Bessarabian Stakes

The Bessarabian Stakes is a Canadian Thoroughbred horse race run annually since 1985 at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario. Raced at a distance of seven furlongs, it is held during the latter part of November and is open to fillies and mares, age three and older. It has been a Grade II event since 2013.

Prior to 2006, the race was run on a natural dirt surface. It was run on Polytrack synthetic dirt from 2006 to 2015, and has since been run on Tapeta synthetic dirt (both referred to as an "all weather track" in official charts). The purse for the Bessarabian was increased to $200,000 in 2014, plus up to $23,265 for Ontario-bred horses.^[1]

Inaugurated in 1985, through 1990 it was contested at six furlongs.^[2]

The race is named in honor of Eaton Hall Farm's Champion filly, Bessarabian.^[3]

Records

Speed record:

• 1:21.44 - Hillaby (2014) at current distance of 7 furlongs

Most wins:

• 2 - Count On A Change (1991, 1992)
• 2 - Early Blaze (1994, 1995)

Most wins by an owner:

• 3 - Huntington Stud Farm (1990, 1991, 1992)

Most wins by a jockey:

• 4 - Jim McAleney (1993, 2002, 2006, 2013)

Most wins by a trainer:

• 3 - Roger Attfield (1985, 1986, 1993)

Winners

References

• The Bessarabian Stakes at Pedigree Query