The Woodbine Race Made Famous by Secretariat

BY JENNIFER MORRISON

It was a dark and stormy afternoon at Woodbine on October 28, 1973 when the great Secretariat raced through the rain on his way to victory in the Canadian International, his final career race.

The American Triple crown champion, with jockey Eddie Maple subbing for a suspended Ron Turcotte, streaked past a very bright infield tote board as the fans roared and ran across the main track to get a closer look.

“It was a signature moment in Canadian racing,” said Bruce Walker, director of public relations. “It put Canada on the map that Secretariat was going to run his last race here.”

*VIDEO OF SECRETARIAT'S CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL

This year's edition of the Canadian International (G1) is the 85th running and the first since 2023 when Nations Pride (IRE) won it for Godolphin. That was the fourth time Godolphin has won the International and the second time trainer Charlie Appleby sent out the winner.

Mike Burns Photo

European visitors have won 18 of 22 running of the International since the year 2000 (the race was not run in three different years) and the last four in succession.

While the Canadian International has struggled to keep its place on the Woodbine schedule in recent years, it remains an iconic race at 1 1/2 miles on the turf, a distance we don't see much in Woodbine racing anymore.

This year's running is more like the '73 edition (which was run at the distance of 1 5/8 miles) than any of the last two dozen as it will be contested entirely on the inner turf course while the E.P. Taylor course is renovated.

In Secretariat's year and through to 1994, the International began on the outsider Marshall turf course (currently the section being renovated) and then crossed the main track to the inner turf. The E.P. Taylor turf was opened in 1994 and was 1 1/2 miles around. The wide and sweeping turns and long stretch run was perfect for the Euros.

Who will win this year's Canadian International?

NATIONS PRIDE (IRE) will be heavily favoured to win again at Woodbine for Godolphin and Appleby. The 6-year-old old horse was 2 to 5 when he won the International in 2023 although the race was shortened to 1 1/4 miles that year for some reason.

Nations Pride won the Grade 1 Arlington Million in 2024 and the Grade 2 Singspiel Stakes in Dubai this winter. Most recently he was caught late in the Grade 1 Sword Dancer at Saratoga at 1 1/2 miles.

British champion apprentice rider Billy Loughnane will ride Nations Pride for the first time and note Nations Pride is 1 for 4 at the 12 furlong distance.

It's more fun to play a horse who won't be such a big favourite that's why I am leaning to HAUNTED DREAM (Ire), who is #1 in the 10-horse field (race 9 on Saturday's Woodbine card) and #6 TOSEN WISH (Ire), the 1-2 finishers in the Sept. 6 Singspiel Stakes.

Haunted Dream was making his first start in North American when he scored a steady win in the Singspiel under Woodbine's leading stakes rider Rafael Hernandez. The connections of the grey gelding, Wathnan Racing, initially did not plan to send the horse back to Woodbine for this race but since the horse has thrived since his Canadian trip, he is back again.

In the Singpiel, Haunted Dream had a bit of late challenge from Team Valor's Tosen Wish, who arrived in North America last fall as a modest winner. Trained by Mark Casse, Tosen Wish ('tosen' is Japanese for winning) won on Woodbine's inner turf last October but he's arguably in his best form these days. The gelding, who will be ridden by Fraser Aebly, has not tried 1 1/2 miles but his stretch run against Haunted Dream was encouraging.

The Picks

1 – Haunted Dream

6 – Tosen Wish

10 – Nations Pride

Enjoy the Turf Champions weekend of racing at Woodbine!