LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society will use King’s Plate week to draw attention to the work of giving retired Thoroughbreds a new chapter away from the racetrack, with the Woodbine-based organisation preparing a special fundraising initiative ahead of Saturday’s 167th running of the historic race.
King’s Plate 2026
King’s Plate 2026 will take place at Woodbine on Saturday, August 15, providing LongRun with an opportunity to connect with racing fans while supporting its ongoing work with retired racehorses.
LongRun, a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance-accredited non-profit organisation, cares for, evaluates and retrains Thoroughbreds after their racing careers. Its work is centred on helping former racehorses move into adoptive homes and develop successful second careers.
The organisation combines fundraising with volunteer support to provide horses with rehabilitation, retraining and opportunities beyond the racetrack. Its work reflects the growing importance of aftercare within the Thoroughbred industry, where a horse’s future is increasingly considered part of the wider racing story.
The fundraising initiative will run throughout the week leading up to the King’s Plate, with LongRun representatives also expected to be present at Woodbine on race day. Their presence will give fans an opportunity to learn more about the organisation and the horses it supports.
For LongRun, the timing is particularly significant. The King’s Plate is one of the major dates on the Canadian racing calendar and the 2026 edition will mark the 167th running of the historic event. Woodbine confirms that the race is the first leg of the Canadian Triple Crown and will be contested over one mile and one quarter for a purse of $1 million.
LongRun’s work extends beyond simply finding homes for retired horses. The organisation provides rehabilitation and retraining while helping Thoroughbreds adjust to different roles once their racing careers have ended. According to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, LongRun supports more than 60 horses through its Ontario operation and has helped countless Thoroughbreds find retirement, new careers or permanent sanctuary.
That message will form an important part of LongRun’s presence during King’s Plate week, when the attention of the Canadian racing community turns towards Woodbine.
The initiative also underlines the relationship between major racing events and the organisations working behind the scenes to support horses after their competitive careers. For LongRun, the week is another chance to keep that conversation in front of a large racing audience.
With the King’s Plate approaching on August 15, the organisation’s fundraising and outreach efforts will put the spotlight on what comes after the final race: rehabilitation, retraining and the search for a new home and purpose for retired Thoroughbreds.
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