Woodbine: Nations Pride leads 8 in Canadian International

This year’s edition of the Grade 1 Canadian International, set for Sunday at Woodbine, once again attracted a top-class field of turf talents from across the world.

Having returned after a year’s absence – the race was paused in 2022 because of travel complications prompted by the worldwide pandemic – the 84th edition of the International will see eight runners vie for top prize in the 1 1/4-mile race contested over turf.

The powerhouse trio of owner Godolphin, trainer Charlie Appleby and jockey William Buick return to Woodbine after teaming to win the Woodbine Mile (G1) with Master of The Seas, a Breeders’ Cup win-and-you’re in event, on Sep. 16.

In 2021, Godolphin and Appleby won the International when Walton Street waltzed to a 5 3/4-length score with Frankie Dettori in the irons.

This time, they will look to Godolphin homebred and multiple Grade/Group 1 winner Nations Pride, a globetrotting 4-year-old son of Teofilo, to carry their hopes.

After a runner-up result in his September 2021 debut at 2, Nations Pride reeled off four straight subsequent victories.

The bay then was entered to run in the 2022 Belmont Derby after competing in the Epsom Derby (G1) in June.

Nations Pride impressed in his first North American test, running second in the first leg of Turf Triple series last July, and he built on that performance with a 1 3/4-length triumph in the $1 million Saratoga Derby (G1) a month later.

After those efforts, he travelled to Keeneland, where he finished fifth, 3 3/4 lengths behind stablemate Rebel’s Romance, in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) in November.

Nations Pride then spent the early part of 2023 in Meydan, where he won the Dubai Millennium Stakes and finished third to Lord North in the Dubai Turf.

His return to Europe yielded a stirring score in the Grosser Dallmayr-Preis – Bayerisches Zuchtrennen (G1) at Munich in late July.

“He beat a solid field of horses that day on ground which was softer than he would prefer,” said Appleby, of the three-length victory at 1 1/4 miles over “yielding’ ground.

The International will mark Nations Pride’s first race since the win in Germany.

“Visually, his win in the Jockey Club Derby at Aqueduct,” noted Appleby of Nations Pride’s most impressive victory. “We were stepping him back up to the mile and a half which was a slight concern, but he travelled so well and won with ease.”

Appleby believes his charge will appreciate running over the E.P. Taylor course.

“He should be suited to the fair track at Woodbine,” said Appleby. “He has shown huge versatility in both Europe, North America, and Dubai. He has a great constitution and is very relaxed which has no doubt contributed to him winning from a mile up to a mile and a half.”

Grade 1 winner Adhamo, a 5-year-old son of Intello, has flourished in the U.S. after four wins, including a Group 3 victory, in France. Trained by Chad Brown, the chestnut has a record of 18: 5-3-4, with his biggest victory to date coming in the 2022 United Nations (G1). Adhamo will contest his seventh straight Grade 1 race.

British Royalty, a 5-year-old son of English Channel, is no stranger to success on the Woodbine turf, having won the 2021 Breeders’ Stakes, the third jewel in the Canadian Triple Crown, at 1 1/2 miles. Trained by Barbara Minshall, who co-owns with Bruce Lunsford, the bay gelding, bred in Ontario by Richard Lister, is 21: 2-4-1.

Six-year-old Dynadrive, trained by Michael Maker, will make his second start at Woodbine. The son of Temple City was seventh in a 7 1/2-furlong inner turf race at the Toronto oval in his third lifetime start on Oct. 13, 2019. The dark bay gelding has composed a mark of 31: 8-6-2.

English Conqueror, fourth in the 2021 edition of the Canadian International, is trained by Darwin Banach. The 6-year-old son of English Channel-Regal Conqueror, who is 26: 3-4-8, has raced three times in the U.S., earning a pair of seconds and a third.

Trained by dual hall of famer Mark Casse, 5-year-old Palazzi will look to make it four straight wins on Sunday. The son of Pioneerof the Nile heads into the International off three straight triumphs, two on turf, the other on Tapeta, including his most recent victory, a half-length win in the 1 1/4-mile Singspiel (G3) on Sept. 9. Overall, the bay gelding is 23: 5-3-2.

Royal Champion, trained by Roger Varian, will make his North American debut in the International. The 5-year-old son of Shamardal is 12: 4-0-3. The bay gelding won the Wolferton Stakes at Ascot in June and was third in the York Stakes (G2) at the end of July.

Trainer Michael Maker’s second entrant comes in the form of Starting Over, a 6-year-old grey son of Liam’s Map. Bred in The gelding has fashioned a record of 21: 4-3-4 from 21 starts. The well-traveled Starting Over will be making his first start outside of the U.S.

Coverage of Sunday’s Canadian International card at Horse Racing Nation is made possible through a sponsorship by Woodbine Entertainment Group.