Fort Erie Race Track to open May 31 for 129th racing season

The starting gates at Fort Erie Race Track will open May 31, launching the venue’s 129th season of live thoroughbred racing through until October 20. The schedule includes expanded Sunday racing and a series of public events alongside the track’s regular race days.

The season begins May 31 with the Summer Solstice Cup and Sprint Into Summer Cup. The race track has also scheduled a farmer’s market, food trucks and a concert to close the opening night.

Horses will arrive at the track in early-April for spring training, with preparations underway on the backstretch ahead of opening day. The racing calendar runs through late fall, maintaining one of the longest continuous horse racing seasons in Ontario.

Drew Cady, general manager of Fort Erie Race Track, said the expanded schedule aligns with regional tourism goals and aims to broaden the audience.

“We believe strongly in the province’s Destination Niagara strategy, and this race calendar puts us in a good position to be one of Niagara’s premier tourist destinations this summer,” said Cady in a Wednesday news release.

The schedule includes recurring themed events across the season, including Father’s Day racing in June and returning novelty races such as the Wiener Dog Races in July and Corgi and Basset Hound races in August. A Canada Day celebration and free concerts are also planned.

The Prince of Wales Stakes, the second race in Canada’s Triple Crown, returns on Labour Day weekend for its 91st running. The race has historically drawn national attention and significant wagering activity.

“This summer, we’re inviting racing enthusiasts, families, and tourists alike to experience the excitement of live thoroughbred racing in one of the most beautiful settings in Ontario,” said Cady.

The track remains a significant employer and economic driver in Fort Erie, supporting more than 125 full-time jobs and several hundred workers in related roles. Previous seasons have generated tens of millions in wagering and millions in local spending.

Planning for the season continues alongside longer-term agreements between the Fort Erie Live Racing Consortium and other provincial partners.

The season will conclude October 20 with a Halloween-themed event, Track-O-Lantern, closing out the track’s annual operations before the next winter off-season.

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