Veteran gelding G T Five Hundred will make the 44th start of his accomplished career when he lines up in Sunday’s $200,000 Connaught Cup Stakes (Grade 2 Turf) at Woodbine, where a talented field of older turf runners assembles over seven and a half furlongs on the inner course.
Woodbine Connaught Cup 2026.
The six-year-old son of Astern has built a reputation as one of North America’s most dependable campaigners, competing at 10 different racetracks while consistently holding his own against quality opposition. Sunday’s assignment marks his third consecutive appearance in graded company as he looks to add another significant victory to an already impressive rĂ©sumĂ©.
Trainer Dale Desruisseaux heads into the race encouraged by the gelding’s recent third-place finish in the Highlander Stakes, a five-furlong turf sprint that was shorter than his preferred distance.
“He likes to go longer, but I thought it was a very good all-around effort,” Desruisseaux said. “I was happy with it. We are taking the blinkers off him for this race. Whether it is a good decision or not, we will find out.”
The trainer believes G T Five Hundred possesses attributes uncommon for a sprinter.
“He’s a sprinter, but he has the stature and build of a two-turn horse,” Desruisseaux added. “He also has a really nice stride to him.”
The gelding has already shown he handles Woodbine well. He made a winning debut at the Toronto track in the Thorncliffe Stakes on May 3, grinding out a narrow victory over 5½ furlongs on the main track before finishing sixth in the Grade 3 Jacques Cartier Stakes later that month.
Purchased by Centennial Farms Niagara, the gelding began his racing career at Horseshoe Indianapolis in 2022 before breaking his maiden at Oaklawn Park early in 2023. His first stakes success came at Turfway Park in February when he captured the Forego Stakes by a head, a performance that confirmed his steady progression at the higher level.
Bred in Kentucky by Joe B. Mulholland Jr., John P. Mulholland and Karen Mulholland, G T Five Hundred owns a career record of 10 wins, six seconds and seven thirds from 43 starts, with earnings of $573,915. Veteran groom Troy Garnett continues to oversee the gelding’s daily routine.
Desruisseaux was also pleased with the horse’s latest preparation after a four-furlong workout in 48.40 seconds.
“He’s never run without blinkers, but he trains well without them,” the trainer said. “It was a good work, which wasn’t a surprise because he’s a very good work horse. He goes out like a professional and does exactly what you need him to.”
Among his chief rivals is Piper’s Factor, who arrives in outstanding form after setting the Woodbine inner turf track record of 1:27.77 over the Connaught Cup distance on June 20.
The five-year-old homebred for Chiefswood Stables will be partnered by Fraser Aebly, who is eager to build on that memorable performance.
“I have been in races against him before,” Aebly said. “He’s a nice horse—he set the track record last time, and I was in that race. I’m grateful to get this opportunity to ride him.”
Aebly recently partnered Piper’s Factor in a four-furlong workout and was encouraged by the gelding’s professionalism.
“It was good to get a feel for him,” he said. “He relaxed very nicely for me. We got along very well together and hopefully it carries over to Sunday.”
The Woodbine Connaught Cup 2026 also brings together a strong supporting cast including King Size, Awesome Bourbon, Maycocks Bay, Wyoming Bill, Irish Aces and Magna Time, setting up one of the most competitive turf features of the Woodbine summer meeting.
Historically, the Connaught Cup has been one of Woodbine’s most prestigious turf events. Hall of Fame rider Robin Platts remains the race’s most successful jockey with eight victories, while Plate Glass captured the inaugural editions in 1912 and 1913.
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