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Long Branch Race Track

Photos by Alan L Brown - Posted June, 2007

Photo Source - City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1257, Item 908

On the north side of Horner Avenue, just east of the railway tracks, is this City of Toronto plaque, slowly being engulfed by the local vegetation. Here's what it says:

Coordinates: 43.606274 -79.525427

Click here for a larger map

The tall brick and stone gatepost directly opposite this plaque was one of two marking the main entrance to the Long Branch Race Track. The avenue of maple trees, which still survive, highlighted the entrance further.

On this 39.7 hectare site bounded by Evans Avenue, Kipling Avenue, Horner Avenue and the Canadian Pacific Railway, the Orpen family operated the Long Branch Race Track between September 6, 1924 and October 21, 1955. On December 1, 1955 the Track was sold to Toronto Racing Securities Limited which closed the Track with the development of the new Woodbine Race Track in Rexdale, Ontario.

Each year thousands of fans would flock to the Track for thoroughbred and standardbred races. Race meetings were usually held in the late summer or autumn. The Long Branch Race Track is notable as the site of a number of races that are still featured in Canadian racing. The Canadian International Championship was first run as the Long Branch Championship Stakes in 1938. Mrs. A.M. Orpen initiated the Cup and Saucer Stakes for Canadian foaled two-year-olds at this site. Both of these races are still part of Canada's racing season.

Related Toronto plaque
Carleton Race Course

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Here are the visitors' comments for this page.

> Posted August 25, 2017
My uncle Bill O'Connor was in charge of the grounds for many years at the track and I have wonderful memories of visiting there many years ago. My cousin and I used to play in the building where the jockeys showered when nothing was going on at the racetrack.
Regards Mrs Marguerite O'Neill [email protected]

> Posted September 18, 2016
In the winter of 1954-55 trainer Frank Merrill Jr. and Sol Rotenburg (owner of Lyons Furniture in Toronto) claimed a horse in Florida for $40,000 which was a lot of money at that time. The horse's name was Hickory Hill and when he was shipped back up north in the spring to Ontario he was sent to Bob Topley's boarding and training stable in Don Mills where other top trainers kept their horses. He was rested and eventually legged up to go back in training and the goal was the Canadian International Championship run at Long Branch Race Track. The race was run at a distance of 1 & 3/16th miles and the purse value to the winner was $34,525. Frank Merrill wanted to win this race very much as he was on a roll to eventually be leading trainer of winners in North America for 1955. When the race came up it rained and the track was muddy but they still thought they had a good chance because jockey Avellno Gomez was riding him. When the gate opened Gomez took Hickory Hill to the lead on the rail. However, Gomez didn't realize the other riders had their horses father out from the rail where the track wasn't as deep. To cut a long story short the race was won by Park Dandy ridden by Robert Ussery, Paper Tiger was second and Hickory Hill was third. Merrill was absolutely livid his rider stayed on the rail costing Hickory Hill the race and wanted to run Gomez right off the race track. Here's a link to the history of Canadian Hall of Fame Trainer Frank Merrill Jr.
Bob Topley [email protected]

> Posted June 12, 2016
I just finished reading the postings on Long Branch Race Track. Thank you for honouring such a historic part of Toronto. My father, now deceased, was 'Bobby Fisher' -a jockey/trainer. Does anyone visiting this website have any interesting stories or pictures of my Dad that they could share with me? My name is Kim, and I was his youngest child. I remember Woodbine fondly, and miss the smell of the stables. You racetrackers know what I'm talking about! I would appreciate any input. Thanks.
Kim Fisher [email protected]

> Posted February 12, 2015
When was the race track torn down? Lived in the area for years.
Linda Yeandle [email protected]

> Posted March 18, 2012
John Doolan is now the Writer Reporter and Handicapper at the new Ajax Downs Race Track in Ajax.

