Woodbine Racecourse

Woodbine racetrack is a thoroughbred and standardbred racetrack located in Toronto, Canada. It was opened in 1956, on Rexdale Boulevard, west of Highway 27. It is the property of Woodbine Entertainment Group, and is the only racecourse in the North of America that stages both standard bred and thoroughbred horse racing at the same time. In the 90s, approximately twelve streets neighboring the racetracks were named with titles related to horse racing. For example, the Triple Crown Avenue was named as homage to a series of three thoroughbred races usually held annually in Canada. Secretariat Drive was named after one of the greatest thoroughbred horses of the time. The horse was number two in a list of over a hundred horses of the 20th century.

The most notable races that place in woodbine racecourse include Canadian International Stakes, Breeders’ Stakes, the Northern Turf Stakes, Woodbine Mile, Queen’s plate, among others. In the year 1996, Woodbine hosted the Breeders’ Cup. It also hosted the Arlington Million in 1988. The Woodbine is also well-known for hosting the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of fame.

The racecourse has hosted a number of standard bred races over the past few years. For example, since the Breeders’ Crown changed to a one-night event in the year 2010, Woodbine has hosted it three times; in 2011, 2012 and 2015. It also hosted the North America Cup five consecutive times. This sense of consistency has endeared the course to fans, which is one of the reasons it has become a mainstay of Canadian sports and testament to horse racing exceptionalism.

A number of thoroughbred races have also been held in Woodbine. An example is the Northern Dancer , which is usually run as a preparation for the Canadian International. Others include the woodbine Mile, E.P Stakes, and Canadian International, both of which are grade one thoroughbred turf stakes.

Caulfield (AU)

Caulfield Racecourse is a famous racing venue in Australia and home to the Melbourne Racing Club. It is a fine venue for thoroughbred horseracing and an events venue with all the cutting edge facilities for world class hospitality
services.

The racecourse is situated 8 km from Melbourne city centre in its South East Suburbs. The venue has a lot of history in the Sport of Kings’ having held race meetings since 1859. The racecourse started out with some grueling races for jockeys who had to ride through sand hills, heath and rough bush. This is how the racecourse got its nickname The Heath.’ It is a nickname that local race
goers use with a lot of fondness when referring to the venue.

Caulfield

racecourse has a triangular shaped track with three straights, a total
circumference of 2.08 km and a final straight stretching for 367 meters. Races on the track are run in an anti-clockwise direction. The racecourse hosts 20 raceday meetings which include some mouth-watering races steeped in history such as the C F Orr Stakes, Caulfield Cup, Oakleigh Plate, Blue Diamond Stakes, Futurity Stakes and Underwood Stakes.

During Spring, the racecourse comes alive with the most important race of the calendar, BMW Cup Carnival which runs for three days. Race goers are treated to some amazing racing during this time with races meetings such as The Ladbrokes Guineas Day followed by the Catanach’s Jewelers Blue Sapphire Stakes and finally the BMW Cup Day. The last day of racing includes the  world’s greatest 2400m handicap races that easily send the fans into a frenzied mood.

The Caulfield racecourse has plenty of amenities for race goers and members as well. One such facility is the Clarke grandstand which has been glassed to endure maximum comfort even in winter and summer months. The stand also has magnificent views of the home turn, mounting yard and winning post.

The Caulfield racecourse is fitting for a day of exciting races and some fun with the family. What’s more, there is plenty of parking and the train station is less than a hundred meters away in case you intent to use public transportation.

Best Mate

Best Mate, who won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2002, 2003 and 2004, was the first horse since Arkle to win the three consecutive renewals of the Blue Riband of steeplechasing. Shortly after his third victory, his former trainer, Henrietta Knight said, “I don’t compare Best Mate with Arkle. It’s looking ahead that I prefer to do.”

 

Best Mate could, conceivably, have gone on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup again, had he not tragically collapsed and died, from a suspected heart attack, after being pulled up on his first start of the 2005/06 season. Comparisons with Arkle, while futile, are inevitable and while Timeform Ratings – billed as the “definitive assessment” of horse racing form – suggest that Arkle was a class apart, conventional wisdom suggests that the respected provider dropped a clanger in its assessment of the legendary Irish ‘chaser.

 

In any event, Best Mate was, without question, a hugely talented performer. He finished first or second in 21 of his 22 starts under National Hunt Rules, won 11 of his 16 steeplechases and amassed over £1 million in prize money. In his first appearance at the Cheltenham Festival, in 2000, he started 6/1 second favourite for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle but, despite running on strongly in the closing stages, could never quite reach the eventual winner, Sausalito Bay, and finished second, beaten three-quarters of a length.

 

Best Mate was sent over fences at the start of the 2000/01 season and by the time he lined up for his first attempt at the Cheltenham Gold Cup, in 2002, he had already won the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown and second, beaten just three-quarters of a length, in the King George VI Chase at Kempton.

 

Sent off 7/1 second favourite behind defending champion Looks Like Trouble, he quickened to lead approaching the final fence and ran on well to beat Commanche Court by 1¾ lengths. He completed a notable double when easily beating Truckers Tavern by 10 lengths in 2003 and, although he had to work harder in 2004, his half a length win over Sir Rembrandt was enough to earn his place in Cheltenham folklore.