Horse Racing News

Thumbnail for In Memoriam: Mel Lawson

In Memoriam: Mel Lawson

Hall of Fame horseman Mel Lawson, who passed away on Wednesday, was a highly regarded and significant contributor to the thoroughbred racing industry for over 50 years. Born on February 14, 1923 in Hamilton, Ontario, Lawson was educated at Adelaide Hoodless Public School, Central Collegiate Hamilton and The University of Toronto Faculty of Forestry, where […]
Thumbnail for Embur’s Song Sings a Winning Tune in Ontario Matron

Embur’s Song Sings a Winning Tune in Ontario Matron

Fares Farm LLC’s Embur’s Song led wire-to-wire to take Sunday’s $150,000 Ontario Matron Stakes at Woodbine. The 1 1/16-mile event was the fourth consecutive stakes score for the four-year-old daughter of Unbridled’s Song, who also won the Grade 3 Doubledogdare at  Keeneland, the Grade 3 Hendrie at Woodbine and the Windward Stakes at Presque Isle […]
Thumbnail for Windward Islands Repeats in Nijinsky Stakes

Windward Islands Repeats in Nijinsky Stakes

Windward Islands was a resplendent repeat winner of Sunday’s Grade 2, $300,000 Nijinsky Stakes, at Woodbine. Ridden by Emma-Jayne Wilson for trainer Mark Frostad, Windward Islands, at 7-2, collared the favoured Fifty Proof, at the midpoint of the long E.P. Taylor Turf Course, to notch his first win of the 2011 campaign. Hailstone was third. […]
Thumbnail for Embur’s Song Sings a Winning Tune in Ontario Matron

Embur’s Song Sings a Winning Tune in Ontario Matron

Fares Farm LLC’s Embur’s Song led wire-to-wire to take Sunday’s $150,000 Ontario Matron Stakes at Woodbine. The 1 1/16-mile event was the fourth consecutive stakes score for the four-year-old daughter of Unbridled’s Song, who also won the Grade 3 Doubledogdare at  Keeneland, the Grade 3 Hendrie at Woodbine and the Windward Stakes at Presque Isle […]
Thumbnail for Woodbine’s Live Thoroughbred Card Cancelled for Thursday

Woodbine’s Live Thoroughbred Card Cancelled for Thursday

Due to the extreme heat conditions in the greater Toronto area, Thursday afternoon’s live Thoroughbred racing card at Woodbine has been cancelled.   Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) management made the decision to cancel this morning after consulting with the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) and the Ontario Racing Commission veterinarians.   Toronto is expected […]
Thumbnail for Banner Bill Best in Colin Stakes

Banner Bill Best in Colin Stakes

Banner Bill continued an undefeated run to start his career with a determined performance in Saturday’s $150,000 Colin Stakes at Woodbine. Owned by R Plus Partners and trained by Ralph Biamonte, the son of Rockport Harbour survived an awkward step at the top of the stretch to put away Town Prize with a surging rail […]
Thumbnail for Toronto Cup: Solid As A ‘Rock’

Toronto Cup: Solid As A ‘Rock’

Clement Rock remains undefeated on the turf following a narrow victory in Saturday’s $150,000 Toronto Cup Stakes. Joes Blazing Aron, under jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson, led the field through an even quarter in :25.01 with Clement Rock and Celtic Conviction paying close attention in a stalking trip.  With the pace quickening, Luis Contreras took a hold […]
Thumbnail for Shady Well Stakes: A ‘Beauty-ful’ day

Shady Well Stakes: A ‘Beauty-ful’ day

Judy the Beauty won a daring stretch battle with Dene Court to capture Sunday’s $151,200 Shady Well Stakes at Woodbine. Dene Court, with jockey Quincy Welch in the irons, broke sharply to take the lead with I Am in Front applying pressure along the rail.  Jeffrey Sanchez  took a hold of Judy the Beauty, sent […]
Thumbnail for New Clenbuterol Testing in Ontario Quarter Horses

New Clenbuterol Testing in Ontario Quarter Horses

Starting August 15, 2011, testing for clenbuterol in Ontario Quarter Horse racing is expanding to include a 30 day withdrawal period and lower threshold levels. This expansion by the Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) will complement the existing efforts of the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency (CPMA), which has included clenbuterol in its testing protocol for over 20 […]
Thumbnail for Contreras Continues Triple Crown Run With Pender Harbour

Contreras Continues Triple Crown Run With Pender Harbour

The 76th running of the $500,000 Prince of Wales Stakes, the 1 3/16-mile dirt race and second leg of Canada’s Triple Crown Series for Canadian-bred three-year-olds, will be held on Sunday, July 17 at Fort Erie Racetrack, with the notable absence of Queen’s Plate-winning filly Inglorious. The filly, who took both the Woodbine Oaks and […]
Thumbnail for The Jockey Club of Canada Announces New Stewards & Members

The Jockey Club of Canada Announces New Stewards & Members

At the annual meeting of Members held on Saturday, June 25, at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, three new Stewards and 22 new Members were appointed to The Jockey Club of Canada. The Jockey Club of Canada is honoured to appoint Nick Eaves, Frank Di Giulio and Robert Krembil to the Board of Stewards for 2011, […]
Thumbnail for Female Jockeys Win Seven of Eight Races

Female Jockeys Win Seven of Eight Races

Racing records just keep falling at Assiniboia Downs.  Two Fridays ago, it was wagering that hit a record when the Canada Day total was $461,000, double that of the the previous year. And this past Friday it was having seven of the eight races being won by female jockeys.  That’s a first. This achievement is […]
Thumbnail for Never Retreat Holds off Bay to Bay in Dance Smartly Stakes

Never Retreat Holds off Bay to Bay in Dance Smartly Stakes

Never Retreat captured Sunday’s Grade 2, $300,000 Dance Smartly Stakes at Woodbine. The Chris Block trainee stalked the front-running War Tigress down the backstretch making the half in a swift :48.37. Mekong Melody, who won the 2010 edition of this event, followed that duo closely along with No Explaining and Stars to Shine. The favoured […]
Thumbnail for Queen’s Plate Saddlecloth Auction a Winner for LongRun

Queen’s Plate Saddlecloth Auction a Winner for LongRun

The 2011 edition of the Queen’s Plate saddlecloth auction to benefit LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society was by far the best and busiest ever.  The fundraiser, which saw the saddlecloths of all 17 Queen’s Plate starters auctioned off over eBay, netted over $10,000 to help provide Ontario’s thoroughbreds with a dignified retirement.  The saddlecloth of Queen’s […]
Thumbnail for Canada Day Wagering at Assiniboia Downs Doubles

Canada Day Wagering at Assiniboia Downs Doubles

Jaws were dropping at Assiniboia Downs on Canada Day as the race track did something it hasn’t done in decades–had a monstrous increase in betting pools on a non-Derby Day.  Wagering increased to $461,392, double what it was last year on Canada Day ($232,582).   Only twice in the past 13 years has that wagering […]