Horse race
The Queen's Plate is Canada 's oldest thoroughbred horse race , having been founded in 1860. It is also the oldest continuously run race in North America.[ 1] It is run at a distance of 1+ 1 ⁄4 miles for a maximum of 17 three-year-old thoroughbred horses foaled in Canada. The race takes place each summer, in June or July, at Woodbine Racetrack , Etobicoke, Ontario , and is the first race in the Canadian Triple Crown .
History
Initiated in 1859 by the then president of the Toronto Turf Club, Sir Casimir Gzowski , the Queen's Plate was inaugurated on June 27, 1860, at the Carleton racetrack in Toronto, Ontario , with the prize of 50 guineas awarded by Queen Victoria .
In 1902, the year after Victoria's death, the race became the King's Plate, after her successor, Edward VII. It became the Queen's Plate again when Elizabeth II came to the throne in 1952.[ 2]
Woodbine Racetrack hosted the race in 1876 and 1881 and then continuously from 1883 to 1955. The Queen's Plate has been running at Woodbine since 1956.
The record time for the race since 1957, the year in which the track was set at its current length of 1+ 1 ⁄4 miles, is 2:01 4/5, set by Kinghaven Farms Izvestia in 1990.
Horses owned by Windfields Farm have won the Queen's Plate eleven times, but the most successful was the stable owned by Joseph E. Seagram , a prominent distiller from Waterloo, Ontario . Seagram's stable won it on twenty occasions between 1891 and 1935 including eight times in a row between 1891 and 1898, and ten times in eleven years from 1891 to 1901.
In 1964, Northern Dancer , the first Canadian-bred horse to win the Kentucky Derby , also won the Queen's Plate in his final race.[ 3]
In 2006, Josie Carroll became the first woman trainer to ever win the Queen's Plate. The following year, Emma-Jayne Wilson became the first female jockey to win the race.
The 2004-2013 Plate winners have had little success in their subsequent racing careers. This compares unfavourably to the 1990s when a number of Plate winners had considerable success thereafter: With Approval, Izvestia, Dance Smartly, Alydeed, Peteski, Basqueian, Victor Cooley, Awesome Again.
Nick Eaves, former President and CEO of Woodbine Entertainment Group , announced during the 2012 Queen's Plate post position draw that Woodbine Racetrack may be forced to close in April 2013 due to the cancellation of Slots at Racetrack program partnerships between Ontario's racetracks and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation . Eaves said that if Woodbine is not open, "there won't be a Queen's Plate."[ 4] A new funding agreement was put in place in March 2013, which ensured the continuation of horse racing at Woodbine for the next 2 years and affirmed the 154th running of the Queen's Plate.
The race has been held at a variety of distances:[ 5]
1860–1867: 1-mile (1.6 km) heats
1868–1870: 2 miles (3.2 km)
1871: 1+ 3 ⁄4 miles (2.82 km)
1872–1886: 1+ 1 ⁄2 miles (2.4 km)
1887–1923: 1+ 1 ⁄4 miles (2.01 km)
1924–1956: 1+ 1 ⁄8 miles (1.811 km)
1957-: 1+ 1 ⁄4 miles (2.01 km)
Royal patronage
Queen Elizabeth attends the 2010 Queen's Plate
As Queen of Canada , Queen Elizabeth II is patron of the event, and various other members of the Canadian Royal Family have been in attendance through the years, beginning with the Duke of Argyll and his wife, Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll , in 1881, when the Duke was serving as Governor General of Canada and the couple was touring Ontario.[ 6] Elizabeth II's most recent visit to the race was in early July 2010.[ 7]
