It's no secret that European-trained horses have dominated the Canadian International Stakes (G1T) in the last two decades. In recognition of the Europeans' major role, the CA$750,000 turf test was not held last year after Woodbine cited "logistical challenges" with the cargo flights required to transport the European contenders to North America.
Shelved in 2022 and 2020 also (due to the Covid-19 pandemic), the storied Canadian International was a welcome addition to this year's Woodbine stakes schedule. Brought back Oct. 4 at the distance of 1 1/2 miles after being contested at 1 1/4 miles in 2023, the race packs a glimmer of its former luster—luring in 2023 winner and international superstar Nations Pride.
Two years ago, Nations Pride captured the Canadian International as an accomplished horse, having won two grade 1s for the mighty Godolphin outfit. The homebred son of Teofilo landed the '23 edition in sweeping come-from-behind fashion over a course his trainer Charlie Appleby said was "softer than he prefers." Now, another grade 1 victory and six transatlantic trips later, the globetrotting 6-year-old is back at Woodbine to defend his title.
"He has shown huge versatility in both Europe, North America, and Dubai," said Appleby. "He has a great constitution and is very relaxed which has no doubt contributed to him winning from a mile up to a mile and a half."
While Nations Pride has won races routing 1 1/2 miles, his record indicates the previous Canadian International trip of 1 1/4 miles was his preferred distance. Three of Nations Pride's top-level victories were achieved at 1 1/4 miles. In his latest outing, the bay was actually caught late by his stablemate, El Cordobes, after taking the lead in the 1 1/2-mile Sword Dancer Stakes (G1T) Aug. 9 at Saratoga Race Course.
With regular rider William Buick riding in France for Arc de Triomphe weekend, jockey Billy Loughnane has been named to ride Nations Pride. The young Irish jockey will be looking to record his second grade/group 1 tally after piloting Godolphin champion Rebel's Romance to victory in the Grosser Preis von Berlin (G1) this summer.
The fast-growing European-based outlet Wathnan Racing holds a strong hand of two entrants in Saturday's race. Trainer Hamad Al Jehani conditions both runners, Haunted Dream and Silawi. The former kicked to a 1 1/2-length score in Woodbine's Singspiel Stakes (G3T) Sept. 6 in his North American debut, setting a track record on the inner turf course.
"We were planning to give him a break, to be honest," Al Jehani said. "But after such a great effort in the Singspiel, it gave us confidence to send him back again for the International. It is a good opportunity to be there again, especially with it being a grade 1 race. It was a very good performance for him. It was his first time on the track, and he handled it very well."
Silawi, a 5-year-old son of Dubawi, has been unraced since taking the 1 1/4-mile Winter Hill Stakes (G3) Aug. 23 at Windsor.
Peachtree Stable's Tawny Port, a recent runner-up in the Kentucky Turf Cup Invitational Stakes (G2T), should relish the 1 1/2-mile trip for trainer Miguel Clement but has not found the winner's circle in his last 14 starts. The dual-surface stakes winner represents the United States' best chance in the International.
Woodbine, Saturday, October 4, 2025, Race 9Entries: Canadian International S. (G1T)
PP Horse Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L 1 1Haunted Dream (IRE) Rafael Manuel Hernandez 126 H.A. Al Jehani 4/1 2 2My Boy Prince (ON) Pietro Moran 126 Mark E. Casse 10/1 3 3English Actor (ON) Patrick Husbands 126 Rachel Halden 20/1 4 4Tawny Port (KY) Sahin Civaci 126 Miguel Clement 6/1 5 5Roscar (ON) Ryan Munger 126 Rachel Halden 20/1 6 6Tosen Wish (IRE) Fraser Aebly 126 Mark E. Casse 15/1 7 7Silawi (IRE) Daniel Tudhope 126 H.A. Al Jehani 12/1 8 8Raptor's (BRZ) Javier Castellano 126 Mark E. Casse 20/1 9 9Dancin in Da'nile (ON) Jose Luis Campos 126 Gail Cox 15/1 10 10Nations Pride (IRE) Billy Loughnane 126 Charles Appleby 1/1
