Woodbine Releases 2023 Thoroughbred Stakes Schedule

Woodbine Entertainment unveiled the stakes schedule for the 2023 Thoroughbred racing season at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario, March 6.

The lucrative 2023 Thoroughbred stakes program will offer more than $17 million in purses, including 39 graded stakes, five grade 1 events, and two $1 million classics, The King's Plate and Ricoh Woodbine Mile (G1T).

"Highlighted by the return of the Canadian International and the first running of The King's Plate in 70 years, this year's stakes program at Woodbine will be as exciting as ever," said Jim Lawson, CEO for Woodbine Entertainment.

The 164th running of The King's Plate is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 20 to launch the OLG Canadian Triple Crown. The $400,000 Prince of Wales will be run Tuesday, Sept. 12 at Fort Erie Race Track, while the $400,000 Breeders' Stakes will be contested Sunday, Oct. 1.

The Ricoh Woodbine Mile is accompanied by the $500,000 Johnnie Walker Natalma Stakes (G1T) and $500,000 Summer Stakes (G1T) Saturday, Sept. 16, for a super showcase of turf talent. The trio of grade 1 events are all part of the Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In" Challenge Series.

The biggest addition to the 2023 stakes schedule is the return of the Canadian International (G1T). The iconic race will have its 84th running Sunday, Oct. 8 at a new distance of a mile and a quarter over the E.P. Taylor Turf Course. The E.P. Taylor (G1T) for fillies and mares will also be contested Oct. 8. Both grade 1 races will be run for a purse of $750,000.

The Algonquin Stakes, formerly the Ontario Racing Stakes, will be run Sunday, Oct. 8 as well, with an increased purse of $200,000 for 2-year-olds on the inner turf.

The $500,000 Woodbine Oaks Presented by Budweiser will launch the Canadian Triple Tiara Sunday, July 23. The $250,000 Bison City Stakes (Aug. 13) and $250,000 Wonder Where Stakes (Sept. 10) complete the Triple Tiara.

Fans will also want to make note of July 1, as Woodbine will celebrate Canada Day in style with five graded-stakes races. The Nassau (G2T), Highlander (G2T), Dominion Day (G3), Selene (G3), and Marine Stakes (G3) are all scheduled for the nation's birthday.

To view the entire 2023 Thoroughbred stakes schedule, click here.

The 2023 Thoroughbred season at Woodbine opens Saturday, April 22 and runs through Sunday, Dec, 10. The number of race days remains at 133 with this start date. However, the number of race dates remains under consideration in consultation with the regulators and the horse racing community. In the event of reduced race dates the number of individual races will be substantially the same as 2022 through the redistribution of races to other periods during the meet.