Abe Orpen

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Abraham “Abe” Michael Orpen (February 9, 1854 – September 22, 1937) was a Canadian businessman from Toronto who became well known for owning several horse-racing tracks in Ontario and for his gambling ventures.

Early life and start in business
Abe was born on the family’s home site at Oxford Street and Spadina Avenue, one of six children. His father Samuel Orpen was a railway paymaster from Ireland, and his mother Sarah came from Enniskillen. After his father died in 1863, his mother ran a hotel. Abe trained as a carpenter but soon moved into other work, including running a hotel and several construction-related businesses. He built his home at Sherbourne and Carlton Streets in 1900 using bricks from his brick company.

Racing ventures and gambling
Abe’s first major foray into horse racing came when he and Thomas Hare opened Dufferin Park Racetrack in 1907. Hare operated the track because Abe was ill, and they split the profits. They avoided formal contracts for many years, settling their deals with mutual trust.

He soon invested in Hillcrest Racetrack in Toronto (opened 1912, closed in 1916 during World War I) and in Kenilworth Park Racetrack in Windsor (opened 1916). In 1920, Abe financed a famous match race at Kenilworth between Man o’ War and Sir Barton, offering a $75,000 purse and a Tiffany-designed gold cup. The event drew a huge crowd and was filmed for cinemas nationwide. The Kenilworth track held its last meet in 1935.

In 1924, he opened Long Branch Racetrack in Etobicoke, west of Toronto, which he owned with Hare and later ran with his family. He also helped run Thorncliffe Park Raceway in Leaside and was involved in the National Sporting Club gambling casino in Mimico.

Gambling, generosity and legacy
Abe never promoted gambling, but he ran betting operations where people wished to bet and sometimes refunded losses to help people in need. He was known for treating workers of all races fairly; Blacks and whites worked side by side at his tracks.

He supported philanthropy, including funding a soup kitchen for two years and helping boxers, such as giving Sammy Luftspring $50 in 1935 when he needed money. In his later years, he was hospitable, opening his Friday office to anyone who needed help.

On his 80th birthday he received congratulations from Toronto’s mayor, Ontario’s premier, and Canada’s prime minister. He died in 1937 at his home on Sherbourne Street after a long illness. He was survived by his wife Isabella and nine children, including Abraham Jr. and Fred.

After his death, his sons ran the racing businesses until the mid-1950s, when the family sold them to the Ontario Jockey Club. The Orpen home at 380 Sherbourne Street is a designated heritage property.

Racing legacy
Two major races that began at Orpen tracks are still celebrated today: the Canadian International Stakes and the Cup and Saucer Stakes (originally Mrs. Orpen’s Cup and Saucer). In 1954, his son Fred opened the Orpen Memorial wading pool in Dufferin Grove Park. In 1980, Abe Orpen was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.