Canadian Derby Historical Highlights of Past Alberta

Bred Connections

By Lindsay Ward, www.cthsalta.com

The most prestigious race in Alberta for three year old Thoroughbreds will take place this August 26th at Century Mile Racetrack and Casino. This classic $200,000 Grade III race typically attracts entries from far and wide to face challengers over a demanding distance of ten furlongs.

The Canadian Derby was the creation of R. James Speers who held the inaugural event in 1930 at Polo Park Racetrack in Winnipeg, Manitoba under the name, Manitoba Stakes. At that time, it was restricted to three year olds foaled in Manitoba. It was renamed the Manitoba Derby and opened up to “Three Year Olds Foaled in the Dominion of Canada” by 1936. It was again re-named in 1941 to the Canadian Derby and the cash purse value increased from $2,000 to $5,000. The distance was expanded to one mile and a quarter in 1934 from the one mile previously. Eastern invaders were common as the race grew in purse money and status. In 1937, Goldlure, the winner of the King’s Plate, made the 1300 mile trip from Toronto to Winnipeg by