With the Ontario Sires Stakes (OSS) Grassroots finals and consolations coming up at the end of September, horsepeople are reminded that this year there are additional racing opportunities in the program to help them qualify for those year-end events.
In 2025, there are six Grassroots Series events in each division – up from five in 2024 – giving horsepeople an extra chance to qualify for either each division’s $75,000 Grassroots final or its $25,000 Grassroots consolation.
The Grassroots year-end events will be held over three consecutive nights at Woodbine Mohawk Park. The consolations for two-year-olds will be go to post on Thursday, Sept. 25, followed by the consolations for three-year-olds on Friday, Sept. 26. On Saturday, Sept. 27, all eight Grassroots finals will be held.
OSS rules state that the top 10 horses by points in each Grassroots division will qualify for Grassroots finals, while the next 10 horses in the points standings will draw into the consolation.
A horse must start in a minimum of two Grassroots Series legs to be eligible for either their division’s final or consolation. That’s where the additional Grassroots Series event could come in handy to qualify for the year-end finals and consolations. There are no starting fees for Grassroots finals or consolations.
The extra Grassroots event in each division – inserted into the schedule by giving one of the five legs in each division both an “A” and “B” distinction while maintaining the $25,000 purse for each Grassroots Series race – were part of changes to the program announced in February that had overall purses at the Grassroots level increase by 24 per cent compared to the 2024 season through a partnership between the Central Ontario Standardbred Association (COSA) and Woodbine Mohawk Park.
At the time, COSA president Bill O’Donnell said, “We heard the feedback from owners and trainers that purses needed to be higher in the Grassroots and we hope the additional leg will have a positive impact on the horse population through the fall.”
Current Grassroots standings can be viewed by going to the OSS leaderboard page, selecting “Grassroots Leaders” in the "Category" pull-down menu and then the appropriate division in the “Age/Sex/Gait” pull-down menu.
Points are awarded in all Grassroots Series races as follows: first place, 50 points; second place, 25; third place, 12; fourth place, 8; fifth place, 5; sixth place, 3; seventh place, 2; eighth place, 1.
(Ontario Racing)