Western Fair Association (WFA) announced on Thursday, April 4 that it has entered into an agreement to purchase the Dorchester Downs Training Centre in Dorchester, Ont., located on the outskirts of London, Ont.
The beautiful 49-acre property boasts a five-eighths-mile track, features two barns with 100 stalls and is the home of some of the region’s largest stables.
The WFA has enjoyed a longstanding commitment to harness racing in Ontario. The raceway site, formerly known as Salters Grove and later named Western Fair Raceway, was the first in Canada to conduct night time racing in 1961 and was the scene of harness racing legend John Campbell’s first driving win.
In 2022, the WFA took over ownership and operation of Canada’s largest Standardbred yearling sale – the London Classic Yearling Sale – and the acquisition of Dorchester Downs further positions WFA as one of Canada’s leading racing organizations.
“When this opportunity came about, we thought it made sense for the association to explore,” said Reg Ash, Western Fair Association CEO. “It is a fantastic property that is ideally located in a rapidly growing municipality and further supports live racing in this part of the province. This demonstrates our commitment to a vibrant racing industry in Southwestern Ontario.”
The WFA will take over operation of the facility in early July.
(Western Fair District)
dorchester downs training centre
Congrats on purchase, very much needed.