Notable Speech (GB) and William Buick winning the 2025 Grade 1 Woodbine Mile. (Michael Burns Photo)
WOODBINE RACETRACK, TORONTO — September 12, 2026
Few afternoons on the North American racing calendar will carry as much international significance as Saturday’s Turf Champions Day at Woodbine Racetrack, where four Grade 1 races will deliver automatic berths to the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Keeneland.
The $1 million Woodbine Mile (G1), $750,000 E.P. Taylor Stakes (G1), $500,000 bet365 Summer Stakes (G1) and $500,000 Johnnie Walker Natalma Stakes (G1) headline an outstanding card. For the first time, Woodbine will stage four Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series races on the same program.
There is another important storyline: the four races return to the celebrated E.P. Taylor Turf Course, following its major renovation.
The stakes begin with the Natalma at approximately 3:05 p.m. ET, followed by the Summer at 4:12, Woodbine Mile at 5:20, and E.P. Taylor at 5:55.
The four winners earn automatic Breeders’ Cup starting positions: Natalma → Juvenile Fillies Turf; Summer → Juvenile Turf; E.P. Taylor → Filly & Mare Turf; Woodbine Mile → Breeders’ Cup Mile.
WOODBINE MILE (G1)
$1 Million | 1 Mile | Turf | 3-Year-Olds & Up
Race 9 – approximately 5:20 p.m. ET
The centerpiece of the afternoon is the 30th running of the Woodbine Mile, and the 2026 edition presents an intriguing international showdown between defending champion Notable Speech (GB) and North American star Deterministic.
The significance of this race to the Breeders’ Cup cannot be overstated. The winner receives an automatic berth into the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Mile at Keeneland.
Notable Speech attempts the repeat
Godolphin’s Notable Speech, trained by Charlie Appleby and ridden by William Buick, returns to Toronto attempting to defend his title.
His 2025 campaign produced one of the strongest endorsements possible for the Woodbine Mile: after winning at Woodbine, he went on to capture the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar and was subsequently recognized as the 2025 Eclipse Award Champion Male Turf Horse.
His 2026 form is also formidable. After finishing fourth in the Maker’s Mark Mile at Keeneland in April, he returned to Europe and has won two of three, most recently taking the Group 1 City of York on August 22.
But he faces a serious American rival.
Deterministic brings a six-race winning streak
Deterministic, trained by Miguel Clement and ridden by Kendrick Carmouche, arrives as one of America’s leading turf horses after six consecutive victories, culminating with the Grade 1 Fourstardave at Saratoga.
That creates the central question of the Woodbine Mile:
Can Europe’s defending champion Notable Speech stop arguably the hottest turf miler in North America?
The eight-horse field is:
1 Deterministic – Kendrick Carmouche
2 Gas Me Up – Fraser Aebly
3 Notable Speech (GB) – William Buick
4 Archivist (GB) – João Moreira
5 Irish Aces – Pietro Moran
6 Silius (IRE) – John Velazquez
7 Itsastormymonday – Rafael Hernandez
8 Pierre – Javier Castellano
Why the Woodbine Mile matters historically
Few Breeders’ Cup preps have produced a more impressive recent record.
Modern Games (2022), Master of the Seas (2023) and Notable Speech (2025) all won the Woodbine Mile and then captured the Breeders’ Cup Mile in the same season.
Go further back and the list becomes even more impressive.
Wise Dan swept the Woodbine Mile and Breeders’ Cup Mile in both 2012 and 2013, while World Approval completed the double in 2017.
Wise Dan’s 1:31.75 remains the race record.
Another fascinating historical note: the race wasn’t always a turf mile. Its predecessor was contested on dirt at longer distances before the modern one-mile turf format was established in 1997.
John Velazquez owns the jockey record with five victories, while Neil Drysdale leads trainers with four.
Agentes 305 insight: Notable Speech vs. Deterministic is unquestionably the headline, but the return to the renovated E.P. Taylor course introduces another variable. Deterministic has never raced over it, while the Godolphin/Appleby/Buick combination has built an extraordinary recent record at Woodbine. Since 2022, Appleby and Buick have won the Mile with Modern Games, Master of the Seas and Notable Speech.
