Horse racing has a rich history and remains a popular sport in Canada. The horse racing industry contributes significantly to Canada’s economy, generating approximately $8.69 billion to the GDP in 2022.
Matt Bastock from Techopedia says since the recent change in gambling laws, online betting has significantly increased. Several betting sites in Canada provide comprehensive horse racing odds and betting options. For instance, in 2019 Channel Maker faced top competition and had odds of 12-1 going into the Breeders’ Turf Cup. Despite being viewed as the longshot rather than a favorite by bettors, Channel Maker won the race, taking the title. The unpredictability of horse racing is part of what makes it such a thrilling sport to watch and bet on. While odds can provide valuable insights, which horse will cross the finish line is a big part of the appeal for many bettors and fans.
1. Awesome Again
Awesome Again was a prominent Canadian Thoroughbred racehorse, amassing over $4.3 million in career earnings. Bred by Frank Stronach, this son of the Deputy Minister was a dominant force in the late 1990s. Awesome Again’s notable victories include the Queen’s Plate in 1997, the Breeders’ Cup Classic in 1998, and several prestigious stakes races such as the Jim Dandy Stakes.
As a successful racehorse, his odds would have varied depending on the competition and the specific race. In major stakes, Awesome again had lower odds due to his reputation and paste performances. Today, many betting sites have races named after him, such as the Awesome Again Stakes, recognizing his accomplishments and the impact he made on the sport.
2. Shaman Ghost
The second richest Canadian-bred racehorse was Shaman Ghost, who earned approximately $3.9 million in his career. Shaman Ghost began his racing career in 2014, initially struggling to find his footing. After changing training strategies, including the removal of blinkers, he found success, winning his first race at Gulfstream Park in March 2015. His earnings placed him just behind Awesome Again, who remains the richest Canadian-bred racehorse of all time.
His most notable achievement came when he won the Queen’s Plate, earning him the title of Canadian Champion Three-Year-Old Colt. This victory was a significant milestone, as the Queen’s Plate is the oldest continuously run stakes race in North America. Shaman Ghost’s betting odds at some point in his career were 14-1, 11-1, and 10-1 at different times. These odds suggest that he was viewed as a competitive horse, but not always the favorite.
3. Channel Maker
Channel Maker is the third-richest Canadian-bred racehorse, earning over $3.9 million. He is sired by the champion turf horse English Channel and is out of the stakes-winning mare In Return. He is a full brother to Canadian champion Johnny Bear and a half-brother to stakes winner Court Return. This versatile turf and dirt performer raced an incredible eight seasons, from age 2 to 10, winning major races like the 2018 Man o’ War Stakes and 2019 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic.
Throughout his career, Channel Maker had numerous impressive finishes and has often been a popular choice among bettors and online casino betting platforms, especially during major stakes races where he demonstrated his ability to compete against top turf horses. His longevity and consistency at the highest level are a testament to his class and talent.
4. Sky Classic
Sky Classic, a dominant turf horse in the early 1990s, earned approximately $3.3 million in his career. Although injuries sidelined him for much of the 1990 racing season, he made a strong comeback in 1991, winning six of his nine starts. His victories included prestigious races such as the Rothmans International, where he set a course record.
Throughout his career, Sky Classic had an impressive record of 29 starts, with 15 wins, 6 seconds, and 1 third, accumulating earnings of approximately $3.3 million. His outstanding performances earned him several accolades, including the U.S. Champion Male Turf Horse in 1992 and the Canadian Champion Male Turf Horse in 1991. He was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 1998.
5. Wando
Wando, the 2003 Canadian Triple Crown winner, earned around $2.3 million in his career. Bred by Gustav Schickedanz, this son of Langfuhr won the Queen’s Plate, Prince of Wales Stakes, and Breeders’ Stakes that year, becoming a Canadian racing icon. As a 3-year-old in 2003, Wando won the Canadian Triple Crown by capturing the Queen’s Plate, Prince of Wales Stakes, and Breeders’ Stakes.
In total, Wando had 23 starts, with 11 wins, 2 seconds, and 2 thirds, earning $2,563,038 in career prize money. In 2003, Wando was sent off as the 7-5 favorite to win the Queen’s plate and was named the 7-2 Winterbook favorite before the race. He was named Canadian Horse of the Year and Champion 3-Year-Old Male in recognition of his Triple Crown triumph. Wando’s success brought the Triple Crown back into the spotlight and highlighted the talent of Canadian-bred horses.
6. Northern Dancer
Northern Dancer, one of the most influential sires of the 20th century, earned a then-record $580,000 for a Canadian-bred horse in the 1960s. He won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes in 1964 before retiring to stud, where he sired champions on both sides of the Atlantic.
In 1964, Northern Dancer was the heavy betting favorite in the Queen’s Plate, with odds of 1-7 in a field of eight horses. He was highly regarded by fans and bettors and expected to perform well at the race. He was also favored in other notable races, being the 5-1 favorite in the Blue Grass Stakes, solidifying his status as the top contender throughout his 3-year-old campaign.
7. Sir Dudley Digges
Sir Dudley Digges, a son of Gio Ponti bred by Bernard and Karen McCormack, earned $775,300 in 2016, ranking 61st among all Thoroughbreds that year. He won the prestigious Queen’s Plate at Woodbine that season and added a second-place finish in the Breeders’ Stakes. Sir Dudley Digges’ earnings of over $775,000 in a single season demonstrate the high level of competition and purses available to Canadian-bred horses in the modern era.
Sir Dudley Digges was not a favorite in any major races he competed in. In 2016, he won at odds of nearly 16-1, upsetting his rival Amis Gizmo and finishing second at odds of 6-1 at Kentucky Downs. However, he proved to be a talented racehorse, winning prestigious races and exceeding expectations when he did win.