Nations Pride rules in the Canadian International (G1)

2023 Canadian International Results

Date: 10/08/2023

The $750,000 Canadian International (G1) features top older horses going 1 1/4 miles on the E.P. Taylor Turf Course at Woodbine. The race has historically been run at 1 1/2 miles but was shortened this year for it’s return after a two year hiatus due to covid. Conditions were typical for Thanksgiving weekend in Southern Ontario, with overcast skies, passing showers, and a race time temperature of 7.4 C (45.3 F). Recent rains downgraded the course to good.

Nations Pride chases down Royal Champion in the stretch.

A field of 8 faced the starter, with Dubai Turf (G1) third place finisher Nations Pride sent off as the 2-5 favorite after winning the Grosser Preis Bayerisches Zuchtrennen (G1) in Munich. In to challenge him included 5-1 second choice Royal Champion, third in the York Stakes (G2) last out, and 11-2 third choice Adhamo, third in the Arlington Million (G1) at Colonial Downs.

Jockey James Doyle sent Royal Champion to a clear lead exiting the clubhouse turn through easy fractions of 25.42, 50.07, 1:14.80, and 1:38.84 while pressed by Nations Pride and stalked by Adhamo. Turning for home, Royal Champion continued to lead to the 1/8 pole but Nations Pride, confidently ridden by William Buick, easily collared him late and drew off to win by 2 1/4 lengths in 2:03.65. It was a long 7 1/4 lengths back to Adhamo third.

Pgm  Horse              Jockey            Win   Place  Show
 4   Nations Pride      Buick            2.80    2.10  2.10
 8   Royal Champion     Doyle                    3.70  2.60
 7   Adhamo             Kimura                         2.40

Winning Time:  2:03.65

$1 Exacta 4-8                 3.85
$2 Trifecta 4-8-7            27.40
$2 Superfecta 4-8-7-3        74.50

Left: Nations Pride in the winner’s circle. Winning trainer Charlie Appleby said, “James [jockey, Doyle] on the lead horse there, he knows his fractions. If there was one person I wouldn’t have been quite so comfortable with, it was James on the front end. He’s dangerous out there. Turning in, I thought he’s got us. To be fair to William, he had confidence in the horse. The ground unfortunately turning to yielding just took his finishing speed off him. William said his class got him through in the end. ”

Right: William Buick celebrates with the trophy.

Left: Nations Pride walks over before the race.

Right: Nations Pride in the post parade. Appleby added, “From the horse point of view, we thought the conditions were there to suit him, until the rain came. We seem to have been following the rain the last couple of weeks. It’s a lovely long stretch and something we knew he’d enjoy. We won’t go to the Breeders’ Cup. We don’t think he stretches out to 1 1/2 miles, so we’ll take him to Bahrain, and then contemplate if Hong Kong might suit him. But our immediate target will be the Bahrain Trophy (on November 17).”

Left: Nations Pride returns after the race. Winning jockey William Buick said, “I’ve ridden in the Canadian International a few times before and I’ve been placed a few times so it’s great to win it. I knew with Nations Pride I had a pretty good horse so it’s just about getting everything right. The track was a bit of a concern, the yielding surface, but he really showed how versatile he is and he’s a high-class horse.”

Right: Nations Pride gets ready to head back to the barn.

Left: Second place finisher Royal Champion returns after the race. The Roger Varian trainee improved his record to 4 wins, 1 second, and 3 thirds in 13 starts, earning $333,931 for owner-breeder Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum.

Right: Third place finisher Adhamo past the finish line. The Chad Brown trainee improved his record to 5 wins, 3 seconds, and 5 thirds in 19 starts, earning $938,567 for owners Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb, Louis Lazzinnaro, and Michael Caruso.

Dancing Duchess wins the Algonquin Stakes

Kicking off the Sunday stakes quartet, the $200,000 Algonquin Stakes featured a field of 8 two-year-olds sprinting 5 furlongs on the inner turf course. Dancing Duchess was sent off as the 5-2 favorite off her 6th place finish in the Natalma Stakes (G1). In to challenge her included 11-4 second choice Golden Canary, 5th in the Natalma after winning the Soaring Free Stakes, and 3-1 third choice Split Strike off his maiden win at third asking at Saratoga. Although the race is open to both genders, 6 of the 8 entered were fillies.

Jockey Leo Salles sent 83-1 longest shot Rock to Fame to the lead through an opening quarter of 22.48 while pressed by 9-1 Rhapsody and stalked by Split Strike. Turning for home Rock to Fame continued to lead through 4f in 45.84 but tired late. Favorite Dancing Duchess, last early under Javier Castellano, came out 5 wide to circle the field and rallied to win by 1/2 a length over 7-2 fourth choice Pipit and Golden Canary in a dead heat for second, in 58.38.

Results chart

Left: Dancing Duchess in the winner’s circle. Kathryn Sullivan, assistant to winning trainer Mark Casse said, “She was last for a long time, but what an amazing closing kick and what a great ride from Javier. I was not sure she was going to get there but I think he was more confident than I was.”

Right: Dancing Duchess heads back to the barn after the race. Sullivan added, “(Coming from off the pace) shows another dimension to her which is wonderful, she’s been a great filly and we look forward to great things in the future.”

Left: Second place finisher (dead heat) Pipit returns after the race. The Kevin Attard trainee improved her record to 1 win and 2 seconds in 3 starts, earning $92,236 for owners X-Men Racing 3, Madaket Stables, and SF Racing.

Right: Second place finisher (dead heat) Golden Canary in the post parade. The Mark Casse trainee improved her record to 1 win and 2 seconds in 3 starts, earning $92,236 for owners X-Men Racing 3, Madaket Stables, and SF Racing.

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