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Statistics
Ontario is the driver of the Canadian horse racing industry. Many of the statistics and data used on this web site are based on The Economic Impacts of Racing and Breeding in Ontario 2000 by Dr. Atif Kubursi, Econometric Research Limited [November 2001], that was submitted to the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Recreation and Culture.
Wagering
- Total wagering in Ontario in 2001 amounted to $1.247 billion, or 66.9% of the total wagering in Canada of $1.863 billion.
- In 2000 about 5 million patrons attended horse races in Ontario, wagering almost $1.2 billion.
- Live racing in Ontario generated nearly $334 million in wagering in 2001, or 71% of the national total wagered on live races.
- Gross wagering in Ontario in 2001 was up 4.5% over 2000 levels, which was consistent with the national increase of 4.4%.
Race dates
Ontario has more race dates than any other jurisdiction in North America.
- In 2001, Ontario’s 1,681 race days accounted for 53.5% of the 3,141 total race days in Canada.
- In 2000, total races across the province increased to 16,695 from 15,112, an increase of 10.5% from 1999 levels.
Purses
Total purses in 2000 amounted to $230.8 million, an increase of 52.7% over 1999 purses of $151.2 million.
Employment
- The horse racing industry directly generates over 17,000 jobs in the province, with many in rural areas.
- As well, the industry indirectly contributes to the formation of another 20,900 jobs, for an industry total of 37,900. This employment is in terms of full-time equivalents which means that there are many more persons employed since the industry has many part-time positions.
- A total of $1.3 billion in wages and salaries in Ontario are sustained annually by the total expenditures of the provincial horse racing and breeding industry.
- The effective average wage in the racing phase exceeds $52,000 annually and is among the highest industrial wage in Ontario.
Horse Population
The total racehorse population in Ontario has been estimated at 32,855 in 2002, with standardbred horses outnumbering thoroughbreds by a ratio of more than 2.2 to 1. Of these horses, approximately 43.1% are in the active racing stage, 20.6% are mares and stallions, and 36.2% are foals, yearlings and non-racing two year olds.
Government Revenues
The three levels of government are major recipients of income from this industry’s operations. Total tax revenues for all three levels of government are more than $1.4 billion. The majority of the revenue goes to the Provincial government but the Federal government also derives large recurrent revenues in the order of $353 million.
Horse Racing and the Economy
- The horse racing industry is the 3rd largest agricultural sector in Ontario, in terms of expenditure.
- The horse racing and breeding industry is an agricultural based industry that is helping to increase and diversify the tourism, entertainment and export economic base of Ontario. It generates $1 billion annually in spending on goods and services in Ontario.
- On a per dollar basis, every dollar of expenditure in this industry results in $1.22 in wages, interest, rent and profits.
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"Ontario has more race dates than any other jurisdiction in North America."
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