While horses throughout North America broke down on the dirt at a rate of 1.44 per 1,000 starts in 2022, the rate of breakdowns over the synthetic surface at Woodbine was 0.42. This year, after about 4,500 starts over Tapeta there have been only two fatalities during races. Also, there have been about 14,000 published workouts over Woodbine's synthetic tracks and only two fatalities there.

Woodbine CEO Jim Lawson is proud of those numbers, but not surprised.

“The statistics don't lie,” Lawson said.

Lawson, like most in the industry, has grown gravely concerned about the many high-profile breakdowns that have occurred this year in racing and believes that the sport must do something to combat the problem. Does that mean a massive shift from dirt surfaces to synthetic surfaces? While he is hesitant to tell someone else how to run their racetrack, he's not shy about telling Woodbine's story.

Woodbine replaced its dirt track with a Polytrack synthetic surface in 2006. By 2016, there was a need for a new racing surface and Lawson said he was under intense pressure to go back to dirt.

“I was under a lot of pressure and was attacked for considering that we go with Tapeta,” he said. “We wanted to be transparent about it, so we polled all our horsepeople. There was maybe a slight preference for Tapeta, but the people who were advocates of going back to dirt were nasty about it. I can't describe it any other way. We did the right thing when we moved to Tapeta.”

The Tapeta surface has consistently been one of the safest tracks in North America.

“It's come time for the industry to take a harder, more honest look at what's going on,” Lawson said. “As an industry, we are in a difficult position. The industry seriously needs to consider a change.”

Woodbine Racetrack's Tapeta surface | Michael Burns

An owner and breeder before he got involved in management at Woodbine, Lawson is well versed in dirt racing. He said that changing weather conditions make it difficult to maintain consistency on dirt tracks and that inconsistent tracks can be unsafe tracks. That was particularly an issue in Canada, where the early spring and late fall can be include a lot of nasty weather.

“A dirt surface is very good as long as the conditions are perfect and it's well maintained,” he said. “These major tracks, they do a good job. But they are dealt the hand they are dealt. You get cold weather and moisture and have to deal with drying out tracks. It's just not the same when it comes to consistency. Inconsistency with dirt surface is what is causing a lot of the problems. That's what we saw in California when they had their problems. It was watery on top, hard underneath. Or you would have a drying out track that would get lumps. It's much easier to keep a synthetic track, especially when you factor in weather, consistent and safer for the horses.”

Lawson has heard all the arguments made for sticking with dirt, namely that switching to synthetics would cause an upheaval in the breeding industry. He's not buying it.

“When we were deciding whether to go to Tapeta or back to dirt, I kept hearing that these stallions, particularly traditional dirt stallions in Kentucky, would be affected,” he said. “I have never seen any evidence that horses by high-end stallions won't do just as well on the Tapeta. Most horses like the Tapeta, regardless of who their sire is. It's the rare horse that doesn't like Tapeta. I have never bought this argument that it is somehow going to change the breed if we as an industry move significantly toward synthetic surfaces. I don't think anymore than 10 or 15 percent of the horses don't like Tapeta.”

The Breeders' Cup has been run once at Woodbine, in 1996 when the main track was dirt. Though the Woodbine facility is a good fit for the event, it has not come back since and Lawson is among those who believe one of the reasons is that the Breeders' Cup team does not want to upend things by switching its traditional dirt races to synthetics.

“I quietly campaigned a couple of years ago to have the Breeders' Cup take a hard look at Woodbine again because of our turf courses and our synthetic track,” he said. “I thought they could make a statement that this is potentially the future of the industry.”        He has not given up on having the event return to Toronto.

“I think that it would be a bold statement to move the Breeders' Cup to Woodbine at some point,” he said. “For there to be meaningful change, it's going to take someone to step up. I would love to see them give Woodbine another chance at the Breeders' Cup.  That's not me campaigning for the Breeders. Cup. I think the industry needs to recognize it has a serious problem and that this is a way to address this issue.”

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A total of $18,127,049.67 was wagered on Sunday's 13-race King's Plate card, eclipsing the previous record of $18,005,973.60 from the 2019 Queen's Plate. The record handle is also a significant increase from last year's Queen's Plate handle of $13.6 million.

“It's exciting to have ushered in a new era for the Plate in record-breaking fashion,” said Jim Lawson, CEO of Woodbine Entertainment. “We felt good about the buzz surrounding the first King's Plate in over 70 years and that was clearly backed up on Sunday through the energy of our sold-out crowd and the wagering support.”

