The atmosphere will be electric at Woodbine this Saturday (September 13, 2025), as Turf Champions Day takes centre stage. Trainers spoke of excitement, jockeys tightened their bonds with trusted mounts, and the grandstands are expected to buzz with anticipation. At the heart of it all lies the Woodbine Mile 2025, a $1 million Grade 1 contest that will shape the path to the Breeders’ Cup.
Woodbine Mile the jewel of the card
The 29th renewal of the Woodbine Mile has drawn a top-class field of nine runners, with automatic Breeders’ Cup Mile entry on the line. Recent history has been dominated by Godolphin and trainer Charlie Appleby, who return with Dubawi’s son Notable Speech (GB), a colt already proven at the highest level with victories in the 2000 Guineas and Sussex Stakes last season. William Buick makes the trip to renew a partnership that has delivered on big occasions.
Appleby was upbeat this week: “He’s stronger this year, and he always gives his best. What he needs is a solid pace — when he gets that, he shows his true class.” Notable Speech comes into Saturday off a strong runner-up effort in France’s Prix Jacques le Marois.
Casse’s duo take aim
Local powerhouse Mark Casse saddles two headline contenders. Win for the Money, last year’s Woodbine Mile hero, has been brought along with patience and is expected to peak in his third start of the season. Patrick Husbands, who guided him to victory in 2024, again takes the reins.
Stablemate My Boy Prince, Canada’s champion juvenile of 2023, has continued to build an impressive résumé. His consistency in elite company, coupled with his liking for sharper turns, has connections confident he will be in the thick of the finish. “He’s been running against the best,” said Casse. “If he gets the trip, he’ll be a handful.”
International flavour and strong support acts
Adding depth to the Woodbine Mile are One Stripe (SAF), a Group 1 star from South Africa; Stanley House, winner of the Niagara Stakes; and Gas Me Up, who captured the King Edward earlier this season. Veterans Hunt Master, Naptown, and Wyoming Bill round out the field, ensuring the race will be run at a searching tempo.
Beyond the Mile, Turf Champions Day is stacked with other Group 1 contests. The Natalma Stakes and the Summer Stakes both offer automatic berths into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile races. Together, the trio of headline events guarantees high drama and international relevance for Canadian racing’s biggest weekend.
First post is scheduled for 1:05 p.m., with the Woodbine Mile slated as Race 9 on the card. Fans will be treated to a day of quality turf racing that could shape the autumn championship landscape in North America.
For more stories, results, and updates from the world of horse racing, stay tuned to RaceBuzz
