Leamington Raceway has truly shone this year, setting new records and leaving an indelible mark on the local economy. With an influx of visitors and increased betting, the raceway has become a hub of activity and a source of pride for the area.

Unleashing Economic Growth at Leamington Raceway

Record-Breaking Season

This year, Leamington Raceway achieved its best season yet. On race days at the Leamington Agricultural Society fairgrounds, the number of attendees ranged from 600 to 1,000, a significant increase from the approximately 500 in 2023. The betting figures also soared, with wagers ranging between $50,000 and $60,000 per race day, compared to $40,000 to $50,000 the previous year. These remarkable achievements showcase the growing popularity and success of the raceway.Tom Bain, a member of the Lakeshore executive for Leamington Raceway, which has been in operation for about 10 years, highlights the significance of these records. After Windsor Raceway closed in 2012, the stable in Lakeshore had only about three horses and rented stalls. However, due to the high demand for harness horse racing, all 14 stalls are now filled, and there is a waiting list to get in. This is a clear example of the economic spinoff benefits that Leamington Raceway creates.

Economic Spinoffs and Visitor Spending

Not only does the raceway generate revenue from stall rentals, but it also engages in agricultural activities such as growing hay and crops, which are sold to local horsemen. People are coming in from London and Windsor, and even from the U.S. on Sundays to watch the races. Chris Hanna and his wife Raquel King-Hanna of Windsor are regular attendees. Their families have a long history in harness horse racing and they truly enjoy the experience. "I think a lot of people don't realize how fun it can be to go and watch the horse races. If they've never done it before, they don't know what they're missing out on," said Hanna.After the races, these visitors spend money in the area, visiting places like Colasantis for plants and restaurants like The Grove in Kingsville or The Salty Dog in Amherstburg. This spending has a positive ripple effect on the local economy, contributing to its growth.

Continued Growth and Future Plans

Leamington Raceway had applied to Ontario Racing to add more race dates next year, but unfortunately, their request was denied. However, Bain is determined to continue pushing for more dates. "We keep knocking on that door. We've been so successful in that we broke our attendance records, we broke our betting records. Sometimes with the betting, we break them week after week and things were so great with attendance that we broke the 2,000 mark and that's more than Toronto or London get combined," he said.The next season is set to begin in August, and with the momentum they have built, there is no doubt that Leamington Raceway will continue to make waves and contribute to the economic prosperity of the region.