Competitive horse racing back for 2026 season at Century Mile Racetrack

Opening day at Century Mile Racetrack on May 2, 2026. (Galen McDougall/CTV News Edmonton)

Don your fascinators: Edmonton is off to the races for another season.

Century Mile Racetrack was gearing up for the opening day of its live horse racing season on Saturday.

“Opening day is definitely one of the most exciting days of the season. We’re so blessed with beautiful weather today. It just sets the tone for the rest of the 2026 season,” said marketing manager Jentry Van Baal.

Nestled just beside the Edmonton International Airport, Century Mile Racetrack is the only Class A one-mile oval west of Ontario.

“A lot of horses coming in from British Columbia, some new trainers, some new horses, some new jockeys that really make for some exciting, competitive races ahead,” she added.

And while there’s no dress code, many visitors like to mark the occasion with Kentucky Derby-style fashion – the U.S. horse race that ran Saturday and was played on-screen at the Century racetrack.

“The hats, the fascinators, we love to see it,” Van Baal said.

Century Mile’s own take on the Kentucky Derby – the Canadian Derby – falls on Aug. 22 this year.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Galen McDougall