Nassau Stakes (Canada)

Nassau Stakes
Grade II race
LocationWoodbine Racetrack
Toronto, Ontario
Inaugurated1956
Race typeThoroughbred – Flat racing
Websitewww.woodbineentertainment.com
Race information
Distance1 mile (8 furlongs)
SurfaceTurf
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationFillies & Mares, Three-years-old & up
WeightAssigned
Purse$175,000 (2021)

The Nassau Stakes is a Canadian Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario. A Grade II event raced in early June, it is open to horses aged three and older and run over a distance of one mile on turf. Currently, the Nassau Stakes offers a purse of $153,540.

Inaugurated in 1956, it was raced on dirt until 1968 when it was shifted permanently to the turf. Over the years, it has been run at various distances both at the Woodbine Racetrack and at Fort Erie Race Track:

On dirt:

  • 7 furlongs : 1956–1958 at Woodbine
  • 1 mile : 1959–1966 at Woodbine, 1967 at Fort Erie

On turf:

  • 1 mile : beginning 2010 at Woodbine Racetrack
  • 1+116 miles : 1968 & 1994 at Fort Erie, 1969–1993, 1995 to present at Woodbine

The Nassau Stakes was run in two divisions in 1978, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1989, 1990