Woodbine Racecourse will stage the Grade 3 Trillium Stakes on Saturday, with nine fillies and mares aged three and above set to contest the $175,000 feature over 1 1/8 miles on the main track. The race brings together accomplished performers from the United States and Canada, adding further depth to one of the weekend’s most anticipated contests at the Toronto venue.
Woodbine Trillium Stakes 2026.
Among the principal contenders is Fantastical, who returns to Woodbine after an encouraging runner-up finish in the Grade 3 Royal North Stakes on June 27. The five-year-old mare finished strongly from the back of the field in that 7½-furlong turf contest, suggesting she remains in excellent form ahead of another graded assignment.
Trained by Joe Sharp, Fantastical has developed into one of the most consistent mares in training. She has recorded five victories, six second-place finishes and four thirds from 21 career starts while earning more than $468,000 in prize money. Earlier this season, she added another success over Turfway Park’s all-weather surface, once again demonstrating her determination and versatility.
Saturday’s assignment presents a fresh challenge as Fantastical steps up to 1 1/8 miles for the first time while also making her debut on Woodbine’s main track. If she adapts well to both the distance and surface, she has the credentials to play a leading role in the outcome of the race.
Another major contender in the Woodbine Trillium Stakes 2026 is Golden Sunshine, the four-year-old homebred representing Godolphin and trained by Eoin Harty. The daughter of Medaglia d’Oro arrives after a consistent campaign that included a runner-up finish in the Grade 3 Bewitch Stakes and will be making her first appearance in Canada.
Golden Sunshine has compiled three wins, six runner-up finishes and four third-place efforts from 17 starts, collecting more than $415,000 in prize money. Her pedigree and previous performances indicate that the 1 1/8-mile trip should suit her well as she seeks to make an immediate impact in her Canadian debut.
The field also features Lupa (IRE), Hurricane Clair, Fortyfiveseventy, Rashmi, Crystal Visions, Design, and Scat Girl, giving the Grade 3 event an excellent balance of proven stakes performers and improving mares capable of making their presence felt.
A notable subplot surrounds Sahin Civaci, who has won each of the last three editions of the Trillium Stakes and returns this year aboard Design in pursuit of a fourth consecutive success in the race.
With an evenly matched field, proven graded performers and several runners attempting new challenges, the Woodbine Trillium Stakes 2026 promises to be one of the standout races on Saturday’s programme. Fantastical’s consistency, Golden Sunshine’s class, and the strength in depth across the field should ensure a compelling contest over the testing 1 1/8-mile distance.
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