Long Branch Racetrack

Long Branch Racetrack was a horse-racing facility in Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada. It was situated in Etobicoke, then a township, just north of the village of Long Branch and just west of the city of Toronto. It operated from 1924 until 1955 at a location west of Kipling Avenue, north of Horner Avenue and south of Evans Avenue. The track is the originator of two stakes races that are still run today - the Canadian International Stakes and the Cup and Saucer Stakes. The track opened in September 1924. It was owned by Abe Orpen and his family which also owned the Dufferin Park Racetrack in Toronto. The track was 1 mile (1.6 km) in length.

Panoramic view of Long Branch racetrack on opening day, 1924

History

Abraham "Abe" Orpen and Thomas Hare, operators of the Dufferin Park Racetrack in Toronto, began construction on the new Long Branch track on June 26, 1924, under the supervision of Thomas Clarke.[1] Construction of the half-mile turf[2] track was completed in time for a seven-day meet beginning on September 6, 1924. Over 400 horses were in eight new stables with fifteen jockeys and 55 owners represented.[3] The land for the track cost CA$150,000 and the track facilities, including a 10,000-seat grandstand, cost CA$250,000.[2] The first day was a big success as 10,000 attended.[4] An additional one-mile-long turf track was added in November 1924.[5] The track operated two seven-day horse-racing meets annually, one in June and another in the fall. Located on a rail line, special trains were run to the track from downtown Toronto.[6][7]

A dispute erupted between Orpen and the Government of Ontario. To operate the track, Orpen had applied to the Government of Canada to incorporate the Long Branch Racing Association which would operate the track. The letters patent were published in the Canada Gazette on September 6, the day the track held its first races in a meet of seven races a day for seven days. The Government of Ontario immediately attempted to shut down the track, while also collecting a percentage of the wagers placed at the track. The Attorney-General of Ontario, W. F. Nickle claimed that the Canadian government had granted the license without consulting him first. Nickle declared the letters patent received by Orpen to be invalid because they were for athletic purposes only, meaning that betting was illegal.[4]

The case went to trial where the Crown argued that the letters of incorporation for the Long Branch Racing Association made no mention of horse-racing. The defence readily admitted that the track had accepted wagers and paid a percentage of wagers and an amusement tax to Ontario. Long Branch lost the case and was fined $249, but announced that they would continue with their next set of races in October 1924.[8] Orpen then filed for another charter with the Canadian government for the October races.[9] Orpen filed an appeal of the conviction but lost. Orpen also applied for a racing charter with the Ontario government and a return of the money that the Ontario government had collected, which he failed to get returned.[10] Orpen next filed a suit in December 1924, claiming the Government of Ontario had wrongfully collected a tax on the wagering.[11]

The dispute continued into 1925. The Ontario government threatened to deny Orpen a license to operate if he did not pay CA$30,000 in arrears.[12] In February, Orpen's lawsuit of December 1924 was dismissed.[13] Further, in April 1925, the Ontario government announced an increase in the tax on betting, estimated to cost Orpen an extra CA$140,000, based on his 1924 revenues from Dufferin Park and Long Branch.[14] Orpen stated that the extra cost would likely mean the suspension of operations at Dufferin and Long Branch.[15] In June 1925, Orpen paid the disputed CA$30,000 after the Ontario government threatened to prevent racing later that month at the track, by using the Ontario Provincial Police to block racing.[16] Wagers at the 1925 spring seven-day meet totalled CA$1.78 million, which net the Ontario government CA$132 thousand.[17] The total for the 1925 season was CA$3.167 million in wagers and another CA$89,000 in gate receipts.[18] After a down year at Ontario tracks overall in 1926, the Ontario government reduced the cost of the per-day racing permit from CA$7,500 to CA$5,000 per day for the 1927 season.[19]

In 1927, Long Branch expanded its stables to 494 stalls, citing an expanded interest.[20][21] In 1928, it added an "amplified" public address system similar to that used at race tracks in Maryland.[22] In its fall meet, the track added a moveable stall starting gate, a first for a North American track.[23] That season Long Branch's wagering rose above CA$3 million to CA$3.046 million, surpassing Orpen's other Toronto track Dufferin, which had wagering of CA$2.8 million, but less than Kenilworth's wagering of CA$3.07 million.[24]

In 1936, Long Branch became the first Canadian race track to employ the camera "photo finish" system to settle close races.[25]

In September 1937, Abe Orpen died and the track was continued by his partner Thomas Hare and his sons A. M. Orpen Jr and Fred Orpen.[26][7] Hare died in February 1938[27] and the Orpens bought out his estate in 1942.[28]

After the 1941 fall races, the track was turned over to the Government of Canada for war purposes. In April 1942, Long Branch announced the cancellation of its two 1942 meets.[29] Although it was suggested that the four race tracks of Toronto consolidate their races at Woodbine, the Orpens received permission to move their 1942 races to Dufferin Park.[30] Dufferin Park also hosted the 1943 through 1945 meets.

