Major purse increases take effect with funds from Ontario's Long-Term Funding Agreement

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Significant purse increases for Woodbine’s stakes and overnight races were announced Monday by Woodbine Entertainment, the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association of Ontario, and Ontario Racing.

The increases were made possible through the additional $35 million in annual funding for Ontario's horse racing industry announced in late June as part of the fifth amendment to the Long-Term Funding Agreement with the provincial government.

Of the new funding, $10 million has been allocated to Ontario's Thoroughbred racing sector. Around $5 million will be invested through Ontario Racing’s Thoroughbred Improvement Program (TIP) to strengthen Ontario-bred and Ontario-sired stakes programs, increase breeders' awards, and further incentivize the breeding, raising, and racing of Thoroughbreds in the province.

An additional $4.5 million will be invested through TIP to enhance racing opportunities for Ontario-bred and Ontario-sired horses at Woodbine, including the aforementioned purse increases.

:: Access morning workout reports straight from the tracks and get an edge with DRF Clocker Reports

"These purse enhancements represent an important investment in our horsepeople and in the continued growth of Thoroughbred racing in Ontario," said Woodbine CEO Michael Copeland. "Working together with the HBPA and Ontario Racing, we are pleased to direct this new funding toward strengthening overnight racing, enhancing our stakes program, and creating additional opportunities for Ontario-bred horses.

“These investments will support owners and trainers while continuing to enhance the quality and competitiveness of racing at Woodbine."

As the additional funding was announced and allocated after the 2026 racing season had already begun, the full amount of the new purse funding for Woodbine will be distributed over the remainder of the racing season.

Purses for $25,000 claimers and above will increase by 9 percent. Purses for $15,000 claimers and below will increase by 3.5 percent.

Total funding for the stakes program will increase by 16 percent through higher guaranteed purses and new Ontario-bred bonuses.

Grade 2 stakes currently contested for $175,000 will go to $200,000. Grade 3 stakes currently worth $150,000 will be increased to $175,000.

Listed stakes currently worth $100,000 will go to $125,000. Grade 2 and Grade 3 stakes already offering purses at or above the new levels will remain unchanged.

The 2-year-old stakes for Canadian-breds – the Cup and Saucer, Princess Elizabeth, and Coronation Futurity, will all get a $50,000 increase to $300,000.

Two new stakes races, each carrying a purse of $125,000, will be added to the fall stakes schedule. The races will be contested as sprints, with one open to 3-year-olds and the other restricted to 3-year-old fillies.

Sunday’s prestigious Woodbine Oaks goes from $500,000 to $750,000, with the additional money going to Ontario-breds. The Oaks is the first race of the Canadian Triple Tiara and the other two legs – the Bison City and Wonder Where – both go from $250,000 to $350,000.

The $1 million King’s Plate remains as is. The remaining legs of the Canadian Triple Crown – the Prince of Wales at Fort Erie and the Breeders’, both receive a $100,000 increase to $500,000.

The Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society’s stakes program receives a significant boost that brings the total purses for the four sales stakes run Aug. 30 to $1 million.

Ontario-sired stakes go from $100,000 to $150,000. The remaining legs of the Ontario Sired Heritage Series for Ontario-sired 3-years go from $100,000 to $150,000.

The purse increases for overnight races will take effect in the next condition book that will be released on the weekend of July 18. Increased purses for stakes will commence this Sunday.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.