The Canadian International A Race Steeped in History

By HBPA Ontario

There are few races on the Canadian racing calendar that carry the history and international importance of the Canadian International.

This Saturday, October 3, Woodbine will once again host the $750,000 Grade 1 Canadian International, with a field of seven turf horses set to compete over 1½ miles on the E.P. Taylor Turf Course.

The 86th running of the Canadian International brings together a mixture of international experience, European Group winners and horses familiar to the Woodbine racing community. It is a race that has long served as a meeting place for some of the best horses from Canada, the United States and overseas.

An International Field

Leading the international contingent is Arabian Crown (FR), representing Godolphin and trainer Charlie Appleby. The five-year-old son of Dubawi arrives at Woodbine following a victory in the Group 3 Kilternan Stakes at Leopardstown over the same 1½-mile distance. He has won six of 13 career starts and will have Jamie Spencer aboard.

Godolphin and Appleby have enjoyed considerable success in this race. They won the Canadian International with Walton Street in 2021 and Nations Pride in 2023, while Godolphin also captured the race with Mutafaweq in 2000 and Sulamani in 2004.

Purview (GB) brings another strong European connection to the race. Trained by legendary Irish conditioner Dermot Weld for Juddmonte Farms, the four-year-old Kingman gelding won the Group 3 Dubai Duty Free International Stakes at the Curragh earlier this year. He most recently finished behind Arabian Crown in the Kilternan Stakes.

Weld has not won the Canadian International since 2005, when Collier Hill captured the race, and returns to Woodbine with another horse bred to appreciate the demands of a mile and a half.

The three-year-old Ancient Egypt (IRE) gives the field another European contender. Trained by Charlie Johnston for Amo Racing, the son of Frankel was a winner at Newmarket earlier this season and was second, beaten just a head, in the Grand Prix de Paris. He also has experience in North America, having finished fourth in the Grade 1 Christophe Clement Turf Stakes at Saratoga.

For Tawny Port, Saturday represents another opportunity in a race he knows well. Trained by Miguel Clement, Tawny Port finished second in last year’s Canadian International behind Silawi. He has also demonstrated plenty of stamina this season, winning the Bowling Green Stakes at Kentucky Downs and races at two miles and beyond.

The Woodbine-based contingent is led by Tomasello, trained by Mark Casse. The four-year-old son of Authentic enters the International following a half-length victory in the Grade 3 Singspiel Stakes on September 5 over the E.P. Taylor Turf Course. Emma-Jayne Wilson will ride.

Dancin in Da’nile, trained by Gail Cox, is the lone horse in the field with a substantial amount of recent Woodbine experience. The seven-year-old has made 35 career starts and finished behind Tomasello in the Singspiel.

Completing the field is Il Siciliano, a five-year-old son of Yoshida trained by Antonio Sano. The Kentucky-bred comes into the race off a victory at 1⅜ miles on the Saratoga turf and will make his first Canadian start.

With several horses proven at extended distances, the return to the traditional 1½-mile distance should provide an appropriate test for the field.

A Race That Has Defined Canadian Racing

The Canadian International was first contested in 1938, originally known as the Long Branch Championship. The race has changed considerably over the decades, including changes to its name, distance, surface and location.

The early editions were held at Long Branch, while the race was moved to Dufferin Park during the Second World War. In 1956, it moved to Woodbine, and two years later it was contested on turf for the first time.

The race eventually settled into its identity as one of North America’s premier long-distance turf events. In 1987, the distance was changed to its current 1½ miles.

The race has also carried several names over the years, including the Rothmans International before returning to the Canadian International name in 1996.

Its history is filled with horses whose names remain familiar to racing fans around the world.

Secretariat’s Final Race

Perhaps no moment in the history of the Canadian International is more famous than Secretariat’s victory in 1973.

After capturing the American Triple Crown earlier that year, Secretariat was brought to Woodbine for the final start of his racing career. On a cold, wet October afternoon, with thousands of fans on hand, the legendary chestnut won the Canadian International by 6½ lengths with Eddie Maple aboard.

It was an extraordinary ending to one of the greatest careers in Thoroughbred racing history and a moment that helped establish the Canadian International as a race with an international profile.

Secretariat’s victory remains one of the most recognizable moments ever witnessed at Woodbine.

A Roll Call of Champions

Secretariat is only one name on an extraordinary list of Canadian International winners.

Dahlia, Youth, Exceller, Snow Knight, Singspiel, Chief Bearhart, All Along and George Royal are among the champions who have taken the race.

All Along’s 1983 victory was particularly notable. The great mare won the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Turf Classic, Washington D.C. International and Canadian International within a remarkable 41-day period.

And then there is Joshua Tree.

The Irish-bred horse accomplished something no other horse has done, winning the Canadian International three times — in 2010, 2012 and 2013. He also finished second in 2011, giving him an extraordinary four consecutive appearances among the top two finishers.

The race has also attracted some of the world’s leading trainers, jockeys and owners. Sir Michael Stoute has won three times, while E.P. Taylor remains the only owner with four victories.

Saturday’s Renewal

The Canadian International continues a tradition that began nearly nine decades ago: bringing together horses from different racing jurisdictions to compete on one of Canada’s most important stages.

This year’s renewal has its own collection of storylines.

There is the international challenge of Arabian Crown, Purview and Ancient Egypt. There is the return of last year’s runner-up, Tawny Port. There is the local challenge of Tomasello and Dancin in Da’nile. And there is the opportunity for another Canadian International winner to add a new chapter to one of Woodbine’s most celebrated races.

For the connections, it is a chance to win a Grade 1 race with a place in Canadian racing history.

For the fans, it is an opportunity to watch another group of talented Thoroughbreds take on the same distance and turf course that have challenged generations of champions.

And for the Canadian racing community, the International remains what it has been for decades — a race that connects Woodbine to the wider Thoroughbred world.

The 86th Canadian International will be run Saturday, October 3 at Woodbine Racetrack. Post time for the day’s card is 1:05 p.m.