The Canadian Derby is a Canadian Thoroughbred horse race run annually at the Century Mile Racetrack and Casino in Leduc County, Alberta. A Grade III event held in August, it is open to three-year-old horses and is raced on dirt over a distance of one mile and a quarter (10 furlongs).
The race was the creation of future Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee R. James Speers and first run in 1930 at his Polo Park Racetrack in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Inaugurated as the Manitoba Stakes, it was restricted to Manitoba-bred horses until 1936 when the race was renamed the Manitoba Derby and made open to three-year-old horses bred in Canada. In 1941, the name was changed again to its present form as the Canadian Derby. In 1942, future Canadian and U.S. Racing Hall of Fame jockey Johnny Longden won this race.
As the Canadian Derby grew in prestige and its purse money increased, top horses from Toronto and Montreal began coming west to compete in the race. In 1937 Goldlure won Canada's most prestigious race, the King's Plate. For owner Harry Hatch, trainer Bill Bringloe would later ship the colt 1,300 miles by rail transport from Toronto and win the Derby. Budpath, another King's Plate winner, won the 1941 edition of the Canadian Derby. However, not all eastern-based horses have fared so well. In 1942, Ten To Ace was shipped in from Toronto by leading owner/trainer Harry Giddings Jr. The colt had won the King's Plate as well as the Prince of Wales Stakes and according to Time magazine was being called "the greatest Canadian horse of all time." Ten To Ace finished in last place in the Canadian Derby."Sport: Ace Trumped". Time. July 13, 1942.
In 1956, Polo Park Racetrack was closed and the race was moved to Northlands Park in Edmonton, Alberta. In 2019, the race moved to its present location at the Century Mile Racetrack and Casino south of Edmonton.Century Mile Racetrack and Casino opening announcement
The Canadian Derby was contested at 1 mile from 1930 to 1933, miles from 1934 to 1956, and miles from 1957 until 2018. The race returned to miles in 2019 when it was moved to Century Mile Racetrack.
In 2017, Chief Know It All finished first but the jockey of runner-up Double Bear filed a claim of interference. When the claim was rejected by track stewards the matter was appealed to the Alberta Horse Racing Appeal Tribunal which in July 2018 ruled in favour of the owner of Double Bear. An appeal of the Tribunal's order resulted in an August 2018 Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta ruling that Chief Know It All had interfered and declared Double Bear the winner.
Established in 2023, the Canadian Derby is the second jewel of the Western Canadian Triple Crown.
Records Most wins by a jockey: 6 - Rico Walcott (2010, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2022)
Most wins by an owner: 3 - Harry C. Hatch (1936, 1937, 1941)
Winners of the Canadian Derby since 2006 Year Winner Jockey Trainer Owner Time2026QuarryDamario BynoeJerry GourneauHenry S. Witt Jr.2:06.942025Take Charge TomRasheed HughesRobertino DiodoroRandy Howg2:03.992024August RainAmadeo PerezBarbara HeadsPeter Redekop2:04.942023AbeliefinthislivinAmadeo PerezBarbara HeadsPeter Redekop2:03.002022Great EscapeRico WalcottRobertino DiodoroArnold Bennewith et al.2:01.352021UncharacteristicAlexander MartiRobert Van OverschotAdam Isfeld2:04.162020Real GraceMauricio MalvaezShelley BrownBrown, McEwen, Holtman and Bernell2:03.772019Explode Amadeo PerezMark CloutierOle Nielsen2:01.522018Sky PromiseRico WalcottRobertino DiodoroWiest, Wiest, R 6 Stable & Tremblay2:20.112017Double BearDane NelsonRodney ConeSycamore Stables2:17.062016Ready IntaglioShamaree MuirAmber MeyaardRobbin Martens2:19.162015AcademicJustin SteinTim RycroftBear's Stable/Riversedge Racing Stables2:18.492014EdisonRico WalcottRobertino DiodoroEl Kardy/Fouad/ButzRunning Rabbit2:21.382013Broadway EmpireRico WalcottRobertino DiodoroButz/Howg/Running Rabbit2:19.602012ToccetiveJorge CarrenoJoan PetrowskiSouthview Ag2:22.802011Freedoms TravellerRafael ZentenoLianne KnechtelRandy & Donna Feddema2:21.802010No HesitationRico WalcottJim MeyaardBarb Side2:23.402009Tommy DanziggerPedro AlvaradoRobert GilkerEdgar B. Smith2:23.002008Matt's Broken VowEmile RamsammyJosie CarrollRobert W. Mitchell2:19.402007FootprintReal SimardJoan PetrowskiDerek G. Milen et al.2.19.602006Shillelagh SlewDino LucianiMichael DePauloDavid James2:19.00
Earlier winners
2005 - Alabama Rain 2004 - Organ Grinder 2003 - Raylene 2002 - Lady Shari 2001 - Fancy As 2000 - Scotman 1999 - Native Brass 1998 - A Fleet's Dancer 1997 - Smoky Cinder 1996 - Jan Alta 1995 - Sovacianto 1994 - Funboy 1993 - Cozzy Grey 1992 - Josh's Hero 1991 - Sounds Fabulous 1990 - Hurricane Benny 1989 - Haveigotadealforu 1988 - Elmtex 1987 - Steady Power 1986 - Slyly Gifted 1985 - Polynesian Flyer 1984 - Let's Go Blue 1983 - Victorious Lad 1982 - Exclusive Canadian 1981 - Frost King 1980 - Driving Home 1979 - All For Victory 1978 - Canadian Bill 1977 - Western Reason 1976 - Laissez Passer 1975 - Pampas Host 1974 - Progressive Hope 1973 - Wing Span 1972 - Winning Red 1971 - Kim's Kid 1970 - Swinging Apache 1969 - Wyn D'Amour 1968 - Son Costume 1967 - Gilmore 1966 - Klondike Prince 1965 - Chariot Chaser 1964 - Quick Quick 1963 - Brother Leo 1962 - Western Morn 1961 - Galindo 1961 - General C 1960 - Count Lathum 1959 - Sonoma 1958 - Percy Yates 1957 - Spangled Jimmy 1956 - Argent 1955 - Loyalist 1954 - Treheme 1953 - Chain Reaction 1952 - Lord Strome 1951 - Beau Orage 1950 - Sir Strome 1949 - Yates Senior 1948 - Victory Gift 1947 - Sir Berrill 1946 - Palermo 1945 - Ferry Pilot 1944 - Gower Mon 1943 - Western Prince 1942 - Maginot Line 1941 - Budpath 1940 - Sir Trapseth 1939 - Larry Eckardt 1938 - Gowerlace 1937 - Goldlure 1936 - Sweepden 1935 - Nellie Quince 1934 - Caramar 1933 - Carhan Queen 1932 - Lady Marnock 1931 - Parisienne 1930 - Jack Whittier
See also List of Canadian flat horse races
Notes
References Wilson, Keith & Lussier, Antoine S. Off And Running - Horse Racing in Manitoba (1978) Peguis Publishers Limited The Canadian Derby at Pedigree Query