What is the Connaught Cup Stakes?
The Connaught Cup Stakes is a Grade II Thoroughbred race held annually at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Contested at 7 furlongs on the turf for horses aged four and older, it is one of the most historic races in Canadian racing and a key early-summer benchmark for older turf sprinters targeting the summer championship circuit. First run in 1912 at Toronto's Old Woodbine Race Course on dirt, the race is named in honor of Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught, the Governor General of Canada from 1911 to 1916. Suspended during World War I and the Great Depression, the race was revived in 1952 and moved to the newly built Woodbine Racetrack in 1956 before switching permanently to turf in 1958. At its current distance of 7 furlongs — in place since 2010 — the race has been a showcase for top older turf sprinters from North America and internationally. Cruden Bay became only the second back-to-back winner of the race in the turf era when he successfully defended his title in 2025 for trainer Donald MacRae, matching the feat of Something Extra who won consecutive editions in 2012 and 2013. The speed record of 1:19.40 was set by Tower of Texas in 2017. Robin Platts holds the all-time jockey record with 8 wins.
When is the Connaught Cup Stakes in 2026?
The 2026 Connaught Cup Stakes is scheduled for Sunday, July 19 at Woodbine Racetrack alongside the Woodbine Oaks and Nassau Stakes. Contested at 7 furlongs on the turf with a purse of CAD$197,050, the race draws the top older turf sprinters in Canada and internationally targeting the summer championship circuit.
Connaught Cup Stakes History & Notable Winners
Cruden Bay delivered one of the most compelling storylines in the race's modern history, winning back-to-back editions in 2024 and 2025 for trainer Donald MacRae and owner Michael Lay. The seven-year-old won in 1:21.98 in 2025 under Fraser Aebly, following his 2024 score in 1:21.27 under Sofia Vives. Dream Shake gave trainer Michael Stidham and jockey Rafael Hernandez a 2023 victory in 1:20.33 for Exline-Border Racing LLC and Stonestreet Stables, the fastest recent renewal of the race. Filo Di Arianna gave trainer Mark Casse and jockey Luis Contreras a 2022 win in 1:20.36 for Gary Barber, the Brazilian-bred mare who would go on to capture the Highlander Stakes in 2024. Avie's Flatter gave trainer Josie Carroll and Contreras a 2021 score in 1:20.99 for Ivan Dalos, continuing Carroll's long record of success in Woodbine's premier turf sprint events.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Cruden Bay | Fraser Aebly | 1:21.98 |
| 2024 | Cruden Bay | Sofia Vives | 1:21.27 |
| 2023 | Dream Shake | Rafael Hernandez | 1:20.33 |
| 2022 | Filo Di Arianna | Luis Contreras | 1:20.36 |
| 2021 | Avie's Flatter | Luis Contreras | 1:20.99 |
The Connaught Cup Stakes is one of the most historic races in Canadian Thoroughbred racing and a cornerstone of Woodbine's summer turf sprint program each July.
