Race Night 101
Welcome to horse racing at the GRR!
Grand River Raceway exclusively hosts harness racing with Standardbred horses. Instead of riding the horses, drivers ride behind in a cart called a racebike or sulky.
Welcome to horse racing at the GRR!
Grand River Raceway exclusively hosts harness racing with Standardbred horses. Instead of riding the horses, drivers ride behind in a cart called a racebike or sulky.
Don’t worry, you don’t need to know much about horses, or racing to enjoy the entertainment at the Raceway. All ages are welcome and it is free to attend!
The Schedule
Live races are showcased on most Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights from June to September.
Race nights begin at 6:30pm and feature 10-12 races, usually concluding by 10pm. Come for the whole night or just stay for part!
Admission & Parking
Admission to the tarmac & grandstand area is always FREE. Seating is never reserved so you’re free to choose your spots as you please.
Parking is also FREE in our large lot with hundreds of spots available.
During the races
Dining
Take advantage of our trackside BBQ to eat & drink right in the racing action, or enjoy a pub-style menu at The GrandWay Lounge and explore our other food & drink options.
Our indoor seating in the Captain’s Quarters will be first come first serve seating only on regular race days. We will have ticketed entry to this area on larger race nights. No Buffet will be served in the Captain’s Quarters, you are welcome to bring your meal from the lounge or bbq to enjoy in this space.
Gaming
Stop by the on-site Elements Casino just steps away from the track to test your luck at one of the many OLG slots and electronic table games. (Over 18 years old only)
Feature Events
Race nights often feature special events such as the Drive a Racehorse program, Food Trucks, The Neighbourhood kids program, and various entertainment on The GrandWay Patio.
Try your hand at betting
If you’re new to the racetrack experience, you can learn the ropes of how to bet on horse races from our award-winning Guest Service Crew.
Upon arrival, purchase a race program or view it online and head over to the Guest Care Counter for your intro session.
“There for the Wiener Dog races! (1h45min drive to watch) Great time, great facility, pleasant professional staff. We will be back!”
– Troy M., Google Review
“We came on industry day with the kids. They had face painting, food trucks and pony rides. A neat experience for the kids.”
– Jonny G., Google Review
“Great night on a private patio, good food, great atmosphere and very close to the race track.”
– Gary S., Google Review
“…It’s a family-friendly atmosphere, food and drink available, and lots of entertainment regardless of whether you have been a lifelong fan or it’s your first time out…”
– Phil D., Google Review
FAQ
100%, children are always welcome. The only constraint is that those under 18 are not allowed on the Casino floor, but don’t worry there are lots of other areas to explore.
We have a Neighbourhood kids program… Check out all the details on the Neighbourhood page!
Unfortunately, you can’t tour the barn but you can get up close and personal right at the fence next to the track (also known as “the rail”). Sometimes we have retired racehorses on-site who are super friendly and love visitors. Check out the events calendar to see when the retired horses will visit!
Race programs (the booklets used for wagering/betting) can be purchased at any mutuel teller, in the First Turn Tent, & the program booth at the front of the building.
Please see this document for more information on betting. On live race nights, one of our guest care representatives will be happy to give you some helpful tips & tricks. You’ll find them wandering the facility ready to help out.
18 years old, please have a government-issued photo ID handy, in case verification is required.
Dress up, dress down, there is no specific dress code in any area at our location. If you are enjoying live racing from the tarmac it can get cooler at night so it helps to layer.
Absolutely, you can access Wifi on the site free of charge. Yes. Upon arrival please scan for the network called “GRAND-FREE WIFI”. Once connected, you’ll be taken to a browser window where you’ll select “Free Wifi”, upon selecting you are automatically agreeing to the terms and conditions. If you have issues connecting, please seek a guest care rep for help
Admission to live racing is always FREE.
For more information regarding responsible gambling practices, please visit:
https://ontarioracing.com/betting-101/responsible-gambling
There are several delicious options for on-site dining. Check them out!
Please note the Captain’s Quarters will not be serving a buffet this year.
Have questions? We’re happy to answer them.
Our team is always there to support you. Don’t hesitate to get in touch for more information about racing, dining, or events.