E.P. TAYLOR STAKES (G1)
$750,000 | 1¼ Miles | Turf | Fillies & Mares, 3 & Up
Race 10 – approximately 5:55 p.m. ET
The E.P. Taylor Stakes provides one of the most internationally diverse races of the afternoon.
Eight fillies and mares representing North America, Europe and South Africa will contest the 1¼-mile event, with the winner securing an automatic starting position in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Keeneland.
The field:
1 Gimme a Nother (SAF) – John Velazquez – Graham Motion
2 Achieve – Javier Castellano – Mark Casse
3 Jancis (IRE) – Hector Berrios – Willie McCreery
4 Diamond Rain (GB) – William Buick – Charlie Appleby
5 Somethinabouther – Junior Alvarado – Brendan Walsh
6 Venetian Lace (IRE) – Jamie Spencer – Charlie Johnston
7 Sultana – Umberto Rispoli – Kevin Attard
8 See The Fire (GB) – Robert Hornby – Andrew Balding
Diamond Rain leads another Appleby invasion
One of the central contenders is Diamond Rain, representing the formidable Godolphin-Charlie Appleby-William Buick combination.
She also brings unfinished business to Woodbine: Diamond Rain finished second to She Feels Pretty in last year’s E.P. Taylor.
Another fascinating runner is South African-bred Gimme a Nother, now trained in the United States by Graham Motion, while Britain’s See The Fire gives Andrew Balding another major international opportunity.
Local hopes include Sultana, trained by Kevin Attard. She enters after a third in the Nassau (G2) and fourth in the Niagara, and Attard believes the 1¼-mile distance and Woodbine’s long stretch could suit her closing style.
A race with 70 years of history
The E.P. Taylor traces its history to 1956, when Flying Trapeze won the inaugural edition. Kitty Girl became an early two-time winner in 1957-58.
Its name honors one of the most important figures in Canadian racing history, E.P. Taylor, whose influence on Canadian breeding and racing extended around the world.
The race has repeatedly attracted elite international turf mares. Recent winners include Mutamakina, Rougir, Fev Rover, Full Count Felicia and She Feels Pretty.
The 2025 edition was particularly significant. She Feels Pretty won the E.P. Taylor before finishing second in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf and earning the Eclipse Award as Champion Female Turf Horse.
The Woodbine race record is 2:00.68, established by Mrs. Lindsay.
Agentes 305 insight: This may be the deepest race tactically on the card. Diamond Rain possesses the obvious Appleby/Buick-Woodbine angle, but Gimme a Nother, See The Fire and Jancis bring legitimate international credentials. Sultana offers the local upset possibility if the early pace gives her the closing setup she needs.
BET365 SUMMER STAKES (G1)
$500,000 | 1 Mile | Turf | 2-Year-Olds
Race 7 – approximately 4:12 p.m. ET
If the Woodbine Mile showcases established stars, the Summer Stakes is about discovering the next one.
The winner earns an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, with the $30,000 Breeders’ Cup entry fee waived.
The 2026 edition has attracted 12 juveniles, creating one of the day’s most intriguing handicapping races.
Among them:
Big Money Man (IRE) – Christopher Head / P.J. McDonald
Let Em Know – Whit Beckman / Edgard Zayas
Oscar – Miguel Clement / Kendrick Carmouche
Bounce Back – Mark Casse / Romero Maragh
Play It Again – Mark Casse / Rafael Hernandez
Nicki Knows Best – Mark Casse / Sahin Civaci
Quipster – Kevin Attard / Pietro Moran
Sword Salute – Charlie Johnston / Jamie Spencer
Al Hudaiba (GB) – Charlie Appleby / William Buick
Voyager – Mark Casse / Javier Castellano
Speaker’s Speech – Mark Casse / John Velazquez
Induction – Graham Motion / Junior Alvarado**.**
The European threat: Al Hudaiba
One horse immediately demands attention: Al Hudaiba, trained by Charlie Appleby and ridden by William Buick.
The Appleby stable’s success shipping juveniles to Woodbine is already well established, and Al Hudaiba brings significantly more international race experience than many of the lightly raced North American runners.
Sword Salute, representing Charlie Johnston and Jamie Spencer, provides another European dimension.
Mark Casse vs. the international raiders
Trainer Mark Casse has a remarkable numerical presence, with multiple juveniles entered.
