Harness Racing at Grand River Raceway

Grand River Raceway is a relatively new racetrack that opened in 2002 in Elora, a village with a population of just under 8,000 as of 2011. Located in the southwestern region of Ontario, Elora is part of the Great Golden Horseshoe and the densely populated Quebec City-Windsor corridor, which is known for its economic development.

Despite the surrounding area's significant population and industrial activity, Elora retains its natural beauty, with designated conservation areas. The Grand River flows through a deep gorge nearby, accompanied by scenic cliffs and a quarry. Founded in 1832, the town is also notable for its historic architecture, mills, and bridges, drawing visitors who appreciate history and culture.

Since 2002, tourism in the area has surged, largely due to the racetrack’s establishment, though this development faced opposition from local residents. The modern facility features more than just a horse racing track, as it also serves as a major entertainment and gaming venue with a casino and slot machines—a feature that has sparked mixed reactions in the community. The decision to construct the racetrack was narrowly approved by the city council in 2000, with the mayor casting the decisive vote. By 2017, the community had received $22 million from the project, allowing for further expansion of the gaming industry.

The Grand River Raceway offers live harness racing from June to September, complete with live broadcasts and recordings of each race. It partners with bookmakers like HPIbet and Dark Horse, enabling even novice bettors to place wagers on the races.

Among its noteworthy events, Grand River Raceway hosts the prestigious Battle of Waterloo and the Battle of the Belles, celebrated during the annual Industry Day on the first Monday of August. The Battle of Waterloo is a qualifying race for two-year-old Canadian-bred colts, while the Battle of the Belles is specifically for fillies.

A bit of history

 Today, Grand River Raceway stands as a large, modern racetrack. Until this year, it featured a half-mile track, but in 2024, the oval was expanded to ⅝ mile, fully aligning with the highest modern standards and capable of hosting competitions at any level.

The journey began back in 1974, and interestingly, not in Elora itself. That year marked the inaugural Ontario Sire Stakes (OSS), a series of races for Canadian-bred Standardbred and Thoroughbred horses designed to support local breeders. This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the OSS. One of the 14 tracks participating in OSS races was the small Elmira Raceway, located just 20 km from Elora in the Waterloo Region.

On August 6, 1990, passionate supporters of Elmira Raceway organised an “Industry Day” to celebrate the racing industry and its workforce. The event was a tremendous success, generating positive feedback and attracting investors willing to back the initiative. Consequently, it became an annual tradition, evolving into a beloved summer event for local residents. In 1998, the first Battle of Waterloo race was introduced on “Industry Day,” with a prize pool of $200,000. The inaugural race was notable for its festive theatrical performance featuring figures like Queen Elizabeth, Napoleon, the Duke of Wellington, and a brigade of tin soldiers. That same year marked a milestone for Elmira Raceway as it became the first track in Canada and the United States to broadcast a live race.

Carl Jamieson, a rider in the Canadian Racing Hall of Fame, became the first winner of the Battle of Waterloo in 1998. Among the winners are the famous John Campbell in 2014 with Go Daddy Go, and Randy Waples has won the race four times.

After the closure of Elmira Raceway, the question of moving the track arose. The settlement of Elora was chosen, where the construction of the racetrack was completed by 2003. On April 24, 2004, the first competition was held, and on May 10, 2004, the grand opening of the Grand River Raceway took place. Old-timers remember that on the opening day of the racetrack, the weather was cloudy and raining, spectators decided that this was a good omen. It seems they were not mistaken. The track became the successor of the competitions that were held at Elmira Raceway, including the Battle of Waterloo.

In 2007, the Battle of Waterloo was won by the famous Canadian trotter Somebeachcomeweare, his rider was Paul MacDonell. This became a big event and strengthened the prestige of the race.

In 2009, the first Battle of the Belles race was held on the same evening after the Battle of Waterloo and is considered a companion race. The first race was won by Scott Zeron, and Jody Jamieson, son of the famous Carl Jamieson, won the race three times, as did Doug McNair, who was trained by his father Gregg McNair. Since then, two races have become the hippodrome's signature events, attracting both locals and visiting guests and tourists. In addition to the races, the hippodrome has slot machines, lots of entertainment for children, food trucks, etc. Entrance to the hippodrome is free, except, of course, for the VIP boxes with increased comfort.

Grand River Raceway 2024

On August 5, 2024, the racetrack marked its 35th annual "Industry Day". This year, alongside the traditional Battle of Waterloo and Battle of the Belles, a new race called Button Up Preferred debuted, honouring the remarkable horse Button Up, the 2005 Battle of Waterloo champion. Additionally, two key races, the OSS Grassroots, were held as part of the event. 

Winbak Farm Stud returned as the event's sponsor for the third consecutive year. 

Stonebridge Wizard took home the title of 2024 Battle of Waterloo champion, completing a mile in a record-setting 1:51.2 for two-year-old male pacers. Meanwhile, Manhattan Mayhem earned distinction as the fastest filly pacer in the Battle of the Belles, clocking in at 1:53. 

Travis Henry emerged as the leading driver at Grand River Raceway this year, securing 54 victories and amassing $360,000 in earnings, while Jason Ryan and Brett MacDonald tied for second with 44 wins each. In the training ranks, Ashley Lendvoe stood out with 19 race wins and over $100,000 in prize money. The fastest three-year-old pacer of the year, Betthebeach Yankee, driven by Austin Sorry, recorded an impressive time of 2:50.3, while Manhattan Mayhem also shone with a time of 1:53 in the Belles.

These achievements are just a glimpse of the remarkable records set during the recently concluded 2024 season at Grand River Raceway, with many more to come. Over the years, the track has continued to evolve, becoming increasingly captivating for both spectators and participants alike. Its facilities are continually enhanced, the pool of visiting competitors expands, and the number of races and prize funds continues to grow. As a result, the racetrack firmly establishes itself among the premier sports complexes in the country for standardbred horse racing.