Records
Stakes Record
Winningest Jockeys:
Winningest Trainers:
8 – Harry Giddings, Jr. (1911, 1913, 1914, 1920, 1931, 1932, 1934, 1942)
8 – Roger Attfield (1976, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1995, 2008)
6 – John R. Walker (1891, 1892, 1893, 1894, 1895, 1896)
6 – Gordon J. "Pete" McCann (1940, 1951, 1953, 1957, 1959, 1963)
Winningest Owners:
Winners
2012 winner, Strait of Dover
2013 winner, Midnight Aria
2014 winner, Lexie Lou
2015 winner, Shaman Ghost
2016 winner, Sir Dudley Digges
Year
Winner
Jockey
Trainer
Owner
Time
2016
Sir Dudley Digges
Julien Leparoux
Michael J. Maker
Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey
2:04.09
2015
Shaman Ghost
Rafael Manuel Hernandez
Brian A. Lynch
Stronach Stables
2:03.45
2014
Lexie Lou
Patrick Husbands
Mark E. Casse
Gary Barber
2:03:94
2013
Midnight Aria
Jesse M. Campbell
Nicholas Gonzalez
Tucci Stables
2:04.72
2012
Strait of Dover
Justin Stein
Danny Vella
Canyon Farms
2:01.99
2011
Inglorious
Luis Contreras
Josie Carroll
Donver Stable
2:02.63
2010
Big Red Mike
Eurico Rosa da Silva
Nick Gonzalez
Terra Racing Stable
2:04.89
2009
Eye of the Leopard
Eurico Rosa da Silva
Mark Frostad
Sam-Son Farm
2:03.84
2008
Not Bourbon
Jono Jones
Roger Attfield
Charles E. Fipke
2:03.59
2007
Mike Fox
Emma-Jayne Wilson
Ian Black
D. Morgan Firestone
2:05.45
2006
Edenwold
Emile Ramsammy
Josie Carroll
Jim & Alice Sapara
2:05.30
2005
Wild Desert
Pat Valenzuela
Robert J. Frankel
Daniel Borislow & Partners
2:07.37
2004
Niigon
Robert Landry
Eric Coatrieux
Chiefswood Stable
2:04.72
2003
Wando
Patrick Husbands
Michael Keogh
Gus Schickedanz
2:02.48
2002
T J's Lucky Moon
Steve Bahen
Vito Armata
Molinaro Stable
2:06.88
2001
Dancethruthedawn
Gary Boulanger
Mark Frostad
Sam-Son Farm
2:03.78
2000
Scatter The Gold
Todd Kabel
Mark Frostad
Sam-Son Farm
2:05.53
1999
Woodcarver
Mickey Walls
Michael Keogh
Gus Schickedanz
2:03.13
1998
Archers Bay
Kent Desormeaux
Todd Pletcher
Melnyk & Bristow
2:02.10
1997
Awesome Again
Mike E. Smith
David Hofmans
Frank Stronach
2:04.20
1996
Victor Cooley
Emile Ramsammy
Mark Frostad
Windways Farm
2:03.80
1995
Regal Discovery
Todd Kabel
Roger Attfield
No. 1 Stable
2:03.80
1994
Basqueian
Jack Lauzon
Daniel J. Vella
Frank Stronach
2:03.40
1993
Peteski
Craig Perret
Roger Attfield
Earle I. Mack
2:04.20
1992
Alydeed
Craig Perret
Roger Attfield
Kinghaven Farms
2:04.60
1991
Dance Smartly
Pat Day
Jim Day
Sam-Son Farm
2:03.40
1990
Izvestia
Don Seymour
Roger Attfield
Kinghaven Farms
2:01.80
1989
With Approval
Don Seymour
Roger Attfield
Kinghaven Farms
2:03.00
1988
Regal Intention
Jack Lauzon
Jim Day
Sam-Son Farm
2:06.20
1987
Market Control
Ken Skinner
Roger Attfield
Kinghaven Farms
2:03.60
1986
Golden Choice
Vincent Bracciale, Jr.
Michael Tammaro
Dick Sanderson
2:07.20
1985
La Lorgnette
David Clark
Macdonald Benson
Windfields Farm
2:04.60
1984
Key to the Moon
Robin Platts
Gil Rowntree
B. K. Y. Stable
2:03.80
1983
Bompago
Larry Attard
John Cardella
Carl Cardella & Partners
2:04.20
1982
Son of Briartic
Paul Souter
Jerry G. Lavigne
Paddockhurst Stable
2:04.60
1981
Fiddle Dancer Boy
David Clark
James C. Bentley
John B. W. Carmichael
2:04.80
1980
Driving Home
William Parsons
Glenn Mangusson
CFCW Racing Stable
2:04.20
1979
Steady Growth
Brian Swatuk
John J. Tammaro, Jr.
