Michael Copeland

The stakes schedule for the 2026 Thoroughbred racing season at Woodbine Racetrack, set to kick off on Apr. 18, was released by Woodbine Entertainment Wednesday. Woodbine's 2026 racing season is highlighted by two $1-million classics: the 167th King's Plate Aug. 15, and the GI Woodbine Mile Sept. 12. The full stakes schedule consists of 39 graded stakes, including five Grade I events. "We're very proud of our stakes program at Woodbine and eagerly anticipate a season filled with outstanding competition," said Michael Copeland, CEO of Woodbine Entertainment. "We look forward...

Canadian Hall of Fame trainer Mike Doyle has passed away at his winter home in Florida, according to a Woodbine entertainment press release Thursday. He was 74. "On behalf of everyone at Woodbine Entertainment, I want to extend our heartfelt condolences to Mike's family, his friends, and the entire Woodbine racing community," said Michael Copeland, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment. "Our sport is built on the strength of the people who dedicate their lives to it, and Mike's contributions to Woodbine racing throughout his career were significant. His accomplishments speak for themselves,...

Edited Press Release Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire})'s impressive victory in the GI Rogers Woodbine Mile highlighted a strong Turf Champions Day for Woodbine Entertainment. Turf Champions Day featured three Breeders' Cup Challenge Series "Win and You're In" races. An all-sources handle of $13,026,804 ranks the 2025 edition among the top-five Woodbine Mile day handles. The Woodbine Mile generated $2.1 million in wagering, a 23 percent increase from the 2024 race. Among the other wagering highlights was a 64% increase in the GI Johnnie Walker Natalma S. ($1,688,101 vs 1,030,495),...

With on-track handle the highest since prior to the pandemic, Saturday's 166th running of the King's Plate at Woodbine brought in over $4 million in wagering. Overall, the 13-race card generated over $17 million in all-sources wagering, which marked the third highest in event history. The Plate record, set in 2023, holds at $18.1 million. This year's card generated the highest dollars wagered per starter of any Plate program and debuted the new "Kings & Queens Pick-3" wager that offered a $5 minimum and 15 percent takeout. "We were confident...

A new Metrolinx GO Station at Woodbine Racetrack will anchor urban development and create new revenue streams to support horse racing, the track said in a release on Thursday. Situated on 684 acres--the largest undeveloped parcel of land remaining in the City of Toronto--the project will bring new life to Rexdale through smart, sustainable design. "This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create something truly special for Toronto," said Michael Copeland, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment. "At the heart of this new urban center will be Woodbine Racetrack, a cultural landmark that will...

Woodbine Entertainment has relaunched the philanthropic initiative Woodbine Cares under a renewed banner: "For the Love of the Horse Racing Community," according to a track release Wednesday. "This refreshed focus on 'For the Love of the Horse Racing Community' reflects our organization's commitment to what matters most - the people, the horses, and the entire racing community," said Michael Copeland, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment. "By concentrating our efforts on horse welfare and on those who work tirelessly behind the scenes, Woodbine Cares is helping build a vibrant and sustainable future for...

Woodbine Entertainment and the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association of Ontario have reached an agreement in principle on a new two-year deal that boosts purses by $5.7 million, according to a press release from the racetrack on Wednesday afternoon. The new agreement commits $64.7 million in purses in 2025 and $65 million in 2026, both with 128-day race meets. The upcoming 2025 season kicks off on Saturday, Apr. 26 and concludes on Sunday, Dec. 14. "We are very pleased to have reached this agreement with the HBPA that increases purses...

Though still weeks from being potentially enacted, the threatened 25% blanket tariff on all Canadian goods entering the U.S. is causing some Canadian-based owner-breeders to sound the alarm about the possible impacts to their businesses and to the country's broader industry. "For us, it could be the end of the industry. Period," warned Yvonne Schwabe, the owner of Persley Den Farms in Acton, Ontario, and the breeder of 2013 Queen's Plate winner Midnight Aria. "That's the scary part." As currently outlined, the tariffs are scheduled to go into effect on...

This year's Woodbine's Turf Champions Day, held Saturday, Sept. 14, saw a 9 percent increase in total wagering from last year. The all-sources handle for the day, which was headlined by the GI Rogers Woodbine Mile and a trio of Breeders' Cup 'Win and You're In' races, was $13,339,206, up from last year's $12.1 million. The $13.3 million handle is also the second highest ever for a Woodbine Mile card. Additionally, wagering in the local Ontario area also saw an 8.9 percent increase from the previous year and a strong...

The King's Plate race card, rescheduled to Friday following torrential rains on its originally scheduled date last Saturday, produced total wagering handle of $11.6 million. The three-day weekend total handle was $24.5 million. "After Mother Nature had other plans for us last weekend, Friday was picture perfect for the King's Plate and the racing was outstanding," said Michael Copeland, CEO of Woodbine. "We couldn't have pulled off such a memorable day without the tremendous support of our racing fans, racing participants and entire Woodbine team." With the original King's Plate...

Woodbine Entertainment and Helmets to Hardhats Canada (H2H), a group that supports Canadian veterans, reservists, senior cadets, military family members and Afghan interpreters in finding second careers through the construction industry, will partner for the 2024 running of the King's Plate held Aug. 17. The partnership will see H2H recognized as the Official Building Trades Unions Veteran's Liaison and a Canadian veteran will be included in the opening ceremony for the race. "Woodbine is proud to support Helmets to Hardhats and its valuable objectives," said Woodbine Entertainment CEO Michael Copeland....

Lisa Headrick has been appointed executive vice president, finance, strategy and operations at Woodbine Entertainment. "Lisa brings incredible depth and experience to the Woodbine leadership team," Woodbine Entertainment CEO Michael Copeland shared. "We are excited to have her join our team and help lead our business and the horse racing industry to ambitious new heights." Formerly a Vice President of Finance at Loblaw Companies Limited, Headrick led Finance for the Discount Grocery Retail Division and prior to that, the E-Commerce and Loyalty (PC Optimum) segments. She spent over 20 years...