The track held its last race meet in 1955, finishing on October 21, 1955. Along with Dufferin Park, Long Branch racetrack was sold for CA$4 million by Fred Orpen to the Ontario Jockey Club, which consolidated horse-racing in Toronto at the two Woodbine racetracks.[31][32] The Ontario Jockey Club continued the Cup and Saucer Stakes, the Canadian International Stakes and the Wild Mink Stakes, which had only been run once, in 1955.[33]

Notable races

The first Cup and Saucer Stakes, for Canadian two-year-olds, was run on October 13, 1937, at Long Branch. It was originally known as Mrs. Orpen's Cup and Saucer Handicap, named after Abe Orpen's wife.[34] The first winner over the one mile and 70 yards distance was Suffern, owned by Harry C. Hatch and ridden by Charlie McTague.[35] It had 18 entrants.[34] It had a purse of CA$5,000, the richest race for two-year-olds in Canada.[36]

In 1938, Long Branch inaugurated the Canadian International Stakes, (first known as the Long Branch Championship) open to all thoroughbreds three-years-old and older.[33] The first race was held on October 10, 1938 and was won by the three-year-old Bunty Lawless, ridden by Tommy Aimers and owned by Willie Morrissey.[37] Bunty Lawless would win the race again three years later, in 1941.

Other prominent races held by the Long Branch Jockey Club included the Orpen Memorial for three- and four-year-olds foaled in Canada, and the Long Branch Handicap for three-year-olds and up.[38]

Other events

The track was used for other events. On July 12, 1925, the Orangeman Parade of Long Branch ended at the track where former Toronto Mayor Thomas Church along with Ontario Minister of Highways George Stewart Henry took the salute.[39] On August 8, 1925, the West York Conservatives held a picnic at Long Branch. Over 15,000 attended, including members' families. Boy Scouts and Girl Guides held activities for member's children. The children's activities drowned out the political speakers (Forbes Godfrey and Henry Drayton) and they had to cut their comments short. The track was loaned to the Conservatives by Orpen.[40] A Liberal Party rally was held on September 18, 1938, where Ontario Premier Mitchell Hepburn spoke.[41]

Legacy

The site is today part of an industrial area in Etobicoke, including a large Goodyear Tire facility. Along Horner Avenue at the railway line, there remains a column from the south entrance and a grove of trees leading north, marking the entranceway. The site is marked by a historical plaque. The two stakes races originated at Long Branch - the Canadian International Stakes and the Cup and Saucer Stakes - are continued today at Woodbine Racetrack in north Etobicoke.

