Article published on 15 December 2010
Woodbine Reports Rise in Total and Average Handle
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Following Woodbine's 167-day meet which ended on Sunday, the racecourse reported an all-sources total of $393,507,233, an almost 9 percent increase on last year's handle for the same meet of $361,435,208.
In addition, Woodbine's daily average handle this year was $2,356,331, an almost $200,000 increase from last year's $2,164,283, and Woodbine Entertainment Group CEO Sean Pinsonneault couldn't be happier.
'A 7 percent rise in 2009 and an 8.9 percent rise in 2010 against the softness in betting is significant,' he said. 'Customers have responded very well to Woodbine's racing, guaranteed pools and expanded distribution.'
And much of the credit for Woodbine's $32 million increase in handle has been attributed to U.S. betting fans, that have been attracted by the venue's impressive betting pools and frequency of big betting stakes races.
For instance, this year's prestigious $1 million Queen's Plate (Gr 1) - which was attended by Queen Elizabeth II herself - generated a record handle of $6,815,673, second only to the Breeders' Cup Day meet in 1996. The Woodbine Mile and the Pattison Canadian International race days also generated a record $5,619,808 and $6,322,804 respectively.
And although Woodbine's average field size dropped slightly this year, it was still one of the highest in North America.
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