What is the Royal North Stakes?
The Royal North Stakes is a Grade II Thoroughbred race held annually at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Contested at 6½ furlongs on the turf for fillies and mares aged three and older, it is the premier distaff turf sprint in Canada and one of the most competitive sprint tests for older fillies and mares in North America each summer. Inaugurated in 1989 as the Royal North Handicap, the race was originally a six-furlong event on dirt before switching to the E.P. Taylor turf course in 1996. Upgraded from Grade III to Grade II in 2018, the Royal North attracts top fillies and mares from across North America targeting the summer sprint championship circuit. Mark Casse leads all trainers with five wins including three of the last five editions, while Patrick Husbands leads all jockeys with five wins. The course record of 1:13.55 was set by Boardroom in 2022.
When is the Royal North Stakes in 2026?
The 2026 Royal North Stakes is scheduled for July or early August at Woodbine Racetrack. Contested at 6½ furlongs on the turf with a purse of CAD$175,000, the race draws the top older fillies and mares on the Canadian circuit and attracts North American shippers targeting the summer stakes championship.
Royal North Stakes History & Notable Winners
The Royal North Stakes has consistently produced standout performances from North America's top distaff turf sprinters. Ms. Tart gave trainer Kevin Rice and jockey Huber Villa-Gomez a 2025 win in 1:15.56 for owner Nathan McCauley, the filly rallying from off the pace in the final sixteenth to prevail. Play the Music gave trainer Mark Casse and jockey Patrick Husbands a 2024 win in 1:14.85 for Glassman Racing. Our Flash Drive completed a rare Royal North-Woodbine double for trainer Casse and jockey Husbands in 2023, winning in 1:13.88 for Live Oak Plantation after her Queen's Plate campaign earlier in the season. Boardroom set the stakes record in 2022, winning in 1:13.55 under Rafael Hernandez for trainer Josie Carroll and owner LNJ Foxwoods. Amalfi Coast gave trainer Kevin Attard and jockey Justin Stein a 2021 win in 1:09.15 for Terra Racing Stable.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Ms. Tart | Huber Villa-Gomez | 1:15.56 |
| 2024 | Play the Music | Patrick Husbands | 1:14.85 |
| 2023 | Our Flash Drive | Patrick Husbands | 1:13.88 |
| 2022 | Boardroom | Rafael Hernandez | 1:13.55* |
| 2021 | Amalfi Coast | Justin Stein | 1:09.15** |
* Stakes record at 6½ furlongs. ** Time reflects prior distance configuration.
The Royal North Stakes is the premier distaff turf sprint in Canada and a highlight of Woodbine Racetrack's summer racing program each year.
