stakes
The Canadian International Stakes takes place in October every year at the Woodbine racecourse in Toronto, Canada. The grade 1 flat horse race is open to thoroughbreds ages three years and above and runs over a distance of 1.5 miles.
The Canadian International Stakes was held for the first time in 1938, and since its inception, it has undergone numerous modifications, including its location, name, distance, etc. Interestingly, the prize money for the race has reduced gradually since 2005, from CAD 2 million to CAD 800,000 in 2017. The intention behind increasing the purse was to lure European contestants who had not taken part in Breeder’s Cup Turf; however, it was reduced later.
FAQS
How many thoroughbred races in Canada each year?
Horse racing in Canada is a significant and cherished sport, deeply rooted in the country’s history and culture. The horse industry in Canada is as diverse as its many provinces, with each province having its own regulatory board responsible for the development and growth of the horse industry. Events are held annually across the country to promote the industry, provide sporting support, and offer opportunities for equine owners and enthusiasts.
While the exact number of thoroughbred races held in Canada each year is not a fixed amount, we can report that Canada has a thriving equine industry. For instance, in 2020, there were 4,633 equine business establishments in the country, and Canada is home to approximately 500,000 horses. Additionally, Canada hosts 35 platinum-level events and has approximately 1,000 top-level equestrian athletes.
Given the prominence of horse racing in Canada and the number of equine-related establishments and events, it’s safe to estimate that Canada hosts a substantial number of thoroughbred races each year.
How many horse race tracks in Canada?
Across the vast expanse of the country of Canada, numerous racecourses serve as the epicentres of this equestrian sport, each with its unique charm and history.
In the province of Alberta, venues such as the Century Downs Racetrack and Casino in Calgary and Evergreen Park stand out as prominent hubs for horse racing enthusiasts. Moving westward to British Columbia, Fraser Downs is a notable racecourse that has hosted countless thrilling races over the years.
Manitoba’s Great Western Fair Circuit is another testament to Canada’s rich horse racing heritage. Meanwhile, New Brunswick boasts the Exhibition Park Raceway and Fredericton Raceway, both of which have been integral to the province’s equestrian events.
Nova Scotia, with its picturesque landscapes, is home to the Inverness Raceway, Northside Downs, and Truro Raceway. Each of these venues has contributed significantly to the horse racing narrative in the region.
Ontario, one of Canada’s most populous provinces, has a plethora of racecourses. Clinton Raceway, Dresden Raceway, Flamboro Downs, Georgian Downs, Grand River Raceway, Hanover Raceway, Hiawatha Horse Park, Kawartha Downs, Leamington Raceway, The Raceway at Western Fair, Rideau Carleton Raceway, and Woodbine Mohawk Park are among the province’s premier equestrian venues.
Lastly, the picturesque Prince Edward Island, known for its red sandy beaches and lush countryside, is home to the Charlottetown Driving Park and Summerside Raceway.
The landscape of the racecourse in Canada is vast and varied. These venues, spread across different provinces, reflect Canada’s passion and dedication to horse racing. For anyone keen on experiencing the thrill and elegance of Canadian horse racing, these racecourses offer a captivating glimpse into the heart of the sport.
