Woodbine's 70th thoroughbred racing season ready to get off and running

Article content

With all the logistics having been worked out, it’s now time for the horses to begin the show at Woodbine.

The track’s 70th thoroughbred racing season begins with a nine-race card on Saturday after the track and horsemen agreed in late March to a new two-year agreement which will see an additional $5.7 million in purse money distributed over 128 days, just one day less than what was run previously. This agreement ended a months-long stalemate but the industry still faces challenges.

Adding to issues the sport has faced over the past several years — such as dwindling horse population and the competition from sports betting — is the effect the Canada-U.S. tariff war could have on the horse racing industry.

But those issues haven’t stopped the show entirely and local fans are in for some entertainment between now and mid-December.

There are two significant changes to the stakes calendar. The E.P. Taylor Stakes will be run on the King’s Plate undercard and is now a Breeders’ Cup Challenge qualifier for the Filly and Mare Turf. Also, the Canadian International is back after a one-year absence.

Leading the jockey colony is Sahin Civaci. The Vancouver native won 170 races in 2024 for his first Woodbine riding title and first Sovereign Award. He was followed by Rafael Hernandez with 140.

They will be joined by Patrick Husbands, Fraser Aebly and Sofia Vives, who was named Canada’s outstanding apprentice jockey on Thursday.

Fans also are looking forward to the returns of two riders from serious injuries.

Pietro Moran, the 19-year-old son of fellow rider David Moran was enjoying a very good campaign before a spill in the final race on Prince of Wales day at Fort Erie ended it.

Emma-Jayne Wilson, who became the career leading money-earner amongst North American female jockeys last year, is recovering from an injury suffered on Oct. 25 when her mount suffered cardiac arrest, sending her crashing into the rail resulting in severe neck and pelvic injuries.

Mark Casse again will have a strong local contingent, looking for his 17th Woodbine training title. He will be prominent on Kentucky Derby weekend as well. He looks to win the Kentucky Oaks with La Cara on May 2 and a day later, will enter Sandman in the Run for the Roses itself. Both runners are among the top contenders in their races.

Kevin Attard, who won the King’s Plate with Caitlinhergrtness and later in the year had the biggest win of his career when Moira won the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf, will hold a strong hand, as will veterans Martin Drexler, Josie Carroll and Bob Tiller.

Tiller’s stable star Patches O’Houlihan was named Canada’s 2024 horse of the year on Thursday.

“You always want to set the bar higher and chase those big wins,” Attard, who was honoured Thursday with his first Sovereign Award as Canada’s outstanding trainer, told Woodbine Entertainment. “Whether it’s young horses just starting out or others that are a year older and a year wiser, there’s always a feeling of excitement whenever you walk into a barn.”

Saturday’s card features the $125,000 Star Shoot Stakes for three-year-old fillies at six furlongs. The boys get their first turn in the $125,000 Woodstock Stakes on Sunday.

The racing schedule adds Fridays on May 3 and Thursdays on May 16. The meet concludes on Dec. 14.

Major Local Race Days

(At Woodbine, Woodbine Mohawk Park and Fort Erie)

May 31 – Four stakes with the Eclipse, Jacques Cartier, Royal North and Belle Mahone all being decided.

June 14 – The $1 million North America Cup heads a spectacular card at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

June 28 – The road to the Woodbine Oaks and King’s Plate ramps up with the Selene and Marine Stakes as part of a five-stake festival.

July 20 – The Woodbine Oaks and Plate Trial Stakes are joined by the Canadian and Connaught Cup Stakes.

Aug. 16 – The 166th running of the King’s Plate will be joined by the E.P. Taylor Stakes which has been added to the Breeders’ Cup Challenge schedule. Four other stakes will fill the stacked card.

Aug. 30 – The Canadian Pacing Derby and Maple Leaf Trot kick Mohawk’s Grand Circuit month into high gear.

Sept. 9 – The Prince of Wales Stakes continues the triple crown series at Fort Erie.

Sept. 13 – The $1 million Rogers Woodbine Mile, the Summer Stakes and the Natalma Stakes will all guarantee its winners a Breeders’ Cup spot. Two other stakes are scheduled.

Sept. 20 – Canada’s richest night of horse racing features two $1 million races, the Mohawk Million and Metro Pace amongst five classics.

Sept. 28 – The Breeders’ Stakes concludes the Canadian triple crown series.

Oct. 4 – The $750,000 Canadian International is back with the Nearctic and Dance Smartly Stakes supporting this fall turf festival.

Oct. 24-25 – The $7 million (U.S.) Breeders’ Crown, harness racing’s championships, come to Mohawk for the first time since 2022.

2024 Sovereign Award winners

(Announced Thursday)

Horse of the Year: Patches O’Houlihan
Two-year-old male: He’s Not Joking
Two-year-old female: Nitrogen
Three-year-old male: Dresden Row
Three-year-old female: Caitlinhergrtness
Older male: Paramount Prince
Older female: Fashionably Fab
Top turf male: Filo Di Arianna
Top turf female: Full Count Felicia
Male Sprinter: Patches O’Houlihan
Female Sprinter: Play The Music
Apprentice Jockey: Sofia Vives
Jockey: Sahin Civaci
Trainer: Kevin Attard
Broodmare: Platinum Steel
Breeder: Adena Springs
Owner: Gary Barber
Special Sovereign Award: Emma-Jayne Wilson
Special Sovereign Award: Moira
E.P. Taylor Award of Merit: Roger Attfield
Writing: Mike McIntyre
Photograph: Mary Jane Sibbitt
Digital Media/Broadcast: Horse Racing Alberta
Groom: Victor James
Off-track Worker: Ian Dick