Corporate Impact
About Us
We are the largest horse racing operator in Canada, offering world-class horse racing at both Woodbine Racetrack (Toronto) and Woodbine Mohawk Park (Milton).
We also operate Canada’s only exclusive horse betting website, HPIbet.com, the wagering for all 15 Ontario racetracks, two off-track betting locations with WEGZ (Vaughan) and Greenwood (Toronto), and partner with third-party operators to run nearly 50 Champions off-track-betting locations.
We also own and operate HPItv and are the landlords of Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto (at Woodbine Racetrack) and Elements Casino Mohawk (at Mohawk Park).
Mandate and Vision.
Woodbine Entertainment is an Ontario corporation without share capital that operates a multi-dimensional entertainment business committed to maximizing financial performance to achieve the highest quality horse racing.
After paying all required taxes, the corporation invests all profits back into the business to promote its corporate objectives. Our sole objective is to lead a vibrant horse racing industry, and the nearly 25,000 jobs it supports across the province. It is our vision is to share the thrill of horse racing experiences with the world.
Welcome Message from
Michael Copeland, CEO
At Woodbine Entertainment, we are proud to play a unique and vital role in Ontario’s horse racing industry. As stewards of this sport, our sole mandate is to support and grow a vibrant horse racing community in our province.
Our Community Impact Report has always been an important way for us to share how we deliver on that responsibility. This year, we are introducing a new way to access it—through a dedicated section of our website. By moving away from a traditional booklet, we can share important information more openly and regularly about our support, leadership, and investments in horse racing and the communities connected to it.
Though we are not structured as a traditional not-for-profit, we operate with that same spirit—reinvesting all earnings back into the sport. Guided by strong governance, integrity, and a long-term view, we are committed to ensuring Ontario remains home to world-class racing for generations to come.
Thank you for your interest in learning more about our work, and for joining us in supporting the horse racing community we all care about.
FY 25 Racing Metrics
Thoroughbred Purses Paid
$70,445,505
Thoroughbred Race Days at Woodbine
127 day
1160 races
Standardbred Purses Paid
$60,146,187
Standardbred Race Days at Woodbine Mohawk Park
218 days
2308 races
Total
$130,591,692
*Includes HIP and Nomination Payments
Racing Highlights.
2024 Thoroughbred Marquee Races.
Woodbine’s marquee Thoroughbred races once again showcased international class, homegrown excellence, and career-defining performances. Chiefswood Stables and Live Oak Plantation each earned multiple graded wins, while Kevin Attard and Mark Casse continued to dominate on Canada’s biggest stage.
| Stakes Race | Winner | Owner | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
King's Plate | Caitlinhergrtness | Siena Farm LLC & WinStar Farm LLC | Kevin Attard | Rafael Hernandez |
Woodbine Oaks | Kin’s Concerto | Chiefswood Stables Limited | Josie Carroll | Sofia Vives |
Breeders’ Stakes | Roscar | Chiefswood Stables Limited | Rachel Halden | Justin Stein |
Rogers Woodbine Mile | Win for the Money | Live Oak Plantation | Mark Casse | Patrick Husbands |
bet365 Summer Stakes | New Century (GB) | Qatar Racing LLC | Andrew Balding | Oisin Murphy |
Johnnie Walker Natalma Stakes | And One More Time | Live Oak Plantation | Mark Casse | Rafael Hernandez |
E.P. Taylor Stakes | Full Count Felicia | Gold Square LLC | Kevin Attard | Kazushi Kimura |
2024 Season Leaders.
From marquee triumphs to week-in, week-out dominance, Woodbine’s 2024 season produced standout performances across every level of competition. The following leaders distinguished themselves through sustained excellence and championship-caliber campaigns.
