2026 King’s Plate Odds & Betting Sites: Jan Van Goyen Early Favourite

Saddle up with the latest King’s Plate odds, betting favourites, profitable longshots, and our expert picks. The 167th King’s Plate Stakes will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at 12:30 pm EST at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, as the thrilling first jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown. Our top horse racing betting sites are leading the field with can’t-miss action on the King’s Plate Stakes.

Best King’s Plate Betting Sites in Canada 🍁

Before you run through the latest odds, check out what each of the top King’s Plate betting sites brings to the track and streamline your registration with our exclusive links.

Latest King’s Plate Odds 2026

Be first out of the gate with King’s Plate odds thanks to William Hill—or hold your horses and rein in Grade One King’s Plate odds from bet365 closer to post time. While we’re still waiting on the official post-position, here are the current top contenders:

Horse	Implied Probability
Jan Van Goyen	33.3%
Eight On Eighteen	16.7%
The Real Prince	15.4%
See It Again	14.3%
Sail The Seas	7.4%
Dave The King	7.4%
Garrix	7.4%

Please note: The official post position draw is typically the Tuesday before the race. Check back here for more details and the latest updates.

Top King’s Plate Betting Sites: Breakdown

Our top horse racing betting sites are stacked with the top King’s Plate odds, whether you’re backing a favourite or saddling up with a longshot. Let’s trot through the top King’s Plate betting sites Canada has to offer and how you can land in the Winner’s Circle.

bet365 is leading the field when it comes to the King’s Plate odds, horse racing coverage, sports betting, and, honestly, all online gambling in general! As the world’s favourite sportsbook, bet365 is a great option for all things King’s Plate betting, from superior odds to diverse market coverage. Just don’t expect any early coverage from bet365, since it usually keeps bettors on the edge of their saddles until race day. Sign up with bet365 here!

⭐ King’s Plate Betting Features:

• Amazing live horse betting & streaming platform
• Streamlined online horse betting experience
• Juicy King’s Plate betting odds

Starting as a trackside bookie in 1946, BetVictor has horse racing in its blood—consistently offering top prices on ponies. With high-value King’s Plate odds and boosted prices across select bets, BetVictor helps you place juicy wagers on the first jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown. Plus, BetVictor offers detailed betting guides for the King’s Plate and other major races. Sign up with BetVictor here!

Please note: BetVictor has recently been intermittently unavailable in Ontario.

⭐ King’s Plate Betting Features:

• Trusted name in horse racing betting
• Boosted King’s Plate odds & prices
• Expert King’s Plate betting guide & tips

King’s Plate 2026: Race Details

• Date: Saturday, August 15, 2026
• Location: Woodbine Racetrack, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• Distance: 1¼ miles (2 kilometres) on synthetic Tapeta surface
• Purse: $1,000,000 CAD
• Eligible Horses: Top 3-year-old Canadian-bred thoroughbreds
• Field Size: 12-14 horses (the exact field size for 2026 will likely be announced August 11th)
• Status: Grade 1 Stakes, 1st leg of the Canadian Triple Crown

2026 King’s Plate Top Contenders Breakdown

Wondering which horses to watch in the 2026 King’s Plate Stakes? We’ve got you covered with the latest favourites, top contenders, longshots, and expert picks. Please keep in mind that the field won’t be finalized until the official post-position draw, so none of these early frontrunners are guaranteed to compete.

Check back soon for the full field of King’s Plate entries and odds.

2026 King’s Plate Favourite: Jan Van Goyen

Jan Van Goyen painted himself as the early favourite for the 2026 King’s Plate, coming in hot with a masterpiece of a résumé. This talented three-year-old has been brushing aside the competition with four wins and two runner-up finishes from six career starts, highlighted by commanding Group 1 victories in the Cape Guineas and Premiers Champion Stakes. If Jan Van Goyen delivers another inspired performance, he could gallop away with the King’s Plate and turn this year’s race into his latest work of art.

