First run in 1976 at Northlands Park, the Grade 3 Canadian Derby has long been an important fixture on the Thoroughbred racing calendar in western Canada, first achieving graded status in 1999. While being contested at Northlands, the distance of the race was 1 3/8 miles, which was shortened to 1 ¼ miles in 2019 when it moved to Century Mile Racetrack & Casino.
The Canadian Derby has lived up to its name over the years, having been won by horses bred from British Columbia to Quebec and each province in between. Outstanding Canadian-breds which have captured the race include Frost King, Let's Go Blue, and Steady Power, along with many others bred, trained, or raced by Jockey Club of Canada members.
Fittingly, the inaugural running of the Derby was won by Laissez Passer, who was bred in Ontario by the great E. P. Taylor and owned by Jean-Louis Levesque. Mr. Taylor was instrumental in founding The Jockey Club of Canada 50 years ago and would serve as its first Chief Steward, chairing the board from 1973 to 1976, while Mr. Levesque was one of the founding members. Our current membership roster includes Albertans Hazel Bennett and Michael Vanin, who are new to our Board of Stewards in 2023, along with Don Danard, Keith Johns, Adrian Munro, Paul Ryneveld, Michael Secker, and Dr. Steven Smith.
First opened in 1982, Evergreen Park in Grande Prairie is an integral part of the racing scene in Alberta. Not just a racetrack, the facility plays host to a multitude of other events throughout the year, and is one of the province's largest multi-purpose venues.
Another longstanding fixture in the province is the Alberta Breeders' Fall Classic, which is celebrating its 27th edition with this year's running at Century Downs Racetrack & Casino. It is the richest day for Alberta-bred thoroughbreds, offering seven restricted races worth a total of $350,000.
The Jockey Club of Canada is proud to join the festivities of the 47th running of the Grade 3 Canadian Derby, the final day of racing at Evergreen Park, and Alberta Breeders' Fall Classic day with our presentations of a commemorative cooler to the winner of the Jockey Club of Canada 50th Anniversary Cup races at each track.
The Jockey Club of Canada was founded in 1973 by E.P. Taylor to serve as the international representative of the Canadian Thoroughbred industry. The mission of The Jockey Club of Canada is to promote and maintain a high standard for Thoroughbred racing and breeding in Canada at a level which is recognized internationally for the benefit of all those interested in the sport, including the general public. This is achieved through operations and services such as, but not limited to: evaluating all Graded, Listed and Black-type races in Canada annually; conducting the annual Sovereign Awards for outstanding achievement in Thoroughbred racing and breeding in Canada; maintaining a field office in Canada for the Jockey Club of the United States and the Jockey Club Registry Service; and by representing Canada as a Member of the IFHA.
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