Queens Plate - Canada, Toronto

Races - Canada - Toronto

When: TBA, Sunday, 22 June 2008

Where: Woodbine Racetrack, Toronto, Canada

Description:

The Queens Plate is legendary, known as the oldest thoroughbred horse race in North America and was inaugurated in 1860. Today it is the first leg of the renowned Canadian Triple Crown Series, with the Prince of Wales Stake in July and the well known Breeders’ Stakes in August.

It was on the 27th of June 1860 that the Queens Plate made its debu,t having being initiated by Sir Casimir Gzowski, the Toronto Turf Club President at the time, at the beautiful Carleton Race track, with a guaranteed purse of 50 guineas awarded by Queen Victoria.

However, today things are quite different, with the Queens Plate being held at the Woodbine Racetrack and with an estimated purse of can$1 million dollars. It is a 1 ¼ miles long race, featuring Canadian foaled three year old thoroughbred horses taking to the race course each year.

It is interesting to note that since 1995 the race has been officially limited to a maximum of 17 starters due to safety reasons. So don’t miss the running of the 149th Queen's Plate this June.