Horseracing in Canada

Horseracing is a popular sport in Canada. Both thoroughbred and standardbred (harness) racing are held in Canada.

The premier thoroughbred stakes race in Canada is the Queen's Plate while the premier standardbred stakes race in the country is the North America Cup. The North America Cup has the largest purse of any horseracing event in Canada.

Horseracing in Canada probably started three centuries ago. The early settlers in Canada are said to have conducted their horseracing on straight and level stretches of public highway. These horseracing events were held by two owners to decide the respective merits of their steeds.

The most famous horses from Canada are Northern Dancer, who after winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness went on to become the most successful thoroughbred sire ever, and his son Nijinsky II.

There are more than 10 thoroughbred racecourses in Canada. Thoroughbred horseracing, breeding and racing in Canada are promoted by The Jockey Club of Canada - Le Club Jockey du Canada. The Jockey Club also maintains the records of pedigrees of thoroughbred horses.

Meanwhile, there are about 35 mid to small-sized standardbred racecourses in Canada. Standardbred racing in Canada is supervised by the non-profit organization called Standardbred Canada. Standardbred Canada was formed in 1998 as a result of the merger of the breed's two national organizations, The Canadian Trotting Association and The Canadian Standardbred Horse Society.

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Each member racecourse in Canada has a Standardbred Canada field representative who inputs race data as it happens into a computer system linked to the main data banks at the SC main office in Mississauga.

List of Horseracing Racecourses in Canada

• Fort Erie Racecourse place your bets here
• Woodbine Racecourse place your bets here