Woodbine Cares Fun Run: Friendly Competition and Giving Back

TORONTO, June 25, 2025 – A little rain stood no chance of dampening a lively card of Fun Run action last Wednesday afternoon at Woodbine.

Set over a firm E.P Taylor Turf Course, staff, horse people, and community members alike vied for Woodbine-wide boasting privileges as colleagues and friends watched, cheered and wagered from the rail.

The series of races (one casual, two competitive) in support of three equine aftercare programs – LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society, Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society, and Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance – led off with a laid-back roam around the track.

While Mother Nature chose that moment to intervene, Kimberley Medeiros, the mastermind behind the Fun Run festivities, recalled it as the day’s shining moment.

“Seeing them come down the homestretch soaking wet, but with their arms up in the air in victory, and the spectators standing in the rain cheering them on was absolutely my favourite part of the day,” shared Medeiros, Woodbine’s Director of Community and Government Relations.

The Team Relay Race

The first formal contest of the afternoon – the 4 x 100 meters team relay race– left the gate at 12:50 p.m. ET.

A total of 13 teams lined up across the lanes to travel the equivalent of two furlongs, but none proved a match for team five, The Outside Picks.

Making their bid to represent Canada at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, the quartet of Daniel Torres, Nikal Clarke-Smith, Toni-Ann Mullings, and Colton Phillips from Guest Experience led gate-to-wire for the commanding score.

Phillips credited his team’s seamless chemistry as the difference maker.

“Daniel, who opened for us, and Nikal, who was the anchor, are our [himself and Toni] supervisors in GX, so we’re used to working together every day and communicating well,” said Phillips.

“We put together a good plan going into the race, had youth on our side, and were able to open up and pull away from the competition.”

The one who put the relay to bed, Clarke-Smith, was equally thankful to those who placed their faith at the mutuels.

“We can’t thank you guys enough – big return on investment, so I hope you guys are celebrating too,” he laughed before going in a more heartfelt direction.

“But no, all jokes aside, it was a great event. Happy that some of the proceeds are going to some great causes and thank you everybody for your contributions.”

Mullings, greeted by a swell of supporters at the winner’s circle, couldn’t be immediately reached for comment amid the celebrations.

Torres, however, who made the auspicious decision to put Clarke-Smith at anchor, was in awe of his friend’s “very inspiring” performance.

“When I saw him get the baton on the last leg of the race he flew by – he’s our anchorman for a reason. The last runners didn’t even get a quarter of the way, and he was already past the finish line.

“The rest of the team carried us there and then he finished it off. He’s a legend; the whole team is legendary.”

The Competitive Run

The theme of legendary performances transferred over to Wednesday’s main event – the 1 ½-mile individual competitive run – courtesy of York University software engineering student and exercise rider William Moran.

Lined up beside his brother, and Woodbine’s current leading jockey, Pietro Moran, the son of rider David Moran–Maria Moran stalked patiently as groom Kris Pion sped out to an early lead.

Undeterred by Pion’s prompt move, William confidently tracked down the leader and opened up a five-length lead of his own.

William, under steady handling, saw his lead balloon to a considerable margin into the three-eighths marker.

A late surge from younger brother Pietro shortened William’s lead, but the latter ultimately crossed the finish line in his own area code for the confident tally.

Rounding out the top three behind the Moran brother exacta was Woodbine’s Senior Talent Acquisition Leader Michael Sebastiao.

After his dominant display across 12 furlongs, William was happy to steal the spotlight from his brother.

“I see Pietro winning all the races at Woodbine, so I had to try and put my name out there as well for everyone to see,” he laughed.

Pietro, being the professional he is, responded with poise – and a friendly warning.

“I knew he’d be the toughest competitor, but it was a lot of fun. We’ve been competitive all our lives and it was a great race. It was a lot of fun but l’ll try to get him back next year.”

William agreed, adding, “We’ll be back.”

Woodbine Chief Executive Officer Michael Copeland had a front-row seat to both William and The Outside Picks’ dominant performances having challenged both in the relay and marathon.

Copeland’s team (The Exec-lerators) captured the bronze in the relay before he ventured solo for the marathon – his strategy for which he shared post-race.

“Well, don’t embarrass myself, make sure I run the whole race, and then if you can avoid letting somebody pass you along the way, then that’s a victory,” he said with a wide grin.

“You appreciate how long this is – the horses make it look a lot shorter when they’re blasting around – but it’s nice to have the opportunity to get out on this beautiful course, and it’s challenging, that’s for sure, but I’m glad I was able to do it.”

His marathon effort aside, Copeland was most proud of the strong sense of community that was on full display throughout the Fun Run celebrations.

“It’s really the people that make Woodbine what it is,” he said. “It takes so many people doing so many different things, and oftentimes, a lot of the hard work can go unappreciated or unnoticed, but we appreciate it.

“When you see everybody come out and be able to have some fun, even with the rain – I think once it started raining people started smiling even more – it’s just nice to be able to celebrate, thank people, and have people come together to give back to horse welfare, horse safety and aftercare. It means a whole lot.”

A sentiment shared by Medeiros.

“It takes a lot of people – from the front office, the backstretch, and our customer-facing employees – to make all of our races and events happen. But we often deal with our small piece of the puzzle only and don’t have a chance to interact with different teams and departments. Having everyone together having fun, joking around, cheering each other on, that’s pretty special.”

Copeland, before making his way to the track-side hydration station, lauded the widespread support of those who call Woodbine home.

“Woodbine is going to be successful and strong, and the Ontario racing industry will be successful and strong because of the people who work incredibly hard to make sure that happens – a day like this is evidence of that.”

Matthew Lomon, for Woodbine