Nations Pride (Ire) wore down fellow European Royal Champion (Ire) to take the 84th Canadian International at Woodbine on Sunday.
Charlie Appleby
It's early yet, but hot on the heels of sizzling and sunny weather in Ontario this week is a cold and rainy weekend.
The famous Big Red made the International an iconic race and the $750,000 race returns after it was not run in 2022
Godolphin's 5-year-old gelding made easy work of his five rivals in the Grade 1 event and earned a berth to the Breeders' Cup Mile.
The brilliant four-year-old's unbeaten record is put on the line for the eleventh and final time on Saturday at Ascot.
Multiple Grade 1 winning colt Modern Games (Ire) flew to victory in the Ricoh Woodbine Mile and earned another trip to the Breeders' Cup.
While Modern Games (Ire) will be a solid favourite, there are some good ones in the Mile field. Let's look at their recent races.
Double Group 1-winning colt was second to the undefeated superstar Baaeed in the Group 1 Sussex Stakes in his last start.
The first European classic races were held April 30 and May 1 with exciting results in the 1000 and 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.
A field of 15 has been assembled for the QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, including the undefeated Native Trail.
Knicks Go flies to powerful Classic win, Godolphin completes two days with three wins and Japanese horses win two.
Trainer Charlie Appleby sent three horses from England to Woodbine's Turf Festival and won with all three with Frankie Dettori riding.
On a day of mind-bending longshot winners, Godolphin's classy Walton Street crushed the field as the odds-on choice in the Grade 1 Pattison.
Canadian, American and European juveniles will compete for Grade 1 wins and a ticket to the Breeders' Cup at Del Mar.
Kirby lost the mount on John Leeper days before the English classic but won the race anyway on an improving son of Frankel.