It’s the most fashionable event of the spring in Toronto!  The Greenwood Stakes is back again at Woodbine, the Toronto cousin to Vancouver’s Deighton Cup.

DETAILS:

Date: Saturday, May 25, 2019.
Gates Open: 12:00PM – 5:00PM.
Post Time: 1:00PM.
Location: Woodbine Racetrack – 555 Rexdale Blvd.
Transportation: Guests can drive to the Racetrack, grab our Greenwood Express Bus Tickets, or you can book an Uber, it’s only a 25 minute drive.
Food: À la carte pre-purchased menu items will be available.
Beverage: Cash bar, VISA, Mastercard, and AMEX also accepted.
Dress Code: Derby Attire.
Cost: Tickets starting at $75.

You know we love Woodbine and we’d love to give our Toronto Readers a chance to win a pair of passes (value $150) to attend the Greenwood Stakes! We’ll also be there and would love to introduce you to our namesake racehorse MR. WILL for a Photo Op also!

We had so much fun last year!

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and also follow @GreenwoodStakes on Twitter. Re-Tweet this Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra chance!

You will be responsible for your own transportation.

Visit http://greenwoodstakes.com for more.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Greenwood Stakes)

Happy Easter from our little Prince William and Princess! 🐇

It’s been a bit since we’ve checked in with you about our two stars.  MR. WILL or William as we like to call him around the barn, is progressing great for his Owner and Trainer Michelle Love, going for regular jogs around the Training Track at Woodbine with his sis, a sweet two-year-old filly by hot sire Souper Speedy, who is unnamed but known right now as Anastasia (yes, as in Fifty Shades of Grey).

Michelle tells us, “He’s doing great! They ran down the lane for an 1/8th (one furlong) for the first time yesterday”. It is exciting seeing the little guy put together the building blocks to becoming a racehorse. The two also went for their first walk today with the weather a bit nicer out finally, getting acclimated with the track and surroundings, which will be crucial later as part of their pre-race when they transition to the Main Track at Woodbine later.

He definitely is a good student and something about his introvertedness tells us he means business.  That aside, he is a bit of a cuddlebug and it made me so happy to see him warm-up to a Bunny plushie we brought one (one for his sis too, of course!).  His caretaker Jayne who adores him so much, nicknamed him “Sucky Face” for his adorable pout.  Michelle and I are actually shocked he hasn’t ripped it apart yet, so maybe he does have a gentle side!

 Mr. Will x Bunny

Mr. Will x Jayne

Mr. Will and his loving Aunties Katya, Lauren x Brianna

Mr. Will at work under Nikki and his sis under his Mama, learning to be off the rail and on the rail

Just William

Princess (A PIC BY MRWILL) continues to recover at her temporary home out in Caledon and we’re totally with her in her restlessness for some good weather. For the first time ever, I heard her let out a nicker, signalling her eagerness for time outside her stall. Emily Fisher continues to do an amazing job caring for her and it shouldn’t be long before she gets that vet clearance to be able to go outside again and just be a horse! She’s definitely earned it and we can’t to see her run free outside.

We recently stopped by for a visit and Princess got to spend time with both her moms Cathy and Emily. We could see how happy she was for a bit of us time, snacking on all her favourites after finishing up her dinner.

A Pic by Mrwill with Cathy x Emily

See a couple candid clips of our stars:

We’re a bit early but wishing you all an amazing long weekend ahead! May you find many treasures on your hunt.

We look forward to seeing you at the races at Woodbine, with opening weekend being next weekend!

Follow along on Social Media:

Emily: @emifisher

Michelle: @missesluv

Princess on Instagram: @apicbymrwill

Princess on Twitter: @apicbymrwill

Princess on Facebook: APicbyMrwill

Prince on Instagram: @mrwillthehorse

Prince on Twitter: @mrwillthehorse

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

February was a big month for our dear Prince and Princess with both of them being born in the month! Princess (A Pic by Mrwill) celebrated her fifth birthday on February 5th and we were so happy to throw a little party for her where’s she staying and it was an amazing afternoon seeing her out of her stall, bandages off being spoiled!

