What is the Selene Stakes?
The Selene Stakes is a Grade III Thoroughbred race held annually at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Contested at 1 1/16 miles on the Tapeta synthetic surface exclusively for 3-year-old fillies, it is the premier early-season test for sophomore fillies on the Canadian racing circuit and the traditional final prep for the Woodbine Oaks, the premier filly classic in Canada. Inaugurated in 1954 as a six-furlong sprint, the race was extended to 1 1/16 miles in 1976. Mark Casse holds the record for most wins with nine, including four consecutive editions from 2020 to 2023, while Patrick Husbands leads all jockeys with five wins. The race has produced numerous notable Woodbine Oaks winners and Canadian champions, including Grizzel (IRE), who set the stakes record of 1:42.29 in 2017. Josie Carroll is the second most successful trainer with multiple wins, and Live Oak Plantation has been the dominant ownership of recent editions with four wins since 2018.
When is the Selene Stakes in 2026?
The 2026 Selene Stakes is scheduled for mid-June at Woodbine Racetrack as part of the Woodbine Oaks prep season. Contested at 1 1/16 miles on the Tapeta surface with a purse of CAD$150,000, the race is the key prep for the Woodbine Oaks and draws the top 3-year-old fillies in Canada targeting the premier filly classic.
Selene Stakes History & Notable Winners
The Selene Stakes has been dominated by trainer Mark Casse and the Josie Carroll barn in recent years. Serendipity gave trainer Josie Carroll and jockey Rafael Hernandez a 2025 win in 1:45.22 for owners NK Racing and LNJ Foxwoods, the filly rallying late to continue the connections' recent success in the race. Sabatini gave Carroll and jockey Sofia Vives a 2024 victory in 1:43.07 for the same ownership, completing back-to-back wins for the partnership. Solo Album gave trainer Casse and jockey Sahin Civaci a 2023 score in 1:42.65 for Gary Barber and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. Souper Hoity Toity gave Casse and jockey Patrick Husbands a 2022 win in 1:45.11 for Live Oak Plantation. Our Flash Drive gave Casse and Husbands a 2021 score in 1:44.69 for Live Oak Plantation, launching the filly on a campaign that would eventually lead to multiple graded stakes wins including the 2023 Royal North Stakes.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Serendipity | Rafael Hernandez | 1:45.22 |
| 2024 | Sabatini | Sofia Vives | 1:43.07 |
| 2023 | Solo Album | Sahin Civaci | 1:42.65 |
| 2022 | Souper Hoity Toity | Patrick Husbands | 1:45.11 |
| 2021 | Our Flash Drive | Patrick Husbands | 1:44.69 |
The Selene Stakes is the most important Woodbine Oaks prep in Canada and a cornerstone of Woodbine Racetrack's spring filly racing program each June.
