Discover Toronto's history as told through its plaques

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Carleton Race Course

Photo and transcription by contributor Wayne Adam - Posted December 2018

Photo by contributor Wayne Adam - Posted December 2018

This 2018 Heritage Toronto plaque can be found on the northeast corner of High Park and Humberside avenues (An identical plaque can be found at the National Horse Racing Hall of Fame at Woodbine Racetrack/Casino.) Here's what it says:

Coordinates: 43.660587 -79.468109

Click here for a larger map

For several decades in the 19th century, this area was the site of one of Toronto's most popular horse racing venues, the Carleton Race Course. Before colonization, the land, just east of the Humber River arm of the Toronto Carrying Place, was the territory of the Wendat, Haudenosaunee, and Mississaugas of the Credit River First Nations.

The racecourse was built by William Conway Keele on his farm in 1857. It became the home of the Toronto Turf Club and in 1859 the club sought royal patronage for an annual horse racing prize. Queen Victoria awarded a prize of 50 guineas. The first Queen's Plate was held here in June 1860. The race was advertised as: "Open to all horses bred in Upper Canada, which have never won public money." Eight horses entered the race and five-year-old Don Juan won in front of an audience of about 3,000.

The Carleton Race Course was the home of the Queen's Plate for the next three years. From 1864 to 1882, the event was held at changing venues throughout Southern Ontario until the race was taken over by the Ontario Jockey Club and permanently held at Woodbine Park racetrack.

Following the death of William Conway Keele, his estate was gradually divided. Much of it, including the racecourse, was sold in 1882 to developer Daniel Webster Clendenan, who turned the land into what became the Village of West Toronto Junction.

Related Toronto plaques
Long Branch Race Track
West Toronto Junction

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