Miraculously, she still is growing and while she’s a bit sore from her stall rest, she gets her regular massages which she loves.  Emily, her Mama even showed us a few pointers how she likes to be massaged!  She tells us Princess will take a year off to get better and just enjoy life. Motherhood will be looked at next year. We’re beyond excited for her! In the meantime she enjoys her hand walks with her Mama around the barn.

See some Snaps of our day together Emily, Sheri, Billy, Princess and I:

After our celebration, she had another party with Emily and there were little Princess Cupcakes! Amazing!

… and we must introduce you to our new friend at the barn, Lincoln. He literally is the cutest and Princess adores him!

Emily sent us this beautiful candid taken by her sister, Chantelle!

Photo by little Cailey Love!

Follow along on Social Media:

Emily: @emifisher

Michelle: @missesluv

Princess on Instagram: @apicbymrwill

Princess on Twitter: @apicbymrwill

Princess on Facebook: APicbyMrwill

Prince on Instagram: @mrwillthehorse

Prince on Twitter: @mrwillthehorse

One of the biggest fashion events of the season, will be back once again Saturday, May 25, 2019 at Woodbine Racetrack!

A sister to Vancouver’s Deighton Cup, Toronto’s own Greenwood Stakes is a fabulous excuse for Toronto’s fashionable set to experience world-class Horse Racing and be seen!

Details:
When: Saturday, May 25, 2019
Where: Woodbine Racetrack – 555 Rexdale Blvd, Toronto
Time: 12 – 5 p.m.
Race Post Time: 1 p.m.
Price: Tickets start at $75
Dress Code: Derby attire

In addition to amazing music, cocktails, food and photo ops, the day will be highlighted by the inaugural running of the $125k Greenwood Stakes a six-furlong stakes races for horses three-years-old and up.

We had fun last year and even spotted some stars! More here.

Tickets nn sale March 6; available online at https://www.greenwoodstakes.com.

True to tradition, we present to you our A YEAR IN HORSES 2018 Video. Annually at the end of the Woodbine racing season, we compile our favourite moments of people and horses at the races to commemorate the year.

This year we chose to pair our highlights with one of our favourite tracks, ONE KISS by Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa. The song is a celebration of falling in love and that is exactly what we do year after year. We never get sick of this, our favourite sport! It’s always been about the people, the passion and the horses for us rather than hitting a Jackpot Hi-5.

The year was marked by Wonder Gadot‘s reign as the Queen of Canadian Racing and veterans shining like Pink Lloyd, Pumpkin Rumble, Mr. Havercamp, Kingsport and Tiz a Slam.  We saw also the rise of several recent additions to the jockey colony like Jerome Lermyte and Kazushi Kimura. 2018 may have been a divisive year with many getting their moment to shine and split opinions, but there certainly were a lot of memories to capture.  We take you right from the start of the season, all the way to Churchill Downs at the Breeders’ Cup, right to the end of the Woodbine meet.

While we had to scale back our visits slightly this year due to various commitments and Billy’s health issues – he is the only thing that could keep us from the races –  we still were very much there throughout the year. Hence when people ask me “Where  have you been?”, honestly I never left! And here’s the proof.

Enjoy!

Mr. Will

A YEAR IN HORSES 2018

Photos taken on the Nikon D3300, D850 and D3400

Hot of the press! An official date has been confirmed for the 2019 QUEEN’S PLATE RACING FESTIVAL, culminating in the North America’s most historic horse race. The Festival is a celebration of tradition, fashion, music, food and drink and is sure to be a blast!

It runs Friday, June 28, 2019 through Saturday, June 29, 2019 and you can bet we’ll be there!

For now you can RSVP and inquire about ticket purchases here:
https://www.facebook.com/events/262751304595346/

Last year’s headliner was Brad Paisley. We can’t wait to see who’ll headline next year’s Festival!

Is it #QP19 yet?

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

To have one racehorse named after you is a dream, but for this to happen twice has me feeling like Bob Baffert winning his second Triple Crown!

