Long Branch Race Track
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.
Plaque via Alan L. Brown's site Toronto Plaques. Full page here.