The Valedictory Stakes is a Canadian Thoroughbred horse race run annually in late November or early December at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario. Open to horses age three and older, the Grade III stakes is contested on a synthetic "all weather" surface over a distance of miles (12 furlongs).
History Inaugurated as the Valedictory Handicap in 1952 at the Dufferin Park Racetrack, it was moved to the new Woodbine Racetrack for the 1956 running where it remained through 1960. From 1961 through 1993, the race was hosted by Greenwood Raceway; thereafter, the race returned to Woodine where it remains.
The Valedictory was originally run on dirt but in 2006 Woodbine switched to a synthetic "all weather" surface (originally Polytrack and then Tapeta starting in 2016). Always a longer distance race, over the years it has been contested at a variety of distances: 1952: miles 1954–1955: miles 1956–2019: miles 2021-Present: miles
The Valedictory was not run in 1953. The 2008 Valedictory was canceled due to extreme cold weather, while the 2020 edition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Valedictory was upgraded to grade III status in 2011. It is the final stakes event of the year at Woodbine racetrack, which is closed to Thoroughbred racing during the winter.
Records Speed record: 2:31.10 - Who's The Star, Wentru (2022 - Dead heat) (At current distance of miles)
Most wins: 2 - Bernfield (1957, 1958) 2 - Whiteborough (1962, 1963) 2 - Caesar B. Good (1967, 1968) 2 - Knight's Turn (1979, 1980) 2 - Pumpkin Rumble (2018, 2019)
Most wins by a jockey: 5 - Patrick Husbands (2005, 2010, 2011, 2017, 2021) 5 - Emma-Jayne Wilson (2006, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2022) Most wins by a trainer: 7 - Mark E. Casse (2003, 2010, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
Most wins by an owner: 7 - George R. Gardiner (1961, 1964, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1994) 7 - Gardiner Farms (1961, 1964, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1994)
Winners YearWinner AgeJockeyTrainerOwnerDistance Time2025Hammerhead3Daisuke FukumotoKevin AttardGold Square LLC1 1/2 miles2:34.402024Get Smokin7Sahin CivaciMark E. CasseIronhorse Racing Stable LLC, BlackRidge Stables LLC, Saratoga Seven Racing Partners LLC and T-N-T Equine Holdings LLC1 1/2 miles2:31.642023Conglomerate6Luis ContrerasMark E. CasseGary Barber1 1/2 miles2:31.492022Who's the Star Wentru (DH)4 4Emma-Jayne Wilson Rafael M. HernandezMark E. Casse Martin DrexlerM Racing Group TEC Racing miles2:31.102021Sir Winston5Patrick HusbandsMark E. Casse Tracy Farmer miles2:31.51 2020 Race Not Ran 2019Pumpkin Rumble8Eurico Rosa da SilvaKevin AttardAl & Bill Ulwelling miles2:57.672018Pumpkin Rumble7Eurico Rosa da SilvaKevin AttardAl & Bill Ulwelling miles2:56.162017Leavem in Malibu4Patrick HusbandsMark E. CasseGary Barber & Conrad Farms miles2:58.922016Bangkok5Emma-Jayne WilsonW. Phillip GraceyGail Wood & Ruth Barbour miles2:59.882015Melmich4Eurico Rosa Da SilvaKevin AttardStephen Chesney & Cory S. Hoffman miles2:55.812014Turkish5Emma-Jayne WilsonTino AttardLawrence Cordes miles3:02.092013Quaesitor7Gerry OlguinIan HowardWayward Stable miles2:59.422012Heathcote4Emma-Jayne WilsonPaul AttardChiefswood Stables miles2:59.422011Eagle Poise5Patrick HusbandsGraham MotionRiverdee Stable miles2:57.622010Pool Play5Patrick HusbandsMark E. CasseWilliam S. Farish, Jr. miles3:01.422009Cloudy's Knight9Rosemary Homeister, Jr.Jonathan E. SheppardS J Stables LLC miles2:59.32 2008 Race Not Ran2007Torquay5Eurico Rosa Da SilvaNickolas DeToroNickolas DeToro miles3:01.082006Marsh Side3Emma-Jayne WilsonMichael DickinsonRobert S. Evans miles2:58.272005Seattlespectacular5Patrick HusbandsSid C. AttardRWP Corp. Inc. miles3:01.812004Daddy Cool6James McAleneySean SmullenStronach Stable miles3:03.522003Hydrogen4Emile RamsammyMark E. CasseEarle I. Mack miles3:00.282002Lucky Molar7Chantal SutherlandMichael Wright Jr.Richard