Woodbine Entertainment Group

2014 Woodbine Racing Program Exciting for Ontario Breeders

The  Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association of Ontario wishes to clarify the memo issued on February 27th (see below) with the following statement: Further to the memo issued to Woodbine Thoroughbred Horsemen on February 27th, regarding the revisions to the Ontario Sire Racing Program for 2014, we would like to provide clarification. 1. The 40% […]

ORC Orders Re-direction of Purse Account Monies

The Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) is moving forward to implement a provincial approach to purses, consistent with the 5 year Horse Racing Partnership Plan, and as recommended by the Horse Racing Industry Transition Panel. Among its recommendations – in an effort to provide customers with the most attractive product possible – the Panel acknowledged that […]

Woodbine Sees Per Card Thoroughbred Wagering Rise in 2013

Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) announced its results for Woodbine’s 2013 Thoroughbred racing season, which concluded Sunday, December 15. The 131-day meet produced “all-sources” per card wagering of $3,095,872, a 6.41 per cent increase over the $2,909,394 per card recorded in 2012. The overall wagering was $405,559,284, compared to $453,865,564 in 2012, which featured 25 more […]

Woodbine’s 2014 Thoroughbred Racing Calendar

Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) and the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) has jointly announced Woodbine’s 2014 Thoroughbred racing calendar. Opening day for Woodbine’s 59th season, which will offer 133 dates pending Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) approval, is set for Saturday, April 12, with closing day scheduled for Sunday, December 7. The Woodbine backstretch will […]

Sportsnet to Air Woodbine Events

Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) has signed an agreement with Sportsnet to nationally televise four major race days live on Sportsnet 360 and Sportsnet ONE. The four key Woodbine events to be broadcast nationally, live and in high-definition (HD), include Sunday’s $500,000 Breeders’ Stakes, third jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown; the Canadian Millions Sales Stakes […]

Transition Funding for Ontario Racetracks

The Ontario government has signed agreements for transition funding with 12 racetracks for the 2013-2014 racing season. This funding is intended to bridge the gap between revenue lost by the ending of the Slots-At-Racetrack Program and operating costs while the industry transitions. 2013-2014 Woodbine Entertainment Group, on behalf of Woodbine and Mohawk Racetracks – $ […]

Woodbine Under Quarantine for EHV-1

Woodbine Entertainment Group has imposed a quarantine on Woodbine Racetrack’ Barn 1 as a precaution against equine herpes virus (EHV-1). On June 10th, two horses from Barn 1 who were exhibiting signs of illness, including fever and neurological symptoms, were shipped to the Ontario Veterinary College for evaluation, where one, a two-year-old unraced filly trained […]

Woodbine Gaming Update

The following is a letter from Nick Eaves, president and CEO of the Woodbine Entertainment Group: As you are well aware, there has been a lot of activity over the last few weeks in connection with the Province’s stated commitment to a sustainable horse racing industry as well as the ongoing casino process. Over the […]

Full 2013 Woodbine Thoroughbred Stakes Schedule

Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) has announced Woodbine’s entire 2013 Thoroughbred stakes calendar. A total of 107 stakes races, worth over $20.25 million, are scheduled. The first portion of the stakes calendar, which features 37 added-money races through July 7, including the date of the 154th Queen’s Plate, was announced in March. Key features in the […]

Woodbine Addresses Toronto City Council Vote

If you weren’t at City Hall on Tuesday, you will likely have heard by now that Toronto City Council voted against expanded gaming at Woodbine Racetrack. In the end, it was a very close vote – 24 to 20, as opposed to the 40-to-4 vote against a downtown casino. Needless to say, we are shocked […]

Toronto Council Denies Expanded Gaming at Woodbine

Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) is disappointed with Tuesday’s vote by Toronto City Council against expanded gaming at Woodbine, which threatens the province’s entire horse racing industry. Now, WEG is looking forward to working with Premier Wynne, her staff, the Horse Racing Industry Transition Panel and the new Acting Chair of the OLG to seek a […]

Horse Racing Industry to Rally at Toronto’s City Hall April 15th

After a month of delays, City manager Joe Pennachetti’s long-awaited report on the pros and cons of a Toronto casino were released Monday. While much of the report focuses on the downtown integrated casino resort in Gaming Zone C1, the report does support an expansion at Woodbine Racetrack as part of Gaming Zone C2 with […]

Woodbine Announces 2013 Early Season Stakes Schedule

Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) has announced the first segment of Woodbine’s 2013 Thoroughbred stakes schedule. Thirty-seven added-money events, with purses ranging from $125,000 to $1 million, are planned through July 7. The 154th edition of the Queen’s Plate, first jewel in Canada’s Triple Crown of Racing, will carry a guaranteed purse of $1 million. The […]

HBPA Supports WEG’s Horse Welfare Policy

The Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) of Ontario endorses and supports the Horse Welfare Policy adopted by Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG). We believe this was a necessary step to protect racehorses from unnecessary suffering while sending a positive message to the media, public, our customers and the government. As is well-known, the HBPA has […]

Woodbine Takes a Stand on Slaughter

Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) has released a statement to the Ontario racing community in order to make their position on horse slaughter clear.