All hail the King’s Plate.
Woodbine Entertainment made its much-anticipated announcement on December 7 that the Queen’s Plate, the longest, most continually run stakes race in North America, will be known as the King’s Plate. The Plate, the most famous race in Canada for 3-year-olds foaled in this country, takes the name of the reigning monarch of England.
It was known as the Queen’s Plate for its first running in 1860. The name was changed to the King’s Plate from 1901 through 1951, when, following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, it was King Edward VII who was her successor.
The last winner of the King’s Plate was Major Factor, owned by E.P. Taylor.
The race became the Queen’s Plate again in 1952 when HRH Queen Elizabeth II took the throne and remained until her passing earlier this year. Her son, HRM King Charles III, who is now Canada’s monarch.
The change in race name was expected although the date of the Plate, which was moved later in the summer due to COVID-19 in 2020, remains in the late summer. The 164th running of the $1 million Plate will be held on Sunday, August 20, 2023.
“The Plate is one of the most celebrated events in horse racing, and we’re proud to celebrate its history while starting a new chapter under the banner of The King’s Plate,” said Jim Lawson, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment. “Those who attend can expect more than elite-level horse racing. They can soak in the elements of food, fashion and culture that have become associated with this prestigious annual event while enjoying moments designed for a new generation of race fans. We’re excited to share more details about The King’s Plate in the months to come.”
The 163rd Queen’s Plate in 2022 was a sold-out event that attracted an estimated 15,000 spectators and hundreds of thousands of viewers on CTV and TSN. Moira, the winner, set a Plate record time of 2:01.48 in one of the most exciting finishes in race history.
Woodbine Entertainment also plans to celebrate and honour the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2023 for her contributions and support of the event and Thoroughbred horse racing in Canada for the last 70 years.
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