EXHIBIT 23.6



                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in this
Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related prospectus of Magna Entertainment
Corp. for the registration of 7,309,884 shares of its Class A Subordinate Voting
Stock and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated October
4, 1999, except paragraph 1 of Note 5 as to which the date is October 19, 1999,
with respect to the combined financial statements of Golden Gate Fields
consisting of Pacific Racing Association's operations subject to the licensing
provisions of the California Horse Racing Board, Ladbroke Racing California,
Inc. and Ladbroke Land Holdings, Inc. (wholly owned subsidiaries of Ladbroke
Racing Corporation), included in the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Magna
Entertainment Corp. originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 on January 14, 2000 (File No. 333-94791).

                                                           /s/ Ernst & Young LLP
                                                           ---------------------
                                                           Chartered Accountants


September 7, 2001
Toronto, Canada