What is the Marine Stakes?
The Marine 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-olds, it is the premier early-season test for sophomore horses on the Canadian racing circuit and the traditional final prep for the Queen's Plate, Canada's most prestigious race. Inaugurated in 1956 at Greenwood Raceway, the Marine Stakes has been run at Woodbine since 1967 and has served as the Canadian Triple Crown prep for generations of top 3-year-olds. Roger Attfield holds the record for most wins with five, including three consecutive editions from 1991 to 1993, while Sandy Hawley leads all jockeys with five wins. Notable Marine Stakes winners who went on to Queen's Plate glory include Wando (2003), Regal Classic (1988), and With Approval (1989). Former Queen's Plate winner Shaman Ghost won the 2015 Marine, and Turf King (IRE) gave trainer Chad Brown an international triumph in 2023.
When is the Marine Stakes in 2026?
The 2026 Marine Stakes is scheduled for mid-June at Woodbine Racetrack as part of the Queen's Plate prep season. Contested at 1 1/16 miles on the Tapeta surface with a purse of CAD$150,000, the race is the most important prep for the Queen's Plate and draws the top 3-year-olds in Canada targeting the Canadian Triple Crown.
Marine Stakes History & Notable Winners
The Marine Stakes has consistently identified the top 3-year-olds in Canada each spring. Mansetti gave trainer Kevin Attard and jockey Pietro Moran a 2025 win in 1:45.00 for owners Al and Bill Ulwelling. Essex Serpent gave trainer Mark Casse and jockey Patrick Husbands a dominant 2024 score in 1:43.03 for Manfred and Penny Conrad, the bay colt drawing clear in the stretch for one of the most authoritative Marine wins in recent years. Turf King (IRE) gave trainer Chad Brown and jockey Kazushi Kimura a 2023 victory in 1:43.41 for Wise Racing LLC, the Irish-bred proving that top international 3-year-olds can handle the Canadian synthetic surface. Rondure gave trainer Katerina Vassilieva and jockey Rafael Hernandez a 2022 win in 1:43.57. Easy Time gave trainer Mark Casse and jockey Rafael Hernandez a 2021 score in 1:43.62 for Breeze Easy LLC.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Mansetti | Pietro Moran | 1:45.00 |
| 2024 | Essex Serpent | Patrick Husbands | 1:43.03 |
| 2023 | Turf King (IRE) | Kazushi Kimura | 1:43.41 |
| 2022 | Rondure | Rafael Hernandez | 1:43.57 |
| 2021 | Easy Time | Rafael Hernandez | 1:43.62 |
The Marine Stakes is the most important Queen's Plate prep in Canada and a cornerstone of Woodbine Racetrack's spring racing program each June.