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References
  1. Vipond, Jim (November 8, 1955). "Tuesday's SPORTS DIGEST". The Globe and Mail. p. 20.
  2. "Long Branch Track Statistics". Toronto Star. September 4, 1924. p. 10.
  3. "Over 400 Horses Are Ready For Opening". Toronto Star. September 5, 1924. p. 11.
  4. "Can Operate Track, Can't Place Bets -- Nickle". Toronto Star. September 9, 1924. p. 3.
  5. "Mile Track at Long Branch". Toronto Star. November 14, 1924. p. 11.
  6. "THORNCLIFFE ACTS IN BOSLEY'S CASE". The Globe. June 4, 1929. p. 11.
  7. "Long Branch Jockey Club Ltd - Running Races at Long Branch Race Track Today". The Globe and Mail. October 13, 1937. p. 16.
  8. "Long Branch to "Carry On" says Orpen". Toronto Star. September 27, 1924. p. 1.
  9. "Can Run Long Branch Under Another Charter". Toronto Star. October 4, 1924. p. 15.
  10. "Seeks New Charter And Tax Refund". Toronto Star. December 13, 1924. p. 3.
  11. "'Abe' Orpen Files Notice of Appeal in Betting Case". Toronto Star. December 24, 1924. p. 1.
  12. "Says Orpen Must Pay Or Forego All Racing". Toronto Star. January 9, 2019. p. 3.
  13. "Orpen Appeal To Get Tax Back Is Dismissed". Toronto Star. February 2, 1925. p. 1.
  14. "Orpen's Tracks To Pay $140,000 Extra This Year". Toronto Star. April 4, 1925. p. 17.
  15. "License For Tracks Gives Orpen Worry". Toronto Star. April 20, 1925. p. 3.
  16. "LONG BRANCH RACES LIKELY TO PROCEED: Abe Orpen Pays to Government Disputed Sum of $30,000". The Globe. June 19, 1925. p. 12.
  17. "ORPENS RACE-TRACK DOES FAIR BUSINESS". The Globe. July 4, 1925. p. 14.
  18. Mears, F. C. (November 24, 1925). "Nearly Fifty Million Dollars Wagered at Canadian Traces Daring Race Season of 1925: "Rake-Off" From Pari-Mutuel Receipts and Money Paid by Racegoers to Gain Admission to Meets Totalled $5,078,231 and $1,925,735 Was Paid Out in Prize Money". The Globe. p. 1.
  19. "MONTEITH REPORTS LOWER EARNINGS FROM RACE TRACKS: Increased Attendance and Wagering Noted in Year's Return GATE DROP IN TORONTO". The Globe. October 26, 1927. p. 13.
  20. "LONG BRANCH READY FOR BANNER MEETING: Course Attracts More and Better Class of Horses Than Ever". The Globe. June 8, 1927. p. 19.
  21. Wilson, Frederick (June 8, 1927). "SCANNING THE SPORT FIELD". The Globe. p. 8.
  22. "LONG BRANCH OPENS WITH INVITING CARD: Good Purses, and Good Horses to Run for the Money". The Globe. June 6, 1928. p. 10.
  23. "LONG BRANCH FEATURE IS CAPTURED BY BOOM: Noine Defeats Intense in Prince George Hotel Purse". The Globe. August 30, 1928. p. 11.
  24. "RACE TRACK BETTING REDUCED IN CANADA, 1928 FIGURES SHOW: Decline in Ontario Responsible--Wagers Are Down by $1,954,900 DAY'S AVERAGE LOWER". The Globe. October 17, 1928. p. 3.
  25. "Will Use 'Photo Finish' At Long Branch Course". The Globe and Mail. May 30, 1936. p. 7.
  26. "Coveted Long Branch Prize". The Globe and Mail. October 12, 1937. p. 18.
  27. "Notice to creditors and others in the estate of Thomas Hare, deceased". The Globe and Mail. March 15, 1938. p. 27.
  28. "Orpen Estate Will Take Over Long Branch Track". The Globe and Mail. September 15, 1942. p. 16.
  29. "Long Branch Racing Meets Cancelled as Result of War". The Globe and Mail. April 17, 1942. p. 1.
  30. "LONG BRANCH RACING TO BE HELD AT DUFFERIN". The Globe and Mail. May 25, 1942. p. 1.
  31. MacCarl, Neil (November 5, 1955). "Dufferin Parlayed $4,000 into Four Million". Toronto Star. p. 18.
  32. Tappas, Appas (October 4, 1955). "Purchasers Unknown: Branch, Dufferin To Change Hands For $4,000,000". The Globe and Mail. p. 20.
  33. "OJC to Continue Cup and Saucer, Other Fixtures". The Globe and Mail. October 22, 1955. p. 23.
  34. Munns, Tommy (October 14, 1937). "Scanning the Sport Field: Suffern Wins Cup and Saucer Race". The Globe and Mail. p. 15.
  35. "Race Results: Long Branch Results". The Globe and Mail. October 14, 1937. p. 16.
  36. "$40,600 IN PURSES AT BRANCH COURSE: Condition Book Meets With Favor of All Horsemen". The Globe and Mail. September 30, 1937. p. 18.
  37. "RECORD BRANCH CROWD SEES BUNTY LAWLESS WIN: Morrissey Colt Wins Championship Test In Smashing Style Leads Cabin Gal and Mona Bell Home--Sir Marlboro Lowers Track Mark 16,000 ATTENDANCE". The Globe and Mail. October 11, 1938. p. 15.
  38. "$90,000 PURSES FOR DUFFERIN". The Globe and Mail. June 4, 1943. p. 20.
  39. "Glorious Twelfth Observed By Thousands in Ontario: Wonderful Weather Favors Celebration of Battle of the Boyne by Loyal Orangemen--More Than Eleven Thousand March in Toronto". The Globe. July 13, 1925. p. 3.
  40. "FIFTEEN THOUSAND ATTEND TORY PICNIC: Shouting of Happy Children Shortens Speeches at Long Branch Track". The Globe. August 10, 1925. p. 1.
  41. "Premier Will Speak At Long Branch Today". The Globe and Mail. September 18, 1938. p. 5.
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