Thoroughbred horse-racing purse enhancements announced for rest of 2026 campaign

TORONTO — Thoroughbred horse-racing purses will be increasing this season.

Woodbine Entertainment, the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association of Ontario and Ontario Racing announced Monday purse enhancements for the 2026 campaign. Last month, the Ontario government earmarked an additional $35 million annually to the racing industry over the next five years.

Last week, Ontario Racing announced standardbred racing would receive over $14 million in additional money. Thoroughbred racing would get over $10 million while the quarter-horse industry would get $780,000.

The remainder will be earmarked for racetrack infrastructure, running programs, capital improvements and administration.

“These purse enhancements represent an important investment in our horse people and in the continued growth of thoroughbred racing in Ontario,” said Michael Copeland, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment. “These investments will support owners and trainers while continuing to enhance the quality and competitiveness of racing at Woodbine.”

The full amount of the new purse funding for Woodbine Racetrack will be distributed over the remainder of the ’26 season. Some of the enhancements include:

– Overnight purses for races with claiming prices of $25,000 and more will increase by nine per cent while those of $15,000 and below will increase by 3.5 per cent. The total funding for the stakes program will increase by 16 per cent through higher guaranteed purses and new Ontario Bred bonuses.

– Woodbine’s open stakes program will also receive significant investment as Grade 2 stakes currently contested for $175,000 will increase to $200,000. Grade 3 stakes currently run for $150,000 will increase to $175,000. Listed stakes currently contested for $100,000 will increase to $125,000 while two-year-old stakes for Canadian-foaled horses — including the Cup & Saucer Stakes, Princess Elizabeth Stakes, and Coronation Futurity — will go from $250,000 to $300,000.

– Grade 2 and Grade 3 stakes already offering purses at or above the new levels will remain unchanged.

– Two new stakes races, each carrying a purse of $125,000, will be added to the fall stakes schedule. They will be contested as sprints, with one open to three-year-olds and the other restricted to three-year-old fillies.

– The Woodbine Oaks — the first leg of the Triple Tiara — will be contested for $750,000, which now includes a $250,000 bonus for Ontario Breds. The Bison City Stakes and Wonder Where Stakes — the second and third legs — will each carry purses of $350,000, including a $100,000 bonus for Ontario Breds.

– The Prince of Wales Stakes and Breeders’ Stakes — the second and third jewels of the Canadian Triple Crown — will both be contested for $500,000, including a $100,000 bonus for Ontario breds.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 13, 2026.

The Canadian Press