The King's Plate race, won by Paramount Prince (Society's Chairman), brought in $4,455,176.26 in wagering, including a new record Win Pool of $1,179,172.71. The 17-horse field for the Plate was the largest since 2011.

“Our Racing Team did a great job putting together a competitive and appealing Plate card for horseplayers,” Lawson said. “I'm very proud of our entire team behind the scenes at Woodbine for their efforts. Now we aim to carry this momentum through the remainder of the season and the upcoming major stakes in September and October.”

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“This a great day for Ontario sports bettors and especially for the horse racing industry in the province,” said Jim Lawson, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment. “For over a year, we have been working hard with regulators, government agencies and our partners at bet365 to develop the technology and satisfy all requirements to allow players to access pari-mutuel horse racing betting products using accounts with legal gaming operators in Ontario with the customer experience at the forefront. Betting on horse racing in Ontario is now on its way to becoming more accessible than ever.”

In addition, Woodbine Entertainment and bet365 created a four-year marketing partnership, in which the latter receives naming rights for the apron winner's circle, inner turf course and paddock. Additionally, bet365 will have naming rights for stakes races throughout the year.

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Also, Mark Saunders has been re-elected to Woodbine Entertainment's Board of Directors after taking a short leave of absence to run in the recent By-Election for Mayor of the City of Toronto.

“We are very pleased to welcome Brad and Scott, and welcome back Mark, to our Board,” said Hugh Mitchell, Chair of Woodbine Entertainment's Board of Directors. “Their diverse wealth of business acumen, knowledge, leadership and experience bodes well to contribute to our complex and growing business. Our Board very much looks forward to working with each of these exceptional individuals.”

Grant has been the leading Woodbine Standardbred owner for six of the last seven seasons and currently sits atop the standings for 2023. Mitchell is currently the Managing Partner and CEO of the Hamilton Sports Group (HSG). Saunders is a retired police officer and most recently, the Chief of Police for the Toronto Police Service.

“We welcome back Mark and look forward to benefiting from his experiences and leadership, as we do with Brad and Scott,” added Lawson. “All three individuals will add a breadth of knowledge and experience that will complement and support our existing directors as we continue to build our business and industry for future growth.”

Woodbine Entertainment said that former CEO and long-time Director Nick Eaves is retiring from the Board.

“I would like to thank Nick for his countless contributions to our organization and industry over the past several decades,” said Jim Lawson, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment. “His leadership and steady hand during challenging times served Woodbine well and our organization and industry continue to benefit from his leadership through the years.”

Grant, Mitchell and Saunders's appointments to Woodbine Entertainment's Board of Directors are subject to regulatory approval.

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Copeland, who is currently President, Commercial, joined Woodbine Entertainment in 2021 after holding various  leadership roles in sports and entertainment, including President and CEO of the Canadian Football League's Toronto Argonauts from 2015 to 2018, and President of the CFL's head office from 2006 to 2015.

He has a law degree from the University of Western Ontario and an MBA from Western's Ivey School of Business. He is a recipient of the prestigious Caldwell Partners/Globe & Mail “Canada's Top 40 Under 40” Award and the Western Law W. Iain Scott Business Leadership Award.

“We are thrilled to have a business leader of Michael's caliber to take on this role and lead our organization during a transformative time that is full of opportunity for Woodbine and the horse racing industry,” said Hugh Mitchell, Chair of Woodbine Entertainment's Board of Directors.

Looking forward to his new role, Copeland said, “We are one of the best multi-faceted sports and entertainment companies in North America and we have tremendous potential to further develop and grow with horse racing at the center of it all. With this role comes great responsibility as it supports a way of life for tens of thousands of families in Ontario, as it did for my wife's family for decades. I am excited about the opportunity we have to lead Woodbine and racing in Ontario to ambitious, new heights.”

The board has appointed Lawson to the position of executive chair.

“I have worked with Michael for many years, and I am truly excited for the strategic thinking and bold vision he will bring as CEO,” said Lawson. “I am also looking forward to contributing to Woodbine and the racing industry and supporting Michael in my new role as Executive Chair. Woodbine has accomplished many great things over the past decade, but the best is yet to come.”

As part of the transition and to support Copeland in his new role, it was also announced that long-time horse racing industry executive Bill Ford will assume the role of Chief Racing Officer and General Counsel. Ford has been an executive at Woodbine Entertainment since 2011 and prior to that, he was General Counsel and Secretary for Magna Entertainment (a predecessor of The Stronach Group) from 2003 to 2010.

