King's Plate
The King's Plate (known as the Queen's Plate from 1860 to 1901 and 1952 to 2022) is Canada's oldest thoroughbred horse race and the oldest continuously run race in North America, having been founded in 1860. It is run at a distance of 1+1⁄4 miles (2 kilometres) for a maximum of 17 three-year-old thoroughbred horses foaled in Canada.
| Restricted race | |
Paramount Prince, 2023 King's Plate winner | |
| Location | Woodbine Racetrack Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1860 |
| Race type | Flat / Thoroughbred |
| Website | woodbine |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1+1⁄4 mi (2 km) |
| Surface | Tapeta |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | 3-year-old Canadian-bred |
| Weight | Colt/Gelding: 126 lb (57 kg) Filly: 121 lb (55 kg) |
| Purse | CDN$1 million |
The race is the first in the Canadian Triple Crown, typically taking place each summer at Woodbine Racetrack in Etobicoke, Ontario. The event was scheduled in June or July until 2020, when it was postponed to September, due to government-imposed restrictions in place through the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2021, Woodbine ran the Queen's Plate, and now runs the King's Plate, in August.
The race's name reflects the title of the reigning Canadian monarch, following on Queen Victoria's donation of the first cup. The Woodbine Entertainment Group, which owns and operates the event, announced in December 2022 the race will be renamed the King's Plate, following the accession of King Charles III on 8 September 2022.