Derby Day at the Raceway

SATURDAY MAY 2, 2026

Free Admission & Parking!

Join us on Saturday, May 2nd, at 12:50 PM for an unforgettable Derby Day celebration! Dress to impress for our Big Fancy Hat Contest, enjoy a rustic Southern BBQ and Mint Juleps at Top of the Fair Restaurant (reserve your table at www.topofthefair.com), and cheer on more than just the horses—don’t miss the thrilling Dachshund Derby and Miniature Pony Race! With live music, food trucks, and free grandstand admission, this family-friendly event is the perfect way to celebrate a day at the races. See you at the track!

A Special Derby Menu at Top of the Fair Restaurant

Enjoy a unique dining experience overlooking the raceway, with floor-to-ceiling views, live race action on every table, and a curated buffet featuring fresh, locally sourced cuisine with a Derby twist.

From freshly carved Ontario beef to candied, southern-inspired sweet potatoes, the special Derby Day buffet menu will bring all Kentucky flavours to the Raceway.

Dining Schedule

  • Doors Open: 12:00 PM

  • Derby Buffet: 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM

Reserve your table now and savour Derby Day with an elevated culinary experience.

Book Tickets
Book Tickets

Experience the Energy from the Patio & Grandstand (Free)

Get up Close to the Races on the Patio
Feel the action and energy of the races from the patio. Enjoy a lively atmosphere with food trucks, live music, and unbeatable trackside views.

The View from the Grandstand
Take in the races from London’s iconic grandstand, offering elevated sightlines and a classic raceway experience with comfort and style.

Whether you prefer the buzz of the patio or the panoramic views of the grandstand, every moment brings you closer to the thrill of the track.

Event Schedule

  • Food Trucks Open: 12:30 PM

  • Kids Activities / Virtual Racing / Meet a Retired Racehorse: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

  • Live Music – Brad Kerr: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

  • Meet & Greet (Ponies, Wiener Dogs & Mascots): 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

  • Derby Hat Contest Judging (Patio Stage): 4:00 PM

  • Wiener Dog, Pony & Mascot Races: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Secure your spot and join the Derby Day experience.

Book Tickets
Book Tickets

Kentucky Derby Viewing Experience

Experience the excitement of the iconic Kentucky Derby right here on the first floor of The Raceway. Watch every race live on big screens and be part of an atmosphere built for true race day energy.

From the early runs to the main event, enjoy great food, drinks, and a vibrant crowd bringing the spirit of Churchill Downs to London.

Race Day Schedule

  • First Post Time: 11:00 AM
    Races begin—watch and wager throughout the day

  • Kentucky Derby Main Event: ~6:30 PM
    Watch the main race live on screens across the venue

Get your tickets now and experience the Kentucky Derby live at The Raceway.

Book Tickets
Book Tickets

Unforgettable Wiener Dog, Pony & Mascot Races

wiener dog races in London Ontario

One of Derby Day’s most loved traditions is fun, fast, and unforgettable.

Watch adorable wiener dogs dash, ponies trot, and mascots bring the energy in a series of light-hearted races that entertain guests of all ages. It’s the perfect mix of excitement and fun that makes Derby Day truly special.

Happening from 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Come early, grab your spot, and enjoy one of the most talked-about moments of the day.

Don’t miss the action. Book your tickets and be part of the most entertaining races of the day.

Book Tickets
Book Tickets

Highlights

Horse racing event with four horses and their drivers on a dirt track, and spectators watching behind white fencing in the background.
Wiener Dog Racing at Raceway

Live Racing

Dachshund Derby

Crowd of people outside a modern stadium with a glass exterior, some sitting at tables and others standing in line or walking.
A young girl and a woman riding a decorated miniature horse in a harness carriage at a nighttime event, with the girl dressed in a pink princess costume, both wearing helmets.

Food Trucks

Miniature Pony Race

Two women smiling, one wearing a large red hat and red floral top, the other wearing a straw hat and holding a black dog with a green bandana at an outdoor event with many people in the background.

Think Your Pup Has What It Takes?

The winner of each heat will get $100. Overall fastest heat time will be crowned the "Top Dog" and take home the trophy! This event will take place in between the live horse races.

Please note: advance registration is required. Dogs will not be accepted on the day of the event. Entries are now closed.

Event Schedule

Live Horse Racing: 12:50 – 4:30 PM
Wiener Dog / Mini Horse / Mascot Races: 5:00 PM

More information will be emailed to the participants closer to the date.

*Contest conditions must be read before entering.*

Contest Conditions
Contest Conditions
Waiver
Waiver
Entry Form - CLOSED
Entry Form - CLOSED
Group of five women wearing colorful hats, sitting at a table in a lively restaurant or bar, with other patrons and screens in the background. Four of them are smiling at the camera, and the table has drinks, papers, and personal belongings.
Four people in formal attire smiling at a social event, with a bar and bar patrons in the background, and multiple screens displaying a woman in a hat on the wall.
Five women sitting at a dining table wearing colorful hats and bright clothing, with plates of food and drinks in front of them, in a room with large windows.
A woman with tattoos and long blonde hair smiling while holding a black and tan dachshund wearing a yellow bandana. The woman is wearing a black cap, white shirt, and has a nose piercing. She is holding a glass trophy. In the background, there is a c
Miniature Pony Race.jpg
wiener dog races - Derby Day.jpg

Watch Races Online

Don’t miss a single Race! Watch every race from The Raceway at Western Fair District in High Definition. 
Missed one? Get the results here.

