Woodbine Entertainment announced on Wednesday, June 18 the relaunch of Woodbine Cares, its philanthropic arm, under a renewed banner: “For the Love of the Horse Racing Community.”
Woodbine Entertainment stated in its announcement that this refreshed Woodbine Cares initiative underscores a deepened commitment to the people and horses at the heart of Canada’s horse racing industry.
The Woodbine Cares mission states: “Woodbine Cares is dedicated to supporting the people and horses that power Ontario’s horse racing industry. We invest in horse welfare and aftercare, and champion initiatives that uplift the hardworking individuals who make racing possible. Through compassion, collaboration and strategic support, we’re building a stronger, more sustainable future for the horse racing community.”
As part of the relaunch, Woodbine Cares is donating $250,000 annually towards three key focus areas – equine welfare & aftercare, food programs & support for backstretch workers and racing workforce development – and investing in major new initiatives across each as outlined below.
Equine Welfare & Aftercare
A total of $105,000 will be dedicated to equine welfare and aftercare programs. This includes quadrupling its annual contributions from $5,000 to $20,000 to Woodbine’s aftercare partners – the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA), LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society and the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society (OSAS) – which help retrain and rehome retired racehorses.
An additional $25,000 is earmarked for new horse welfare grants to support local equine charities and horse welfare initiatives.
Food Programs & Support for Backstretch Workers
Woodbine Cares will also invest in food programs for backstretch workers – the hardworking people who care for the horses.
This funding supports Canada’s largest corporate community garden at Woodbine Racetrack, a 20,000-square-foot garden that produces over 3,000 pounds of fresh produce annually for community groups and backstretch workers and dorm residents.
The program also includes a winter food program to ensure those living on the backstretch have access to nutritious food during the off-season. These efforts reflect Woodbine’s ongoing commitment to the well-being of its racing community year-round.
Doubling its annual donation and deepening its relationship and support for Race Track Chaplaincy of Canada, which provides emotional and spiritual support for workers on the backstretch. This holistic approach ensures that the people who make racing possible are supported both on and off the track.
Racing Workforce Development
To nurture the next generation of horsepeople and Woodbine team members, funding has been earmarked to support workforce development initiatives. Woodbine Cares is funding placements and stipends for Equine Guelph graduates and veterinary students to gain hands-on industry experience. Additionally, Woodbine is investing in upskilling its own employees through monthly speaker series, micro-learning sessions and tuition reimbursement programs to strengthen the industry’s talent base.
“This refreshed focus on ‘For the Love of the Horse Racing Community’ reflects our organization’s commitment to what matters most – the people, the horses and the entire racing community,” said Michael Copeland, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment. “By concentrating our efforts on horse welfare and on those who work tirelessly behind the scenes, Woodbine Cares is helping build a vibrant and sustainable future for Ontario horse racing. We’re investing in the well-being of our equine athletes and the dedicated individuals who care for them, because their success and welfare are the foundation of our sport’s success for generations to come.”
(With files from Woodbine)