# Valedictory Stakes

The Valedictory Stakes is a Canadian Thoroughbred horse race run annually in late November or early December at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario. Open to horses age three and older, the Grade III stakes is contested on a synthetic "all weather" surface over a distance of 1+1⁄2 miles (12 furlongs).

## History

Inaugurated as the Valedictory Handicap in 1952 at the Dufferin Park Racetrack, it was moved to the new Woodbine Racetrack for the 1956 running where it remained through 1960. From 1961 through 1993, the race was hosted by Greenwood Raceway; thereafter, the race returned to Woodine where it remains.
The Valedictory was originally run on dirt but in 2006 Woodbine switched to a synthetic "all weather" surface (originally Polytrack and then Tapeta starting in 2016). Always a longer distance race, over the years it has been contested at a variety of distances:
* 1952: 1+5⁄8 miles
* 1954–1955: 1+3⁄8 miles
* 1956–2019: 1+3⁄4 miles
* 2021-Present: 1+1⁄2 miles
The Valedictory was not run in 1953. The 2008 Valedictory was canceled due to extreme cold weather, while the 2020 edition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Valedictory was upgraded to grade III status in 2011. It is the final stakes event of the year at Woodbine racetrack, which is closed to Thoroughbred racing during the winter.

## Records

Speed record:
* 2:31.10 - Who's The Star, Wentru (2022 - Dead heat) (At current distance of 1+1⁄2 miles)
Most wins:
* 2 - Bernfield (1957, 1958)
* 2 - Whiteborough (1962, 1963)
* 2 - Caesar B. Good (1967, 1968)
* 2 - Knight's Turn (1979, 1980)
* 2 - Pumpkin Rumble (2018, 2019)
Most wins by a jockey:
* 4 - Hugo Dittfach (1959, 1966, 1967, 1975)
* 4 - Patrick Husbands (2005, 2010, 2011, 2013)
* 4 - Emma-Jayne Wilson (2006, 2012, 2014, 2016)
* 4 - Eurico Rosa da Silva (2007, 2015, 2018, 2019)
Most wins by a trainer:
* 5 - Lou Cavalaris, Jr. (1964, 1970, 1974, 1976, 1994)
* 5 - Mark E. Casse (2003, 2010, 2017, 2021, 2022)
Most wins by an owner:
* 7 - George R. Gardiner (1961, 1964, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1994)
* 7 - Gardiner Farms (1961, 1964, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1994)

