Woodbine

Hall of Famer Patrick Husbands, one of Canada's most decorated jockeys, will retire from race riding but will continue getting on horses in the mornings, according to a release from Woodbine. Husbands joined the ranks in Canada in 1994, and over the course of his career, amassed more than 3,700 victories, captured several Woodbine riding titles and Sovereign Awards as Canada's Outstanding Jockey. In 2025, he won 30 races, including five stakes events, and rode the winners of nearly $2-million. "I have been riding since 1988, so that is 37...

The 51st Sovereign Awards were held by the Jockey Club of Canada Thursday, and among a list of venerable champions to be crowned, 2025 King's Plate hero Mansetti (Collected) topped the lot as Canada's Horse of the Year. Owned by Al & Bill Ulwelling, the son of Collected also claimed the GIII HPIBet Marine Stakes and the Woodstock Stakes as well as placing second in the GIII Ontario Derby and Prince of Wales Stakes. Mansetti garnered 81 votes while champion Caitlinhergrtness (Omaha Beach) came in a close second with 74....

In this continuing series, TDN's Senior Racing Editor Steve Sherack catches up with the connections of promising maidens to keep on your radar. The team behind Moira (Ghostzapper) is back with another very promising filly. Belle (f, 3, Uncle Mo--Lunar Evening, by Malibu Moon) was a too-good-to-lose second--beaten just a head by 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' La Rascasse (Authentic)--first time out for trainer Kevin Attard in a live maiden special weight going seven furlongs at Keeneland Apr. 11. Overlooked at 12-1 in a deep field of 12, Belle...

Woodbine Entertainment will offer a mandatory Power Pick 6 payout on opening day of the 2026 Thoroughbred racing season at Woodbine Racetrack Apr. 18, the company said in a press release on Friday. The Power Pick 6 was not paid out on the final day of the 2025 season due to a mid-card cancellation. The carryover for the mandatory payout on opening day is $61,064.99. The wager offers a $0.20 minimum and 15 percent takeout. The 2026 Thoroughbred racing season at Woodbine launches next Saturday, Apr. 18 with the first...

The Ontario division of the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (CTHS-Ontario) has been approved as a member of Ontario Racing, effective immediately. The CTHS-Ontario will represent the province's Thoroughbred breeders at Ontario Racing, a not-for-profit group that serves as the voice of the province's horse racing industry. "We are pleased the CTHS will represent Ontario's Thoroughbred horse breeders at the Ontario Racing table," said Andrew Gaughan, the Ontario Racing Independent Chair. "Thoroughbred breeders not only have a substantial investment in the province's world-class horse racing industry, they also play a critical...

Tickets to attend the Aug. 15 running of the 167th King's Plate at Woodbine Racetrack are now on sale to the public, according to a press release from the track on Friday. Pricing starts at $35 CAD (plus taxes and fees) for general admission, which grants access to the grandstand and apron. Those seeking a grandstand seat can choose from Reserved Grandstand, Paddock Club and Loge (Box) seating. Click here for more information.

The stakes schedule for the 2026 Thoroughbred racing season at Woodbine Racetrack, set to kick off on Apr. 18, was released by Woodbine Entertainment Wednesday. Woodbine's 2026 racing season is highlighted by two $1-million classics: the 167th King's Plate Aug. 15, and the GI Woodbine Mile Sept. 12. The full stakes schedule consists of 39 graded stakes, including five Grade I events. "We're very proud of our stakes program at Woodbine and eagerly anticipate a season filled with outstanding competition," said Michael Copeland, CEO of Woodbine Entertainment. "We look forward...

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) and Woodbine Entertainment have joined forces to create the Empire Trillium Series, a 14-race program of stakes races restricted to horses foaled in New York or Canada worth $3.2 million in total purses, the pair announced Tuesday. The Empire Trillium Series will begin at the new and reimagined Belmont Park with eight stakes to be contested between December 2026 and February 2027 on the one-mile Tapeta course. "NYRA looks forward to partnering with Woodbine Entertainment in this unique venture to create additional black...

The Jockey Club of Canada will present Rose Day with the 2025 Outstanding Groom Award, Tove Morgan with the Outstanding Off-track Worker Award, and Jodie Hiesinger with the inaugural Outstanding Western Canadian Backstretch Worker Award, the group announced via a press release that also included the media finalists for the 2025 Sovereign Awards. Part of the Woodbine Racetrack community for nearly three decades, Day has been a groom for 22 years--13 of them with Sid and Larry Attard. Recognized for her consistently positive attitude and ability to motivate those around...

Pietro Moran has been named the Eclipse Award winner for best Apprentice Jockey. After launching his career in Canada in 2023, the 20-year old was named a Sovereign Award finalist for Apprentice Jockey in 2024. His 2025 campaign included wins aboard Mansetti (Collected) in the King's Plate, becoming the third youngest jockey in history to win the race. He finished the year with a record of 863-140-117-139 and earnings of $6,083,835 and a winning percentage of 16%.

Strategic Risk (Noble Bird) rolled into town from Florida, and not only topped the exacta in the Smarty Jones Stakes for his connections, but also took home Kentucky Derby points in the process. Dominating a maiden field at first asking June 7 at Gulfstream Park against fellow Florida-breds, he missed the board in back to back graded starts at Saratoga, but bounced back to run third Oct. 18 in the Florida Sired Affirmed Stakes. Building on that effort, and at his first trip at 1 1/16-miles over the main track...

The 2025 Thoroughbred season at Woodbine concluded with a weather-shortened afternoon of racing Sunday, Dec. 14, with jockey Rafael Hernandez, trainer Mark Casse and owner Bruno Schickedanz finishing the meet as leading jockey, trainer and owner, respectively. A native of Puerto Rico, Hernandez rode 148 winners and was taking out the jockeys' premiership for the second time in his career, having topped the standings in 2020. He was also on top by purse earnings with US$6.4 million and was the leading rider of stakes winners (23), including 11 at the...