2025 Woodbine Thoroughbred Season — Year in Review

The Big Stakes & Classic Performances

The 166th King’s Plate — August 16, 2025

The most storied race in Canadian horse racing delivered in thrilling fashion at Woodbine with Mansetti taking the crown in the 166th King’s Plate, earning a dramatic victory for trainer Kevin Attard and jockey Pietro Moran. The 3-year-old colt clocked 2:03.68 over 1¼ miles on Tapeta, fending off a competitive field in one of Canada’s signature events.

This win marked a big moment for the Ulwelling ownership team — their first Plate victory — and added to a strong season for Moran, Woodbine’s leading apprentice-turned-star rider.

Woodbine Oaks — July 20, 2025

The all-filly classic Woodbine Oaks saw No Time carve out a decisive 3¾-length victory under jockey John Velazquez for Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse. This win was Casse’s record-tying fifth Oaks victory, further cementing his place among Canada’s great conditioners.

No Time’s performance also fueled excitement heading toward the Canadian Triple Crown series, showcasing her as one of the year’s standout fillies.

Woodbine Mile — Turf Champions Day Highlight

On Turf Champions Day, the prestigious Grade 1 Woodbine Mile again offered a world-class turf battle, part of the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” Challenge Series. Notable Speech emerged on top, rallying to seize the $1 million stakes on the inner turf — a fitting spectacle in a deep field of local and international turf specialists.

Canadian International — October 4, 2025

In one of the premier long-distance turf tests, Silawi scored a big G1 Canadian International Stakes victory at 1½ miles, showcasing stamina and turf prowess against an international group of competitors. Tawny Port was second and Nations Pride, a past winner and fan favorite, placed third in a competitive renewal.

🏆 Leading Performers of the 2025 Meet

Top Jockeys

• Rafael Hernandez claimed the Woodbine riding championship — his second career title — with 149 wins, topping the standings in both victories and stakes performances.

• Pietro Moran was right behind with 140 wins, continuing his rapid rise through Woodbine’s jockey colony.

• Fraser Aebly rounded out the top three with 95 victories.

Top Trainer & Owner

• Mark Casse dominated the trainer leaderboard with 97 winners, including 12 stakes triumphs and more than US$5.7 million in purse earnings.

• Bruno Schickedanz secured his 11th straight Woodbine owners’ title, leading the ownership ranks yet again.

🐎 Breakthrough Horses & Season Stars

Several horses emerged as standouts at Woodbine in 2025:

• Mansetti — Classic-winning 3-year-old and King’s Plate champion.

• No Time — Dominant Oaks winner and one of the top fillies of the year.

• Notable Speech — Turf star atop the Woodbine Mile.

• Silawi — Canadian International victor on the turf.

• Argos, Corsia Veloce, Breath Away, Ready for Shirl, Gas Me Up — Multiple graded stakes winners who lit up Woodbine’s stakes schedule throughout the season.

• Maximum Fifty — Led horse standings with six wins on the meet.

🐎 Fort Erie & Canadian Triple Crown Connection

While Woodbine anchored the majority of the 2025 stakes calendar, the Prince of Wales Stakes at Fort Erie Race Track — the second jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown — brought added excitement before returning for a decisive Breeders’ Stakes back at Woodbine. More than 80 three-year-olds were nominated to the Triple Crown series this year, underscoring the depth of Canadian-foaled talent.

🗓 Looking Ahead

With the 2025 Thoroughbred season now concluded — and the final Sunday card canceled due to cold weather — Woodbine transitions into its winter break.

Here’s what’s next on the calendar:

📍 Backstretch Opens: February 22, 2026

📍 Opening Day of the 2026 Season: April 18, 2026

These dates mark the first steps toward what everyone hopes will be another thrilling season of racing, rivalries, and unforgettable moments.