While my schedule was super-busy during TIFF, it was almost impossible not to make a trip north of the City to see adorable MR WILL. Those of you following on Social Media will know how overjoyed we were to hear that a colt named MR WILL would be going through the sales ring at the 2018 Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society Premier Yearling Sale last month. Bred by Northern Dawn Stable (Sherry McLean and Bob Craig), the colt after multiple bids went to owner/trainer Michelle Love and her husband Rob, who has the all-important job of Outrider at Woodbine Racetrack, keeping horses, horsepeople and fans safe. Once again, we are so touched by the Horse Racing community’s love. I am so grateful and thrilled about what lies ahead!

While we were saddened that our dear Princess (@APicbymrwill) had to be retired prematurely earlier this year, this gives us something to be really excited about. We still try to visit her every chance we can and we find comfort knowing that she is under the amazing care of Emily Fisher. She looks rather amazing and continues to be spoiled like she deserves. A bonus is that she’s only about ten minutes away from MR WILL.  Emily is dealing with her beloved stallion Don’s Folly, who is nursing an injury right now so we wish her and Don all the best in his recovery.

After driving past their home a few times (GPS only gets you so far in the country!) and finally finding it, I was ever anxious to meet my adorable new namesake. Rob told me, “I thought that might’ve been you!” seeing a little red Acura ILX driving back and forth like a lost soul.  Michelle led me into her barn, which houses Rob‘s beloved pony Grouch, a handsome gray who is a great ambassador for Woodbine, having appeared at Toronto’s Nathan Phillips Square to promote the sport. Michelle also has there a sweet filly she bought at the sale by red-hot freshman stallion, Souper Speedy.  Although she warned me that MR WILL might bite (just like his namesake!) being the colt that he is, he was on his best behaviour, reaching over to give me a peck. He’s even getting the hang of Selfies and I’m sure we’ll be giving him lots of practice! The colt definitely loves an audience and I was so impressed watching him do laps around his pen as both Michelle and Rob each took turns on him. He is under amazing guidance and while many other yearlings are taking their time getting ready, this boy already is at work and a true professional about it. It also helps that he was prepped well entering the sale, making Michelle‘s job a lot easier.

MR WILL knows all about mini carrots already, surprising Michelle even! 🥕

See some Snaps:

Looking at his pedigree, I have every reason to expect that MR WILL should excel on the turf. He is by 2008 Queen’s Plate winner Not Bourbon who has some deep bloodlines tracing back to the great Northern Dancer and Secretariat, the latter whom he actually resembles with his chestnut coat and linear white blaze. He also has some stamina and turf breeding on his mom, Wila Brew‘s side.  He is her first foal and she was a winner at Woodbine back in 2015 for trainer Dave Cotey, a man who knows his bloodstock having picked-out Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird on whom the Film 50-to-1 is based. I even remember seeing MR WILL‘s great-grandmother Willamar race at Woodbine when I was a kid and she was remarkably fast, setting a course record. Tons of history there.

We’ll try to keep you all updated on our boy’s progress without having to crash at Michelle and Rob‘s all the time. Too tempting to just show up at their home!! We’ve created a Twitter and Instagram for MR WILL, so please be following his exciting story as he transforms into a star of tomorrow!

MR WILL ON TWITTER

MR WILL ON  INSTAGRAM

Oh, we forgot to tell you about MR WILL‘s adorable little buddy, Roo!

He’s channeling Christopher Lloyd, Back to the Future!!

All photos taken on the NIKON D3400.

Just as TIFF ’18 winds-down, one of the biggest weekends in Horse Racing in Canada took place this past weekend at Woodbine Racetrack, including the Grade I $800k RICOH WOODBINE MILE, plus two Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re-In races, the Grade I Natalma and Grade II Summer Stakes. The trio of races are seen as springboards to Horse Racing’s championship days, the Breeders’ Cup to be held this November at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.