Left: Leading Trainer – Mark Casse
Middle: Leading Jockey – Sahin Civaci
Right: Leading Owner – Bruno Schickedanz
2024 Standardbred Marquee Races.
Woodbine Mohawk Park once again stood at the centre of the North American harness racing stage in 2024. The season delivered thrilling performances from both emerging stars and established champions, including international participation and record-setting moments across the premier Standardbred program.
| Stakes Race | Winner | Owner | Trainer | Driver |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pepsi North America Cup | Nijinsky | West Wins Stable, John Fielding, Mark Dumain | Anthony Beaton | Louis-Philippe Roy |
Mohawk Million | Maryland | Courant Inc., PCW Racing, Holly Lane Stud East Ltd., Sstewartrthorn Stable | Marcus Melander | Dexter Dunn |
Metro Pace | Fallout | Robert LeBlanc, Pryde Stables Inc., Caviart Farms | Tony Alagna | Tim Tetrick |
Canadian Pacing Derby | Its My Show | Richard Young, Joanne Young | Linda Toscano | Scott Zeron |
Maple Leaf Trot | Periculum | Brixton Medical Inc., Holly Lane Stud East Ltd. | Marcus Melander | Scott Zeron |
Canadian Trotting Classic | Amazing Catch | Al Libfeld, Marvin Katz, Sam Goldband | Ake Svanstedt | Dexter Dunn |
2024 Season Leaders.
Beyond the spotlight of marquee events, 2024 was defined by consistency, teamwork, and sustained excellence from some of the most accomplished horse people in the sport. The following individuals and stables rose to the top over the course of the season, earning recognition as Woodbine Mohawk Park’s leading performers.
Left: Leading Owner – Millar Farms
Middle: Leading Trainer – Kyle Fellows
Right: Leading Driver – James MacDonald
Horse Welfare.
The safety and well-being of horses who race at Woodbine Racetrack is the top priority each and every day. Woodbine abides by strict protocols and works with passionate industry experts to ensure the excellent care of our equine athletes. Visit our dedicated Horse Welfare page to learn more about our race day protocols, track surfaces, regulators, horse racing safety data, and to learn about caring for horses and life after racing.
Food Programs for Backstretch
2024 saw the return of Canada’s largest corporate community gardens, with more than 3,000 pounds of fresh food donated this year, and 13,000 pounds since 2016.
Additionally, we began a winter food hamper program to provide our backstretch residents with extra support during the colder months, with 8,400 pounds of food delivered and 125 volunteer hours from Woodbine staff.
Scholarships for Women in Broadcast & Security
As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting racing in our community, we have partnered with Humber College to provide scholarships for women in broadcast and security, two of Woodbine’s key racing support areas.
Community Investment Grants
This year, we are proud to have supported 30 local community and horse welfare charities around our Woodbine and Woodbine Mohawk racetracks, contributing to our vibrant communities and investing in horse welfare and aftercare.
Employee Metrics.
Woodbine is committed to fostering a workplace culture rooted in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We take pride in serving as a positive example within the horse racing industry.
In the past year, Woodbine employed 1,013 full-time team members and delivered over 2,400 hours of health and safety training.
As part of our ongoing commitment to Truth and Reconciliation—and as stewards of the lands our tracks occupy—225 employees have completed the 4 Seasons of Reconciliation training program.
| Years of Service | 40 | 35 | 30 | 25 | 20 | 15 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employee Count | 2 | 9 | 5 | 29 | 19 | 10 |
New Board Member Tom Mungham
Former CEO and Registrar of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), which oversees the regulation of the horse racing industry. He spent 17 years at the AGCO.
New Board Member Mark Krembil
Family owns and operates Chiefswood Stables – Canada’s largest Thoroughbred breeder-owner, which has produced multiple graded stakes winning horses. He is also President of the Krembil Foundation which supports medical research.
Full board
We invite you to view our full Board of Directors.
Oversight
As part of our commitment to uphold the highest standards of integrity, transparency and accountability the Board of Directors met five times in FY 24.
Financials.
As part of our commitment to integrity and transparency please find here a link to a more detailed report of our FY24/25 financials. In addition, please find the corporate responsibility report as required by Ontario Racing and the long-term funding agreement here.