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Woodbine Entertainment is the largest horse racing operator in Canada, with Thoroughbred horse racing at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, and Standardbred horse racing at Woodbine Mohawk Park in Milton. Woodbine Entertainment also owns and operates HPIbet, Canada’s only betting platform dedicated to horse racing. Woodbine and Mohawk Park are host to several world-class racing events including The King’s Plate, three Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series races, and the Pepsi North America Cup. Run without share capital, Woodbine Entertainment has a mandate to financially invest all profit back into the horse racing industry and the 25,000 jobs it supports across Ontario.

Where Every Finish Line is a New Beginning.

At Woodbine Entertainment, we’re not just about horse racing; we’re about making history and creating unforgettable experiences. With nearly 150 years of tradition, we continue to innovate and elevate the world of professional horse racing in Canada.

Blending our rich heritage with a bold vision for the future, we deliver top-notch racing, dining, and entertainment that keep our guests coming back for more. We’re not just running a race; we’re setting the pace.

Where Every Finish Line is a New Beginning.

At Woodbine Entertainment, we’re not just about horse racing; we’re about making history and creating unforgettable experiences. With nearly 150 years of tradition, we continue to innovate and elevate the world of professional horse racing in Canada.

Blending our rich heritage with a bold vision for the future, we deliver top-notch racing, dining, and entertainment that keep our guests coming back for more. We’re not just running a race; we’re setting the pace.

Fun Fact:  Did you know that Woodbine supports approximately 25,000 jobs within Ontario’s agricultural sectors? now That’s a lot of horse power!

Royal Beginnings
1881-1963

1881: The Ontario Jockey Club (OJC) Opens its Doors in Toronto and the first Queen’s Plate is held at “The Woodbine,” a picturesque track by the shores of Lake Ontario.

1939: King George VI is the first royal to witness the running of the King’s Plate.

1947: Under the leadership of E.P. Taylor, the OJC acquires local racetracks (Hamilton, Thorncliffe, Long Branch, Dufferin and Stamford) and consolidates its racing charters into three racetracks: Fort Erie, Greenwood and a to-be-built Woodbine.

1956: New Woodbine opens in Etobicoke.

1959: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh attend the Queen’s Plate for the first time.

1963: Mohawk Park opens for harness racing in Campbellville, Ontario.

Making Waves
1964-1983

1964: Northern Dancer makes history as the first Canadian horse to win the Kentucky Derby, and goes on to win the Queen’s Plate .

1973: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh attend the Queen’s Plate again.

Secretariat races for the final time before retirement at Woodbine in the Canadian International.

1976: The OJC introduces the first cash, self-automated wagering system in North America.

1982: The first simulcast wagering debuts in North America when OJC broadcasts live racing at Fort Erie to its Woodbine track.

Leading The Way
1984-1998

1984: The first North America Cup is held at Greenwood and Intertrack Betting Begins. OJC tracks are also approved this year for Inter-Track betting between their own racetracks.

1993: The first “Champions” off-track wagering location opens at the Doctor’s House.
Greenwood Racetrack in the Beaches Area of Toronto closes as a racetrack, but operates as a teletheatre.

1994: Woodbine Racetrack is reconstructed with a 7/8 mile Harness track, a one mile Thoroughbred dirt track and a 1½ mile world renowned turf course.

1996: Woodbine hosts the Breeders’ Cup.

1997: The OJC launches Horseplayer Interactive (HPI), allowing customers to wager on racetracks across Canada, North America and around the world via their phone or computer.

Radical Growth
1999-2009

1999: OLG brings Slots Gaming to Woodbine & Mohawk with the new ‘Slots at Racetracks’ program.

The Racing Network (TRN), a television service dedicated to Canadian and international horse racing, launches.

2001: OJC rebrands as Woodbine Entertainment.

2003: Woodbine Entertainment opens Turf Lounge, an upscale fine-dining restaurant/bar and teletheatre on Bay Street, in the heart of Toronto’s financial district.

2004: Woodbine Entertainment’s WEGZ Stadium Bar opens in Vaughan.

Internet wagering becomes a reality with the launch of HPIBet.com – Canada’s first legal online horse betting service.

Woodbine becomes the first track in Canada (and the second in North America) to install the revolutionary Polytrack synthetic racing surface.