> Posted September 4, 2011
My chums and I used to visit the area thoroughbred tracks from time to time. Thorncliffe, (the one in Scarborough), Long Branch, Dufferin (a half-mile track), the original Woodbine which was located at the foot of Woodbine Avenue in the Beaches area and of course, Long Branch. When the "new" Woodbine opened they had closed the others except "old" Woodbine which was shortened and became Greenwood. Most of us referred to it as "Greenbine" which was a handle dreamed up by sports columnist and former football player, Ted Reeve. People don't discuss the feud between the Orpens and Willie Morrisey that resulted when, in 1946, Casa Camara won the Cup & Saucer but Morrisey sent one of his people to collect the diamond ring prize and they wouldn't give it to him. Long Branch was the site of a terrific match race involving the fan favourite King Maple and another excellent colt, plus a speed horse to set the early pace. A chap sold roast beef sandwiches for a buck from a stand in front of the grandstand. Great memories.

> Posted July 6, 2011
Does anyone know what happened to John Doolan? One of the top riders at old Greenwood in the spring of 1972.

> Posted November 10, 2010
About to go sometime soon to take a look. Just wondering if someone else has any other pictures and In the picture on the plaque what are the names of the two roads that you can see, one to the left and the other at the bottom. I know the track was between Evans, Kipling, Horner & the RR tracks. Thanks.

> Posted September 8, 2010
Hi I was just sitting here in Mimico contemplating racing history, I worked for many a good man, on the backstretch of many tracks GREENWOOD ( now defunct) WOODBINE and FORT ERIE here in CANADA. BELMONT was my favourite. I groomed a filly there who won two races in row.SOUND SPECULATION was by NATIONAL she could run both on dirt and turf but the grass was her preference,she beat a STAKES placed filly ARACHNE from the TARTAN STABLE JOHN NERUD the trainer as an outsider9-1. DALTON RULER was three in a row winner here for me at WOODBINE. GERRY BROWNELL rode him three times.JOHN MACK was the trainer. I was stabled at HIALEAH PARK with THOMAS J. GULLO with a filly named SPORTING FLIGHT she won at TROPICAL PARK which is now CALDER RACE COURSE for fun she was claimed from us MIKE MICELI told me I could ride her and win. At GULFSTREAM PARK I worked for a character named DON LEVINE at this time SANDY HAWLEY my friend was an apprentice jockey and winning regularly. I worked for ROBERT J. FRANKEL in 1966-67 when he claimed HAMORTON at BOWIE RACE COURSE I went with him to NEW YORK we had one horse. First time out at AQEDUCT with big BOB USSERY in the saddle HAMORTON won paying $44.00.USSERY also won the QUEENS PLATE in CANADA aboard one of E. P. TAYLORs horses Bobby died of cancer this year 2010, GOD BLESS BOBBY.I worked for MARK FROSTAD I also worked for his father. When I was with THOMAS OKEEFE at WOODBINE we had a nice filly named ROMANTIC STORY she won in the fall but just a nose. The filly that I owned MYSTIC ECHO was my favourite in breaking her maiden at FORT ERIE in 1988 she opened 25 lengths down the backstretch to win SYDNEY FENECH was the rider.RON TURCOTE was an excellent rider and always gave me "tips".which won as did JOHN PARISELLA in NEW YORK ROBERT J. FRANKEL married JOHN PARISELLAS sister. DUKE CAMPbell brought SANDY HAWLEY on to the racing scene in the mid 60s, RICHARD SMALL an american based trainer was one of my favourites. I worked for Mr. Small at FORT ERIE with a big time STAKES WINNER . BROAD BRUSH he was only a2yo and very green . BROAD BRUSH had a hoof disease at the time but I guess he overcame it, He won stakes races and proved to e a STUD,ALTON QUANBECK was one of my favourites to work for at woodbine I liked ALTONS style he was a good man to work for. These are some of the other trainers I worked for STEVE ATTARD ,CONRAD COHEN L W GREEWAY , MICHAEL WRIGHT,ROY JOHNSON ,AL TRUDELL STEVE MARKO,JERRY C. MEYER all this in 44years so far thanks to the LORD for keeping me around.

