The Canadian International is one of Woodbine’s signature turf races and one of Canada’s most important international Thoroughbred events.
The 2026 edition is scheduled for October 3 at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto. It is the 86th running of the race and is open to horses age 3 and older.
Canadian International 2026 race details
The race will be contested over 1 1/2 miles on the E.P. Taylor Turf Course. Woodbine lists a purse of $750,000, with additional money available for eligible Ontario bred runners.
The Canadian International anchors Woodbine’s Fall Turf Showcase, which also includes the Nearctic Stakes, Dance Smartly Stakes and Algonquin Stakes.
A race with global history
The Canadian International was first contested in 1938 and moved to turf in 1958. The distance has been 1 1/2 miles since 1987.
Its list of winners includes some of the most recognizable names in international racing. Secretariat won the race in 1973 in the final start of his career, defeating his rivals by 6 1/2 lengths. Other notable winners include Dahlia, All Along, Chief Bearhart, Singspiel and Joshua Tree.
Joshua Tree is the only horse to win the race three times, taking the Canadian International in 2010, 2012 and 2013.
The 2026 edition
Woodbine has restored the race to its traditional 1 1/2 mile distance on the E.P. Taylor Turf Course for 2026. The track lists Raintrap’s 1994 performance of 2:25.60 as the race record.
OTB Bet will update this hub as nominations, entries, the final field and confirmed results become available. Until declarations are official, this page will not present probable runners as confirmed starters.
Follow the major turf season
The Canadian International sits in a busy international turf calendar. Readers can follow the Woodbine Mile, Breeders’ Cup, Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and other leading events through the Major Races hub.
Featured image: historic Woodbine Race Course in Toronto, 1909. Source image from Internet Archive Book Images through Wikimedia Commons, with no known copyright restrictions.