Fresh Start
2010-2016

2010: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh attend the Queen’s Plate – which is broadcast in HD (high definition) for the first time on CBC Television.

2012: OLG terminates the ‘Slots at Racetracks’ Program.

2014: The Ontario government announces its Horse Racing Partnership Plan to support the horse racing industry in the province.

2015: New synthetic Thoroughbred racing surface (Tapeta) is installed at Woodbine

2016: A Community Garden is launched on the grounds of Woodbine Racetrack providing learning opportunities and nutritious food to team and community members.

Shaping Up
2017-2019

2017: Woodbine Mohawk Park becomes home to year-round Standardbred racing.

2018: New gaming service providers are welcomed to Woodbine Racetrack and Woodbine Mohawk Park to assume control of the gaming operations from the OLG.

2019: Woodbine Mohawk Park’s paddock receives a $6 million expansion.

Woodbine opens a new inner turf course.

Woodbine Mohawk Park hosts all 12 final Breeders Crown races in the same year.

A New Era
2020-2024

2020: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Woodbine’s 2020 racing season is delayed until June. For the first time ever, horse racing carries on with no or limited in-person attendance.

The first edition of the Mohawk Million, a brand-new race with a purse of $1 million, for two-year-old trotters is contested at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

2022: Woodbine Entertainment surpasses a record-breaking $1 billion in all-sources handle.

The Woodbine Community Plan is launched, outlining a vision for the development of a new vibrant community on the expansive Woodbine property.

Woodbine Mohawk Park hosts the 2022 Breeders Crown.

2023: With sports betting newly legal in Ontario, horse racing becomes available on bet365.

The King’s Plate runs under its new name for the first time after the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and coronation of King Charles III.

Experience Our Dynamic Culture.

At Woodbine Entertainment, our team of over 1,700 professionals thrives in a supportive and vibrant environment. We prioritize work-life balance and personal growth, fostering a sense of community and empowerment among our employees. From administration to operation, our people are the best in their fields. That’s why Woodbine delivers a best-in-class experience for our team members.

Discover why Woodbine Entertainment is more than just a workplace. Learn More About Our Culture

Woodbine teamThoroughbred race

Fun Fact:  Approximately 80% of Ontario’s pari-mutuel wagering happens through our network. We’re the engine driving Ontario’s horse racing industry.

Steering Excellence: Meet Our Leaders

At Woodbine Entertainment, our leadership team embodies the values and vision that drive our success. With a wealth of experience and a passion for innovation, our leaders are committed to maintaining Woodbine’s legacy of excellence while steering us towards a dynamic future.

Our executive leadership team at Woodbine Entertainment is comprised of extensively experienced individuals, each dedicated to our mission to develop and support a strong and sustainable Ontario horse racing industry.