## Winners

| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Distance | Time |
| 2022 | Who's the Star Wentru (DH) | 4 4 | Emma-Jayne Wilson Rafael M. Hernandez | Mark E. Casse Martin Drexler | M Racing Group TEC Racing | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:31.10 |
| 2021 | Sir Winston | 5 | Patrick Husbands | Mark E. Casse | Tracy Farmer | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:31.51 |
| 2020 | Race Not Ran | Race Not Ran | Race Not Ran | Race Not Ran | Race Not Ran | Race Not Ran | Race Not Ran |
| 2019 | Pumpkin Rumble | 8 | Eurico Rosa da Silva | Kevin Attard | Al & Bill Ulwelling | 1+3⁄4 miles | 2:57.67 |
| 2018 | Pumpkin Rumble | 7 | Eurico Rosa da Silva | Kevin Attard | Al & Bill Ulwelling | 1+3⁄4 miles | 2:56.16 |
| 2017 | Leavem in Malibu | 4 | Patrick Husbands | Mark E. Casse | Gary Barber & Conrad Farms | 1+3⁄4 miles | 2:58.92 |
| 2016 | Bangkok | 5 | Emma-Jayne Wilson | W. Phillip Gracey | Gail Wood & Ruth Barbour | 1+3⁄4 miles | 2:59.88 |
| 2015 | Melmich | 4 | Eurico Rosa Da Silva | Kevin Attard | Stephen Chesney & Cory S. Hoffman | 1+3⁄4 miles | 2:55.81 |
| 2014 | Turkish | 5 | Emma-Jayne Wilson | Tino Attard | Lawrence Cordes | 1+3⁄4 miles | 3:02.09 |
| 2013 | Quaesitor | 7 | Patrick Husbands | H. Graham Motion | Riverdee Stable | 1+3⁄4 miles | 2:59.42 |
| 2012 | Heathcote | 4 | Emma-Jayne Wilson | Paul Attard | Chiefswood Stables | 1+3⁄4 miles | 2:59.42 |
| 2011 | Eagle Poise | 5 | Patrick Husbands | Graham Motion | Riverdee Stable | 1+3⁄4 miles | 2:57.62 |
| 2010 | Pool Play | 5 | Patrick Husbands | Mark E. Casse | William S. Farish, Jr. | 1+3⁄4 miles | 3:01.42 |
| 2009 | Cloudy's Knight | 9 | Rosemary Homeister, Jr. | Jonathan E. Sheppard | S J Stables LLC | 1+3⁄4 miles | 2:59.32 |
| 2008 | Race Not Ran | Race Not Ran | Race Not Ran | Race Not Ran | Race Not Ran | Race Not Ran | Race Not Ran |
| 2007 | Torquay | 5 | Eurico Rosa Da Silva | Nickolas DeToro | Nickolas DeToro | 1+3⁄4 miles | 3:01.08 |
| 2006 | Marsh Side | 3 | Emma-Jayne Wilson | Michael Dickinson | Robert S. Evans | 1+3⁄4 miles | 2:58.27 |
| 2005 | Seattlespectacular | 5 | Patrick Husbands | Sid C. Attard | RWP Corp. Inc. | 1+3⁄4 miles | 3:01.81 |
| 2004 | Daddy Cool | 6 | James McAleney | Sean Smullen | Stronach Stable | 1+3⁄4 miles | 3:03.52 |
| 2003 | Hydrogen | 4 | Emile Ramsammy | Mark E. Casse | Earle I. Mack | 1+3⁄4 miles | 3:00.28 |
| 2002 | Lucky Molar | 7 | Chantal Sutherland | Michael Wright Jr. | Richard A. Englander | 1+3⁄4 miles | 3:03.83 |
| 2001 | Queensgate | 5 | Gerry Olguin | Tino Attard | Carmen Attard | 1+3⁄4 miles | 2:57.37 |
| 2000 | A Fleets Dancer | 5 | Robert Landry | Roger Attfield | Cam Allard | 1+3⁄4 miles | 3:05.49 |
| 1999 | Salty Note | 4 | David Clark | Alec Fehr | Bruno Schickedanz | 1+3⁄4 miles | 2:58.57 |
| 1998 | Sunshine Journey | 4 | Richard Dos Ramos | John P. MacKenzie | Rudy Singh | 1+3⁄4 miles | 2:58.00 |
| 1997 | Cimarron Secret | 6 | Emile Ramsammy | Jim Hartley | Francis C. McDonnell | 1+3⁄4 miles | 2:59.00 |
| 1996 | Whomsoever Proud | 6 | Brian Bochinski | Ronald G. Burke | Bruno Schickedanz | 1+3⁄4 miles | 3:00.00 |
| 1995 | Stellarina | 4 | Todd Kabel | Daniel J. Vella | Frank Stronach | 1+3⁄4 miles | 2:55.80 |
| 1994 | Major Pots | 5 | Dino Luciani | Lou Cavalaris, Jr. | Gardiner Farms | 1+3⁄4 miles | 2:52.60 |
| 1993 | All Canadian | 4 | Robert Landry | Robert P. Tiller | Frank Stronach | 1+3⁄4 miles | 3:00.80 |
| 1992 | Stage Actor | 4 | Todd Kabel | Ross Armata | Sais Singh | 1+3⁄4 miles | 2:55.40 |
| 1991 | Cozzene's Prince | 4 | Robin Platts | Tino Attard | Kirby Canada Farm | 1+3⁄4 miles | 2:55.00 |
| 1990 | Most Valiant | 4 | Brian Swatuk | James E. Day | Sam-Son Farm | 1+3⁄4 miles | 2:57.00 |
| 1989 | Take Account | 3 | Don Seymour | Roger Attfield | Kinghaven Farms | 1+3⁄4 miles | 2:56.40 |
| 1988 | Steady Power | 4 | Don Seymour | Roger Attfield | Kinghaven Farms | 1+3⁄4 miles | 3:02.60 |