• Owner: Mesdames D L Erasmus & L Huntingford
• Trainer: Mike & Mathew de Kock.
• Unconfirmed Jockey: Callan Murray
• Earnings to Date: $204,000

King’s Plate Runner-up: Eight On Eighteen

According to the current King’s Plate betting markets and predictions, Eight On Eighteen is a solid runner-up in the King’s Plate odds department—and he has the accolades to back it up. The South African Horse of the Year boasts three Group 1 victories—including a prestigious Cape Town Met win. The only real concern with Eight on Eighteen is his race fitness, as he’ll be making his first start since a game runner-up finish in the Durban July. Saddle up with the latest King’s Plate odds and keep an eye on Eight On Eighteen!

• Owner: Nick Jonsson & Johann Rupert
• Trainer: Justin Snaith
• Unconfirmed Jockey: Oisin Murphy
• Earnings to Date: $594,000

King’s Plate Longshot: Garrix

Garrix has trotted into the conversation as a potential contender to race in the 2026 King’s Plate. Steadily climbing the ranks with four wins from 11 starts, including a pair of Group 3 triumphs, Garrix has shown he has the closing kick to thunder down the stretch when the pace suits. Although Garrix’s track record isn’t spotless—especially compared to the competition—don’t be surprised if this dark horse gallops past the competition and turns those early longshot odds into a whopping winning ticket.

• Owner: Messrs T Gujadhur, R M Sewgoolam, & the Wernars Family
• Trainer: Piet & Steyn
• Unconfirmed Jockey: S’Manga Khumalo
• Earnings to Date: $68,000

Kira’s Picks: 2026 King’s Plate Predictions

At this point, it’s too early to say anything definitive until the post-position draw since there are 83 nominees and a ton of speculation. In terms of King’s Plate odds predictions,
I like the current favourite, Jan Van Goyen, as a strong finisher with a reliable track record whereas some of the other top contenders have had recent stumbles, losses, and extended breaks.

Make sure you hoof it back for my updated King’s Plate 2026 entries predictions and picks after the post-position draw (likely August 11th, but it’s still TBA).

How to Bet on King’s Plate Odds in Canada 🍁

Ready to bet on the King’s Plate Stakes? For the newbies who need a lap around the track, let’s run through how to bet on the King’s Plate and what you need to do to get started.

1. Select a sportsbook.
   Check out our individual reviews to help you decide which of our top betting sites is right for you—remember, you can always sign up for multiple sportsbooks and compare top odds! Consider your betting style, preferred payment methods, and online betting must-haves.
2. Create an account.
   Streamline your account registration by signing up using our exclusive links, and be prepared to provide your personal details, home address, and contact details, then create a secure password. Keep in mind you’ll need to verify your account with your government-issued ID.
3. Deposit funds.
   After you find the cashier page, select your preferred payment method, enter your payment details and desired deposit amount, follow any additional site instructions, and click to confirm your deposit. Thankfully, deposits are typically instant, but we’d always double-check.
4. Place a Bet on the King’s Plate Stakes.
   Closer to the race, our top sportsbooks should roll out competitive King’s Plate betting odds, and once you find odds you like, placing a bet is a piece of cake. Simply click on the odds, add your wager amount, confirm your bet slip, and place your bet!

King’s Plate Betting Odds in Ontario

King’s Plate betting is legal in Ontario and across Canada under the pari-mutuel betting system, where all bets are pooled and split among winners. This system has long been the standard for horse racing in Canada—and now it’s fully integrated with the online sports betting landscape.

King’s Plate Odds Explained

New to the track and unsure how to make sense of King’s Plate odds? No problem, we’re here to help. Odds are first set by bookmakers and then adjusted based on how people are betting, reflecting each horse’s likelihood of winning.

Here are the three main ways odds are displayed:

American odds	Fractional odds	Decimal Odds
+450	9/2	5.5
-200	1/2	1.5

Like most horse races, the King’s Plate uses fractional odds—but keep in mind, most sportsbooks have adopted American odds for the majority of the other available sports. Overall, shorter odds (-) indicate favourites, while longer odds (+) indicate longshots or underdogs.

