250th Anniversary of Horse Racing in Canada celebrated at Royal Horse Show

Friday, November 10, the 250th Anniversary of Horse Racing was showcased as part of the 95th Annual Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto.

Under the lights and glamour of the Royal Horse Show, an exhibition celebrating the racing industry’s milestone anniversary included a combination of video, current and retired race horses, Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame members and a special presentation to the president of the RAWF.

Three thoroughbreds and four Standardbreds completed an eight-lap commemorative mile while iconic race caller Dan Loiselle provided biographies about each horse’s race and post-race career, highlighting the versatility of the breeds and the importance of re-purposing once race careers conclude.  A video of the exhibition can be viewed here

 

Erin Fair – October 9
The Canadian Cowgirls kicked off the celebration which featured a 15 breed parade on the old Erin Fair Racetrack completing 2 commemorative miles for the 250th Anniversary of Horse Racing in Canada.  It was a fabulous event and many thanks to David MacDonald, Bridget Ryan and the Erin Fair Board for coordinating this terrific showcase and hosting such a wonderful celebration.

 

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Mohawk Raceway – August 1

The RCMP Musical Ride unit honoured the 250th Anniversary of Horse Racing in Canada with a commemorative Mile before their performance at Mohawk Raceway August 1.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mac Lilley Farms records First 250th Mile – May 14, 2017

Il Sogno Dream and Alex Lilley took to the track for a mile in recognition of Mac Lilley Farm’s 50 years of operation which was also the first of 250 miles in recognition of the 250th Anniversary of Horse Racing in Canada in 2017.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bedrock Farms Fundraiser
Beaumont, Alberta – Commemorative Mile June 11
Check out the terrific coverage here

A national initiative was launched to complete “250 Miles for 250 Years”, with a goal of accumulating commemorative miles honouring the communities, horses and people who have participated in the sport over the past 250 years. 24 of those commemorative miles were held over the the official anniversary weekend – July 1, 2017

Assiniboia Downs (July 1)
Century Downs (July 2)
Clinton Raceway (July 2)
Dresden (July 1)
Exhibition Park, Saint John, NB (July 1)
Fort Erie (July 2)
Georgian Downs (July 1)
Grand River (June 30)
Hanover Raceway (July 1)
Hastings Park (July 1)
Hiawatha Park (July 1)
Hippodrome 3R (July 2)
Inverness (July 2)
Kawartha Downs (July 1)
Leamington Raceway (July 2)
Millarville (July 1)
Mohawk (July 1)
Northlands Park (July 1)
Northside Downs, North Sydney, NS (July 1)
Red Shores (July 2)
Rideau Carleton (July 2)
St. Hugues,  Quebec (July 2)
Summerside (July 1)
Woodbine (July 1)

Check out the photos  – hover over photo for text

 

 

Complete list of tracks, fairs and events recognizing the 250th Anniversary of Horse Racing in Canada throughout 2017:
British Columbia
Hastings Racecourse Vancouver (July 1)
Alberta
Bedrock Training Centre (June 11)
CTHS Alberta Night of Champions (May 20)
Century Downs (July 1), World Driving Championships (August 12)
Millarville Racetrack –112th Running of the Millarville Races  (July 1)
Northlands Park – Edmonton (July 1)
Manitoba
Assiniboia Downs – Name the 250th Anniversary Foal Contest & Celebration (July 1)
Nova Scotia
Inverness (July 2)
Northside Downs – North Sydney (July 1)
Truro (June 30)
New Brunswick
Exhibition Park Raceway – Saint John (July 1)
Fredericton Raceway (Sept 9)
Temperance Vale
Ontario
Caledon Fair (June 10)
Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame  – President’s Reception (May 17), Induction Gala (August 9), Rivers of Gold Book Launch (September 22)
Clinton Raceway (July 1), Legends Day (July 30)
Dresden Raceway (July 1)
Dundalk Fair (Sept. 8)
Erin Fair (Oct. 8, Oct. 9, Oct. 10)
Fort Erie Race Track – Family Fun Day & 250th Anniversary Celebration – Sunday, July 2
Flamboro Downs – Confederation Cup (May 21)
Georgian Downs (July 1)
Georgian Downs – World Driving Championship ( August 15)
Grand River Raceway – Open House (May 28), Commemorative Mile (June 30), Industry Day (August 7)
Hanover Raceway-  250th Anniversary Celebration (July 1), Dream of Glory Stakes (August 5)
Harriston/Minto Fair (September 15 – 17)
Hiawatha  – Sarnia (July 1)
Jockey Club of Canada – Sovereign Awards (April 13)
Kawartha Downs (July 1)
Lansdowne Horse Festival  (Oct. 14)
Leamington Raceway (July 2)
London Select Yearling Sale  (October 20, 21 & 22)
Longrun Gala (September 22)
Mac Lilley Farms (May 14)
Mohawk Racetrack – Family Fireworks Night (May), NA Cup Draw (June 13), Pepsi NA Cup (June 17), Canada Day (July 1), RCMP Musical Ride (August 1), World Driving Championship ( August 14)
Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies Convention (February 17)
OHHA – Harness Racing Reunion (October 19)
Orono Fair (September 9)
Raceway at Western Fair (May 26, October 6)
Roseneath Fair (September 22-24)
Royal Agricultural Winter Fair(November 10)
Russell Fair (September 7-10)
Standardbred Canada – O’Brien Awards (January 28)
Walkerton Little Royal(October 14)
Wallacetown Fair(September 30)
West Niagara Fair (September 9-11)
Woodbine Racetrack – Queen’s Plate Draw (June 28) Dominion Stakes Day (July 1), Queen’s Plate Day (July 2)
Woodbridge Fair (October 9)
PEI
Red Shores – Charlottetown (July 2), World Driving Championships (August 17, August 18), Gold Cup & Saucer (August 19)
Summerside – (July 1)
Quebec
Hippodrome 3R – Trois Rivieres (July 2, July 9, July 23, July 30, August 20, August 27, Sept. 3, Sept 10), World Driving Championships (August 16)
Expo Ayers Cliff (Sept. 2)
St. Hugues (July 1)