Legend On Canadian Soil

The Great Secretariat in his last race on Canadian Soil

The Legacy of the Canadian International and Secretariat’s Final Bow

By HBPA

Santino Di Paola Photo

As the 2025 running of the Canadian International approaches, the air at Woodbine Racetrack carries more than just the buzz of world-class racing — it carries history. Few events in North American racing can claim the kind of pedigree, pageantry, and emotional resonance that the Canadian International has built for almost a century. Among all the moments that have played out on its storied turf, none stands taller than the day a chestnut colt named Secretariat ran his final race on Canadian soil.

Now, 52 years later, Secretariat’s swan song remains one of the most poetic moments in horse racing history — and a reminder of the international prestige this Canadian turf test continues to represent.

The 2025 Canadian International: A Home for Global Talent

Slated for the Woodbine Inner Turf in Toronto, the 2025 Canadian International Stakes remains a beacon for top-class horses from around the world. Traditionally run at 1 1/2 miles (though its distance has varied over time), the race is a major stop for older turf horses looking to finish their season with a bang — or to springboard toward global acclaim and the Breeder’s Cup Turf.

What sets the Canadian International apart is its open invitation to the world. European shippers, American turf stars, and Canadian-trained warriors have all competed for the crown. In many ways, it’s Canada’s answer to the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, the Breeders’ Cup Turf, or the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes — an international meeting ground where great horses and great stories collide.

And perhaps the greatest story of them all unfolded in the fall of 1973.

Secretariat Comes to Canada

When Secretariat stepped onto the track at Woodbine on October 28, 1973, he was already immortal.

He had shocked the racing world earlier that year by completing the first U.S. Triple Crown in 25 years — and doing so with a flair never before witnessed. His 31-length romp in the Belmont Stakes was not just a win; it was a performance so dominant that it transcended sport. He had become a household name, a symbol of excellence, and an ambassador for the Thoroughbred breed.

But his owners had a plan. Secretariat would retire at the end of his three-year-old season, in accordance with a lucrative breeding syndicate that valued his stud career as much as his racing resume. That left one final outing, one last race to close the curtain on a mythical career. The race they chose? The Canadian International Championship Stakes.

A Grand Finale in Toronto

There were many reasons why Secretariat’s connections picked the Canadian International as his farewell. Part of it was practical — the race’s distance and timing suited a horse like Secretariat, who had proven deadly over longer trips. But there was symbolism, too.

Secretariat’s legendary trainer, Lucien Laurin, was born in Quebec. His regular jockey, Ron Turcotte, hailed from New Brunswick. To bring “Big Red” to Canada for his finale was more than a booking — it was a homecoming. It was a gift to Canadian fans who had followed Secretariat’s rise and had never had a chance to see him race in person.

The race attracted a crowd of more than 30,000 spectators, undeterred by the cold and damp late October weather. They came draped in coats and scarves, many armed with binoculars and newspapers, hoping to catch a final glimpse of greatness. This wasn’t just another race — it was a farewell tour, and Woodbine was center stage.

In an unexpected twist, Ron Turcotte was ruled out of the mount due to a suspension handed down in New York just days before the race. Instead, Eddie Maple, a rising young rider at the time, was tapped to take over. It was a massive assignment, stepping into the irons of a living legend — but Maple handled it with grace.

The race itself played out as many had hoped. Secretariat broke well, stalked the pace, and then unleashed his trademark move — a powerful, effortless acceleration that left his rivals scrambling. Despite being bumped by Canadian star Kennedy Road in the stretch, Secretariat shrugged it off and glided home with a final burst of brilliance.

He won by an official margin of 6½ lengths, though eyewitnesses would swear it felt more like 10.

As the announcer called out, “Secretariat, ladies and gentlemen — he’s all yours!”, a roar went up from the stands. It wasn’t just a victory — it was a moment of history, a collective memory that still lingers in the hearts of those lucky enough to witness it.

Secretariat’s win in the Canadian International brought his career record to 21 starts: 16 wins, 3 seconds, 1 third, and nearly $1.3 million in earnings — a staggering figure at the time. But the money didn’t matter that day. What mattered was the sight of a champion bowing out with class, courage, and complete command.

It gave Canada a rare and lasting place in the Secretariat story — a final chapter written on northern turf, where the leaves had just started to fall.

A Race Rich in History

Of course, Secretariat is not the only legend to have graced the Canadian International winner’s circle. Over the decades, the race has been a magnet for elite talent:

• Dahlia, one of the greatest turf mares in history, won the race in 1974, a year after Secretariat.

• Youth, the French-bred champion trained by Maurice Zilber, took the title in 1976 en route to a Breeders’ Cup campaign.

• Sky Classic, trained by Jim Day, was a Canadian-bred champion who lit up Woodbine in the early 1990s.

• In recent years, Desert Encounter pulled off the remarkable feat of winning back-to-back runnings in 2018 and 2019.

• Erupt, a top-class European runner, made the journey in 2016 and delivered a memorable win for the Niarchos family.

Time and again, the Canadian International has served as a stage for greatness. Whether it was North American stars testing the turf or European raiders trying to steal the show, the event has always punched above its weight in quality, excitement, and storytelling.

Looking Ahead: What the 2025 Running Represents

The 2025 Canadian International will once again gather an elite field, with representation from across the Atlantic and the United States. For racing fans, it’s a chance to witness top-tier turf racing in one of North America’s most beautiful venues. But it’s also something more.

It’s a tribute to the enduring legacy of horses like Secretariat. It’s a reminder that history is not just preserved — it’s relived every time the gates fly open at Woodbine and a new group of hopefuls take aim at glory.

More than fifty years after Secretariat took his final bow in Canada, the echoes of that moment still reverberate. And as long as the Canadian International continues, those echoes will never fade.

Whether you were there in 1973 or only know the story through grainy footage and family lore, Secretariat’s final race is forever etched into the soul of Canadian racing. And as the 2025 edition nears, we honor not just a race — but a legend who chose Canada for his last ride.