Woodbine Sees Third Highest Handle in 2021

Thursday, December 9, 2021 | 11:26 am

Toronto Ont.September 12, 2020. Woodbine Racetrack. Queen's Plate Stakes.Jockey Daisuke Fukumoto guides Mighty Heart #13, (brown and beige cap silks) to victory in the $1,000,000 dollar Queen's Plate Stakes for owner Lawrence Cordes.Hall of Fame trainer Josie Carroll captures her 3rd. Queen's Plate victory. Michael Burns Photo

Woodbine's 2021 Thoroughbred season produced an all-sources handle of $505,348,339, the third-highest season total in Woodbine Thoroughbred history.

For the second consecutive season, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a shortened season as the 2021 Woodbine Thoroughbred meet did not begin until June 12. Originally scheduled for 133 race dates, the 2021 season included 99 race days, three more than last year, and 946 races contested.

Despite the delayed start, the 2021 season topped $500 million in all-sources handle, propelled mightily by Woodbine's highest single-season foreign wagering handle ever of $420,666,755.

The average field size of nine was a 4.8% increase in average per-race handle, which came in at $534,194 for 2021.

“Our racing team did a great job in creating appealing and competitive races throughout the entire season,” said Lawson. “The support of the owners and trainers through these hard times deserves recognition and our commitment to providing the best overall experience to those racing at Woodbine will only heighten in 2022.”