Secretariat made the final appearance of his racing career at Woodbine in the 1973 Canadian International. After that farewell he retired to Claiborne Farm in Kentucky, giving the Toronto venue a lasting place in his story. Woodbine had also welcomed another national hero home: Northern Dancer returned from his Kentucky Derby success to win the Queen’s Plate here before beginning his extraordinary career as a stallion.
Woodbine became the first venue outside the United States to host the Breeders’ Cup in 1996. That international occasion followed a substantial rebuilding programme, which introduced the E. P. Taylor Turf Course alongside new thoroughbred and harness circuits. The same year also saw Woodbine become home to the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.
Harbourfront. Head downtown from Etobicoke for Lake Ontario promenades, waterfront culture and the landscaped Toronto Music Garden.
Toronto Islands. Take a ferry trip for a different perspective on the skyline, with open space and waterfront walks away from downtown.
Toronto has 2,794,356 residents.