HD Live Stream 

Available 30 minutes before Post Time each race day: 

Horse racing track with horses, jockeys, and spectators in grandstands during sunset.
Horse harness racing on a dirt track with multiple horses and drivers, and spectators watching from the stands.
Inside a racetrack viewing area with people dining at tables and betting on horse races on monitors, with large windows showing the racetrack outside.
Nighttime harness racing at a dirt racetrack with a large lit grandstand filled with spectators.
Nighttime scene at a horse racetrack with a group of trotting racehorses and their handlers in the foreground, and an illuminated grandstand with spectators in the background.
A man in a suit holding a helmet on a horse racing track, with spectators behind a white fence and seating area in the background.
Empty horse racing track with a grandstand and blue sky.
A young man with a guitar sings into a microphone while a young woman with a red sweater and jeans sings into a mic behind him at an outdoor event. People are gathering in the background.

News

News
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Livingitlarge Massive In Western Fair Preferred

Livingitlarge lived on the rim throughout the second half but dug deep to out-finish My Buddy Sam and capture the $12,500 Preferred Handicap Trot at The Raceway at the Western Fair District on Monday, April 20.

Blinded By Delight’s London Debut A Preferred Success
Blinded By Delight’s London Debut A Preferred Success

Blinded By Delight visited The Raceway at the Western Fair District for the first time on Tuesday, March 14, and she stamped her authority in the $12,500 Fillies and Mares Preferred Handicap Pace with a gate-to-wire victory.

Ladies From Hell Picks Up 60th Career Win
Ladies From Hell Picks Up 60th Career Win

Ladies From Hell led throughout the $10,400 optional-claiming feature pace on Tuesday, April 7 at The Raceway at the Western Fair District to tally her fourth win in her last five starts.

Rooney First In Five Races Wednesday At Western Fair
Rooney First In Five Races Wednesday At Western Fair

Garrett Rooney delivered one win after another in his first five drives on Wednesday, April 1 at The Raceway at Western Fair District.

Shoot The Whiskey Soars In Western Fair Preferred
Shoot The Whiskey Soars In Western Fair Preferred

There were no chasers up to the task of getting to Shoot The Whiskey as she and driver Travis Cullen led every step of the way in the $12,000 Filly and Mare Preferred on Tuesday (March 31) at The Raceway at Western Fair District.

Cheddar Bay, Royalty Beer Take London Preferreds
Cheddar Bay, Royalty Beer Take London Preferreds

A pair of $12,000 Preferred classes went postward on Monday evening (March 30) at The Raceway at Western Fair District with Cheddar Bay taking the Preferred Handicap Pace and Royalty Beer taking the Preferred Handicap Trot.

Shoot The Whiskey Wires London Preferred Foes
Shoot The Whiskey Wires London Preferred Foes

Shoot The Whiskey went wire-to-wire in the Mares Preferred Pace at The Raceway at the Western Fair District on Tuesday, March 24.

Passarino Prevails Late In London Preferred
Passarino Prevails Late In London Preferred

It took most of the stretch drive, but Passarino chased down favourite Royalty Beer following a pocket trip to snag the $12,000 Preferred Handicap Trot on Monday, March 16 at The Raceway at the Western Fair District.

Ladies From Hell: Still The Queen of London
Ladies From Hell: Still The Queen of London

Ladies From Hell has been at her best for a little over two years now and continues to show up in the winner's circle - winning twice this month - as a twelve-year-old for the father-daughter ownership duo of Mike and Shae Sumner of London. 

Johnny Buckshot Reigns In London Preferred
Johnny Buckshot Reigns In London Preferred

After a win in a conditioned trot last week, Johnny Buckshot returned back to the Preferred Handicap Trot level on Monday, March 9 at The Raceway at Western Fair District and left with another win and the lion's share of the $12,000 purse.

Scratchin An Itch, Delta Sunrise Capture London Features; HUGE Payouts This Week
Scratchin An Itch, Delta Sunrise Capture London Features; HUGE Payouts This Week

The Raceway’s GO-TO WAGERS have always been the PICK 5, PICK 4 and SUPER HI5 plays - where all are non-jackpot wagers and they would produce some massive payouts on the Monday and Tuesday evening programs.

Livingitlarge Lights Up The Board In Western Fair Preferred
Livingitlarge Lights Up The Board In Western Fair Preferred

Livingitlarge was a rather large number on the toteboard, but that did not deter the 52-1 shot as he rallied to pull the shocker in the $11,000 Preferred Trot on Monday (Feb. 23).

Western Fair Hosts 2025 Awards Night
Western Fair Hosts 2025 Awards Night

The spotlight shone especially bright on Ladies From Hell, who not only repeated as Aged Pacing Mare of the Year, but was also honoured with The Raceway’s top prize as Horse of the Year

Harborlite Ambrose Prevails In Wild Western Fair Photo Finish
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Harborlite Ambrose and driver Austin Sorrie circled a wide-open field of a half-dozen Preferred pacers to prevail in a blanket finish on Friday, Feb. 13 at The Raceway at Western Fair District.