The Breeders' Stakes is a stakes race for

Thoroughbred The Thoroughbred is a list of horse breeds, horse breed developed for Thoroughbred racing, horse racing. Although the word ''thoroughbred'' is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thorough ...

race horses foaled in Canada, first run in 1889. Since 1959, it has been the third race in the Canadian Triple Crown for three-year-olds. Held annually in October at

Woodbine Racetrack Woodbine Racetrack is a race track for Thoroughbred horse racing in the Etobicoke area of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Owned by Woodbine Entertainment Group, Woodbine Racetrack manages and hosts Canada's most famous race, the King's Plate. The track ...

Toronto, Ontario Toronto ( , locally pronounced or ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most populous city in Canada. It is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a p ...

, the Breeders' Stakes follows the August running of the King's Plate and the September running of the Prince of Wales Stakes. At a distance of one-and-a-half miles, the Breeders' Stakes is the longest of the three Triple Crown races and is the only jewel raced on

turf Sod is the upper layer of turf that is harvested for transplanting. Turf consists of a variable thickness of a soil medium that supports a community of turfgrasses. In British and Australian English, sod is more commonly known as ''turf'', ...

(the King's Plate is raced on Tapeta synthetic dirt and the Prince of Wales on a traditional dirt track).

History

In 1959, the Canadian Triple Crown was created and then won by New Providence. Six more three-year-olds, including the filly Dance Smartly, have since equalled the feat, with four of them doing so in a five-year period from 1989 to 1993. Six horses have won the first two legs of the Triple Crown but lost on the grass in the Breeders' Stakes. They are: *1970: Almoner finished second to Mary of Scotland (1970) *1975: L'Enjoleur finished third to Momigi (1975) *1976: Norcliffe finished fifth to Tiny Tinker (1976) *1986: Golden Choice finished third to Carotene (1986) *2000: Scatter The Gold finished third to Lodge Hill (2000) *2020: Mighty Heart finished seventh to Belichick (2020) In 1973

Saskatoon Saskatoon () is the largest city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It straddles a bend in the South Saskatchewan River in the central region of the province. It is located along the Trans-Canada Hig ...

native, Joan Phipps made history aboard Singing Spirit. Though she finished 11th, she became the first female

jockey A jockey is someone who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase (horse racing), steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing. The word "jockey" originated from England and was used ...

to compete in one of the Canadian Triple Crown races. In 1999, 26 years after Phipps landmark race, Laurie Gulas rode Free Vacation to victory in the Breeders' Stakes, becoming the first female jockey to win a Canadian Triple Crown race. In 2004, Catherine Day Phillips became the first woman trainer to win the Breeders' Stakes. The 1994 renewal was held at Fort Erie Race Track while the Woodbine turf course was undergoing renovations. Since 1957, the race has been run at miles. Earlier renewals were held at: * 9 furlongs — 1889-1924, 1952-1956 * 8.5 furlongs — 1925-1951 The greatest longshot to win the race was Miami Deco in 2010, who paid $132.10 for a $2 win bet. The slowest time ever recorded was 2:50 by Crowning Honors in 1985 when the rain turned the course into a "swamp".

Records

Speed record: * 2:26 2/5 – Charlie's Dewan (1995) Most wins by a

: * 5 – Patrick Husbands (2003, 2006, 2007, 2015, 2021) Most wins by a trainer: * 9 – Roger Attfield (2015, 2009, 2001, 1999, 1998, 1993, 1990, 1989, 1986) Most wins by an owner: * 9 - Joseph E. Seagram (1889, 1891, 1895, 1901, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1909, 1916)

Winners

2A † designates a Triple Crown winner.

References

Racing Post ''Racing Post'' is a British daily horse racing, greyhound racing, and sports betting publisher published in print and digital formats. It is printed in tabloid format from Monday to Sunday. , it has an average daily circulation of 60,629 ...

: ** , , , , , , , , , {{Triple Crown of Horse Racing Turf races in Canada Restricted stakes races in Canada Flat horse races for three-year-olds Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing Woodbine Racetrack Recurring events established in 1889 1889 establishments in Ontario