How to Read King’s Plate Betting Odds

Fractional odds are fairly easy to rein in: the first number (flashback to fourth grade: the numerator) represents your potential payout, and the second number (the denominator) is how much you must wager to win said payout. If you bet on the King’s Plate on a horse with 5/1 (five-to-one) odds to win, you’d win $5 for every $1 you wagered—and you can bet as little as $2.

So, with a $2 bet at 5/1 odds, you’d win $10 ($8 profit plus your original stake).

If you’re still unsure, you can test out our handy-dandy odds calculator or get a leg up with our expert guide to horse racing odds.

Popular King’s Plate Betting Markets

Betting on the King’s Plate comes down to choosing the right type of wager for the horse you’re backing. Whether you’re going for a big payout or keeping it low-risk, these are the most common ways to bet.

🏇 King’s Plate Win Bets

A win bet is as straightforward as it gets; you’re choosing one horse to finish first. It’s a simple, classic option that’s great for beginners.

🏇 King’s Plate Place & Show Bets

If there’s no clear winner in your books—or you want to play it safe—place and show bets are your friend. With place bets, you’d win if your horse comes in 1st or 2nd, and it’s 1st, 2nd, or 3rd for show bets. It’s a smaller payout, but there’s more breathing room, which is ideal for hedging your bets when the field is stacked.

🏇 King’s Plate Multi-race Bets

It’s in the name for all of these bets! Each bet involves picking the winners of multiple races—perfect for high-risk, high-reward bettors vying for insane bragging rights and a carriage full of winnings.

• If you pick the winners of two consecutive races, congratulations, you’ve just nailed the Daily Double.
• There’s also a Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5, and Pick 6 (you’ll figure it out; we believe in you).

Remember: Some King’s Plate betting sites let you box multiple combinations to increase your coverage, but you’ll have to be prepared to pay for the extra protection.

🏇 King’s Plate Exotics Wagering

Exactas, trifectas, and superfectas are often referred to as horse racing “exotics,” where bettors pick the top two, three, or four finishers in exact order. Exotic bets are difficult to pull off, but if your longshot sprints into the mix, your payout could gallop past the thousand-dollar mark.

🏇 King’s Plate Live Bets

King’s Plate live odds shift with every dollar that rushes into the prize pool. The more money on a potential winner, the shorter the odds become—and the smaller your payout if you follow the popular crowd. Live betting adds a thrilling edge to race day, even if you’re not trackside. Just be sure your sportsbook offers live streaming so you don’t miss a single stride.

King’s Plate Betting Tips & Strategy

Whether you’re a novice bettor or looking to get a leg up, we’ve compiled our top tips and tricks to stay ahead of the competition and place informed bets on the King’s Plate—and future races.

🔍 Know the Field

When betting on the King’s Plate at Woodbine, it’s essential to review each horse’s past performances, recent form, and overall strengths and weaknesses to better predict how they’ll fare on race day. There are a bunch of factors when determining a strong contender, including closing power, strong stamina, jockey-horse chemistry, trainer records, any injuries, and recent wins under their bridle.

Additionally, it’s important to consider track conditions and whether a horse has performed well on both dirt and synthetic tracks. Next, the weather also plays a major role—while we don’t need to worry about mud with Woodbine’s synthetic track, a hot Toronto summer day still takes its toll.

⚖️ Compare Odds

If you’re looking to get the best bang for your buck, we suggest comparing odds across our top bookmakers and locking in lines with the best value. Of course, comparing odds gets a little tricky when it comes to the King’s Plate Stakes, as lines can shift dramatically as soon the betting opens up until the race begins (live betting is a whole other matter), but if you act fast, you can place high-value wagers.

Beyond understanding how King’s Plate odds work, the real challenge is finding solid odds and knowing when to lock them in. Many pros watch odds under a microscope leading up to the official start time. Keep in mind that some bookies may open with inflated odds on the favourite, which can fool beginners into jumping on the first wave of bets—only to watch the odds drop as more money pours in.

