Prince of Wales

Amis Gizmo wins the 2016 Prince of Wales Stakes. Photo by Michael Burns Photography 

2025 Prince of Wales Stakes

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Fort Erie Race Track, a cornerstone of Canadian horseracing since 1897, is proud to announce the upcoming 90th running of the Prince of Wales Stakes, the second jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown. This milestone event is set to take place on Tuesday, Sept. 9, at the historic border oval, promising a thrilling showcase of Canada’s finest three-year-old thoroughbreds competing for a $400,000 purse and a chance to gallop into the history books.
As Niagara’s most prestigious sporting event, the Prince of Wales Stakes will once again draw horse racing enthusiasts from across the country to take in the grandeur of Fort Erie’s picturesque track. Contested over a distance of 1 mile and 3/16ths, the race continues its legacy as a centerpiece between the King’s Plate, the first leg of the Crown which is being run at Woodbine Racetrack on Aug. 16, and the Breeders’ Stakes, which closes out the trio of races.
“We are thrilled to celebrate the 90th Prince of Wales Stakes, a testament to Fort Erie’s rich racing heritage and our commitment to delivering world-class thoroughbred competition,” said Drew Cady, the track’s general manager. “Following last year’s incredible race and strong wagering numbers, we’re eager to build on that momentum and welcome fans to experience this historic occasion.”
Last year’s Prince of Wales Stakes generated plenty of excitement, with an 11-horse field driving more than $700,000 in wagering which boosted the full day’s race card to $3.03 million in total wagering; the second largest handle since the Fort Erie Live Racing Commision took over operations in 2010.
Racing highlights will include supporting stakes including the $100,000 Ontario Sire Heritage Series races — the Rondeau Bay Stakes and Lake Erie Stakes — alongside Fort Erie’s own Molson Cup and Le Cinquieme Essai Cup.
Admission and parking remain free, ensuring accessibility for all ages. Those unable to attend can watch the action on Rogers Sportsnet from the comfort of their homes, while placing wagers online via HPI Bet.
The draw for the 90th Prince of Wales Stakes will take place on Thursday, Sept. 4, at noon, offering an early glimpse of the contenders vying for this coveted title.
Fort Erie’s 128th racing season kicks off on Tuesday, May 27, with regular race days on Mondays and Tuesdays, leading up to this marquee event.
For more information about the Prince of Wales Stakes, or to check out the track’s full slate of race dates and events for 2025, visit www.forterieracing.com.

Prince of Wales Stakes Draw

The Draw for the 90th Prince of Wales Stakes will be held on Thursday, September 4 at noon.

Click here to watch live.

Wager Online  

Wagering is available in Ontario through HPIBet.com.  Membership is free and secure.

Home of the Prince of Wales Stakes

Fort Erie Race Track is home to the Second Jewel in the Canadian Triple Crown. Every Summer crowds converge on the Border Oval to take in the excitement of live thoroughbred racing, but the crowds really swell when the majesty of Canada's premier horses take to the stage and compete for one of racing's most sought after prizes.

Since 1959, The Prince of Wales Stakes has been Fort Erie's premier race. The second jewel in Canada's Triple Crown of Racing. The Prince of Wales is a glowing centrepiece to the Queen's Plate and The Breeders' Stakes, both of which are contested at Woodbine. The Prince of Wales Stakes features Canada's top three year olds at a distance of one mile and three-sixteenths on the main track.

Many past Canadian champions have performed at Fort Erie in the classic event. Mr. E.P. Taylor's New Providence won the first running at Fort Erie in 1959. That year, The Canadian Triple Crown was introduced and New Providence won the inaugural series. Four years later, Canebora was hailed a Triple Crown champion. Canebora was also a product of Mr. Taylor's Windfields Farm.

Twenty-six years passed before another Triple Crown champion emerged. Kinghaven Farms' brilliant grey, With Approval, survived two photo-finishes to win The Plate, then The Prince of Wales, before he cake-walked to victory in The Breeders' Stakes.

Triple Crown winners came in quick succession after With Approval ended the drought. In 1990, another grey from Kinghaven Farms, Izvestia was named the top three-year-old in the country winning the three-race series. The most popular winner of the Prince of Wales waltzed to victory in 1991, super filly Dance Smartly, 'kicked sand at the boys' as she became the first and only lady to win the Canadian Triple Crown. In 1993, the immensely talented Peteski peaked in all three races. There was not another Triple Crown winner until Wando completed the trick in 2003.

In 1959, the Prince of Wales Stakes became the marquis event on the Fort Erie racing calendar. That was also the year the race became the second jewel in Canada's Triple Crown of Racing.

The first edition of the Prince of Wales Stakes was held at Thorncliffe Park in Toronto on June 3, 1929. During the 1930's, the race was restricted to 3 year olds foaled in Canada, utilizing the same format as both the Queen's Plate and the Breeders' Stakes, the other two legs of the Canadian Triple Crown.

Over the years the purse structure has soared to over $500,000 from its initial running in 1929, which was worth $7,500. Until 1953, the race was known as the Prince of Wales Plate, but the size of the purse was dramatically less. After the first two runnings, the purse for the Prince of Wales was dropped to just $2,500 added as the country was in the midst of a depression.

1959 New Providence
1960 Bulpamiru
1961 Song of Evan
1962 King Gorm
1963 Canebora
1964 Canadillis
1965 Good Old Mort
1966 He's A Smoothie
1967 Battling
1968 Rouletabille
1969 Sharp-Eyed Quillo
1970 Almoner
1971 New Pro Escar
1972 Presidial
1973 Tara Road
1974 Rushton's Corsair
1975 L'Enjoleur
1976 Norcliffe
1977 Dance in Time
1978 Overskate
1979 Mass Rally
1980 Allan Blue
1981 Cadet Corps
1982 Runaway Groom
1983 Archdeacon
1984 Val Dansant
1985 Imperial Choice
1986 Golden Choice
1987 Coryphee
1988 Regal Classic
1989 With Approval
1990 Izvestia
1991 Dance Smartly
1992 Ben Burb
1993 Peteski
1994 Bruce's Mill
1995 Kiridashi
1996 Stephanotis
1997 Cryptocloser
1998 Archers Bay
1999 Gandria
2000 Scatter the Gold
2001 Win City
2002 Le Cinquieme Essai
2003 Wando
2004 Bit O'Gold
2005 Ablo
2006 Shillelagh Slew
2007 Alezzandro
2008 Harlem Rocker
2009 Gallant
2010 Golden Moka
2011 Pender Harbour
2012 Dixie Strike
2013 Uncaptured
2014 Coltimus Prime
2015 Breaking Lucky
2016 Amis Gizmo
2017 Cool Catomine
2018 Wonder Gadot
2019 Tone Broke
2020 Mighty Heart
2021 Haddassah