The Bessarabian Stakes is a Canadian Thoroughbred horse race run annually since 1985 at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario. Raced at a distance of seven furlongs, it is held during the latter part of November and is open to fillies and mares, age three and older. It has been a Grade II event since 2013.
History Inaugurated in 1985 as the Etobicoke Handicap, in 1996 it was renamed in honor of Eaton Hall Farm's Champion filly, Bessarabian.
Through 1990 the race was contested at six furlongs on dirt. In 2006 the track surface was replaced with a Polytrack synthetic dirt which would be changed again in 2016 to Tapeta synthetic dirt. (both referred to as an "all weather track" in official charts). The purse for the Bessarabian was increased to $200,000 in 2014, plus up to $23,265 for Ontario-bred horses.
Records Speed record: 1:20.76 - Our Flash Drive (2020) at current distance of 7 furlongs
Most wins: 2 - Count On A Change (1991, 1992) 2 - Early Blaze (1994, 1995) 2 - Moonlit Promise (2017, 2018)
Most wins by an owner: 3 - Huntington Stud Farm (1990, 1991, 1992) 3 - Kinghaven Farms (1985, 1986, 1993)
Most wins by a jockey: 4 - Jim McAleney (1993, 2002, 2006, 2013) 4 - Eurico Rosa da Dilva (2007, 2015, 2018, 2019)
Most wins by a trainer: 4 - Josie Carroll (2008, 2017, 2018, 2023) 4 - Roger Attfield (1985, 1986, 1993, 2021)
Winners Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Time2025Pondering3Declan CannonBrendan P. WalshGodolphin LLC1:23.342024Stormcast3Rafael HernandezMark E. CasseKEM Stables1:22.432023Loyalty 4Kazushi KimuraJosie CarrollGainesway Farm & LNJ Foxwoods1:22.272022Our Flash Drive4Patrick HusbandsMark E. CasseLive Oak Plantation1:20.762021Lady Speightspeare3Emma-Jayne WilsonRoger AttfieldCharles E. Fipke1:21.032020Artie's Princess3Kazushi KimuraWesley WardKenneth and Sarah Ramsey1:20.902019Amalfi Coast3Eurico Rosa da SilvaKevin AttardTerra Racing Stable1:22.032018Moonlit Promise 5Eurico Rosa da SilvaJosie CarrollHill 'n' Dale Farms & Windsor Boys 1:22.282017Moonlit Promise 4Gary BoulangerJosie CarrollHill 'n' Dale Farms & Windsor Boys 1:21.792016River Maid4Gary BoulangerRobert P. Tiller The Very Dry Stable1:21.852015Miss Mischief5Eurico Rosa Da SilvaDale CapuanoDiane Manning1:21.722014Hillaby4Patrick HusbandsMark E. CasseStonestreet Stables1:21.442013Part the Seas4James McAleneyMichael P. De PauloBear Stables1:22.312012Magic Broomstick 6Emma-Jayne WilsonMalcolm PierceSam-Son Farms1:22.292011Atlantic Hurricane5Emile RamsammyStuart C. SimonMcLellans/Hollick/Simon1:21.772010Ariana D4Omar MorenoLaurie SilveraWilliam Thompson Jr.1:22.972009Tribal Belle 4James McAleneyTerry JordanCanvasback Farms1:22.292008Smart Surprise4Robert LandryJosie CarrollJohn G. Sikura1:22.142007My List3Eurico Rosa Da SilvaNick GonzalezTucci Stables1:21.502006Financingavailable5Jim McAleneyLorne RichardsK. K. Sangara1:22.822005Miss Concerto4Corey FraserSid AttardTucci Stables1:25.002004Miss Grindstone5Ray SabourinFrank A. Passero, Jr.William G. Robbins1:23.212003Winter Garden3David ClarkRobert P. TillerFrank D. DiGiulio, Jr.1:24.142002Sheila's Prospect4Jim McAleneyLorne RichardsK. K. Sangara1:22.982001Elektraline5Gary BoulangerMichael Wright, Jr.Richard A. Englander1:22.382000Feathers3Mickey WallsRalph BiamonteTooth & Nail Stable1:23.931999Barlee Mist4Patrick HusbandsWray I. LawrenceBarlee Farm1:23.501998Santa Amelia5Robert LandryMacdonald BensonAugustin Stable1:22.401997Autumn Slew4Todd KabelMacdonald BensonAugustin Stable1:23.401996Flat Fleet Feet3Mike E. SmithJohn KimmelC. Kimmel/P. & L. Solondz1:23.201995Early Blaze5Lloyd DuffyBrian OttawayKen Ham1:23.801994Early Blaze4Lloyd DuffyBrian OttawayKen Ham1:23.201993Sing And Swing4Jim McAleneyRoger AttfieldKinghaven Farms1:23.201992Count On A Change5Robin PlattsJohn A. RossHuntington Stud Farm1:23.801991Count On A Change4Dave PennaDebbie EnglandHuntington Stud Farm1:24.401990Diva's Debut4Richard Dos RamosDebbie EnglandHuntington Stud Farm1:10.001989Blushing Katy3Gunnar LindbergPhil EnglandKingsbrook Farm1:10.601988Zadracarta3Richard Dos RamosPatrick CollinsKnob Hill Stable1:10.401987Ruling Angel3Dave PennaJames E. DaySam-Son Farm1:10.801986Playlist3Richard Dos RamosRoger AttfieldKinghaven Farms1:11.201985Summer Mood4Jack LauzonRoger AttfieldKinghaven Farms1:12.00
See also List of Canadian flat horse races
References
The Bessarabian Stakes at Pedigree Query