💰 Set a Budget

Okay, okay, this one is more of a general one that you should apply to all your online (and trackside!) gambling activities. Here it is: Set a budget and stick to it! Pretty basic, we know, but when it comes to responsible gaming, we don’t mess around. Whether you’re betting on the King’s Plate Stakes or the hottest sporting event of the season, you should only ever wager what you’re willing to lose.

If tracking spending isn’t your strong suit, you can use prepaid cards like Vanilla Visa to help you stick to monthly budgets. Additionally, you can set deposit, loss, and betting limits through your preferred sportsbook to prevent overspending. And if you need to tap out for a minute, a few months, or forever, there are self-exclusion options at each bookmaker. Have fun, and please play responsibly!

Past King’s Plate Champions 🏆

Year	King’s Plate Winning Horse
2025	Mansetti
2024	Caitilinhergrtness (f)
2023	Paramount Prince
2022	Moira (f)
2021	Safe Conduct
2020	Mighty Heart
2019	One Bad Boy
2018	Wonder Gadot
2017	Holy Helena (f)
2016	Sir Dudley Digges

What is the King’s Plate? History and Significance

The King’s Plate isn’t just Canada’s oldest horse race. It’s the crown jewel of Canadian horse racing and the first leg of the Canadian Triple Crown. First run in 1860 as “The Plate” at Toronto’s Carleton Racecourse, the inaugural race was won by a horse named Don Juan. Back then, it was a 1½-mile sprint for Canadian-bred three-year-olds, with a prize of 50 guineas. In 1902, the event was renamed “The King’s Plate” to honour King Edward VII’s ascension to the throne.

Since then, it’s been full speed ahead. Now the King’s Plate is a classic 1 1/4-mile run and has seen some absolute legends thunder down the track—none more iconic than Northern Dancer, who danced his way to victory in 1964 before going down in history books as one of the greatest racehorses of all time. The King’s Plate continues to reign supreme as Canada’s premier test of speed, stamina, and glory.

Recent Changes to King’s Plate

The King’s Plate has seen its fair share of changes over the past 160+ years—from brand-backed rebrands like the “Labatt Blue Plate” in 1995 to its current crown: “King’s Plate presented by Woodbine Entertainment” as of 2018. And let’s not forget Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, which turned it into the Queen’s Plate for seven decades of unforgettable Queen’s Plate betting action. With King Charles taking the throne in 2022, we’ve come full circle. Even after changing sponsors, switching names, and adopting new traditions, the race is still the most prestigious horse racing event, highlighting Canada’s top three-year-old thoroughbreds in a race for glory.

Not even a global pandemic could fully rein in the legacy; admittedly, the first race cancellation in 70 years was because of COVID-19 back in 2020. The race was back up and running in 2021—just without any spectators in the stands (don’t worry, we just switched to screens for a hot minute). And in 2022, the King’s Plate Stakes was back in full force as a celebration of Canadian pride, horsepower, and heritage—a true thoroughbred tradition that continues to capture hearts and headlines from coast to coast.

The King’s Plate and Canadian Triple Crown

The Canadian Triple Crown is a prestigious series of horse races featuring the King’s Plate, Prince of Wales Stakes, and Breeders’ Stakes, modelled after the renowned American Triple Crown, which features the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes. As the ultimate test for Canada’s top three-year-old thoroughbreds, this trio of races demands speed, stamina, and serious versatility—and if one horse can make a clean sweep and win all three, we’ll have ourselves another Canadian Triple Crown winner.

Canadian Triple Crown hopefuls are pushed to the limits and have to prove they can tackle all terrains, starting with the King’s Plate at Woodbine, where contenders hoof it on a synthetic Tapeta track. Up next is a 1 3/16-mile dirt race at Fort Erie for the Prince of Wales Stakes, and back to Woodbine for the 1 1/2-mile Breeders’ Stakes—this time on turf.

To date, only twelve horses have swept all three races, but the first half missed out on the title since the Canadian Triple Crown’s official debut was in 1959. The first official winner of the Canadian Triple Crown was New Providence (in 1959), ridden by the legendary Avelino Gomez. The last to win the title? Wando in 2003. With each passing year, the Canadian Triple Crown grows more and more elusive—but that hasn’t stopped fans from betting the barn in hopes of witnessing racing history.

