The first week of the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) is in the books, and Standardbred Canada’s live horse exhibit is proving to be a popular attraction for visitors discovering the Standardbred breed and harness racing for the first time.

Standardbred Canada (SC) returned to the CNE for a second consecutive year with an expanded presence in the Better Living Centre, supported by the Central Ontario Standardbred Association (COSA) and Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG).

This year’s exhibit has brought live Standardbreds to the CNE, giving thousands of visitors an opportunity to meet the breed up close while learning about harness racing and ways to get involved in the industry.

Since the CNE opened its gates on Aug. 21, visitors of all ages have stopped by to see the horses and take part in the daily programming.

SC is presenting four demonstrations each day. The Meet the Standardbred demonstrations, held at 12 p.m. and 4 p.m., introduce visitors to the breed while providing an opportunity to get up-close and personal with a live Standardbred.

At 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., the Junior Driving Experience gives children an opportunity to climb aboard and drive miniature horse Quinton, offering a fun introduction to the world of harness racing.

The live horses have quickly become one of the highlights of the SC exhibit. Houchiegouchiemama and Legal Litigator, who are both retired and have been adopted through New Start Standardbreds, were the first two breed ambassadors to arrive at the CNE. Along with Quinton, the trio has captured the attention of visitors and touched the hearts of many. For many visitors, this was their first-ever experience meeting a horse.

The retired breed ambassadors who will continue the live horse rotation throughout the remainder of the CNE are:

• Real Rocker: Thursday, Aug. 27 to Sunday, Aug. 30
• Deadly Action: Sunday, Aug. 30 to Thursday, Sept. 3
• Bunnyboy: Thursday, Sept. 3 to Monday, Sept. 7

The live horse exhibit is complemented by several interactive attractions throughout the SC area.

Visitors can test their skills on the SC virtual reality harness racing experience, which provides a taste of the speed and excitement of a harness race from the driver's seat.

Equine Guelph is also contributing interactive educational touch displays, giving visitors an opportunity to learn more about horses through hands-on activities and educational resources such as a braid board and leg wrap station.

The 2026 Win A Share contest, donated by Landmark Stables, has also been drawing interest from visitors who are intrigued by the opportunity to own a racehorse.

The expanded SC presence builds on the success of the inaugural CNE exhibit in 2025, which attracted thousands of visitors to the Better Living Centre.

Standardbred Canada MVP members can purchase CNE admission tickets at a discounted rate through Perkopolis, making it even easier to bring family and friends to experience the live horse exhibit.

And there is plenty more to see and do while visiting the CNE. From the thrills of the Midway and the fun of SuperDogs: Fairy Tails to live performances at the Bell SOUNDSTAGE and the Canadian International Air Show over Labour Day weekend, visitors can easily make a full day of their trip to the Ex. The CNE also offers a wide range of food options, including some of the fair's most adventurous creations: a Mac & Cheese smoothie, footlong butter chicken taquito, Big Mac hot dog and more. 

With the CNE continuing through Sept. 7, there is still plenty of time to visit Standardbred Canada’s exhibit, meet the horses, experience harness racing through virtual reality and take part in the daily demonstrations.

Standardbred Canada’s live horse exhibit is located in the Better Living Centre, also known as “The Farm,” at Exhibition Place in Toronto. The CNE runs daily through Labour Day weekend, with grounds open from 10 a.m. to midnight on most days.

(Standardbred Canada Press Release)