King’s Plate Cancelled Due to Heavy Rain

The highly anticipated King’s Plate has been cancelled for this year after heavy rains made the racetrack unsafe for the horses. Woodbine Entertainment made the announcement on their social media account, citing the weather as the main reason.

In their statement, Woodbine explained, “In the interest of safety for our horses and horse people, we have cancelled the remainder of Saturday’s live racing card due to unsafe racing conditions caused by heavy rains in the Greater Toronto Area.” They assured fans that they would announce a new date for the event as soon as possible.

This year’s King’s Plate was particularly special, marking its 165th running. The event was set to feature thirteen contenders including the champion horse My Boy Prince, all competing for the $1 million prize.

Only a few races were completed before the decision was made to call it off. Eight out of the 13 scheduled races were affected by the weather. Woodbine CEO Michael Copeland noted that the amount of rain in such a short time created pooling on the track, presenting dangerous conditions for both horses and jockeys.

The rains were so severe that they affected areas of Toronto where some drivers had to abandon their cars. The Plate is not just another race; it’s North America’s oldest continually run race, being a significant tradition in the equine sports calendar.

Looking ahead on the calendar, the Price of Wales Stakes—the second jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown—is set for September 10 at Fort Erie Race Track, followed by the Breeders’ Stakes on September 29 at Woodbine.