On June 27, 1860, The Queen’s Plate, North America’s oldest, continuous thoroughbred horse ran for the first time.

Originally run on the Carleton racetrack in the Toronto Junction, the annual race now takes place at Woodbine racetrack in Etobicoke, Ontario. At the request of Ontario Lieutenant Governor Sir Casimir Gzowski, Queen Victoria gave her approval for the Queen’s Plate. Initially the prize was to be a “a plate to the value of 50 guineas”, hence the plate reference, but a gold cup was picked instead. The first winner was Don Juan.

150th Birth Anniversary of Sir Casimir Gzowski (1813-1898)
Issued by Canada in 1963
Designed by Ephrum Philip Weiss and engraved by Yves Baril and Donald J. Mitchell 
Sir Casimir Gzowski (1813, March 5 – 1898, August 24)
Issued by Poland in 1978
Designed by Helena Matuszewska
Gzowski was born in St Petersburg, Russia to Polish parents from the Grodno district. He emigrated to Canada in 1842 and built a successful engineering career before entering a long public service career. 

Queen Victoria (1819-1901)
Issued by Canada
Part of the “Small Queen” series
 

Northern Dancer
Part of Canada Post’s Canadian Horses 4 stamp set from 1999
Designed by Pierre-Yves Pelletier
Northern Dancer was the first Canadian bred horse to win the Plate. June 25, 1964. 

 

In the 165 years of its operation, the race has alternated between Queen’s Plate and King’s Plate, depending upon who is the current monarch. 
Home – Kings Plate

Last year also offered up a more Canadian history.  The day was devoted to Canadian military transport pilot and first female bush pilot Violet Milstead died on June 27, 2014.