Woodbine Turf Champions Day posts strong numbers

TORONTO, September 17, 2024 – Woodbine’s Turf Champions Day this past Saturday, headlined by the Grade 1 Rogers Woodbine Mile, saw a nine per cent increase in total wagering from 2023.

The all-sources handle for Saturday’s Turf Champions Day was $13,339,206, up from last year’s $12.1 million. The $13.3 million handle is second highest ever for a Woodbine Mile card.

Notably, wagering in Ontario (Home Market Area) also saw an 8.9 per cent increase from the previous year. A strong crowd on a warm mid-September afternoon helped push on-track wagering up significantly by 26.1 per cent.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better day to showcase racing at Woodbine,” said Michael Copeland, CEO of Woodbine. “A lot of factors played into a successful Turf Champions Day, including the world-class competition of our top stakes races, the influx of top jockeys and trainers from around the world, and outstanding weather, which we were certainly due to receive.”

With an average field size of 9.3, the average per-race handle was $1.1 million and $1.3 million on the stakes.

Turf Champions Day featured four Grade 1 races, including three Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” Challenge Series events.

Woodbine’s leading trainers performed well against global competition. Mark Casse’s Win for the Money won the Grade 1 Rogers Woodbine Mile, while And One More Time won the Grade 1 Johnnie Walker Natalma. Kevin Attard sent out Full Count Felicia to victory in the Grade 1 E.P. Taylor Stakes.

With several international runners competing, the Grade 1 bet365 Summer Stakes was captured by British trainer Andrew Balding with New Century (GB).

“We want to thank all the participants that ran their horses on Saturday’s Turf Champions Day, whether local or traveling from overseas,” said Copeland. “We’re always ready for these big moments and our racing team did a great job putting together a deep and competitive day of racing.”

The E.P. Taylor Turf Course at Woodbine will remain in the spotlight over the next several weeks. The Breeders’ Stakes, third leg of the OLG Canadian Triple Crown, will be run on the grass on September 29, while the Grade 2 Nearctic and Grade 2 Dance Smartly will also take to the famed E.P. Taylor Turf on October 5.

Live racing continues each Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Woodbine Racetrack through December 15.

-30-

Win for the Money and Patrick Husbands winning the Grade 1 Rogers Woodbine Mile. (Michael Burns Photo)
Win for the Money and Patrick Husbands winning the Grade 1 Rogers Woodbine Mile. (Michael Burns Photo)
Mark McKelvie

Mark McKelvie

Sr. Manager Communications, Woodbine Entertainment

 

 

Get updates in your mailbox

By clicking "Subscribe" I confirm I have read and agree to the Privacy Policy.

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 Entertaiment 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.   

Contact

555 Rexdale Blvd. Toronto, Ontario.

(416) 675-7223

woodbinecommunications@woodbine.com

woodbine.com