Saturday’s headlining Ricoh Mile proved a thrilling race, running deep in quality and class. Ultimately it would be former Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner OSCAR PERFORMANCE who would deliver that Academy gold in the one-mile race on the turf. The four-year-old son of top stallion Kitten’s Joy trained by Brian Lynch, would boost his earnings to $2.34 million for owner Amerman Racing LLC, stopping the clock at 1:33.1, winning by 1 1/2 lengths under red-hot U.S.-based jockey Jose Ortiz. Bettors were reward $7.20 to a $2.00 bet.

Oscar Performance

Giving the victor a fight for his money was Woodbine-based hero MR HAVERCAMP, finishing in second spot for owners Sean & Dorothy Fitzhenry and trainer Catherine Day Phillips. Eurico Da Silva was aboard the brave performance, for the same connections as 2018 Woodbine Oaks winner DIXIE MOON. British invader STORMY ANTARCTIC (GB) took third spot for Mr. P.K. Siu and trainer Ed Walker.

Watch the race here:

The excitement continued into Sunday with the Grade I Natalma Stakes highlighting the day. The one-mile turf race for fillies has spawned several champions including Alywow, Dance Smartly, Arravale, Wavering Girl, Kirby’s Song, Ginger Gold and Victory to Victory. This year’s Queen’s Plate champion Wonder Gadot finished third in the race last year.

The race was taken by British import, LA PELOSA (IRE), an Irish-bred daughter of Dandy Man, owned by international racing giant, Godolphin. Trained by Charles Appleby and ridden by Englishman Jamie Spencer, the filly kicked home a length clear of the field in a time of 1:33.7, less than a click slower than much more seasoned veterans in the Woodbine Mile one day prior. Bettors were rewarded with a return of $8.50 to a $2.00 bet. Woodbine-based filly MY GAL BETTY was an impressive second as the post-time favourite for Hall of Fame trainer Roger Attfield, her chances compromised by a wide run. Another promising local filly BOLD SCRIPT would run third. The winner is expected to be Kentucky-bound early November for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.

See the race:

The boys would not be outshone as exciting Chad Brown trainee FOG OF WAR would score in the Summer Stakes by 3/4 of a length under jockey Javier Castellano, defeating a game WAR OF WILL, who comes from the barn of leading trainer Mark Casse. The winner paid $4.20 on a $2.00 bet and is owned by Peter M. Brant, finishing in a time of 1:33.9, just marginally slower than the fillies earlier in the Natalma. The top two finishers are by in-demand stallion WAR FRONT, whose stud fee stands at $250k U.S. Both colts can be expected to square-off again in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. Local colt NASHTRICK, trained by Josie Carroll, finished third.

Fog of War
 
War of Will
 
Avie’s Flatter would finish fourth 

See the race:

 

The Breeders’ Cup takes place November 2-3, 2018. Catch it on TSN in Canada.

 

All photography taken on the NIKON D3400.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Woodbine Entertainment Group/TSN)

breeders' cup woodbine woodbine mile

Goodbyes are always a hard thing. Amidst all the bustle of the Queen’s Plate Festival this past weekend, we sent-off our dear Princess, A PIC BY MRWILL to begin her new life outside the Racetrack.

Some of you might remember Emily Fisher (@EmiFisher) who helped take care of Princess late in her two-year-old season. We played dress-up for Halloween together! Back then, she befriended Miss Emily‘s star athlete, multiple stakes winner Don’s Folly (Dons_Folly on Facebook), who went on to be crowned 2015 & 2016 Royal Winter Fair Thoroughbred Stallion Grand Champion as an eventer.

After announcing her retirement in May, Miss Emily offered kindly to take ownership of Princess right away after a few options were examined for her aftercare. She has been a daily part of Princess‘ day, visiting her often in-between runs in her work day on the backstretch at Woodbine, coming with cuddles and treats. We know that Princess will be living her best life possible and be cared for with the special attention and love she deserves. She won’t be far from Woodbine, which makes it easier for us to visit her and we love this.

Miss Emily says: “I am beyond excited to have Princess join our family, I cannot thank John and Cathy enough for entrusting me with her rehabilitation and her life after racing. She has had a few setbacks, but I believe that she has a bright future ahead of her and I can’t wait to see what this girl is capable of! We have a long road ahead of us but it is looking bright.  She handled her move so well and has settled into her new home. I have nothing but positive thoughts about how she will come out of this. There will be big things in this Princess’ future.”.

