What is the Trillium Stakes?
The Trillium Stakes is a Grade III Thoroughbred race held annually at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Contested at 1 1/16 miles on the Tapeta synthetic surface for fillies and mares aged three and older, it is one of the most competitive distaff synthetic track events in Canada and a key benchmark for older fillies and mares targeting the summer and fall championship circuit at Woodbine. The race was inaugurated in 2011 at 1 1/8 miles before being shortened to its current distance of 1 1/16 miles in 2013. Elevated to Grade III status in 2018, the Trillium Stakes is named in honor of the trillium, the provincial flower of Ontario and one of the most recognizable wildflowers in Canada. Jockey Sahin Civaci has dominated the recent era, winning three consecutive editions from 2023 to 2025. Eurico Rosa da Silva holds the all-time jockey record with four wins, while Mark Casse leads all trainers with three victories. Lady Speightspeare, who dead-heated in the 2022 Nassau Stakes, showed her brilliance on synthetic surfaces by adding the Trillium Stakes that same year.
When is the Trillium Stakes in 2026?
The 2026 Trillium Stakes is scheduled for Saturday, July 25 at Woodbine Racetrack on the same card as the Hendrie Stakes and Ontario Colleen Stakes. Contested at 1 1/16 miles on the Tapeta surface with a purse of $150,000, the race draws the top older fillies and mares in Canada targeting the summer championship circuit.
Trillium Stakes History & Notable Winners
Literate gave trainer Martin Drexler and jockey Sahin Civaci a 2025 victory in 1:43.23 for C2 Racing Stable LLC, the five-year-old mare completing a remarkable comeback season. Solo Album gave trainer Mark Casse and Civaci a 2024 score in 1:43.90 for Gary Barber and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, the filly who previously won the 2023 Selene Stakes adding another graded win to her Woodbine resume. Il Malocchio gave trainer Martin Drexler and Civaci a 2023 win in 1:44.14 for Franco Meli, launching the jockey's current dominance of the race. Lady Speightspeare gave trainer Roger Attfield and jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson a 2022 score in 1:45.75 for owner Charles Fipke — the same filly who dead-heated in the Nassau Stakes that same year showing her versatility across surfaces. Souper Escape gave trainer Michael Trombetta and jockey Luis Contreras a 2021 win in 1:43.12 for Live Oak Plantation, successfully defending her 2020 title and setting consecutive Trillium wins.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Literate | Sahin Civaci | 1:43.23 |
| 2024 | Solo Album | Sahin Civaci | 1:43.90 |
| 2023 | Il Malocchio | Sahin Civaci | 1:44.14 |
| 2022 | Lady Speightspeare | Emma-Jayne Wilson | 1:45.75 |
| 2021 | Souper Escape | Luis Contreras | 1:43.12 |
The Trillium Stakes is one of the premier distaff synthetic track events in Canada and a highlight of Woodbine's midsummer racing program each July.
