Woodbine Entertainment today unveiled the stakes schedule for the 2025 Thoroughbred racing season at Woodbine Racetrack.
The historic King's Plate headlines the 2025 racing meet with the 166th running scheduled for Saturday, August 16. The King's Plate and Rogers Woodbine Mile (G1) serve as Woodbine's prestigious $1 million classics, while the full stakes schedule consists of 39 graded stakes, including five grade 1 events.
"We are excited to kick off the 2025 Thoroughbred racing season at Woodbine on April 26," said Michael Copeland, CEO of Woodbine Entertainment. "This year's stakes schedule promises to be one of our most exciting yet, as fans can look forward to some notable changes, including running the E.P. Taylor Stakes on King's Plate Day and the return of the historic Canadian International. It's going to be an incredible season, and we can't wait to welcome racing fans and our racing community back to Woodbine."
The 2025 Canadian Triple Crown kicks off with The 166th King's Plate, followed by the Prince of Wales (raced at Fort Erie Race Track) on Tuesday, September 9, while the Breeders' Stakes will conclude the Triple Crown on Sunday, September 28 at Woodbine.
A notable addition to the 2025 stakes schedule is the return of the Canadian International (G1). Rich in history, the $750,000 Canadian International returns to the schedule after last being run in 2023 and will be held on Saturday, October 4 at the traditional distance of a mile and a half.
The Canadian International and several other marquee events will be moving to the bet365 Inner Turf in 2025 due to a renovation to the world-renowned E.P. Taylor Turf Course, which is scheduled to begin following King's Plate weekend.
Turf Champions Day on Saturday, September 13, will see a trio of grade 1 Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In" events held on the bet365 Inner Turf. The $1 million Rogers Woodbine Mile (G1), $500,000 Johnnie Walker Natalma Stakes (G1), and $500,000 bet365 Summer Stakes (G1) will again be the main events for Turf Champions Day.
Unlike in 2024, Turf Champions Day will not include the Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In" E.P. Taylor Stakes (G1), which has been moved to King's Plate Day on Saturday, August 16, adding a Grade 1 event to Woodbine's biggest day of the season.
The E.P. Taylor Stakes will be held on the E.P. Taylor Turf Course.
The $500,000 Woodbine Oaks Presented by Stella Artois will be held on Sunday, July 20. The Oaks is the first leg of the Canadian Triple Tiara, a series for Canadian-foaled 3-year-old fillies, followed by the $250,000 Bison City Stakes (August 9) and $250,000 Wonder Where Stakes (September 6).
The Canada Day Racing Festival is again a marquee day on the calendar, scheduled for Saturday, June 28. The all-star lineup will feature five stakes races, including the Nassau Stakes (G2) and bet365 Highlander Stakes (G2).
To view the entire 2025 Thoroughbred stakes schedule, click here.
The 2025 Thoroughbred racing season at Woodbine Racetrack is scheduled to begin on Saturday, April 26.
For more information and updates, visit Woodbine.com or follow @WoodbineTB and @WoodbineComms on X (formerly Twitter).
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- 166th King's Plate set for Saturday, August 16
- E.P. Taylor Stakes (G1) moves to King's Plate Day
- Canadian International (G1) returns in 2025, to be raced at a Mile and a Half over Inner Turf on Saturday, October 4
- Trio of grade 1 races on Turf Champions Day to be held over bet365 Inner Turf on Saturday, September 13
