Toronto's City Track- Dufferin Park 1907-1955

I have to admit a large part of the fun of the day. Was visiting old Dufferin Park. The neighborhood has not changed much. Where Toronto's fan favorite Race Track once existed. Sadly it was replaced with a tacky shopping plaza. When Dufferin park was closed in 1955.

This racetrack had a very colorful history. Only being a 1/2 oval. This gave horse racing fans a very intimate chance to enjoy the "Sport Of Kings".

It was a normal part of race days at Dufferin Park. For the local people living in the homes that surrounded the racetrack. To enjoy watching the horses race. No need for T.V. in those days. The action and excitement was part of the neighborhood.

Youville who is a special part of Canada's Horse Racing Hall of Fame. Made it the hard way! Winning 49 of 284 career starts. Quite a few of his wins were won at Dufferin Park. Back in the late 1940's and early 1950's. A thrilling sound at Dufferin Park was the voice of race announcer Buck Dryden yell " And Here Comes Youville". This classic racehorse's racing style. Was to lag far behind in his races, and rally to win from as far back as 1/4 from the rest of his competitors. Endurance and a late quick charge around the tight turns of Dufferin Park was Youville's contribution to delighting horse racing fans! Which Youville and Dufferin Park will always be fondly remembered.

Of interest. A small part of the original wooden fence. That separated Dufferin Park from the neighborhood, in which it was a part of. Still exists! I took some photos during my visit, with Al.

After a provincial racing charter was granted in 1894 to the York Riding and Driving Association to operate horse racing and sell liquor, a half-mile track was laid out on 25 acres (10 ha) of land on the west side of Dufferin Street owned by Charles Leslie Denison. After Denison died, Abe Orpen purchased the land for $400 and opened Dufferin Racetrack in 1907. Horse race gambling was controversial at the time and the charter was revoked in 1909, although this was due to a legal technicality as the charter had not been used for several years prior to 1907.
Orpen appealed to Canadian Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier directly and was granted a federal charter. Orpen, along with other businessmen incorporated the Metropolitan Racing Association of Canada, under a federal racing charter, which allowed betting on the site beyond provincial controls.[6] The Association was originally capitalized for $4,060, divided into 40 shares of $100 and six of $10.
The track had its stables to the south of the track, along with a winter barn which was also used for offices. The public entrance was at the south-east corner of the property, through the stable yard. Betting was handled by bookmakers who operated in front of the grandstand and in the infield, and bets were also made on races at other tracks. Admission was charged to the patrons, although free admission was granted after the first few races. After Abe Orpen died in 1937, his son Fred Orpen took over and operated the racing syndicate.
Racing was held into November, and often races were held in dim light in the fall, at which judges would hold lanterns to judge the finishing order. In one infamous incident during these "midnight races" a long-short horse named Mulock held up at the turn and waited until the horses made a lap of the track and then raced to the finish ahead of the others. Despite the controversy, the bets on Mulock were paid.
The track was a financial success, one of several successful tracks in the Toronto area. In 1917, Orpen was an investor in the Thorncliffe Park Raceway. In 1925, Orpen opened the Long Branch Racetrack. Thorncliffe closed in 1952 and the Orpen tracks were sold to the Ontario Jockey Club and closed down in 1955, with racing consolidated at the new Woodbine Racetrack. The Jockey Club paid a reported $4 million for Dufferin Park. The site was then sold for redevelopment. The Dufferin Mall is located on the site today.

The four top pictures are from the history books. The third photo from the top is an aerial shot of Dufferin Park. The way the racetrack looked. The second picture is of the immortal "Youville" winning one of his 49 career wins at old "Dufferin Park". The top picture is of an original advertising poster.