Woodbine and Century Mile announce new Canadian-Ontario Derby initiative

Free entry to Ontario Derby and opportunity at $50,000 bonus available to Canadian Derby winner

TORONTO, April 5, 2022 – Woodbine Entertainment, in partnership with Century Mile, today announced the winner of the Grade 3 Canadian Derby will be awarded free entry to the Grade 3 Ontario Derby, with potential of earning a $50,000 bonus.

The Grade 3 Canadian Derby will be run on August 20, 2022, at Century Mile in Edmonton, Alberta. The winner of the race will receive free entry to the Grade 3 Ontario Derby on October 23, 2022, at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario. If a horse can win both events, the winning connections will receive a bonus of $50,000, split evenly by Woodbine and Century Mile.

“This exciting initiative provides a great opportunity to connect our sport across the country and further develop the Canadian Thoroughbred industry,” said Tim Lawson, Director of Thoroughbred Racing for Woodbine. “The Canadian Derby has a rich history, with many notable past champions, and we’re looking forward to welcoming this year’s winner to Woodbine for the Ontario Derby.”

Paul Ryneveld, Managing Director of Racing at Century Downs and Mile, echoed Lawson’s sentiments.

“Developing this East-West relationship in Canada will go a long way to strengthening the opportunities for horsemen and ultimately the wagering product across the nation.”

The Grade 3 Canadian Derby is open to three-year-olds and run at a distance of a mile and a quarter on the dirt surface at Century Mile. The Grade 3 Ontario Derby for three-year-olds is run at a distance of a mile and an eighth over the Tapeta surface at Woodbine.

Woodbine Racetrack will launch its 2022 Thoroughbred season on Saturday, April 16. Century Mile will begin its 2022 Thoroughbred season on Saturday, April 30.

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Frosted Over and Kazushi Kimura winning the Grade 3 Ontario Derby on October 31, 2021 at Woodbine. (Michael Burns photo)
Frosted Over and Kazushi Kimura winning the Grade 3 Ontario Derby on October 31, 2021 at Woodbine. (Michael Burns photo)
Horses break from the gate at Woodbine. (Michael Burns photo)
Horses break from the gate at Woodbine. (Michael Burns photo)
Mark McKelvie

Mark McKelvie

Sr. Manager Communications, Woodbine Entertainment

 

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About Woodbine Entertainment

Woodbine Entertainment is the largest horse racing operator in Canada, with Thoroughbred horse racing at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, and Standardbred horse racing at Woodbine Mohawk Park in Milton. Woodbine Entertainment also owns and operates HPIbet, Canada’s only betting platform dedicated to horse racing. Woodbine and Mohawk Park are host to several world-class racing events including The King’s Plate, three Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series races, and the Pepsi North America Cup. Run without share capital, Woodbine Entertainment has a mandate to financially invest all profit back into the horse racing industry and the 25,000 jobs it supports across Ontario.

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