Rewards for trainers in Canada

Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto is the premier destination for thrilling thoroughbred races in Canada. With a racing season from April to December, it features prestigious events such as The Queen’s Plate, Breeders Cup qualifiers like the Woodbine Mile, Summer and Natalma Stakes, and the beloved Canadian International Stakes.

Woodbine Entertainment has revealed a new initiative for trainers with the opening of the backstretch at Woodbine Racetrack this week. Starting from the 2024 racing season, a Starter Bonus of $50 will be given to trainers who start a horse in an overnight race that doesn't finish in the top five. This bonus will not be eligible for stakes races.

Tim Lawson, Vice President of Thoroughbred Racing for Woodbine, acknowledged the challenges facing our trainers with increasing operating costs. After considering the Starter Bonus idea and consulting with horse people, they have found a way to implement it this season to provide support for trainers and give them a financial boost.

Woodbine has confirmed that they have set aside around 1,900 stalls for this season, an increase of 90-100 stalls compared to last year. Horses began arriving earlier this week, with the training track set opened on March 2nd and the main all-weather track for training on March 11th, pending weather conditions

In the end, the aim is to keep expanding support for horse trainers when it’s possible, but for now, they are always exploring new initiatives to help alleviate their everyday financial burdens during the extended racing season.

The income source for racehorse trainers 

The earnings of an average racehorse trainer can vary greatly and depend on multiple factors, such as the performance of their horses and additional income sources. Many trainers rely on multiple revenue streams to sustain their livelihood. Here are some important ways in which racehorse trainers can generate income

In the horse racing industry, trainers typically receive a portion of the winnings earned by their horses when they finish in the top three positions in races. This payment is directly deposited into their accounts from the track's prize money. These earnings can make up a significant portion of a trainer's overall income, especially if their horses perform exceptionally well in high-profile stakes races.

It is a common practice for owners of successful colts to grant the trainer a permanent breeding privilege. This allows the trainer to select a mare each year for free breeding, and they can also sell this right in years when they do not have a mare of their own. The breeding rights for top stakes winners can hold significant value.

Some trainers run training centres where they initiate the training of young prospects, preparing them for saddle and rider before they move on to the training track. This specialised area can be quite lucrative for trainers who have established a strong reputation in the industry. Trainers also have the option to claim horses to race either for themselves or on behalf of a client, with the opportunity to earn additional revenue from the horse's earnings and day rate.