JOSHUA TREE (IRE) WINS THE PATTISON CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL TWICE

Lightning struck the tree twice as Irish-bred Joshua Tree (Ire) – a hunch bet for U2 Fans – won the $1.5 million Pattison Canadian International a second time today at Woodbine Racetrack, keeping Dandino (GB) and Forte Dei Marni (GB) in second and third, respectively.  Known as Canada’s richest Horse Race, the mile-and-a-half Turf Race brought together some of the World’s best Jockeys and Horses together for what was a fantastic Card of Racing this afternoon at the Toronto Oval.

Joshua Tree had won the prestigious Grade I race back in 2010 and finished a game second in 2011, but improved upon that again this year with a half-length score under the guidance of charismatic Frankie Dettori.  Today’s Victory pushes the Bankroll of the five-year-old Son of Montjeu (Ire) and Madeira Mist (Ire), past the $3.15-million mark for Owners  Mr. K. K., Al Nabooda and Mr. K. Albahou.  The Final Time was 2:30.4 (five seconds off the Course Record) on a damp course listed in “Good” condition.

Dettori, who widely is regarded as one of the greatest Jockeys of all time, played-up his Celebrity in the Walking Ring, posing for Photographers before the E.P. Taylor Stakes where he was scheduled to ride Longshot Havant (GB).  Racing Fans were ecstatic, swarming him for Autographs and Photos repeatedly, sparking Security to step-it-up a notch. Above this, Top Jockeys like Mike Smith, Javier Castellano, Ryan Moore, John Velazquez, Olivier Peslier and Ramon Dominguez – the latter who won the Nearctic Stakes aboard Next Question earlier on the Card – were accessible and more than happy to meet and interact with their Fans, who rarely get a chance to see them in these parts.

The Ladies also had a chance to shine today in the $1-million E.P. Taylor Stakes with favoured Siyouma (Ire) winning by about two lengths under French-born and Hong Kong-based Jockey, Gérald Mossé. The four-year-old Filly is peaking at just the right moment for Owner Robert Jeffcock, now earning $840k in just ten races.  Pagera (Fr) and Dream Peace (Ire) finished closely behind Siyouma (Ire) in that exact order, while locally-trained Kissable (Ire) mustered a respectable fourth-place finish.

Although the Races at Woodbine continue up until the end of November, this is the last high-profile Fixture of the Season.  There still is however, plenty of time left to check out the Races in 2012!  Check their Schedule here.

Here’s a bit of Footage I got of Joshua Tree (Ire) and Dettori following their Win:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)