Equestrian World Witnesses $750,000 Worth Non-American Grade 1 Championship Attracting Elite Turf Talents

The famous $750,000 Grade 1 Canadian International will be held on Sunday on the renowned E.P. Taylor Turf Course at Woodbine. After a gap of a year, the equestrian world shall once again enjoy the competitive race. This year, like previous years, the race card has attracted many elite talents trained by world-renowned trainers.

The 84th edition of the race will witness eight horses taking part in one and quarter-mile turf race. Looking at the previous races’ data, out of the last eleven editions of the race, ten were won by the horses whose base are outside North America. This year, all eyes are on Godolphin-owned and Charlie Applyby-trained Nations Pride. But, it has other talented turf race contenders too.

Equestrian race’s elite participants

On Sunday, the Grade 1 Canadian International will be held after the last edition race in 2021. Last time, the winner was Walton Street, trained by Charlie Appleby and owned by Godolphin. He won the race by a margin of five and three-quarter lengths. According to paulickreport, this time Godolphin and trainer Appleby have fielded Nations Pride for the coveted race. After winning his last race in Europe, this will be his fourth start this year and first in North America. Among other contenders is Adhamo, trained by the famed Chad Brown and owned by Madaket Stables LLC and partners. The five-year-old Grade 1 winner was placed third in his last race at Colonial Downs in the Grade 1 Arlington Million.

Bruce Lunsford co-owned British Royalty, a five-year-old gelding familiar with the turf. Trained by Barbara Minshall, this horse secured victory in the 2021 Breeders’ Stakes at E.P. Taylor Turf Course. However, in his last race, he finished in sixth place. Dynadrive, trained by Michael Maker, will make his second start at Woodbine after finishing second in his last race at Colonial Downs in the Colonial Cup. English Conqueror, owned by William Sorokolit Jr., claimed the third spot in Grade 3 Louisville at Churchill Downs but finished second in his recent race at Saratoga.

The Hall of Famer Mark Casse-trained Palazzi aims for his fourth straight win, following victories in his last three races, including the Grade 3 Singspiel Stakes. Royal Champion, trained by Roger Varian, will make his North American race debut in the Canadian International. Another contender is Starting Over, trained by Michael Maker. Among these notable contenders, all eyes are on Nations Pride

Famed equestrian trainer’s thought on Nations Pride

The Godolphin’s famed trainer Charlie Appleby is confident of his horse’s win. He said, “He should be suited to the fair track at Woodbine“. He further explained that after displaying his versatility on the tracks of Europe, North America, and Dubai, the horse has displayed his character. According to Appleby, Nations Pride has a solid foundation and buildup, leaving no doubt about his potential victory in Sunday’s race.

Read More: $16,662,811 Worth Equestrian Trainer’s Beloved Horse Dominates, Capturing Million-Dollar Grade 1 Stakes

Nations Pride’s previous performances and his trainer’s track record in this cup make them favorites to win Sunday’s race. The trainer has full confidence in his horse, and the outcome of the race will determine whether the horse lives up to that trust or not.

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