Ontario Government Keeps COVID-19 Shutdown at Woodbine

Woodbine announced Nov. 26 that it was unsuccessful in efforts to gain approval from the Government in Ontario in Canada to complete its race meet.

The government placed Toronto into a lockdown this week in an effort to control the spread of COVID-19, placing restrictions on many businesses and activities. This caused a shutdown of horse racing that began Nov. 22, weeks before the track's planned closing Dec. 13. Training remains permitted.

Officials had hoped to persuade government officials that racing without spectators should continue, citing its COVID-19 safety record and the importance of racing to the economy and participants' livelihood. The track and racing organizations asked for patience from horsemen as they brought sough discussions with the government.

"While I am extremely disappointed we are not able to complete the 2020 Thoroughbred meet, what we achieved this year in face of significant adversity is quite remarkable," Woodbine Entertainment CEO Jim Lawson said in a statement. "I have been around horse racing my entire life and I can proudly say that I have never seen the industry come together as it did throughout this year.

"Together, we were able to develop, implement and follow strict COVID-19 prevention protocols that allowed us to be the first sport to return to competition in Canada since the shutdowns in March. We safely resumed racing in early June and ran almost 100 racing cards, more than 900 races, and the majority of our stakes schedule, including the 161st running of The Queen’s Plate.

"We hope the Government of Ontario has gained a better understanding of our business and appreciation of our safety record in operating live racing without spectators."