King’s Plate Statistical Records

With over 160 runnings, the King’s Plate has seen its fair share of unforgettable champions, record-smashing performances, and fierce rivalries. Here are some standout records, followed by a few legendary facts that have cemented the Plate’s place in racing history:

• Speed record: 1 1/4-miles: 2:01.48 – Moira (2022)
• Margin of victory: 6 lengths – St. Bass (1911)
• Most wins by a jockey: 4 wins – Avelino Gomez (1957, 1960, 1966, 1969), Sandy Hawley (1970, 1971, 1975, 1978), and Robin Platts (1972, 1974, 1977, 1984)
• Most wins by a trainer: 8 wins – Harry Giddings Jr. (1911, 1913, 1914, 1920, 1931, 1932, 1934, 1942) and Roger Attfield (1976, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1995, 2008)
• Most wins by an owner: 20 wins – Seagram Stables (1891, 1892, 1893, 1894, 1895, 1896, 1897, 1898, 1901, 1905, 1906, 1908, 1911, 1917, 1918, 1923, 1926, 1928, 1933, 1935)

Notable facts:

• Dance Smartly became the first Canadian-bred horse to win a Breeders’ Cup race, capturing the Distaff in 1991 after sweeping the Canadian Triple Crown. She went undefeated that year and earned spots in both the Canadian and U.S. Racing Halls of Fame.
• Northern Dancer—a 1964 King’s Plate winner—went on to win the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, becoming a Canadian icon and one of the most influential sires in racing history.
• Wonder Gadot, the 2018 King’s Plate champion, was a Grade 2 winner in the U.S. and runner-up in the Kentucky Oaks before taking the Plate and adding the Prince of Wales Stakes to her resume.
• Holy Helena, who won the King’s Plate in 2017, followed up with multiple graded-stakes victories in the U.S., showcasing her class beyond Canadian borders.
• Shaman Ghost, though best known for his King’s Plate win, made waves stateside with Grade 1 victories at Saratoga and Santa Anita, and a runner-up finish in the 2017 Pegasus World Cup—then the richest race in the world.

How We Review the Best King’s Plate Betting Sites

At Canada Sports Betting, we don’t just let any sportsbook into our winner’s circle. Here’s how we vet the best King’s Plate betting sites in the biz.

🔐 Sportsbook Security

Rest assured—all our books are by the books, and player safety is always our top priority. We only support legal, trustworthy sportsbooks that are regulated by reputable gaming authorities, employ industry-standard security measures such as SSL encryption, and promote responsible gambling. Please do your homework, play responsibly, and review your local gambling rules and regulations.

🙋 Customer Experience

Your online betting experience should be seamless, not a struggle to find odds—let alone place a bet—which is why we value user-friendly platforms with intuitive navigation. And since we’ve dealt with our fair share of frustrating customer support headaches—trust us when we say reliable, responsive, 24/7 customer service is essential.

💰 Banking and Payout

Variety is king—whether it’s betting markets or payment methods. We prioritize sites that offer fast, fee-free transactions and a wide range of options, from trusted classics like Interac e-Transfer and credit cards to online favourites like PayPal and Bitcoin. To make our list, bookmakers need to deliver reliable payment methods, near-instant deposits, and smooth, hassle-free withdrawals.

📱 Mobile Betting Experience

We’ve come a long way from long lines at the track—now you can bet on the King’s Plate from the comfort of your couch or on the go. Today, having an app is an absolute must for the top Canadian sportsbooks. We look for standout Canadian mobile betting apps available across iOS and Android devices with a solid user experience, no major bugs, and positive user reviews.

More Horse Racing Resources:

• Best Horse Racing Betting Sites
• Beginner’s Guide: How to Bet on Horse Racing
• Latest Horse Racing Odds
• Woodbine Betting

Major Horse Racing Events to Bet On

• Triple Crown
• Kentucky Derby
• Preakness Stakes
• Belmont Stakes
• Prince of Wales Stakes
• Breeders’ Stakes
• Breeders Cup

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King’s Plate Betting FAQ