Woodbine Entertainment is set to launch its 70th Thoroughbred racing season at Woodbine in Toronto, Ontario, April 26. The 2025 season will consist of 128 race dates and runs from April 26 through Dec. 14.
"We're ready to get this season underway," Woodbine CEO Michael Copeland said. "There is a renewed sense of excitement and momentum across our entire community, and we expect this to be another memorable racing season."
The new season is highlighted by the 166th running of the CA$1 million King's Plate Aug. 16. This year's King's Plate Day also features the E.P. Taylor Stakes (G1T), which will be making its debut as a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series "Win and You're In" race.
Woodbine's three additional Breeders' Cup Challenge Series races—the Woodbine Mile (G1T), Natalma Stakes (G1T), and Summer Stakes (G1T)—will be showcased Sept. 13 for Turf Champions Day.
The stakes calendar includes the much-anticipated return of the CA$750,000 Canadian International (G1T) Oct. 4. The historic race, which is famously known as the last race in which the great Secretariat competed and won, has been held only twice in the last five years, being shelved two times due to Covid-19 restrictions and again in 2024 for logistical reasons—primarily due to limited cargo plane availability for European contenders.
The turf race for 3-year-olds and up was run at 1 1/4 miles in 2023 but this year will be restored to 1 1/2 miles, the distance it was run at from 1987-2019 and again in 2021.
To view the entire 2025 stakes schedule, click here.
The Woodbine backstretch has been a hotbed of activity in the lead up to opening day. Top trainer Kevin Attard posted 80 wins during the 2024 meet and is poised for another big season.
"You always want to set the bar higher and chase those big wins," Attard said. "Whether it's young horses just starting out or others that are a year older and a year wiser, there is always a feeling of excitement whenever you walk into the barn."
For the beginning of the meet, live racing will be held on Saturdays and Sundays. Fridays will be added to the live racing schedule starting May 16, and Thursdays will be added starting May 22. Post time for Saturday's opening day is 1:05 p.m. ET.
For the latest racing schedule, live video, wagering tools, and news, visit Woodbine.com.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