Kinghaven Farms
2:06.60
1978
Regal Embrace
Sandy Hawley
Macdonald Benson
Windfields Farm
2:02.00
1977
Sound Reason
Robin Platts
Gil Rowntree
Stafford Farms
2:06.60
1976
Norcliffe
Jeffrey Fell
Roger Attfield
Norcliffe Stable
2:05.00
1975
L'Enjoleur
Sandy Hawley
Yonnie Starr
J. Louis Lévesque
2:02.60
1974
Amber Herod
Robin Platts
Gil Rowntree
Stafford Farms
2:09.20
1973
Royal Chocolate
Ted Colangelo
Gil Rowntree
Stafford Farms
2:08.20
1972
Victoria Song
Robin Platts
Larry Grant
Green Hills Farm
2:03.20
1971
Kennedy Road
Sandy Hawley
James C. Bentley
Helen G. Stollery
2:03.00
1970
Almoner
Sandy Hawley
Jerry G. Lavigne
Parkview Stable
2:04.80
1969
Jumpin Joseph
Avelino Gomez
Robert S. Bateman
Warren Beasely
2:04.20
1968
Merger
Wayne Harris
Roy Johnson
Golden West Farms
2:05.20
1967
Jammed Lovely
Jim Fitzsimmons
Yonnie Starr
Conn Smythe
2:03.00
1966
Titled Hero
Avelino Gomez
Patrick MacMurchy
Peter K. Marshall
2:03.60
1965
Whistling Sea
Tak Inouye
Roy Johnson
Olivier Ranches
2:03.80
1964
Northern Dancer
Bill Hartack
Horatio Luro
Windfields Farm
2:02.20
1963
Canebora
Manuel Ycaza
Gordon J. McCann
Windfields Farm
2:04.00
1962
Flaming Page
Jim Fitzsimmons
Horatio Luro
Windfields Farm
2:04.60
1961
Blue Light
Hugo Dittfach
Patrick MacMurchy
Col. K. R. Marshall
2:05.00
1960
Victoria Park
Avelino Gomez
Horatio Luro
Windfields Farm
2:02.00
1959
New Providence
Bobby Ussery
Gordon J. McCann
Windfields Farm
2:04.80
1958
Caledon Beau
Al Coy
Yonnie Starr
Conn Smythe
2:04.20
1957
Lyford Cay
Avelino Gomez
Gordon J. McCann
E. P. Taylor
2:02.60
1956
Canadian Champ
David Stevenson
John Passero
William R. Beasley
1:55.00
1955
Ace Marine
George Walker
Yonnie Starr
Larkin Maloney
1:52.40
1954
Collisteo
Chris Rogers
Richard Townrow
Bur-Fit Stable
1:52.00
1953
Canadiana
Eddie Arcaro
Gordon J. McCann
E. P. Taylor
1:52.20
1952
Epigram
Gil Robillard
Stanley V. Bowden
Three V's Stable
1:58.60
1951
Major Factor
Alf Bavington
Gordon J. McCann
E. P. Taylor
1:53.00
1950
McGill
Chris Rogers
Pete Keiser
Vincent J. Sheridan
1:52.40
1949
Epic
Chris Rogers
Bert Alexandra
E. P. Taylor
1:52.20
1948
Last Mark
Howard R. Bailey
Jim G. Fair
Jim G. Fair
1:52.00
1947
Moldy
Colin McDonald
Arthur Brent
Parkwood Stable
1:54.20
1946
Kingarvie
Johnny Dewhurst
Arthur Brent
Parkwood Stable
1:55.60
1945
Uttermost
Robert B. Watson
Cecil Howard
Harry C. Hatch
1:53.80
1944
Acara
Robert B. Watson
Cecil Howard
Harry C. Hatch
1:54.80
1943
Paolita
Pat Remillard
William Thurner
Charles H. Hemstead
2:02.60
1942
Ten To Ace
Charles W. Smith
Harry Giddings, Jr.
Harry Giddings, Jr.
1:57.80
1941
Budpath
Robert B. Watson
Loyd Gentry, Sr.
