What is the Hendrie Stakes?
The Hendrie Stakes is a Grade III Thoroughbred race held annually at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Contested at 6½ furlongs on the Tapeta synthetic surface for fillies and mares, it is one of the most competitive distaff sprint events on the Canadian racing calendar and a key summer benchmark for older fillies and mares targeting the Royal North Stakes and the year-end championship circuit. The race was inaugurated in 1975 at Fort Erie Racetrack as the George C. Hendrie Handicap, named in honor of George Campbell Hendrie, one of the most prominent figures in the history of Canadian racing whose family served as presidents of the Ontario Jockey Club across three generations. Moving to Woodbine in 1977 and receiving Grade III status in 1997, the Hendrie Stakes has been dominated in the modern era by trainer Mark Casse, who holds the all-time training record with five wins including Creed's Gold in 2025 and Our Secret Agent in 2021. Patrick Husbands, David Clark, and Todd Kabel each share the jockey record with five wins. The stakes record of 1:15.01 was set by Embur's Song in 2011.
When is the Hendrie Stakes in 2026?
The 2026 Hendrie Stakes is scheduled for Saturday, July 25 at Woodbine Racetrack on the same card as the Ontario Colleen Stakes and Trillium Stakes. Contested at 6½ furlongs on the Tapeta surface with a purse of $150,000, the race draws the top older fillies and mares on the Canadian circuit targeting the summer distaff sprint championship.
Hendrie Stakes History & Notable Winners
The Hendrie Stakes has consistently attracted the top distaff sprinters in Canada. Creed's Gold gave trainer Mark Casse and jockey Rafael Hernandez a 2025 victory in 1:15.54 for owner Kristin Meldahl. Gal in a Rush gave trainer Christophe Clement and jockey Kazushi Kimura a 2024 win in 1:15.54 for West Point Thoroughbreds, Chris Larsen, and Titletown Racing Stables. Loyalty gave trainer Josie Carroll and Kimura a 2023 score in 1:15.61 for Gainesway Stable and LNJ Foxwoods. Hazelbrook gave trainer Lorne Richards and jockey Jason Hoyte a 2022 victory in 1:15.68 for True North Stable, providing the local connections with a popular hometown winner. Our Secret Agent gave Casse and Kimura a 2021 win in 1:15.68 for Gary Barber, kicking off a productive summer for the powerful ownership.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Creed's Gold | Rafael Hernandez | 1:15.54 |
| 2024 | Gal in a Rush | Kazushi Kimura | 1:15.54 |
| 2023 | Loyalty | Kazushi Kimura | 1:15.61 |
| 2022 | Hazelbrook | Jason Hoyte | 1:15.68 |
| 2021 | Our Secret Agent | Kazushi Kimura | 1:15.68 |
The Hendrie Stakes is one of the premier distaff sprint events on the Canadian racing calendar and a highlight of Woodbine's midsummer program each July.