> Posted September 6, 2010
I have tried to beat the HORSE RACES FOR 44 long wasted years, I even owned 6 horses which I purchased through the Woodbine Sales pavilion back in 1984. Guess what happened. I WENT BROKE.

> Posted September 3, 2010
A big tip. Don't BET. You know that song POISON IVY? The lyrics say "you can look but you better not touch" if you want to stay POOR go ahead and wager,It is for SUCKERS. I played horses for 44 years I know.It is better if you go to church!

> Posted August 30, 2010
It brings me joy to think and reflect on past years regarding racing. Fort Erie was my favorite track so off I went in 1965. After spending the afternoon at Fort Erie I decided to go over the fence and join the Race Track. Well wouldn't you know it the sky opened up and down came the rain lucky we were under what is called "the shedrow" but there in the stalls stood the likes of"Lady Speed" a maiden non winner and stakes runner "Royal Piper". Regardless I continued down the shedrow looking for employment one fellow named Les told me that I should be a hot-walker. A hot-walker is one who cools the horses after they have exercised. A shank is used it is a chain like leather handled so it passes through the halter and snaps shut so the hot-walker can manoeuvre the horses head and control the stead. Anyways I found out how to be a Hot-walker quickly. I had to say I had some experience so as I could get the JOB . The next thing I knew a fellow named Frank Munro had me walking a bouncing chestnut colt named "Good Old Mort" well wouldn't you know Mort was a little to much for me and thats when I first met "Jerry C. Meyer" he said son give me that horse and started questioning me to my hot-walking abilities. He said to his foreman this kid is "Green" I thought I was turning green but he meant I didn't know what I was doing. So he snatched the fine stakes winning "Good Old Mort away from me and gave heck to the grooms. Anyways notable mentions during this time were as follows John Bell Albert Trudell Noel Turcotte Yonnie Starr Gerry Brownell Gordon Huntley Lou Cavalaris Jr. Sam McComb A horse named "Quick Pitch" ruled the turf and the Passero family was wellinto the racing game. There was Frank Passero Jr. and Joe Passero. John Combest Pat Remillard John LeBlanc Richard Grubb Roy Johnson who won the "Queens Plate" with "Whistling Sea" had some good ones as did Conrad Cohen. These are just some of the mid sixties gang. Some still around. Al BAZKUR and Andy Caruso who loved to bet "George Royal" Andy followed George Royal all the way to California where he made a killing$$$$$$$
[email protected]

> Posted August 8, 2010
Heres some of the old catching up to the new. When I started in racing in 1964 the big trainers and little trainers owners and jockeys were as follows Lou Cavalaris Jr. Yonnie Starr John Mack Avelino Gomez Hugo Ditfach Roy Johnson Jerry C Meyer Andrew G Smithers Gil Rowntree Lloyd Duffy Robin Platts Sandy Hawley who I became friends with in 1964 we worked together Greenwood. Big Lou won a lot of races but never won th QUEENS PLATE his horse DANCERS IMAGE won the KENTUCKY DERBY but a drug test revealed BUTAZONE a drug used for pain disqualifying him and forfeiting the purse. I personally worked for Jerry Meyer in 1966 we had PINE POINT finish 2nd to JAMMED LOVELY CON SMYTHES big filly caught PINE POINT in the final 16th. In many years of training Jerry Meyer never won a QUEENS PLATE either. I worked with ROY JOHNSON when he had a horse named MERGER who won the QUEENS PLATE.HAWLEY PLATTS and a jockey named RICHARD GRUBB ruled the 70s. Gil Rowntree who trained for STAFFORD FARMS became a multiple PLATE winner.Todays top man is ROGER ATTFIELD who has had eight Queens Plate WINS. SAM-SON FARMS have had the best overall average along with WINFIELDS FARM since WOODBINES inauguration as has the KINGHAVEN FARM.Trainers MARK FROSTAD JIM DAY ROBERT J. FRANKEL my dear and close friend who passed away from cancer but will always be remembered. All these people and horses have provided us with the finest racing moments