That makes the Summer an intriguing clash between Woodbine’s dominant local operation and international stables using Toronto as a pathway to Keeneland.
Historical significance
The Summer dates to 1953 and has developed into one of Canada’s premier races for juvenile turf horses.
Recent winners demonstrate its quality:
2019 – Decorated Invader
2020 – Gretzky the Great
2021 – Albahr
2022 – Mysterious Night
2023 – Carson’s Run
2024 – New Century
2025 – Argos.
Last year, Argos, trained by Riley Mott and ridden by Flavien Prat, won by a head over Wild Desert after rallying from mid-pack.
Agentes 305 insight: Al Hudaiba represents the obvious international measuring stick, but this is a fascinating developmental race. Several entrants are lightly raced and therefore capable of significant improvement. The large 12-horse field also means trip and post position could matter almost as much as raw ability.
JOHNNIE WALKER NATALMA STAKES (G1)
$500,000 | 1 Mile | Turf | 2-Year-Old Fillies
Race 5 – approximately 3:05 p.m. ET
The first Grade 1 of the afternoon could reveal one of North America’s leading juvenile turf fillies.
The Natalma awards its winner an automatic berth into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Keeneland, along with the waived $30,000 entry fee.
The 2026 field contains 11 fillies.
Among them are:
Mo Cookie – Kendrick Carmouche
De La Renta – Umberto Rispoli
Nicki Knows Best – Rafael Hernandez
Voyager – Javier Castellano
Bounce Back – Junior Alvarado
Lamirada – Fraser Aebly
Embouteillage – John Velazquez
Runaway Bride – Edgard Zayas
Ez Miss Sassy – Romero Maragh
Cattrall – Pietro Moran
Royal Foxtrot – Emma-Jayne Wilson.
Experience versus potential
The Natalma is traditionally difficult to handicap because many of its participants are still developing rapidly.
De La Renta enters undefeated in two starts for Kevin Attard, while Nicki Knows Best, Lamirada, Embouteillage and Runaway Bride are among the fillies entering off victories.
Mark Casse again has a particularly strong numerical hand.
A race capable of producing champions
The Natalma has an extraordinary historical résumé.
Past winners include Canadian racing legends Fanfreluche, La Lorgnette, Dance Smartly and Alywow.
But perhaps its most important modern graduate is Catch a Glimpse.
In 2015, Catch a Glimpse won the Natalma and then captured the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, becoming Canadian Horse of the Year as well as Champion 2-Year-Old Female and Champion Female Turf Horse.
More recently, the race introduced racing fans to She Feels Pretty.
She dominated the 2023 Natalma by 4¼ lengths before eventually developing into one of North America’s premier turf mares.
And last year, Corsia Veloce remained undefeated when she captured the Natalma under Fraser Aebly.
Agentes 305 insight: De La Renta’s unbeaten record makes her particularly interesting, but juvenile Grade 1 races are often decided by which horse takes the largest developmental step. With several maiden winners stretching into stakes company and a heavy Mark Casse presence, the Natalma looks considerably more open than the Woodbine Mile.
Why September 12 Matters Beyond Woodbine
The larger story is the proximity of these races to the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland on October 30-31.
Woodbine is not simply offering four prestigious Grade 1 trophies Saturday. It is helping determine the composition of four Breeders’ Cup divisions.
And recent history shows that the Toronto-to-Breeders’ Cup route works.
The most compelling statistic comes from the Woodbine Mile: Wise Dan twice, World Approval, Modern Games, Master of the Seas and Notable Speech all won the Woodbine Mile and Breeders’ Cup Mile in the same season.
The Natalma produced the Catch a Glimpse double. The E.P. Taylor has repeatedly produced elite Breeders’ Cup performers, including She Feels Pretty’s runner-up finish last season. The Summer continues to identify juveniles capable of competing internationally.
That gives Saturday’s card a fascinating progression:
Natalma: discover a potential future star.
Summer: identify a Breeders’ Cup juvenile contender.
Woodbine Mile: determine whether Notable Speech can defend his international crown against Deterministic.
E.P. Taylor: establish another major contender for the Filly & Mare Turf.
It is a card connecting Canada, the United States, Europe and South Africa — and one of the most international afternoons of the 2026 North American racing season.
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