What is the Dominion Day Stakes?
The Dominion Day Stakes is a Grade III Thoroughbred race held annually at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Contested at 1¼ miles on the Tapeta synthetic surface for horses aged three and older, it is one of the longest-distance stakes races in Canadian racing and a key benchmark for older horses targeting the summer championship circuit at Woodbine. Inaugurated in 1953 at the old Woodbine Racetrack, the race celebrates Dominion Day — the birth of the Canadian Confederation on July 1, 1867 — and carries one of the most historically significant names in Canadian horse racing. Run on dirt through 2006, the race switched to Polytrack synthetic in 2007 and Tapeta in 2016. The Dominion Day has a storied history that includes victories by Kentucky Derby winners Decidedly (1963) and Funny Cide (2006), Canadian Horse of the Year winners Kennedy Road (1972) and Mt. Sassafras (1996, 1999), and the champion mare Glorious Song (1980, 1981). Roger Attfield holds the record for most wins with six.
When is the Dominion Day Stakes in 2026?
The 2026 Dominion Day Stakes is scheduled for July at Woodbine Racetrack as part of the Canada Day celebrations. Contested at 1¼ miles on the Tapeta surface with a purse of CAD$150,000, the race draws the top older horses in Canadian racing targeting the summer stakes championship circuit.
Dominion Day Stakes History & Notable Winners
The Dominion Day Stakes has consistently produced the top older horses on the Canadian racing circuit. Funtastic Again gave trainer Wesley Ward and jockey Victor Espinoza a 2025 win in 1:49.28, the Three Chimneys Farm homebred adding to an impressive graded stakes resume in his first start in Canada. Paramount Prince gave trainer Mark Casse and jockey Patrick Husbands a 2024 score in 1:49.35 for owner Michael Langlois. Tyson gave trainer Josie Carroll and jockey Rafael Hernandez a 2023 victory, continuing Carroll's long dominance of this race. Classic Mo Town has been the dominant older horse on the Woodbine synthetic circuit in recent seasons, with multiple graded stakes wins to his credit.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Funtastic Again | Victor Espinoza | 1:49.28 |
| 2024 | Paramount Prince | Patrick Husbands | 1:49.35 |
| 2023 | Tyson | Rafael Hernandez | 1:48.32 |
| 2022 | Frosted Over | Kaazushi Kimura | 1:49.46 |
| 2021 | Mighty Heart | Daisuke Fukumoto | 1:43.33 |
The Dominion Day Stakes is one of the most historic races in Canadian racing and a signature event of Woodbine Racetrack's summer program each July.
