Dufferin Park Racetrack

1941 - The Dufferin Park Racetrack, once where the Dufferin Mall in Toronto stands today — 1941 – The Dufferin Park Racetrack, once where the Dufferin Mall in Toronto stands today (Archives of Ontario I0018100)

The Dufferin Park Racetrack was located on Dufferin St, where the Dufferin Mall stands today (on the west side, between Bloor St W and College St), in the Brockton Village of Toronto.

The Land’s History

The land was originally the territory of the Huron-Wendat and Petun First Nations, then the Seneca and lastly, the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. Later, the area was part of 25 acres of land that the Denison family owned. In the 1880s, the Denisons constructed a private horse-riding track and driving park.

In 1907, Abraham Orpen purchased the land and developed it into a public racetrack for thoroughbred and harness horse races. It was an irregular egg shape and was only a ½ mile long. The popular attraction was often called “Little Saratoga” and was considered a track for ordinary people. While it did have a small reserved section, it did not have a clubhouse. Under the Grandstand, patrons could get a meal at the “Goodwill Restaurant.”

Articles in the local newspapers (dated 1908/09) mentioned a campaign to stop racing and betting at the Dufferin Park Racetrack under a Provincial charter that was no longer valid. Mr Orpen was able to keep the track going using a Federal charter.

Travelling Circus & Amusement Events

The racetrack was home to horse racing and hosted amusement events like Wild West shows and circuses. Circus animals travelled by rail, disembarking from the depot near Bloor St W and Lansdowne Ave. The animals, including elephants, then walked along Bloor St W to the racetrack.

The Track After Abe Orpen

Abe Orpen passed away in 1937, and his son Fred took over running the track. Dufferin Park Racetrack was closed in 1955 and demolished. Its stakes races were moved to Woodbine Racetrack on Rexdale Blvd in Etobicoke. That same year, the Orpen family sold the property and the Long Branch Racetrack for $4 million.

Dufferin Mall & Future Plans

2019 - Artist rendering of the West Block at Dufferin Grove Village, looking southwest across Croatia St — 2019 – Artist rendering of the West Block at Dufferin Grove Village, looking southwest across Croatia St (BDP Quadrangle)

In 1956, the Dufferin Plaza opened and in the early 1970s, the plaza was converted into a mall and enlarged.

Fast forward to 2019, the mall featured a display near the southern entrance, off of Dufferin St, detailing the history of the land and outlining plans for future development. These plans involve repurposing much of the current parking area by extending Dufferin Mall further north. This new development, called Dufferin Grove Village, will cover two blocks and includes plans for four residential buildings, some of which will be situated above the new section of the mall, as well as a new park. The project is scheduled for completion in 2026.

Did You Know?

Until 1886, Dufferin Street was named Side Line as it was the city’s western boundary. It was renamed after Lord Dufferin, Frederick Temple Hamilton-Temple-Blackwood and Governor-General of Canada from 1872 to 1878.
The area was known as Brock Village, and in 1884, it became part of the City of Toronto.
Brock Stream, fed by Denison Creek and flowed into Garrison Creek, once divided the property. Over 100 years ago, these natural watercourses were diverted to underground pipes and then covered over.
Greenwood Raceway/old Woodbine Racetrack once stood in The Beaches neighbourhood for 119 years. It was located on the south side of Queen St E, between Woodbine Ave and Coxwell Ave.

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