A. Englander miles3:03.832001Queensgate5Gerry Olguin Tino AttardCarmen Attard miles2:57.372000A Fleets Dancer5Robert Landry Roger Attfield Cam Allard miles3:05.491999 Salty Note4David ClarkAlec FehrBruno Schickedanz miles2:58.571998Sunshine Journey4Richard Dos RamosJohn P. MacKenzieRudy Singh miles2:58.001997Cimarron Secret6Emile RamsammyJim HartleyFrancis C. McDonnell miles2:59.001996Whomsoever Proud6Brian BochinskiRonald G. BurkeBruno Schickedanz miles3:00.001995Stellarina4Todd KabelDaniel J. VellaFrank Stronach miles2:55.801994Major Pots5Dino LucianiLou Cavalaris, Jr.Gardiner Farms miles2:52.601993All Canadian4Robert Landry Robert P. TillerFrank Stronach miles3:00.801992Stage Actor4Todd KabelRoss ArmataSais Singh miles2:55.401991Cozzene's Prince4Robin PlattsTino AttardKirby Canada Farm miles2:55.001990Most Valiant4Brian SwatukJames E. DaySam-Son Farm miles2:57.001989Take Account3Don SeymourRoger Attfield Kinghaven Farms miles2:56.401988Steady Power4Don SeymourRoger AttfieldKinghaven Farms miles3:02.601987Bodmin Moor3Don SeymourRoger Attfield Kinghaven Farms miles3:02.201986Royal Treasurer3Don SeymourJames E. DaySam-Son Farm miles3:02.801985Old Gun Powder3Lloyd DuffyJerry G. LavignePaddockhurst Stable miles3:09.001984Roman Strategy3Irwin DriedgerDuke Campbell D. Mann miles3:04.601983Creigneish4Richard Dos RamosMartin VeldenHamilton & S. G. S. Stable miles2:59.801982Turnablade5George HoSangEmile M. AllainJohn Sikura, Jr. miles2:57.601981Jadosa Toker4Gary StahlbaumL. Nacht Knightsbridge et al. miles3:03.801980Knight's Turn5John BellEmile M. AllainMrs. C. Tefloth miles2:57.401979Knight's Turn4John BellEmile M. AllainMrs. C. Tefloth miles3:00.801978Party Surprise3Lloyd Duffy Peter DiPasqualeBerketa/Buchanan miles3:02.801977Gore Park5B. Smythe Jerry G. LavigneParkview Stable miles3:02.001976Double Quill7Lloyd DuffyLou Cavalaris, Jr.Gardiner Farms miles3:03.001975George of Canada6Hugo DittfachW. H. MoorheadS. V. Lima & M. Rose miles3:07.201974Carney's Point5Robin PlattsLou Cavalaris, Jr.Gardiner Farms miles2:55.401973Fabe Count5Sandy Hawley Jerry G. LavigneParkview Stable miles3:01.801972Monte Christo5Sandy Hawley Jerry G. LavigneGardiner Farms miles2:54.401971Cool Moon3Sandy Hawley Frank Merrill, Jr.W. P. Gilbride miles2:59.201970Frenetico6C. Billingsley Lou Cavalaris, Jr.Gardiner Farms miles3:02.601969Mr. Amber3R. Pion Samuel DixonP. M. P. Stable miles3:00.001968Caesar B. Good5Richard ArmstrongB. Puccini E. C. Pasquale miles3:02.601967 Caesar B. Good4Hugo DittfachB. Puccini E. C. Pasquale miles3:09.201966He's A Smoothie3Hugo DittfachWarren BeasleyWilliam R. Beasley miles3:00.601965Albion Star5M. Ferro Carl F. ChapmanD. Knight miles3:12.801964Latin Artist4G. Gordon Lou Cavalaris, Jr.Gardiner Farms miles3:04.201963Whiteborough6Richard ArmstrongW. F. EdmistonC. Softley miles3:09.001962Whiteborough5Richard ArmstrongW. H. MoorheadC. Softley miles2:58.801961Ramsay3Sam McCombEdward "Ted" Mann George R. Gardiner miles3:00.601960Calais5James FitzsimmonsArthur H. WarnerLanson Farm miles2:57.201959Calais4Hugo Dittfach Arthur H. WarnerLanson Farm miles2:59.401958Bernfield5Sam CosentinoFrank Merrill, Jr.Roxie Gian miles3:03.401957Bernfield4Norm LeidJ. Hunter Roxie Gian miles3:05.201956Dark Armor3Juan SanchezHoratio LuroHoratio Luro miles2:57.001955Captor3L. Richards Gordon J. McCannE. P. Taylor miles2:26.601954Teddy's Sister6F. Higgins R. Buisson J. J. Fleming miles2:25.20 1953 Race Not Ran 1952Try On3Alf BavingtonJohn PasseroWilliam R. Beasley miles2:57.80
Other North American Marathon races On dirt: Brooklyn Handicap Fort Harrod Stakes Gallant Man Handicap Tokyo City Cup Las Vegas Marathon Stakes (formerly the Breeders' Cup Marathon)
On turf: San Juan Capistrano Invitational Handicap Carleton F. Burke Handicap Kentucky Cup Turf Stakes
See also List of Canadian flat horse races
References
Race details and entrants for the 2008 Valedictory Stakes at Woodbine Racetrack The 2007 Valedictory Stakes at Woodbine Entertainment