Woodbine Entertainment

Woodbine Entertainment will host a pop-up COVID-19 Vaccine clinic at Woodbine Racetrack, which is located in a 'hot spot', beginning Wednesday at 10 a.m. for the Rexdale Community. The vaccine clinic, which is supported by the North Etobicoke Community Cluster Partners, will operate for a minimum of three days and is open to individuals 18 years and older in 2021 and living in 'hot spot' communities in M9V and M9W. "We are very proud and grateful to be able to host this much needed pop-up clinic at Woodbine Racetrack for...

The Ontario government announced earlier this week that a province-wide COVID-19-related lockdown has been extended to at least May 20, dashing hopes that Woodbine will be able to open for business any time soon. The meet was supposed to begin Apr. 17. "There is a crisis right now in the Toronto area and we're right in the middle of it," said Woodbine CEO Jim Lawson. "They are running out of intensive care beds and the numbers are not going down. The good news is that more vaccines are coming in...

Canada's Private Members Bill C-218, which amends the Criminal Code of Conduct regarding sports betting, was passed in the House of Commons Wednesday, Feb. 17. It will now continue to the Justice Committee, the Senate, and the Governor-General. A similar bill, C-13, introduced by the federal government to legalize single-event sports wagering while including language to protect the horse racing industry, is scheduled for a second reading Friday. Both are widely expected to pass and pave the way for Canadians to participate in single sports betting, while also adopting language...

Woodbine Entertainment appointed Mr. Michael Lay, Mr. Mark Saunders and Ms. Ann Straatman to its Board of Directors. "Woodbine is proud to announce the appointment of three new members to our Board of Directors," said Christine Magee, Chair, Woodbine Entertainment Board of Directors. "The Board is excited to work with such outstanding leaders to help fulfil Woodbine's mission to grow the sport of horse racing in Ontario while making a positive impact on the communities that we operate in." Mr. Michael Lay is a Managing Partner and Co-Head of ONCAP,...

Woodbine Entertainment announced Friday that post times for the rest of the meet will be altered. Beginning Sunday, Nov. 8, first post at the Ontario oval will be at 2:25 p.m. on Thursdays, 4:45 p.m. on Fridays, and 1:25 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Live Thoroughbred racing for the season will conclude Sunday, Dec. 13. Visit Woodbine.com for more information.

Christine Magee has been appointed the chair of Woodbine Entertainment's Board of Directors, effective immediately. "We are thrilled to have someone with Christine's business acumen, experience and leadership be the Chair of our Board of Directors while we continue to grow the sport of horse racing, support and sustain the entire industry in this province, and fulfill our vision of being the top horse racing destination in North America," said Jim Lawson, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment. "As we continue to advance our plans to diversify our business model to sustain the...

The minimum weight for jockeys will be raised to 118 pounds at Canada's Woodbine Racetrack, effective Thursday, Aug. 6, in conjunction with Condition Book 4. Woodbine Entertainment made the announcement Saturday in consultation with the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association of Ontario (HBPA) with a statement that "the health and welfare of our jockeys was the driving factor for this decision, and the new base weight aligns with racing jurisdictions in Kentucky, Florida, and New York." Depending on conditions and age, top weights will be up to 125 pounds. Stakes...

The charitable organization Trust 15 will be taking over Woodbine Entertainment's Twitter and Facebook accounts Wednesday to bring awareness, engagement and action to the work it does supporting at-risk youth  in the Rexdale community. Throughout the day, the organization will share interviews with several of the youth who are enrolled in the program, infographics to educate the public on the work it does, and information on how people can get involved. "Given what's happening in society with inequality, we've committed ourselves to continuously look for opportunities to help eradicate systemic...

Woodbine Entertainment has launched a new horse racing app as it prepares for live racing to return without spectators Saturday, June 6. Dark Horse was designed to benefit both first-time bettors and more experienced horse players and to provide users with betting insights and strategies. The first legal sports betting app in Canada, Dark Horse also allows users to stream the races right in the app for immediate action. Users can play for free or bet with real money. "Dark Horse is the perfect horse racing betting app for any...

Having already announced that the Queen's Plate would be held Sept. 12, Woodbine Entertainment released the remainder of the Woodbine Racetrack stakes schedule Wednesday. Featuring 75 stakes worth C$13.8 million, highlights include the C$1-million GI Ricoh Woodbine Mile, slated for Saturday, Sept. 19 and a "Win and You're In" qualifier for the GI Breeders' Cup Mile. Due to complications with travel due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the GI Pattison Canadian International has been cancelled for 2020. The meet will open on Saturday, June 6 and end Sunday, Dec. 13....