Marquis Downs facts for kids
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| Location | Saskatoon, Saskatchewan |
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| Coordinates | 52°05′42″N 106°40′40″W / 52.09497°N 106.67782°W |
| Owned by | Saskatoon Prairieland Park Corp. |
| Date opened | 1969 |
| Date closed | 2021 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred |
| Course type | Oval |
| Notable races | Prairie Lily Stakes Saskatchewan Derby Saskatchewan Futurity |
Marquis Downs was a special place in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. It was a horse racing track where people watched exciting thoroughbred horses compete. It was located in the Exhibition area of the city.
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What Was Marquis Downs?
Marquis Downs was a popular spot for horse racing fans. It was known for its thoroughbred races, which are races with a specific type of fast horse. The track was a big part of the Saskatoon Prairieland Park Corporation.
When Did Marquis Downs Open?
Marquis Downs first opened its gates in 1969. For many years, it hosted thoroughbred racing events. There were also periods when it held "harness racing," which is a different style of racing where horses pull a driver in a two-wheeled cart. Harness racing stopped in 1987 but came back for a few years from 2005 to 2010.
Why Did Racing Stop at Marquis Downs?
In 2020, Marquis Downs had to cancel its racing season. This was because of the COVID-19 pandemic in Saskatchewan and rules to keep people safe. The next year, in February 2021, they also cancelled the 2021 season. It was too difficult to hold races without fans, and there were travel rules that made it hard for people and horses to come.
On March 12, 2021, Prairieland Park announced that Marquis Downs would no longer host thoroughbred racing. They looked into changing the site into a soccer-specific stadium. This stadium would have been for a new professional soccer team. However, in September 2023, the plan for the soccer stadium was put "on pause" because it became too expensive.
The Track and Grandstand
Marquis Downs had a main track that was shaped like an oval. It was about five furlongs long, which is a little over one kilometer. There was also a longer section called a "chute" that was seven furlongs.
How Many People Could Watch?
The grandstand at Marquis Downs was a large seating area for spectators. It could hold about 3,500 people. This meant many fans could come and watch the races live. The track was easy to get to, located in the southwest part of the Prairieland Exhibition Grounds.
Exciting Races at Marquis Downs
When it was open, Marquis Downs usually had live thoroughbred races every Friday and Saturday. These races took place from late May until the first Saturday of September each year.
What Were the Big Races?
Marquis Downs hosted several important races, often called "stakes races." Some of the most well-known included the Saskatchewan Derby and the Prairie Lily Sales Stake. There was also a special "Heritage Day" that celebrated horses bred in Saskatchewan. In 2007, the prize money, called a "purse," for regular races was about $3,000. The Heritage races offered a much larger prize of $100,000.