Michael Copeland portrait
Michael Copeland
Chief Executive Officer
Assumed the role of CEO in 2023. Has been with Woodbine since 2021. Former President and COO of CFL Head Office, and then CEO of Toronto Argonauts and an executive at MLSE.
Bill Ford portrait
Bill Ford
General Counsel and Executive Vice President of Racing
An experienced executive in horse racing, gaming, and entertainment, Ford has been with Woodbine since 2011. Prior to that, he was General Counsel at Magna Entertainment for seven years.
Lisa Headrick portrait
Lisa Headrick
Executive Vice President, Finance, Operations and Technology
Headrick’s extensive finance background has seen her hold executive roles with Celestica and Loblaw before joining Woodbine in early 2024. She also holds a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering.
Monte McNaughton portrait
Monte McNaughton
Executive Vice President, Industry Relations and People Experience
Former MPP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex, and was also Ontario’s Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. He joined Woodbine in 2023.
David Vivenes portrait
David Vivenes
Executive Vice President, Revenue, Brand and Experience
Vivenes has held leading marketing roles at companies such as Yum!, Coca-Cola, Cadbury, and Proctor & Gamble. He has been with Woodbine since 2018.
Murray Dea portrait
Murray Dea
Senior Vice President, Property Development
Has overseen the $1 billion development on Woodbine’s property of the Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto. Has been with Woodbine since 2016.
Katherine Curry portrait
Katherine Curry
Vice President, Legal and Compliance
Curry has been a member of Woodbine’s management team since 2015. She has lent her legal expertise to such companies as Tim Hortons and Purloator.
Greg Martin portrait
Greg Martin
Vice President, Wagering
Martin grew up working at racetracks in Southwestern Ontario. He has been a leader on Woodbine’s wagering team since 2002.
Jorge Soares portrait
Jorge Soares
Vice President, Stakeholder Relations
Soares began at Woodbine 25 years ago as a Food & Beverage manager, working his way up to the executive team. Serves as Board Chair of the Ontario Restaurant Hotel & Motel Association.
Jamie Dykstra portrait
Jamie Dykstra
Vice President, Communications and Coordination
Dykstra joined Woodbine in 2018 following 12 years at the Canadian Football League and the Toronto Argonauts. He also holds a degree in sports management.
Spencer Parazader portrait
Spencer Parazader
Vice President, Operations
Joined Woodbine in 2020. Has 20+ years of experience in the Hospitality and Gaming industries. Previously worked for Great Canadian Gaming and the OLG.
Michelle Soans portrait
Michelle Soans
Vice President, Finance
Soans started as a Controller at Woodbine in 2012 and was named VP Finance in 2019. She has previously worked for IBM Canada and Mintz and Partners LLP.
Tim Lawson portrait
Tim Lawson
Vice President, Thoroughbred Racing
Lawson has spent his lifetime working in the sport in both Canada and the U.S.. He was appointed Vice President of Thoroughbred Racing in 2023.
Bill McLinchey portrait
Bill McLinchey
Vice President, Standardbred Racing
McLinchey started at Woodbine in 2004. His father and grandfather were both trainers. His uncles and great grandfather are in the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.
Mark Campbell portrait
Mark Campbell
Vice President, Project Management Operations
Mark Campbell is a seasoned project management, design and construction executive with 25 years of experience across multiple sectors. He has been with Woodbine since 2019.

A Lifetime of Care: Horse Welfare At Woodbine Racetrack.

At the heart of all that Woodbine does is our love of horses.

We are passionately dedicated to the care and well-being of our equine athletes. We’ve set the standard for horse welfare in North America through rigorous protocols, world-class facilities, and a deep-rooted commitment to their safety and happiness. From top-tier track conditions to comprehensive aftercare programs, we’re proud to provide an exceptional environment for our horses, both on and off the racetrack.

Our commitment to horse welfare is evident in every area of our operation. 
Learn how we care for our horses every step of the way.

  • Pre-Race Care: Every horse is monitored by an AGCO veterinarian in the paddock before racing.
  • Horse First Policy: Horses deemed unfit to race by racing officials are always scratched from the race, prioritizing their well-being.
  • First Responders: Before, during, and after each race, paramedics, a horse ambulance with vets, the outriders, and the gate crew are prepared to respond to emergencies.
  • Medication Restrictions: Horses enrolled in the EIPH Program will receive Lasix (furosemide, a diuretic medication) 4 hours before their race. The race program indicates which horses use Lasix. The administration of medications, drugs and substances (Lasix exempt) are prohibited 24 hours prior to first race post time to protect the welfare of the equine athlete and provide a level playing field for all competitors. Two horses, typically the winner and one other, will be drug tested immediately following each race.
  • Constant Monitoring: There is testing and reporting on the quality of all tracks before and during racing.
  • Safe Surfaces: The consistency and predictability of the Tapeta surface makes it the safest in Thoroughbred racing. The Quarter-Inch Trap Rock Screening surface at Mohawk Park safely withstands all seasons of Standardbred racing.
  • Regular Maintenance: All tracks are regularly maintained by professionals, as needed depending on the weather.
  • Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario Compliance: Woodbine operates under the strict guidelines of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). The AGCO establishes and enforces racing rules, many of which protect horse welfare.
  • CPMA Regulation: Woodbine is also subject to the rules and regulations of Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency (CPMA). The CPMA regulates and supervises pari-mutuel betting in Canada on horse races, and maintains the official life of approved medications for race horses and conducts drug testing.

Behind the Scenes,
A World of Care Awaits.

Join us as we unveil the dedication and passion that goes into every aspect of horse welfare at Woodbine.