Horse racing holds a deep-rooted tradition in Canada and continues to be a beloved sport across the nation. The horse racing industry significantly bolsters Canada’s economy, contributing an impressive $8.69 billion to the GDP in 2022.
According to Matt Bastock from Techopedia, the recent changes in gambling laws have sparked a surge in online betting activity. Numerous betting platforms in Canada now offer extensive horse racing odds and various betting options. For example, in 2019, Channel Maker faced stiff competition with odds of 12-1 heading into the Breeders’ Turf Cup. Although considered an underdog by many bettors, Channel Maker defied expectations by clinching the title. The unpredictable nature of horse racing is part of what makes it such a captivating sport for spectators and bettors alike. While odds provide useful insights, the uncertainty of which horse will ultimately prevail adds to the excitement for fans and gamblers.
Awesome Again
Awesome Again was a formidable Canadian Thoroughbred, accumulating over $4.3 million in earnings throughout his career. Bred by Frank Stronach, this son of the Deputy Minister became a dominant figure in the late 1990s. Among his most notable victories were the Queen’s Plate in 1997, the Breeders’ Cup Classic in 1998, and several other prestigious races like the Jim Dandy Stakes.
Given his remarkable track record, Awesome Again often had lower odds in major stakes due to his well-established reputation and past performances. Today, many betting platforms feature races named in his honour, such as the Awesome Again Stakes, commemorating his significant impact on the sport.
Shaman Ghost
Shaman Ghost, the second-highest-earning Canadian-bred racehorse, accumulated approximately $3.8 million over his career. Starting his racing journey in 2014, Shaman Ghost initially struggled to find success. However, a change in training strategies, including the removal of blinkers, helped him turn things around, leading to his first victory at Gulfstream Park in March 2015. His earnings placed him just behind Awesome Again, who remains the richest Canadian-bred racehorse to date.
Shaman Ghost’s crowning achievement was his victory in the Queen’s Plate, earning him the title of Canadian Champion Three-Year-Old Colt. This win was particularly significant as the Queen’s Plate is the oldest continuously run stakes race in North America. Throughout his career, Shaman Ghost’s odds ranged from 14-1 to 10-1, indicating that while he was viewed as competitive, he was not always the favourite.
Channel Maker
Channel Maker ranks as the third-richest Canadian-bred racehorse, earning over $3.9 million. Sired by the champion turf horse English Channel and out of the stakes-winning mare In Return, Channel Maker is a full brother to Canadian champion Johnny Bear and a half-brother to stakes winner Court Return. This versatile performer excelled on both turf and dirt, racing for an impressive eight seasons from age 2 to 10, with major victories including the 2018 Man o’ War Stakes and the 2019 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic.
Channel Maker’s consistent performances and longevity made him a popular choice among bettors and online betting platforms, particularly during major stakes races, where he demonstrated his ability to compete against top turf horses. His enduring success highlights his exceptional class and talent.
Sky Classic
Sky Classic, a dominant turf horse from the early 1990s, earned approximately $3.3 million during his career. Although injuries sidelined him for much of the 1990 season, he made a remarkable comeback in 1991, winning six of his nine starts. His victories included prestigious events like the Rothmans International, where he set a new course record.
Sky Classic’s impressive career included 29 starts, with 15 wins, 6 seconds, and 1 third, accumulating around $3.3 million in earnings. His exceptional performances earned him numerous accolades, including the U.S. Champion Male Turf Horse title in 1992 and the Canadian Champion Male Turf Horse title in 1991. He was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 1998.
Wando
Wando, the 2003 Canadian Triple Crown winner, earned $2.563 million over his career. Bred by Gustav Schickedanz, this son of Langfuhr achieved legendary status by winning the Queen’s Plate, Prince of Wales Stakes, and Breeders’ Stakes in the same year, becoming a Canadian racing icon.
With 23 career starts, including 11 wins, 2 seconds, and 2 thirds, Wando accumulated $2,563,038 in prize money. In 2003, Wando entered the Queen’s Plate as the 7-5 favourite and was also the 7-2 Winterbook favourite leading up to the race. His achievements earned him the titles of Canadian Horse of the Year and Champion 3-Year-Old Male, bringing the Canadian Triple Crown back into the spotlight and showcasing the talent of Canadian-bred horses.
Northern Dancer: A Legendary Sire
Northern Dancer, one of the most influential sires of the 20th century, earned a then-record $580,000 as a Canadian-bred horse in the 1960s. He won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes in 1964 before retiring to stud, where he sired champions on both sides of the Atlantic.
In 1964, Northern Dancer was heavily favoured in the Queen’s Plate, with odds of 1-7 in a field of eight horses. He was highly regarded by fans and bettors alike and was expected to perform exceptionally well. His favouritism extended to other significant races, where he entered the Blue Grass Stakes as the 5-1 favourite, cementing his status as a top contender throughout his 3-year-old campaign.
Sir Dudley Digges
Sir Dudley Digges, a son of Gio Ponti bred by Bernard and Karen McCormack, earned $775,300 in 2016, ranking 61st among all Thoroughbreds that year. He captured the prestigious Queen’s Plate at Woodbine that season and secured a second-place finish in the Breeders’ Stakes. Sir Dudley Digges’ earnings of over $775,000 in a single season highlight the high level of competition and lucrative purses available to Canadian-bred horses in the modern era.
Despite not being favoured in major races, Sir Dudley Digges proved his talent by winning at odds of nearly 16-1, defeating his rival Amis Gizmo, and finishing second at odds of 6-1 at Kentucky Downs. His ability to exceed expectations and claim prestigious victories underscores his exceptional racing prowess.