There was a quiet confidence in trainer Kevin Attard’s voice as he leaned against the rail at Fort Erie Race Track this morning, watching his star colt Mansetti stretch his legs under the rising sun. Just weeks ago, the bay son of Collected stormed to victory in the 166th King’s Plate at Woodbine, and now, the dream of a Canadian Triple Crown is very much alive.
Canadian Triple Crown Drama: Mansetti Chases Glory
On Tuesday evening, Mansetti will look to take his next big step when he headlines a field of seven Canadian-foaled 3-year-olds in the $400,000 Prince of Wales Stakes 2025. With apprentice sensation Pietro Moran back in the saddle, the pair enter the 1 3/16-mile dirt contest as the 2-1 morning-line favourite, carrying the weight of history and expectation.
Mansetti the Favourite at Fort Erie
The Prince of Wales Stakes is the second jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown, and it presents a new set of challenges. Unlike the synthetic Tapeta track at Woodbine, Fort Erie offers a demanding dirt surface and a slightly longer distance — tests that have undone many champions before. But Attard believes Mansetti’s adaptability sets him apart.
“He’s coming into the race in great order,” Attard said. “It’s a different surface and a different distance, but he’s always been such an adaptable type. He’s shown us everything we’ve needed to see.”
For Moran, Woodbine’s leading rider in 2025, there’s a quiet belief that Mansetti might just be special enough to chase history.
“You definitely need a special kind of horse to have a shot at the Triple Crown,” Moran smiled. “I think we’ve got one here. He’s talented, he’s fearless, and nothing seems to bother him.”
The Road to Canadian Triple Crown Glory
Should Mansetti capture the 90th running of the Prince of Wales Stakes 2025, he will move within one victory of joining an elite club. The final and most gruelling leg, the $400,000 Breeders’ Stakes over 1½ miles on Woodbine’s inner turf, awaits on September 28.
It has been 22 years since Wando became the last horse to complete the sweep in 2003. Only seven horses have achieved the Canadian Triple Crown since its inception in 1959 — a reminder of just how rare and prestigious this accomplishment is.
Among the notable champions: New Providence (1959), With Approval (1989), Dance Smartly (1991), and Peteski (1993). Legendary trainer Roger Attfield saddled three of those winners, cementing his place in Canadian racing history.
Prince of Wales Stakes 2025 — Field of Seven
| Post | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Morning Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Faber | Sahin Civaci | Kevin Attard | 5-1 |
| 2 | Runaway Again | Ryan Munger | Sid Attard | 10-1 |
| 3 | Mansetti | Pietro Moran | Kevin Attard | 2-1 (Favourite) |
| 4 | Scorching | Dylan Davis | John Charalambous | 3-1 |
| 5 | Ashley’s Archer | Patrick Husbands | Mark Casse | 10-1 |
| 6 | Humber River | Sofia Vives | Robert Tiller | 12-1 |
| 7 | Dewolf | Rafael Hernandez | Kevin Attard | 7-2 |
Eyes on History: The Road to Canadian Triple Crown Glory
Trainer Kevin Attard knows the weight of expectation, but he’s keeping his team grounded.
“In racing, you learn not to look too far ahead,” he said. “We’re focused on this race, this challenge, and nothing beyond it.”
The Prince of Wales Stakes 2025 is more than just a race; it’s a shot at history, a test of heart, and the next chapter in Mansetti’s remarkable journey.
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