Autumn Stakes

The Autumn Stakes is a Canadian Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario. Run in mid November, it is open to horses aged three and older. It was raced on dirt until 2006 when the track's owners installed the new synthetic Polytrack surface. In 2008, the Canadian Graded Stakes Committee upgraded the Autumn Stakes to Grade II status.

The inaugural running in 1902 was won by the filly Janice, owned and trained by the prominent Kentucky horseman, Green B. Morris. Beginning in 1920, Kentucky Derby winner and U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductee, Exterminator, won the race three straight years, more than any other horse. Called the Toronto Autumn Cup before 1931, and Autumn Stakes Handicap from 1953 to 1954, it was run in two divisions in 1980 and 1981. There was no race held in 1917, 1918, 1919, 1940 and 1950. Since inception, the race has been run at various distances.

Woodbine Racetrack Graded Stakes Races

Stakes Race Grade Purse
Eclipse Stakes III $150,000
Nassau Stakes II $300,000
King Edward Stakes II $250,000
Highlander Stakes II $200,000
Singspiel Stakes III $150,000
Queen's Plate Stakes I $1,000,000
Dominion Day Stakes III $200,000
Dance Smartly Stakes II $300,000
Ontario Matron Stakes III $150,000
Nijinsky Stakes II $300,000
Royal North Stakes III $150,000
Sky Classic Stakes II $250,000
Ontario Colleen Stakes III $150,000
Play the King Stakes II $200,000
Seaway Stakes III $150,000
Natalma Stakes III $200,000
Summer Stakes III $250,000
Canadian Stakes II $300,000
Northern Dancer Turf Stakes I $500,000
Woodbine Mile Stakes I $1,000,000
Selene Stakes III $250,000
Grey Stakes III $200,000
Nearctic Stakes I $500,000
E.P. Taylor Stakes I $1,000,000
Canadian International Stakes I $1,500,000
Autumn Stakes II $150,000
Kennedy Road Stakes III $150,000
Bessarabian Stakes III $150,000
Valedictory Stakes III $150,000