On Thursday, Nov. 2, Horse Racing Alberta (HRA) announced a three-year agreement for live race days has been approved by the HRA Board.

The number of race days for each racetrack and race meet are estimated and subject to change. The 2024 Race Day Calendar dates will be released shortly and are subject to change periodically. Please consult the HRA website at thehorses.com for the updated schedule. All scheduled race dates are weather permitting.

2024-2026 “A” Track Race Day Calendar

Century Mile, Leduc

In 2024, Standardbred racing at Century Mile will take place from Jan. 5 until Feb. 3 for a total of eight race days for the winter meet. Live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing will return to Century Mile on April 27 and will end on Sept. 14 for a total of 42 race days for the spring/summer meet. The gates will swing open for the Standardbred fall/winter meet starting Sept. 21 until Dec. 31 for a total of 28 race days.

In 2025, Standardbred racing will occur from Jan. 3 until Feb. 1 for a total of eight estimated race days for the winter meet. Thoroughbred racing will take place from April 29 until Sept. 13 for a total of 43 race days for the spring/summer meet. The fall/winter Standardbred meet will occur from Sept. 20 until Dec. 31 for a total of 29 race days.

For 2026, Standardbred racing will go to the gate from Jan. 3 until Feb. 7 for a total of eight winter meet race days. Thoroughbred racing will take place from April 25 until Sept. 12 for a total of 43 race days for the spring/summer meet. The fall/winter Standardbred meet will occur from Sept. 19 until Dec. 31 for a total of 29 race days.

Century Downs, Balzac

In 2024, Standardbred racing will begin on March 16 and continue until Aug. 31 for a total of 46 race days for the spring/summer meet. Thoroughbred racing will occur from Sept. 21 until Nov. 3 for a total of 13 fall meet race days.

In 2025, Standardbred racing will occur from March 15 up to and including Aug. 30 for a spring/summer meet of 46 race days. The Thoroughbreds will return from Sept. 20 until Nov. 2 for an estimated total of 13 fall meet race days.

For 2026, Standardbred racing will occur from March 14 until Aug. 29 for a total of 48 race days for the spring/summer meet. It will be riders up for the Thoroughbreds from Sept. 19 up to and including Nov. 1 for a total of 14 race days for the fall meet.

2024-2026 “A” Track Purse Allocations

Standardbred purse allocations for 2024 will be $5,640,000 for an estimated total of 82 race days at $68,787 per day. Thoroughbred purse allocations for 2024 will be $5,785,000 for an estimated total of 55 race days at $105,191 per race day. Quarter Horse purse allocation in 2024 is set at $348,000 based on 50 races estimated at $6,960 per race.

In 2025, Standardbred purse allocations are slated to be $5,850,000 for an estimated total of 83 days at $70,482 per race day. The Thoroughbred purse allocations will be $5,985,000 for an estimated total of 56 race days at $106,875 per race day. Quarter Horses will receive $366,000 based on 50 estimated race days at $7,808 per day.

Standardbred purse allocations for 2026 are $6,240,000 for an estimated total of 85 race days at $73,412 per race day. The Thoroughbred allocation is $6,384,000 for an estimated total of 57 race days at $112,000 per race day. The Quarter Horse allocation for 2026 is $390,000 based on 50 race days estimated at $7,808 per day.

2024 “B” Track Race Day Calendar

Rocky Mountain Turf Club, Lethbridge

Rocky Mountain Turf Club will host 17 days of Thoroughbred racing in its 2024 spring/summer meet from May 4 to June 29. The horses will load into the gate for the fall meet starting on Sept. 1 and ending on Oct. 14.

Evergreen Park, Grande Prairie

Evergreen Park in Grande Prairie will host 16 days of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing in 2024, starting on July 6 and running every weekend concluding on Aug. 25.

Track On 2, Lacombe

The Track on 2 in Lacombe will conduct 17 days of Standardbred racing in 2024 from July 7 until Sept. 15.

Millarville

The historical tradition of racing on Canada Day will continue on July 1, 2024 with flat racing.

2024 “B” Track Purse Allocations

The 2024 "B" track purse allocations for Rocky Mountain Turf Club, Evergreen Park and Millarville are $2,134,000 based on a total of 49 race days at $43,559 per race day.

Standardbred racing at Track on 2 will have a purse allocation of $591,000 estimated at $34,800 per race day.

(With files from Horse Racing Alberta)