We may only be in the early exchanges, but 2024 has already proven to be a fast and exciting year for sports fans. The calendar opened in Melbourne, where tennis fans enjoyed the return of the Australian Open, the year’s first Grand Slam. Followers enjoyed their fair share of drama, unpredictability, and excitement down under as Serbia’s Novak Djokovic lost his title to Italian Jannik Sinner. If the Aussie Open taught sports fans an early lesson, it was that this year won’t follow a script.
As soon as the stars of professional tennis packed up their racquets and left Australia, tennis fans turned their attention to the Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada, and February’s Super Bowl LVIII. The Kansas City Chiefs battled back to win an enthralling game in Nevada, beating the San Francisco 49ers, who raced into an early lead but eventually folded under pressure from a relentless Chiefs assault. The game ebbed and flowed until the Chiefs took command in the closing stages.
With tennis and football fans happy, we prepare for the 2024 sports schedule to get even more interesting. We’re warming up for a memorable horse racing campaign with fixtures of note in the United States, United Kingdom, France, and further afield. Have you checked on the updated Kentucky Derby betting or Grand National odds? There’s something for everyone, with the leading sportsbooks offering generous odds, unique markets, and eye-catching promotions.
Canadian Triple Crown
The main attraction for followers of thoroughbred racing in Canada is this year’s Canadian Triple Crown. The nation’s three most popular races are ready to be won, but will 2024 see one horse clean up by collecting all three prizes? That’s a feat only a select few racehorses have managed in history, and it’s no easy job. That illustrious list boasts the best and most famous horses in Canadian sporting history, but the dozen is likely to grow in the near future. Which horse has the quality, experience, training, and speed to join etch its name on the Triple Crown honors list?
The Triple Crown consists of The King’s Plate, The Prince of Wales Stakes, and The Breeder’s Stakes. The quest to become the Canadian Triple Crown champion begins with The King’s Plate, Canada’s oldest race. Staged at Woodbine Racecourse, The Triple Crown opener sees 17 horses compete over 2000 metres for the title. The season then moves to Fort Erie Racecourse, where a star-studded field battles for supremacy in The Prince of Wales Stakes over 1900 meters on the dirt track. It’s an energy-sapping contest where only the fittest horses feature.
If a horse and trainer combination lands glory in The King’s Plate and The Prince of Wales Stakes, excitement levels grow ahead of the third and final leg of the Canadian Triple Crown. The Breeder’s Stake is the kingmaker, with August spectacle at Woodbine potentially seeing a new Triple Crown champion. Only a dozen horses have managed to collect all three races in history, and we investigate the most memorable.
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Canebora (1950)
Canebora, the inaugural winner of the Canadian Triple Crown in 1950, holds a special place in racing history. Trained by Max Hirsch and owned by E. P. Taylor, Canebora set the bar high for future Triple Crown contenders. His victories in the Queen’s Plate, Prince of Wales Stakes, and Breeders’ Stakes marked the genesis of the Canadian Triple Crown saga, earning him a place of honor in the sport’s history.
New Providence (1959)
Nearly a decade later, New Providence emerged as a force, claiming the Triple Crown in 1959. Under the guidance of Hall of Fame trainer Pete McCann and owned by Windfields Farm, New Providence showcased a rare blend of speed and endurance. His victories in the Queen’s Plate, Prince of Wales Stakes, and Breeders’ Stakes solidified his status as one of Canada’s racing legends.
Dance Smartly (1991)
Dance Smartly, a filly with unparalleled talent conquered the Canadian Triple Crown in 1991. Trained by James E. Day and owned by Sam-Son Farm, Dance Smartly was not only the first filly to win the Triple Crown but also excelled on turf. Her victories showcased her versatility, leaving a lasting legacy as one of the greatest fillies in Canadian racing history.
Peteski (1993)
In 1993, Peteski added his name to the illustrious list of Canadian Triple Crown winners. Trained by Roger Attfield and owned by Earle Mack, Peteski displayed determination and prowess on the racetrack. His victories in the Queen’s Plate, Prince of Wales Stakes, and Breeders’ Stakes solidified his place among the greats of Canadian horse racing.
Wando (2003)
The last winner of the famed Canadian Triple Crown, Wando, foaled in 2000, emerged as a modern-day marvel by clinching the 2003 series. Trained by Michael Keogh and owned by Gustav Schickedanz, Wando showcased brilliance on different tracks. His victories in the three crown races added a new chapter to the Triple Crown legacy, capturing the hearts of racing enthusiasts.
