The Royal North Stakes is a Canadian Thoroughbred horse race run annually since 1989 at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario. Held in July or early August, the Grade II sprint race is open to fillies and mares aged three and older and is run over a distance of six and a half furlongs on turf. It currently offers a purse of $115,065.
Inaugurated in 1989 as the Royal North Handicap, it was run as a six furlong race on dirt until 1996 when it was switched to Woodbine Racetrack's E. P. Taylor turf course. In 2018, this race is upgraded from Grade III to Grade II. The race was downgraded to Grade III in 2024.
Records Speed record: 1:07.39 - Ageless (2014) (at previous distance of 6 furlongs) 1:13.55 - Boardroom (2022) (at current distance of 6.5 furlongs)
Most wins: 2 - Confessional (2000, 2001)
Most wins by an owner: 2 - Knob Hill Stable (1993, 2003) 2 - Frank Stronach and/or Stronach Stables (1995, 2004) 2 - Pin Oak Stable (2000, 2001) 2 - Live Oak Plantation (2006, 2023) 2 - Lael Stables (2014, 2015)
Most wins by a jockey: 5 - Patrick Husbands (1998, 2012, 2017, 2023, 2024)
Most wins by a trainer: 6 - Mark E. Casse (2012, 2017, 2020, 2023, 2024, 2026)
Winners Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Time2026Shifty4Rafael Manuel HernandezMark E. CasseD. J. Stable1:29.082025Ms. Tart4Huber Villa-GomezKevin RiceNathan McCauley1:15.562024Play the Music4Patrick HusbandsMark E. CasseGlassman Racing LLC1:14.852023Our Flash Drive5Patrick HusbandsMark E. CasseLive Oak Plantation1:13.882022Boardroom5Rafael Manuel HernandezJosie CarrollLNJ Foxwoods1:13.552021Amalfi Coast5Justin SteinKevin AttardTerra Racing Stable1:09.152020Lady Grace4Kazushi KimuraMark E. CasseTracy Farmer1:06.902019Summer Sunday4Rafael Manuel HernandezStuart SimonAnne & William Scott1:08.262018Way To Versailles4Eurico Rosa Da SilvaKevin AttardMahamoud Pootoolal 1:08.002017Jennifer Lynnette4Patrick HusbandsMark E. CasseConrad Farms 1:08.172016Lady Shipman4Jesse M. CampbellKiaran P. McLaughlinRanlo Investments1:07.702015Ageless6Julien LeparouxArnaud DelacourLael Stables1:07.172014Ageless5Luis GarciaArnaud DelacourLael Stables1:07.392013Nikkis Smartypants4Eurico Rosa Da SilvaRobert P. TillerBenjamin Hutzel1:09.492012Roxy Gap4Patrick HusbandsMark E. CasseMelnyk Racing Stables1:09.182011Jenny's So Great4Jesse CampbellGregory De GannesBill and Vicki Poston1:08.762010Unzip Me4Joe TalamoMartin F. JonesHarris Farms Inc., Valpredo et al.1:08.052009Glitter Rox5Gerry OlguinIan BlackEllie-Boje Farm et al.1:09.032008Akronism4Eurico Rosa Da SilvaTimothy RitcheyRobert S. Evans1:07.882007Vestrey Lady4Emile RamsammyReade BakerHarlequin Ranches1:09.172006Hide And Chic4David ClarkMalcolm PierceLive Oak Plantation1:08.692005Taras Touch6Robert LandryNiall O'CallaghanTeam Valor/Margaux Farm1:09.792004Hour of Justice4Todd KabelMike KeoghStronach Stables1:07.832003Chopinina5Todd KabelAlec FehrKnob Hill Stable1:12.192002Quick Blue4Emile RamsammyLinda L. RiceJoseph LaCombe1:09.532001Confessional5Ramon DominguezH. Graham MotionPin Oak Stable1:09.102000Confessional4Ramon DominguezH. Graham MotionPin Oak Stable1:08.351999Hide The Bride4Mickey WallsJoe WallsShelter Valley Farms1:10.611998Going to Extremes4Patrick HusbandsThomas PattonFrejlich, Beer/C. & A. Patton1:09.001997 Domasca Bella5 David ClarkRobert P. TillerFrank DiGiulio, Sr. & Jr.1:09.401996 Special Moves4Victor MolinaEugene WeymouthWilliam S. Farish III1:09.401995Bar U Mood5Todd KabelDaniel J. VellaFrank Stronach1:10.401994Early Blaze4Lloyd DuffyBrian OttawayKen Ham1:10.401993Apelia4Larry AttardPhil EnglandKnob Hill Stable1:09.201992Meafara3Brian SwatukLeslie AhrensFrank L. Muench1:09.401991Premier Question4Richard Dos RamosDavid R. BellJohn A. Franks1:10.801990Petite Duchess4Ray SabourinRobert P. TillerLerner/Taylor/Anderson1:10.201989Blushing Katy3Gunnar LindbergPhil EnglandKingsbrook Farm1:09.80
See also List of Canadian flat horse races
References The Royal North Stakes at Pedigree Query The 2007 Royal North Stakes at the NTRA