What is the Nassau Stakes?
The Nassau Stakes is a Grade II Thoroughbred race held annually at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Contested at 1 1/16 miles on the turf for fillies and mares aged three and older, it is the premier distaff turf race in Canada and the highlight of Woodbine's summer distaff program. Inaugurated in 1956 on dirt at seven furlongs, the race switched permanently to turf in 1968 and settled at its current distance of 1 1/16 miles in 1995. Named for Nassau County in Ontario, the Nassau Stakes has a rich history stretching nearly seven decades and a roll of honor that includes multiple Eclipse Award candidates and Canadian champion mares. Sam-Son Farm holds the all-time owner record with six wins, while Todd Kabel leads all jockeys with five victories. Roger Attfield holds the training record with four wins, including Elizabeth Way in 2020 and Callwood Dancer in 2008. The Nassau Stakes runs on Woodbine Oaks Day, one of the premier racing days on the Canadian calendar. The stakes record of 1:32.40 was set in the 2022 dead heat between Lady Speightspeare and Crystal Cliffs (FR), an extraordinarily rare result in graded stakes racing.
When is the Nassau Stakes in 2026?
The 2026 Nassau Stakes is scheduled for Sunday, July 19 at Woodbine Racetrack as part of Woodbine Oaks Day alongside the Connaught Cup Stakes and the Plate Trial Stakes. Contested at 1 1/16 miles on the turf with a purse of $175,000, the race draws the top older fillies and mares in Canada targeting the summer championship circuit.
Nassau Stakes History & Notable Winners
The Nassau Stakes has produced a series of outstanding distaff turf performers in recent years. Ocean Club gave trainer Thomas Proctor and jockey Sofia Vives a 2025 win in 1:33.62 for Glen Hill Farm, the filly rallying strongly in the final quarter mile to defeat a quality field. Implicated gave trainer Brendan Walsh and jockey Declan Cannon a 2024 score in 1:35.50 for Bradley Thoroughbreds and Belmar Racing. Fev Rover (IRE) gave trainer Mark Casse and jockey Patrick Husbands a 2023 victory in 1:40.03 for Tracy Farmer. The 2022 edition produced one of the rarest results in graded stakes history — a dead heat between Lady Speightspeare under Emma-Jayne Wilson for Roger Attfield and Crystal Cliffs (FR) under Rafael Hernandez for Graham Motion, both clocking 1:32.40 to share the Grade II honors. Jolie Olympica gave trainer Josie Carroll and jockey Luis Contreras a 2021 win in 1:34.83 for Fox Hill Farms.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Ocean Club | Sofia Vives | 1:33.62 |
| 2024 | Implicated | Declan Cannon | 1:35.50 |
| 2023 | Fev Rover (IRE) | Patrick Husbands | 1:40.03 |
| 2022 | Lady Speightspeare / Crystal Cliffs (FR)* | E-J Wilson / R. Hernandez | 1:32.40 |
| 2021 | Jolie Olympica | Luis Contreras | 1:34.83 |
* 2022 resulted in a dead heat between both horses.
The Nassau Stakes is the premier distaff turf race in Canada and a centerpiece of Woodbine's summer racing program each July.
