Northern Dancer Turf Stakes

The Northern Dancer Turf Stakes is a Canadian Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario in mid-September. A Grade I event with a current purse of Can$300,000, it is run at a distance of miles on Woodbine's E. P. Taylor turf course.

Inaugurated as the Niagara Handicap, it was first raced on dirt at the Fort Erie Racetrack. In 1957 the race was changed to run on turf and was moved to the Woodbine Racetrack in 1985 where for 1986 only, it was run on dirt. The race became part of the Breeders' Cup program and the name was amended to the Niagara Breeders' Cup Handicap. In 2006, the event was renamed to honour Canada's most famous racehorse, Northern Dancer.

Over the years, the race has been run at various distances: miles : 1953-1956 miles : 1957-1975 miles : 1990-1994 miles : 1976-1989, 1995 to present

Records Speed Record: 2:25.87 - Strut the Stage (2004) at the current distance of miles

Most wins: 2 - Marshall Ney II (1957, 1958) 2 - Strut the Stage (2003, 2004) 2 - Wigmore Hall (2011, 2012) 2 - Johnny Bear (2017, 2018)

Most wins by an owner: 8 - Sam-Son Farm (1991, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2020) 5 - Gardiner Farm (1967, 1968, 1970, 1974, 1976)

Most wins by a jockey: 4 - Todd Kabel (2002, 2003, 2004, 2006) 3 - Sandy Hawley (1970, 1996, 1997)

Most wins by a Trainer: 6 - Lou Cavalaris, Jr. (1966, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1974, 1976) 6 - Mark Frostad (1996, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2004)

Winners since 1986 Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Time2021Not held Canada to Run 41 Graded Stakes in 20212020Say The Word5Emma-Jayne WilsonGail CoxSam-Son Farm2:29.872019Old Persian4James DoyleCharlie ApplebyGodolphin2:27.782018Johnny Bear7Luis ContrerasAshlee BrnjasColebrook Farms & Bear Stables, Ltd.2:25.742017Johnny Bear6Luis ContrerasAshlee BrnjasColebrook Farms & Bear Stables, Ltd.2:27.302016The Pizza Man7Flavien PratRoger A. BrueggemannMidwest Thoroughbreds2:31.752015Interpol4Emma-Jayne WilsonSid C. AttardJMJ Racing Stables2:33.562014Sheikhzayedroad5Martin LaneDavid SimcockRabbah Bloodstock2:32.372013Forte Dei Marmi7Eurico Rosa Da SilvaRoger L. AttfieldStella Perdomo2:28.462012Wigmore Hall5Jamie SpencerMichael BellMark B. Hawtin2:28.282011Wigmore Hall4Jamie SpencerMichael BellMark B. Hawtin2:30.672010Redwood4Michael HillsBarry HillsJuddmonte Farms2:28.972009Marsh Side†Woodbine: Northern Dancer Turf of 2009 now officialDaily Racing Form, May 6, 20116Javier CastellanoNeil DrysdaleRobert S. Evans2:26.682008Champs Elysees5Garrett GomezRobert J. FrankelJuddmonte Farms2:32.022007Sky Conqueror5Edgar PradoDarwin D. BanachWilliam A. Sorokolit, Sr.2:27.452006Sky Conqueror4Todd KabelDarwin D. BanachWilliam A. Sorokolit, Sr.2:34.362005Revved Up7Brice BlancChristophe ClementLive Oak Plantation2:27.132004Strut the Stage6Todd KabelMark FrostadSam-Son Farm2:25.872003 Strut the Stage5Todd KabelMark FrostadSam-Son Farm2:27.132002Full of Wonder4Todd KabelMark FrostadSam-Son Farm2:26.182001Honor Glide7Robbie DavisChristophe ClementRobert Schaedle III et al.2:26.522000River Boat7Gary BoulangerFrank HuarteFrank Huarte2:32.161999Thornfield5Richard Dos RamosPhil EnglandKnob Hill Stable2:29.321998Chief Bearhart5José A. SantosMark FrostadSam-Son Farm2:30.001997Desert Waves7Sandy HawleyMark FrostadSam-Son Farm2:30.401996Desert Waves6Sandy HawleyMark FrostadSam-Son Farm2:27.001995Lindon Lime5Craig PerretW. Elliott WaldenFrank Mansell2:27.001994River Majesty5Mike E. SmithChristophe ClementW. Gretzky / S. Port2:03.201993Shiny Key5Mark LarsenAlton H. QuanbeckD. Morgan Firestone2:01.601992Beau Fasa6Stanley BethleyGordon ColbourneBox Arrow Farm2:02.201991Tot of Rum5Daniel DavidJim DaySam-Son Farm2:04.801990Hodges Bay5Jean CruguetWillard C. FreemanPlandome Stable2:05.201989Turfah6Dave PennaThomas Skiffington, Jr.Shadwell Stable2:28.001988Master Treaty4Dave PennaTrevor Swan Anderson/Taylor Stables2:34.401987Southjet4Jean-Luc SamynStephen L. DiMauroDogwood Stable2:32.801986Golden Choice3David ClarkMichael A. TammaroSanderson / Belanger2:32.40

Earlier winners

1985 - Sondrio 1984 - Cost Control 1983 - Norwick 1982 - Lord Elgin 1981 - Bridle Path 1980 - Morold 1979 - Dom Alaric 1978 - Tuxedo Mac 1977 - Momigi 1976 - Don Lorenzo 1975 - Yvetot 1974 - Carney's Point 1973 - Fun Co K 1972 - Belle Geste 1971 - One For All 1970 - Panpiper 1969 - Hammer Kopf 1968 - The Knack ll 1967 - Canadel‡ 1966 - Orbiter 1965 - Quick Pitch 1964 - Will I Rule 1963 - Puss n Boots 1962 - Our Jeep 1961 - Harmonizing 1960 - Moony 1959 - Grey Monarch 1958 - Marshall Ney II 1957 - Marshall Ney II 1956 - Captor 1955 - Jimminy Baxter 1954 - Pheasant Boy 1953 - Scene One

† In 2009, Marsh Side finished first but was disqualified and set back to fourth. On appeal, the original order of finish was restored on May 26, 2010. ‡ In 1967, Carteret finished first but was disqualified and set back to last.

See also List of Canadian flat horse races

References