Harry C. Hatch
1:56.80
1940
Willie the Kid
Ronnie Nash
Gordon J. McCann
Mildred A. Kane
1:55.80
1939
Archworth
Sydney Denny Birley
Mark Cowell
C. George McCullagh
1:54.40
1938
Bunty Lawless
John W. Bailey
Jack Anderson
Willie F. Morrissey
1:54.40
1937
Goldlure
Stirling Young
William H. Bringloe
Harry C. Hatch
1:55.40
1936
Monsweep
Danny Brammer
William H. Bringloe
Harry C. Hatch
1:55.00
1935
Sally Fuller
Herb Lindberg
Johnny Thorpe
Seagram Stables
1:55.40
1934
Horometer
Frankie Mann
Harry Giddings, Jr.
Col. Samuel McLaughlin
1:54.20
1933
King O'Connor
Eddie Legere
William H. Bringloe
Seagram Stables
1:56.40
1932
Queensway
Frankie Mann
Harry Giddings, Jr.
Robert W. R. Cowie
1:55.20
1931
Froth Blower
Frankie Mann
Harry Giddings, Jr.
Robert W. R. Cowie
1:59.20
1930
Aymond
Henry Little
Jack Hutton
Ryland H. New
1:57.20
1929
Shorelint
J. D. Mooney
Fred H. Schelke
Thorncliffe Stable
1:57.60
1928
Young Kitty
Lester Pichon
William H. Bringloe
Seagram Stables
1:57.00
1927
Troutlet
Francis Horn
John Nixon
Ryland H. New
1:55.80
1926
Haplite
Henry Erickson
William H. Bringloe
Seagram Stables
1:59.60
1925
Fairbank
Chick Lang
Jack Givens
James C. Fletcher
1:56.40
1924
Maternal Pride
George Walls
William G. Wilson
Hugh S. Wilson
1:57.60
1923
Flowerful
Terry Wilson
William H. Bringloe
Seagram Stables
2:11.00
1922
South Shore
Kenny Parrington
Fred H. Schelke
Thorncliffe Stable
2:12.00
1921
Herendesy
James H. Butwell
George Walker
Brookdale Stable
2:10.00
1920
St. Paul
Roxy Romanelli
Harry Giddings, Jr.
Harry Giddings, Sr.
2:09.00
1919
Ladder of Light
Lawrence Lyke
Joseph H. Doane
George W. Beardmore
2:09.40
1918
Springside
Lee Mink
Ed Whyte
George M. Hendrie
2:08.80
1917
Belle Mahone
Frank Robinson
Barry Littlefield
Joseph E. Seagram
2:08.80
1916
Mandarin
Arthur Pickens
Barry Littlefield
Joseph E. Seagram
2:12.00
1915
Tartarean
Harry Watts
John Nixon
Charles Millar
2:09.20
1914
Beehive
Guy Burns
Harry Giddings, Jr.
Harry Giddings, Sr.
2:10.60
1913
Hearts of Oak
Johnny Wilson
Harry Giddings, Jr.
Harry Giddings, Sr.
2:09.20
1912
Heresy
Robert Small
John Nixon
Brookdale Stable
2:11.00
1911
St. Bass
Eddie Dugan
Harry Giddings, Jr.
Harry Giddings, Sr.
2:08.80
1910
Parmer
Johnny Wilson
John Nixon
Valley Farm Stable
2:12.40
1909
Shimonese
Clifford Gilbert
John Nixon
Valley Farm Stable
2:10.40
1908
Seismic
Charles Fairbrother
Barry Littlefield
Joseph E. Seagram
2:11.00
1907
Kelvin
James Foley
Charles Phair
T. Ambrose Woods
2:12.60
1906
Slaughter
John K. Treubel
Barry Littlefield
Joseph E. Seagram
2:11.60
1905
Inferno
H. Kelly Phillips
Barry Littlefield
Joseph E. Seagram
2:12.00
1904
Sapper
Jimmy Walsh
John Dyment, Jr.
Nathaniel Dyment
2:12.00
1903
Thessalon
Quintin Castro
John Dyment, Jr.