Motherhood definitely is in the books next for Princess after she gets the rest of the year to focus on healing, although her being developed into an eventer is a possibility too given that she has the perfect composition and demeanour for it. Whatever path fate leads her, we are thrilled for it and we will be there for her every step of the way with all our support.

Don’s Folly and Miss Emily

We’ve also expressed interest in sharing some of the future breeding costs together with Cathy, Princess’ previous Co-Owner, to pair her with an Ontario stallion. Believe me, we could go on all day about who would make the perfect father – the possibilities are infinite! Of course, Don’s Folly also is looking to establish himself as an Ontario stallion too and we would be happy too to see Princess be the mother of his first foal. There are several options, but all this is contingent on Princess‘ recovery and we place her wellness first.

We had one last hurrah at Woodbine with Princess this weekend and she was thrilled to get a visit from one of her biggest fans, Sean (@SPNation74) who was visiting from Massachussetts for the Queen’s Plate Festival.

Sean x Princess:

Some Snaps:

We also are thrilled for Princess‘ family at the John Ross barn and Aheadbyacentury on their fantastic second-place finish in the Queen’s Plate. He is all business and they all worked so hard for this!

See some Snaps of Princess’ goodbye to Woodbine. She got the quick go-ahead from Doctor Pete and boarded the truck like a true professional. Miss Emily and her friend Miss Chelsea came ready with Princess’ favourite haynet and some aromatherapy fly spray to keep those flies at bay.

While we’ll miss seeing Princess in her stall at Woodbine, this is only the beginning of forever for Princess and we are excited for her! We got so choked-up seeing her drive away.

Miss Emily checked-in with us last night to let us know that Princess has settled in nicely at her new home, “She’s great! She has settled in like a champ, cleaning-up her feed tub no problem. She had a sponge bath yesterday and will probably get another one today!”. That’s our Princess!

We’ll continue updating you on Princess‘ journey:

Twitter: @apicbymrwill
Facebook: /apicbymrwill
Instagram: @apicbymrwill

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

The party of the Summer for us always has been the Queen’s Plate. Now in its 159th edition, the historic $1 million affair brings together Canada’s best with a distinction of being the most historic horse race in North America. Social circles collided at the bash, now a three-day Festival at Woodbine Racetrack, as Horse Racing reunited once again with fashion, cocktails and entertainment, highlighted by a headlining performance by Country star Brad Paisley on Festival Friday and Sam Roberts Band following the big race Saturday. Betting was an all-time high tallying-in at $14,625,756, surpassing a 2017 record, proving that the Queen’s Plate is here to stay.

Wonder Gadot

The big race itself went to superfilly WONDER GADOT, who overcame the opposition with ease for her owner Gary Barber, former Chairman and CEO of MGM Entertainment. He last won the Queen’s Plate in 2014 with another brilliant filly, Lexie Lou. Ridden by U.S.-based John Velasquez and trained by reigning champion Mark Casse and his team led at Woodbine by David Adams and Kathryn Sullivan, she was crowned top two-year-old filly in the land this April before almost winning the prestigious Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs in a dramatic finish.  The daughter of Medaglio d’Oro named after Wonder Woman star Gal Gadot, boosted her career earnings just shy of the $1.2 million-mark and she was bred by Toronto’s David Anderson of Anderson Farms.  A box office smash just like her namesake! Superheroes all need their gear and it is said that the addition of blinkers helped the filly focus and she soared the skies.

The Tragically Hip fans would be delighted that John Ross co-owned trainee and hit namesake Aheadbyacentury, got up second for newcomer co-owners Jack of Hearts Racing, followed by second runner-up Cooler Mike and his owner/trainer Nick Nosowenko.

Wonder Gadot likely is to be seen next at Fort Erie Racetrack Tuesday, July 24, 2018 in the Prince of Wales Stakes, before heading possibly to Saratoga for the Alabama Stakes. Her win in the Queen’s Plate secures her a spot at Horse Racing’s championship days, the Breeders’ Cup, this fall at Churchill Downs with this now being considered a qualifying “win and you’re in” race.