“Bill brings deep knowledge and a lifelong passion for the sport of racing. With his experienced, steady hand overseeing our racing operations, we are very well-positioned to further strengthen our racing product and the Ontario racing industry,” said Copeland.

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“Being CEO of Woodbine Entertainment has been a great honor and passion for me,” Lawson said. “On a personal level, I have truly enjoyed my time leading the organization and I am so grateful for the incredible people that I have had the honor of working with, but it's now time to spend more time with my family.

“On a professional level, during my time with Woodbine, we have become a multi-dimensional organization, having expanded our scope and reputation as a world leader in dual-breed horse racing, while working meticulously and respectfully to drive new revenues that will continue to support the Ontario horse racing industry for decades to come. I have every confidence that Woodbine Entertainment is on a path to a very strong and sustainable future.”

Hugh Mitchell, Chair of Woodbine Entertainment's Board of Directors, praised Lawson for his stewardship.

“On behalf of our Board of Directors, I would like to thank Jim for his strong, unwavering and impactful leadership to both Woodbine Entertainment and the Ontario horse racing industry over the last 15 years,” said Mitchell. “Jim's passion for the horse racing industry and admiration for the hardworking people has been a hallmark of his tenure as CEO. Jim has made lasting contributions that will undoubtedly benefit the organization and industry for decades. We also look forward to identifying ways for the Board of Directors and the next CEO to continue benefiting from his experience and passion in the future.

“As for Woodbine's next leader, the Board's Succession Committee is working diligently and is confident that we will be successful in finding the next CEO who will continue to build on our positive momentum.”

It is expected that Lawson will be associated with Woodbine in a senior role that will be defined at a later date.

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The deal also includes a 133-raceday meet in 2023 and 129 race dates in 2024. Despite the fewer race days next year, the track expects the number of races offered to be substantially the same as 2023 through more optimized scheduling during the meet.

As part of the agreement, Woodbine Entertainment will continue to contribute $300,000 to the HBPA in each year of the deal for improving working benefits and conditions for those working on the Woodbine backstretch.

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For the first time since 2019, Woodbine was able to hold a full season of racing. Over the course of 132 live dates, a total of 1,198 races were staged. The 2020 and 2021 seasons were delayed and interrupted to varying degrees by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We're very happy with the results of our 2022 season, our first full season in a few years,” said Jim Lawson, CEO of Woodbine Entertainment. “At the start of the pandemic, I felt that through determination and resiliency–which is the trademark of this industry–we would emerge stronger and this record all-sources handle is evidence we are on the right track.”

Woodbine officials also announced that the track took in a record $515 in foreign handle, surpassing the previous record of $420 million two years ago. The home market area was responsible for $87.2 million in handle.

An average of $519,016 was handled per race in 2022, higher than any pre-COVID season, while fields size was 8.2 runners per race, above the North American average.

“Our Racing Team did a fantastic job despite challenges in putting together competitive and sizable fields,” said Lawson. “Field size directly impacts our wagering and we're constantly looking at ways to keep our numbers healthy.”

Racing returns to the Toronto-area oval Saturday, Apr. 22, 2023. The King's Plate is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 20.

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“The Plate is one of the most celebrated events in horse racing, and we're proud to celebrate its history while starting a new chapter under the banner of The King's Plate,” said Jim Lawson, Woodbine Entertainment's CEO. “Those who attend can expect more than elite-level horse racing. They can soak in the elements of food, fashion, and culture that have become associated with this prestigious annual event while enjoying moments designed for a new generation of race fans. We're excited to share more details about The King's Plate in the months to come.”

First run in 1860 with a purse of 50 guineas from Queen Victoria to Canadian-bred horses, the prize from the British monarchy still continues this day. The Queen's Plate was renamed in 1901 to The King's Plate during the reign of four consecutive kings, then returned to The Queen's Plate moniker in 1952 when Queen Elizabeth II ascended the throne. In September, King Charles III was named British monarch.

The King's Plate is Canada's oldest and most prestigious Thoroughbred race and the 2023 running, worth $1 million and the first leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, will mark the 164th edition.

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“Aftercare of retired racehorses is a vital component of the sport and important to the team at Woodbine,” said Chief Executive Officer of Woodbine Entertainment Group, Jim Lawson. “We are honored to welcome the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance to the second installment of Woodbine Aftercare Day. Last year was a great success and we look forward to working with the TAA again.”

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