The field enters the first turn during the 2023 King’s Plate (Michael Burns)
By Mark McKelvie – Woodbine Communications
TORONTO— Woodbine Entertainment today unveiled the stakes schedule for the 2024 Thoroughbred racing season at Woodbine Racetrack.
The iconic King’s Plate headlines the 2024 racing meet with the 165th running scheduled for Saturday, August 17. The King’s Plate and the Woodbine Mile serve as Woodbine’s prestigious $1 million classics, while the full stakes schedule consists of 38 graded stakes, including four Grade 1 events.
“It’s exciting to have the dates locked and start working towards our major events,” said Tim Lawson, Vice President of Thoroughbred Racing. “We are proud of our entire stakes program and really looking forward to what 2024 brings.”
The 165th King’s Plate on Saturday, August 17 will launch the 2024 Canadian Triple Crown. The $400,000 Prince of Wales (raced at Fort Erie Race Track) will be held on Tuesday, September 10, while the $400,000 Breeders’ Stakes will conclude the Triple Crown on Sunday, September 29 at Woodbine.
Racing fans around the world will be focused on Woodbine for Canada’s most lucrative day of racing on Saturday, September 14.
The Woodbine Mile leads a quartet of Grade 1 turf events on September 14, accompanied by the Grade 1 $750,000 E.P. Taylor Stakes, Grade 1 $500,000 Johnnie Walker Natalma Stakes and Grade 1 $500,000 bet365 Summer Stakes.
The Woodbine Mile, Johnnie Walker Natalma and bet365 Summer are traditionally part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series “Win and You’re In”. The E.P. Taylor Stakes has been moved up three weeks from its date in 2023 to join the outstanding turf showcase.
After review and consideration of industry and logistical challenges, the Canadian International Stakes will not be held in 2024.
The $500,000 Woodbine Oaks Presented by Budweiser will be held on Saturday, July 20. The Oaks is the first leg of the Canadian Triple Tiara, which is completed by the $250,000 Bison City Stakes (August 10) and $250,000 Wonder Where Stakes (September 8).
Another important date is the Canada Day Racing Festival on Saturday, June 29, which features five graded stakes. The stakes-filled card includes the Grade 2 Highlander Stakes, Grade 2 Nassau Stakes, Grade 3 Dominion Day Stakes, Grade 3 Selene Stakes and Grade 3 Marine Stakes.
To view the entire 2024 Thoroughbred stakes schedule, click here.
The 2024 Stakes schedule has been finalized after consultation with the HBPA.
The 2024 Thoroughbred season at Woodbine Racetrack begins on Saturday, April 27 and runs through Sunday, December 15. A total 129 race dates will be contested.
For more information and updates, visit Woodbine.com or follow @WoodbineTB and @WoodbineComms on X (formerly Twitter).
