Queen's Plate
Restricted race | |
Norcliffe, painted by Bob Demuyser (1920-2003) | |
Location |
Woodbine Racetrack Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
---|---|
Inaugurated | 1860 |
Race type | Thoroughbred |
Website | woodbineentertainment.com/queensplate |
Race information | |
Distance | 1 1⁄4 miles (10 furlongs) |
Surface | Tapeta |
Track | Left-handed |
Qualification | 3-year-old Canadian-bred |
Weight |
Colt/Gelding: 126 lbs (57.2 kg) Filly: 121 lbs. (54.9 kg) |
Purse | CDN$1 million |
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
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
- Izvestia — 2:01 4⁄5 (1990)
Winningest Jockeys:
- 4 – Avelino Gomez (1957, 1960, 1966, 1969)
- 4 – Sandy Hawley (1970, 1971, 1975, 1978)
- 4 – Robin Platts (1972, 1974, 1977, 1984)
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:
- 20 - Seagram Stables
- 11 - Windfields Farm
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
- ↑ "Thoroughbred Report - Frequently Asked Questions - Horse Racing History, etc.". www.thoroughbredreport.com. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
- ↑ The Canadian Encyclopedia. Published 2012-08-20, last edited 2014-03-07.
- ↑ "Northern Dancer a Very Unlikely Hero". horseracinghalloffame.com. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
- ↑ Campbell, Alex (21 June 2012). "Eaves: Closure of Woodbine Possible in 2013". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 22 June 2012.
- ↑ "Thoroughbred Stakes Results" (PDF). woodbineentertainment.com. pp. 103–106. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
- ↑ "History > History of Queen's Plate". Woodbine Entertainment Group. Retrieved 2 July 2009.
- ↑ Morrison, Jennifer (4 July 2010). "Big Red Mike takes Queen's Plate | Toronto Star". thestar.com. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
Bibliography
- Cauz, Louis E. The Plate. (1984) Deneau Publishers ISBN 0-88879-104-6
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Queen's Plate. |