Nathaniel Dyment
2:15.50
1902
Lyddite
Sam Wainwright
Ed Whyte
William Hendrie
2:15.00
1901
John Ruskin
Harry Vititoe
Harry Blair
Joseph E. Seagram
2:18.75
1900
Dalmoor
Harry Lewis
Harry Blair
Joseph E. Seagram
2:14.00
1899
Butter Scotch
R. J. Mason
Eddie Whyte
William Hendrie
2:15.50
1898
Bon Ino
Tiny Williams
Charles Boyle
Joseph E. Seagram
2:15.50
1897
Ferdinand
Harry Lewis
Charles Boyle
Joseph E. Seagram
2:13.00
1896
Millbrook
Harry Lewis
John R. Walker
Joseph E. Seagram
2:19.00
1895
Bonniefield
Alf Brooker
John R. Walker
Joseph E. Seagram
2:17.50
1894
Joe Miller
Frank Regan
John R. Walker
Joseph E. Seagram
2:28.50
1893
Martello
Harry Blaylock
John R. Walker
Joseph E. Seagram
2:14.00
1892
O'Donohue
F. Horton
John R. Walker
Joseph E. Seagram
2:22.00
1891
Victorious
Michael Gorman
John R. Walker
Joseph E. Seagram
2:14.50
1890
Kitestring
Fred Coleman
Daniel Curtin
Thomas D. Hodgens
2:22.00
1889
Colonist
Richard O'Leary
Richard O'Leary
J. D. Matheson
2:16.00
1888
Harry Cooper
Richard O'Leary
Richard O'Leary
J. D. Matheson
2:18.50
1887
Bonnie Duke
Charlie Wise
William E. Owen
Robert Bond
2:19.00
1886
Wild Rose
Charles Butler
Charles Butler
David Watson Campbell
2:48.25
1885
Willie W.
William Jamieson
Erastus Burgess
Erastus Burgess
2:58.00
1884
Williams
A. Martin
A. Martin
John Halligan
2:50.75
1883
Roddy Pringle
Jacob Smith
Charles Boyle
Charles Boyle
2:52.50
1882
Fanny Wiser
Allie Gates
W.E. Owen
Arthur Abingdon Stable
2:51.00
1881
Vice Chancellor
Mr. Brown
Erastus Burgess
John White
2:53.00
1880
Bonnie Bird
Richard O'Leary
Erastus Burgess
John Forbes
2:47.00
1879
Moss Rose
Allie Gates
Jonathan Scott
John White
2:54.50
1878
King George
Allie Gates
Richard O'Leary
Col. John Peters
2:49.50
1877
Amelia
Charles Phair
Jonathan Scott
John White
2:56.50
1876
Norah P.
Mr. Cook
Daniel Curtin
Col. John Peters
2:52.00
1875
Young Trumpeter
Unknown
Daniel Schoff
R. Ellison & C. Horton
2:52.50
1874
The Swallow
John Hazard
William H. Hannon
Dr. Robert Thompson
2:51.75
1873
Mignonette
Unknown
Jacob Smith
Roddy Pringle
2:57.00
1872
Fearnaught
Richard O'Leary
Richard O'Leary
Alex Simpson
2:54.50
1871
Floss
James Lee
Robert T. Davies
Robert T. Davies
3:21.00
1870
John Bell
John Bennett
Charlie N. Gates
Charlie N. Gates
3:54.50
1869
Bay Jack
Abe Robinson, Jr.
James Berry
Edward S. Bilton
3:50.00
1868
Nettie
Archie Fisher
Jonathan Scott
James & John White
3:55.00
1867
Wild Rose
Alex McLaughlin
Mr. Fagan
James & John White
1:50.50
1866
Beacon
Johnny Gagen
Johnny Gagen
Peter D. McKellar
1:54.00
1865
Lady Norfolk
Unknown
John Sheppard
John Sheppard
Ukn
1864
Brunette
Unknown
Dr. George D. Morton
Dr. George D. Morton
2:00.00
1863
Touchstone
William Small
James White
James & John White
1:59.00
1862
Palermo
Charles S.Littlefield, Sr.
Charles Boyle
George C. Chalmers
2:03.00
1861
Wild Irishman
Ben Alcott
George Henderson
George Henderson
2:00.00
1860
Don Juan
Charles S.Littlefield, Sr.
James White
James White
1:58.00
See also
References
Bibliography
External links