| 1987 | Bodmin Moor | 3 | Don Seymour | Roger Attfield | Kinghaven Farms | 1+3⁄4 miles | 3:02.20 |
| 1986 | Royal Treasurer | 3 | Don Seymour | James E. Day | Sam-Son Farm | 1+3⁄4 miles | 3:02.80 |
| 1985 | Old Gun Powder | 3 | Lloyd Duffy | Jerry G. Lavigne | Paddockhurst Stable | 1+3⁄4 miles | 3:09.00 |
| 1984 | Roman Strategy | 3 | Irwin Driedger | Duke Campbell | D. Mann | 1+3⁄4 miles | 3:04.60 |
| 1983 | Creigneish | 4 | Richard Dos Ramos | Martin Velden | Hamilton & S. G. S. Stable | 1+3⁄4 miles | 2:59.80 |
| 1982 | Turnablade | 5 | George HoSang | Emile M. Allain | John Sikura, Jr. | 1+3⁄4 miles | 2:57.60 |
| 1981 | Jadosa Toker | 4 | Gary Stahlbaum | L. Nacht | Knightsbridge et al. | 1+3⁄4 miles | 3:03.80 |
| 1980 | Knight's Turn | 5 | John Bell | Emile M. Allain | Mrs. C. Tefloth | 1+3⁄4 miles | 2:57.40 |
| 1979 | Knight's Turn | 4 | John Bell | Emile M. Allain | Mrs. C. Tefloth | 1+3⁄4 miles | 3:00.80 |
| 1978 | Party Surprise | 3 | Lloyd Duffy | Peter DiPasquale | Berketa/Buchanan | 1+3⁄4 miles | 3:02.80 |
| 1977 | Gore Park | 5 | B. Smythe | Jerry G. Lavigne | Parkview Stable | 1+3⁄4 miles | 3:02.00 |
| 1976 | Double Quill | 7 | Lloyd Duffy | Lou Cavalaris, Jr. | Gardiner Farms | 1+3⁄4 miles | 3:03.00 |
| 1975 | George of Canada | 6 | Hugo Dittfach | W. H. Moorhead | S. V. Lima & M. Rose | 1+3⁄4 miles | 3:07.20 |
| 1974 | Carney's Point | 5 | Robin Platts | Lou Cavalaris, Jr. | Gardiner Farms | 1+3⁄4 miles | 2:55.40 |
| 1973 | Fabe Count | 5 | Sandy Hawley | Jerry G. Lavigne | Parkview Stable | 1+3⁄4 miles | 3:01.80 |
| 1972 | Monte Christo | 5 | Sandy Hawley | Jerry G. Lavigne | Gardiner Farms | 1+3⁄4 miles | 2:54.40 |
| 1971 | Cool Moon | 3 | Sandy Hawley | Frank Merrill, Jr. | W. P. Gilbride | 1+3⁄4 miles | 2:59.20 |
| 1970 | Frenetico | 6 | C. Billingsley | Lou Cavalaris, Jr. | Gardiner Farms | 1+3⁄4 miles | 3:02.60 |
| 1969 | Mr. Amber | 3 | R. Pion | Samuel Dixon | P. M. P. Stable | 1+3⁄4 miles | 3:00.00 |
| 1968 | Caesar B. Good | 5 | Richard Armstrong | B. Puccini | E. C. Pasquale | 1+3⁄4 miles | 3:02.60 |
| 1967 | Caesar B. Good | 4 | Hugo Dittfach | B. Puccini | E. C. Pasquale | 1+3⁄4 miles | 3:09.20 |
| 1966 | He's A Smoothie | 3 | Hugo Dittfach | Warren Beasley | William R. Beasley | 1+3⁄4 miles | 3:00.60 |
| 1965 | Albion Star | 5 | M. Ferro | Carl F. Chapman | D. Knight | 1+3⁄4 miles | 3:12.80 |
| 1964 | Latin Artist | 4 | G. Gordon | Lou Cavalaris, Jr. | Gardiner Farms | 1+3⁄4 miles | 3:04.20 |
| 1963 | Whiteborough | 6 | Richard Armstrong | W. F. Edmiston | C. Softley | 1+3⁄4 miles | 3:09.00 |
| 1962 | Whiteborough | 5 | Richard Armstrong | W. H. Moorhead | C. Softley | 1+3⁄4 miles | 2:58.80 |
| 1961 | Ramsay | 3 | Sam McComb | Edward "Ted" Mann | George R. Gardiner | 1+3⁄4 miles | 3:00.60 |
| 1960 | Calais | 5 | James Fitzsimmons | Arthur H. Warner | Lanson Farm | 1+3⁄4 miles | 2:57.20 |
| 1959 | Calais | 4 | Hugo Dittfach | Arthur H. Warner | Lanson Farm | 1+3⁄4 miles | 2:59.40 |
| 1958 | Bernfield | 5 | Sam Cosentino | Frank Merrill, Jr. | Roxie Gian | 1+3⁄4 miles | 3:03.40 |
| 1957 | Bernfield | 4 | Norm Leid | J. Hunter | Roxie Gian | 1+3⁄4 miles | 3:05.20 |
| 1956 | Dark Armor | 3 | Juan Sanchez | Horatio Luro | Horatio Luro | 1+3⁄4 miles | 2:57.00 |
| 1955 | Captor | 3 | L. Richards | Gordon J. McCann | E. P. Taylor | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:26.60 |
| 1954 | Teddy's Sister | 6 | F. Higgins | R. Buisson | J. J. Fleming | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:25.20 |
| 1953 | Race Not Ran | Race Not Ran | Race Not Ran | Race Not Ran | Race Not Ran | Race Not Ran | Race Not Ran |
| 1952 | Try On | 3 | Alf Bavington | John Passero | William R. Beasley | 1+5⁄8 miles | 2:57.80 |

## Other North American Marathon races

On dirt:
* Brooklyn Handicap
* Fort Harrod Stakes
* Gallant Man Handicap
* Tokyo City Cup
* Las Vegas Marathon Stakes (formerly the Breeders' Cup Marathon)
On turf:
* San Juan Capistrano Invitational Handicap
* Carleton F. Burke Handicap
* Kentucky Cup Turf Stakes