> Posted August 7, 2010
This may be of no significance to some but I am going to try to do my best. Being around horses forty-four years I never did see Long Branch Race Track in operation but I live very close to the old Dufferin Park race track site which is now the Dufferin Mall. Greenwood which sat directly at Kingston Rd and Queen St.is also demolished making way for close to one million dollar houses.My old friend Albert Wessel used to tell me old stories about Long Branch Race Track and its glory days he told me a fellow by the name of little itch used to have floating crap games on the Lakeshore. There was a Track in Scarborough but the name escapes me. The first Horse Raising Track that we ever had in Toronto and the one that started THE QUEENS PLATE was located at the JUNCTION the Keele Dundas Streets Area I believe it was called CONNAUGHT RACING PARK it began somewhere in the late 1800's. Good Luck and may GOD BLESS all racing people.
Please send any other information regarding HORSE RACING to [email protected] Thank you for your time

> Posted July 11, 2010
No discussion of Long Branch Race Track is complete without mentioning Bobby Fisher, jockey/trainer. I assisted as a "hot walker" during the late 40's.
E.Thomas

> Posted July 9, 2010
It was interesting to read some of your memories and would like to drop a few names for old time memory sake. Jerry Carter, Glen Carter, Tommy Clare, Buddy and Brian Guy, Alan Hahn, Eddy Kydik ?, Michael Bluntz, Ronny Mascarin, Ronny and Linda Schuster of Linda's Lunch, Walter's Variety, Carol Speedy, Dunbar sisters, Bob Porter, Old Joe who had a greenhouse along Simpson Ave near Odonnel Ave.,Harvey Dicks, Harvey Francis, etc., and etc.....
Malcolm Novar from Harold Street.

> Posted November 21, 2009
I well remember the Long Branch racetrack. I went to George R. Gauld school and lived on Melrose St. I had a Toronto Star paper route which took me close to the track. My father was an avid fan and used to take us kids to watch through the fence. I remember going to the Sagamore, I also remember my Grandfather being driven home from the Sagamore after tipping a little too much. I remember Ennamorato's had a greenhouse,I think it ran from Melrose St to Portland.
Carole Gautreau (Brown)

> Posted November 8, 2009
kenny hillis was a good mimico boy as was his brother jim they lived on melrose east of church street.kenny worked for leo grogan out of longbranch to fort erie I forget the name of the one close to the fort;maybe you its name in fact I guarantee you will your story makes me think of the jockeys that use to have a few in the almonte,i drove taxi 35 years started out in the office on 45 street and ended out of the airport were I was injured and do not operate a taxi any longer.i used to take sandy hawley duppy plats and their manager to the bar at albion rd 27 colin was a very very nice funny man,say hi to the boys in the goose and of course ruby.pardon my spelling your admirer victor ennamorato,

> Posted October 27, 2009
i read your very good story about long branch track and mimico we all lived in and around a stones throw across the tracks from the goose than the windsor house and back to the goose. mimico brings back a lot of good memories.woodbine is the one now.leo grogan was my favorite trainer in those days.he had a map of ireland , in his tack room , I would like to say hi to irish jerry yoggie duggie ted ruby and the rest of the gang in mimico,see you all soon
victor ennamorato,

> Posted June 30, 2009
i am a resident of mimico and your comments are very good if it was not people like yourself the town would slowly fade away.i attended george r gauld public school mimico high .delivered groceries for barketts worked on the cnr was a bricklayer and finally retired from mono cup. I now spend happy times with my longtime friends in the goose.
bob hall {irish}.

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