Windsor Raceway Confirms Cessation Of Activities

Published: August 31, 2012 07:15 pm EDT

Windsor Raceway confirmed that effective closure of business today (Friday, Aug. 31) all horse racing activities at the racetrack located at 5555 Ojibway Parkway are being discontinued.

In a release sent out Friday afternoon, Windsor Raceway thanked its patrons, staff, horsepeople, vendors and all other stakeholders for their long standing patronage, support and assistance over the many years that the business was the hub of horse racing in Southwestern Ontario.

(With files from Windsor Raceway)

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Such a shame to see this happening. Fond memories of being stabled there when our oldest child was born over 20 years ago. My heart goes out to all of those that are now unemployed due to this closure.

The first year Windsor opened they needed horses, so I left Montreal with Real Coutu in a bus he had converted into a horse hauling vehicle, it was a long cold ride but we made it, when we got there, I went to work for the late Albert Rogers. and later on for Gerry and Liz (Hughes) Aikens.IT's a shame to see it close.The same thing happened to Blue Bonnets and the other race tracks in Quebec, now the gouvernment has to pay WELFARE, free prescription drugs and free legal fees to all those recipients who lost their jobs.Just a few words for thought. Have a good day.

I have never owned many good horses in my life, but fondly remember racing a horse in 1981 named Kawartha Pompay which my brother Darryl and I broke and trained and then handed over to Larry Fitzsimmons of London. This horse had success in Windsor before going on to the Meadowlands after selling him to Gary Revington. In 1983, I remember very well winning a $28,000.00 stake race with Gord Waples driving Caledon Ranger and defeating his cousin Ronnie, a major force to be reckoned with. Can't remember Ronnie's horse but it was owned by John Grant. For a small trainer like myself, racing at Windsor was the big time. I'm sure many other horse people have great memories of Windsor Raceway too. What a shame to see it close!

In reply to by Robin Morley

This is a absolute shame what has happened at this racetrack in its day it was one of the best tracks in Ontario. I spent
4 or 5 winters down there back in the 70's and it was great . There was racing friday nights and double headers sat and sundays they raced a couple other nights of the week to. The program they produced was the best looking program out there with the lighted grandstand on the front cover. I still go down to Windsor a couple times a year to visit and the last ten years or so it was a absolute shame to what it had become. They had you buy a program out of a big old printer then use the stapler that sounded like a bomb going off. This will be the third great grandstand that will be demolished and it is a shame they where all great . Old Greenwood, Garden Gity, and now Windsor i wish i would have gotten some pictures of these grand old Ladies there sure was some good memories in all of them.

Thanks
Sonny

Sorry to all those who are now unemployed or who have to travel farther to race. Haven't been to Windsor in a long time but good memories were had there!!

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