Voyager won Natalma Stakes honours at Woodbine after producing a strong late run to capture the $500,000 Johnnie Walker Natalma Stakes (G1T) on Saturday, September 12, 2026, earning an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.
Ridden by Javier Castellano for trainer Mark Casse, the two-year-old filly covered one mile on Woodbine’s firm E. P. Taylor turf course in 1:35.06, recording the first stakes victory of her career.
The Natalma formed part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, giving Voyager a guaranteed place in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Keeneland on October 30.
Voyager Wins Natalma Stakes With Strong Closing Run
Lamirada broke sharply and went forward in the early stages, while Cattrall and Embouteillage were also prominent shortly after the start.
Castellano kept Voyager settled in sixth among the 11 runners as the field passed the opening quarter in 23.09 seconds.
Lamirada continued to set the pace, reaching the half-mile in 46.13 while maintaining a one-length advantage over Cattrall. Voyager remained comfortably positioned in midfield as Castellano waited before asking her to improve.
Approaching the final turn, Voyager began making noticeable progress. Castellano brought her four-wide before entering the stretch, giving the filly clear running room for the long finish.
Voyager responded immediately and moved strongly through the field, taking command approximately 350 yards from the winning post.
Her rivals continued to challenge through the closing stages, but Voyager maintained her advantage to score by 1 1/4 lengths.
De la Renta finished second, with Embouteillage another head behind in third. Bounce Back completed the first four.
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf Berth Secured
The victory represented another significant step in Voyager’s developing career.
She arrived at Woodbine having made only three previous starts. Voyager had finished second in the Schuylerville Stakes at Saratoga on July 3 before returning to win a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight on Saratoga’s inner turf on August 1.
Her Natalma success improved her career record to two victories and two runner-up finishes from four starts.
More importantly, winning the Grade 1 contest secured Voyager an automatic place in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, giving her connections a major target later in the season.
The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf is scheduled to be run at Keeneland on October 30.
Ninth Natalma Stakes Victory for Mark Casse
Voyager’s success also brought another important achievement for trainer Mark Casse.
The victory was Casse’s ninth in the Natalma Stakes, establishing a new record in the race.
Voyager had shown steady improvement during the opening stages of her career, and her performance at Woodbine represented her strongest result to date as she successfully moved into Grade 1 company.
Castellano credited Casse’s instructions with allowing him to ride the filly patiently and expressed confidence in Voyager’s response when asked to make her move.
Assistant trainer Kathryn Sullivan also pointed to the filly’s consistency and developing professionalism after another strong performance.
Voyager Continues Promising Early Career
Bred in Kentucky by Stoneriggs Farm, Voyager was purchased for $300,000 at the 2025 Keeneland Association January Horses of All Ages Sale.
She is by Justify and out of the Lea mare Chart.
The Natalma victory added a Grade 1 success to Voyager’s rapidly developing record and confirmed her position among the notable two-year-old turf fillies of the season.
Having progressed from a maiden victory at Saratoga to Grade 1 success at Woodbine, Voyager will now have the opportunity to take another major step when she heads towards the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Keeneland.
Her Woodbine performance combined patience through the early stages with a decisive finishing run, earning both her first stakes victory and a guaranteed place on the Breeders’ Cup stage.
For more stories, results and updates from the world of horse racing, stay tuned to RaceBuzz.