The Ontario Derby is a Canadian Thoroughbred horse race run annually in mid-October at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario. A Grade III stakes since 2012, it is open to three-year-old horses. Raced over a distance of miles (9 furlongs) on Tapeta, the Ontario Derby currently offers a purse of Can$150,000.
Inaugurated in 1972 as the Colonel R. S. McLaughlin Handicap, the race was renamed the Ontario Derby for the 2003 running. Originally contested at miles, it was changed to its current -mile distance in 1992.
Records Speed record: 1:48.30 – Ami's Gizmo (2016) (at current distance of miles on Tapeta) – new track record 1:49.38 – Sand Cove (2008) (at current distance of miles on Polytrack) 1:49.45 – Kiss A Native (2000) (at current distance of miles on natural dirt)
Most wins by an owner: 3 – Sam-Son Farm (1974, 1987, 2013) 3 - Chiefswood Stables Limited (2017, 2023, 2025)
Most wins by a jockey: 5 – Sandy Hawley (1972, 1975, 1977, 1989, 1991)
Most wins by a trainer: 4 – Roger Attfield (1976, 1986, 2005, 2008) 4 – Mark E. Casse (2012 ,2014 ,2018, 2021)
Winners of the Ontario Derby Year Winner Jockey Trainer Owner Time2025Borealis TrailJose Luis CamposRachel HaldenChiefswood Stables Limited1:50.882024Dresden RowRyan MungerLorne RichardsTrue North Stable and Bloom Racing Stable (Jeffery Stable)1:49.122023Touch'n Ride2Kazushi KimuraLayne S. GiliforteChiefswood Stables Limited1:48.932022IronstoneKazushi KimuraW. V. ArmataJupiter Leasing Co. & Tequesta Racing Inc.1:49.152021Frosted OverKazushi KimuraMark E. CasseGary Barber1:50.502020Field PassKazushi KimuraMichael J. MakerThree Diamonds Farm1:48.352019Global AccessPatrick HusbandsMichael J. TrombettaLive Oak Plantation1:48.242018Lookin To StrikeGary BoulangerMark E. CasseGary Barber1:49.302017Tiz a Slam Eurico Rosa Da SilvaRoger L. AttfieldChiefswood Stables Limited1:51.572016Ami's GizmoLuis ContrerasJosie CarrollIvan Dalos1:48.302015Lucky LindyRobby AlbaradoMark R. FrostadAugustin Stable1:50.642014Florida WonPatrick HusbandsMark E. CasseLive Oak Plantation1:50.802013His Race to WinEurico Rosa Da SilvaMalcolm PierceSam-Son Farm1:50.712012StealcasePatrick HusbandsMark E. CasseJohn C. Oxley1:50.562011Derby KittenMike E. SmithMike MakerKenneth and Sarah Ramsey1:50.322010Stately VictorVictor LebronMike MakerThomas F. Conway1:50.512009Crown IsleEmile RamsammyJohn CharalambousUphill Stable 1:50.792008Sand CoveRichard Dos RamosRoger AttfieldRalph Johnson1:49.382007Artie HotEurico Rosa Da SilvaMartha GonzalezCarlo & Lou Tucci1:51.192006Shillelagh SlewDino LucianiMike DePauloDavid James1:51.652005PalladioRichard Dos RamosRoger AttfieldHaras Santa Maria de Araras1:50.672004A Bit O'GoldJono JonesCatherine Day PhillipsThe Two Bit Racing Stable1:53.182003MobilTodd KabelMichael KeoghGus Schickedanz1:51.992002Early WisdomJake BartonBarb PirieKen & Mike Ham1:52.192001Win CityConstant MontpellierRobert P.TillerFrank DiGiulio, Jr.1:51.542000Kiss A NativeMickey WallsDavid R. BellJohn A. Franks1:49.451999WonnebergEmile RamsammyMichael KeoghGus Schickedanz1:50.711998Ski MakerJim McAleneyArthur SilveraJ. Karalakis/T. Almbanis1:50.601997John The MagicianSteve BahenJohn A. RossR.M.C. Stable1:52.001996Stephanotis1Mickey WallsBarbara J. MinshallMinshall Farms1:51.601995KiridashiLarry AttardBarbara J. MinshallMinshall Farms1:50.401994Nice To KnowRobert LandryDaniel J. VellaFrank Stronach1:51.401993Bronze BasqueMickey WallsVito ArmataAudre Cappuccitti1:50.601992Vying VictorRobin PlattsIan JoryM/M Marvin Malmuth1:51.201991MajesterianSandy HawleyWillard C. FreemanJohn W. Meriwether1:58.801990SezwhatBrian SwatukSam DiPasqualeSteve Wong1:58.801989Domasca DanSandy HawleyRobert P. TillerFrank DiGiulio Sr. & Jr.1:57.601988DerfJack LauzonMichael TammaroClocker / Sunlight1:58.601987DuckpowerLarry AttardJames E. DaySam-Son Farm1:59.401986Lover's CrossRobin PlattsRoger AttfieldKinghaven Farms1:57.601985Old Gun PowderLloyd DuffyJerry G. LavignePaddockhurst Stable2:00.801984Ten Gold PotsDan BeckonGil RowntreeB. K. Y. Stable1:58.201983Canadian FactorGary StahlbaumPhil EnglandFrank Stronach1:58.601982Abruzzi DancerRichard GrubbJacques DumasF. & P. D'Andrea1:57.201981Frost KingLloyd DuffyBill MarkoTed Smith/Bill Marko2:00.001980Driving HomeRick HedgeGil RowntreeCFCW Racing Stable1:56.201979Port MasterJoey BelowusGil RowntreeStafford Farms2:00.601978Knight's TurnJohn BellEmile M. AllainTerfloth Farm1:57.401977Pro ConsulSandy HawleyBrian OttawayGeorge McCullough2:03.001976NorcliffeJeffrey FellRoger AttfieldNorcliffe Stable1:58.801975L'EnjoleurSandy HawleyYonnie StarrJean-Louis Levesque1:57.201974Runnin RomanChris RogersArthur H. WarnerSam-Son Farm1:55.801973Come In DadW. GreenConrad CohenHarvey Tenenbaum1:56.601972Nice DancerSandy HawleyJerry G. LavigneTom Morton / Harlequin1:56.40
Notes: 1In 1996, Steady Climb finished first but was disqualified and placed second.2In 2023, Solo Album finished first but was disqualified and placed fifth for interference in the first turn.
See also List of Canadian flat horse races
References
External links The Ontario Derby at Pedigree Query 2007 Ontario Derby at the NTRA