2018 continues to be Barber‘s year.  He recently was in the news reaching a $260 million settlement with his former employer and he won another stake on Festival Sunday, the $225k Bison City Stakes with 2016 CTHS Premier Yearling Sale topper SAFE TO SAY. The filly is co-owned by Windway Farms (Jeffrey and Annabelle Begg), giving French jockey Jerome Lermyte his first stake win locally. Casse, who trains the filly, kicked-off his string of stakes scores on Festival Saturday in the Charlie Barley Stakes with John Oxley/My Meadowview LLC-owned RIDE A COMET.

Safe to Say

Other big winners this weekend at the Queen’s Plate Festival include Brad Cox trainee LONG ON VALUE who also earned a berth at the Breeders’ Cup with a win in the Highlander Stakes; the impressive Chad Brown mare SANTA MONICA (GB) powering through the heat in the Dance Smartly Stakes to deny her stablemate, Canadian-bred INFLEXIBILITY; DELTA PRINCE, a half-brother to the late and great Royal Delta won the King Edward for Frank Stronach; TIZ A SLAM, a former Queen’s Plate entrant, upset the Dominion Day Stakes; SILENT SONET roared in the Zadracarta Stakes; and FAIRY HILL, a $25k claim for Bruno Schickendanz by trainer Norm McKnight, sprinkled some magic and won the Lady Angela Stakes on Festival Friday.

See some Snaps:

Santa Monica (GB)

Long on Value

Frank Stronach & Delta Prince 

Ride a Comet

Fairy Hill

Silent Sonet

Tiz a Slam

Entertainment and Fashion also were front and center at the Queen’s Plate Festival. Bold type names attending included fix-it gurus Mike Holmes and Mike Holmes Jr., beauty queen and popular horse racing personality Acacia Courtney, Letterkenny stars Andrew Herr and Nathan Dales, County singer Natasha Zimbarro, The Umbrella Academy star Tom Hopper, media personalities Jennifer Valentyne, Sangita Patel and Rick Campanelli, plus members of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and more. Lieutenant Governor of Ontario Elizabeth Dowdeswell once again too graced us with her presence.

See more below:

Brad Paisley

Elizabeth Dowdeswell & Woodbine CEO Jim Lawson

Jennifer Valentyne

Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ Simoni Lawrence

Rick Campanelli

Natasha Zimbarro

Acacia Courtney

 Tom Hopper

Woodbine’s Tony Gattellaro and Phil Forde with the Cast of Letterkenny

Mike Holmes and Mike Holmes Jr.

And let’s not forget the fashion! Bri Mott and Fashion at the Races once again were at the Queen’s Plate engaging attendees to show-off their #QP18 style!

Bri Mott of Fashion at the Races

Breeder/Owner Yvonne Schwabe

Best Friends, jockeys Florent Geroux & Jerome Lermyte

CHCH TV Host and Blogger Brigitte Truong

Queen’s Plate Style Guide Director, Rachael Ancheril

Queen’s Plate official Milliner, David Dunkley

Impeccably-outfitted power owner Kenneth Ramsey & family, including grandson trainer Nolan, who now is based at Woodbine

Liliana Garcia & Cynthia Hernandez

Azalea

Princess (@APicbymrwill) and I in our matchy Festival Friday outfits:

More #QP18 sights and vibes:

The official #QP18 cocktail, the Royal Flush

Fresh off Wonder Gadot‘s victory blanket
 

We are thrilled to have featured the top two finishers in this year’s Queen’s Plate in our Webseries, MR. WILL’S PATH TO THE PLATE.  We apologize the Series ended prematurely this season due to scheduling conflicts, but hope to bring you more in 2019.

Wonder Gadot

Aheadbyacentury

Missed it this year? Follow @WoodbineTB on Twitter to stay up to date on all updates Woodbine and Queen’s Plate-related.

Want more? We’ve got a Facebook album full of #QP18. Click here to see!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)