Grooms With A View: Five Breeders’ Stakes Contenders

Sophie Charalambous, for Woodbine

This Sunday marks the 135^th running of the Breeders’ Stakes, the third and final leg of the Canadian Triple Crown. The 1 1/2-mile turf race is no small feat for the 3-year-old contenders.

Ahead of the iconic race, five grooms spoke about their daily observations and the unwavering bond they share with the horses they spend so much time with.

Watsonville Red

Watsonville Red is trained by Michael De Paulo and owned by John and Diana Russell. Leo Salles is the jockey. The 3-year-old gelding ran in the 2025 King’s Plate and finished seventh. Joseph De Paulo, Mike’s son, is the groom of Watsonville Red.

“He’s always been a very timid horse,” said Joseph. “He started to come around. I think he’s going to be in top form for this next race. He’s sharp, he’s jumping out of his stall, he’s really coming around.

“We gelded him, and it kind of stuck his head on right. He started moving in the right direction. I think it’s just when he gets space in between his races, he gets sharper and more forward. What we’ve done by skipping the Prince of Wales is giving him enough time so that he can be very sharp.”

De Paulo cares for and regards each of the horses he grooms as if they’re his own children.

“I have three boys, and I call them my sons – I have Stanley House, Watsonville Red, and Souper Success.”

For De Paulo, Watsonville Red’s most defining quality is how he continues to improve the further he runs.

“His ability to get better and better as he goes longer. I don’t know how far he wants to run, but I’m sure he’ll have no trouble going a mile and a half.”

De Paulo is hopeful ahead of the Breeders’ Stakes.

“Watsonville Red is kind of like a lottery ticket; he gets you in the door, and you’ve got a chance. I think the distance is fit for him. He shouldn’t have any problems with the turf, especially going longer.”

Borealis Trail

Rachel Halden trains two horses running in the Breeders’ Stakes – Borealis Trail and Aristella. Borealis Trail is owned by Chiefswood Stables Limited, with Jose Luis Campos set to ride.

Ray Perez looks after Borealis Trail.

Perez has worked at Woodbine since 2008 and has been working for Halden since April of this year.

“He’s very quiet, nice, and easy-going. He’s very easy to groom.”

Once Borealis Trail became a gelding, Perez noticed that the horse became gentler.

“He gets excited on race day. He’s one of my favourites. He’s a good boy.”

Perez notes how his extensive experience with horses allows him not to be nervous ahead of important races such as the Breeders’ Stakes.

“He’s special to me because he’s a nice and gentle horse. When I talk to him, he pays attention and he’s quiet. He’s a very smart horse.”

Perez is looking forward to the Breeders’ Stakes.

“I think he can get a good position in this race.”

Aristella

Halden’s other hopeful, Aristella, is owned by Flying Zee Racing Stables LLC. Patrick Husbands is the jockey. Adrian Harewood grooms Aristella.

Harewood, who began working for Halden this year, started at Woodbine in 2002. He went home to Barbados for four years and then came back to Woodbine in January of 2007.

“That horse is amazing. I’ve never worked with a racehorse like that yet. I don’t tie her to groom her, pick her feet, or anything. She’s a smart horse.”

The connection between a horse and groom takes time and care, noted Harewood.

“The horses know you. Once you show them love, and attention and care, they get used to you. I let her smell me so she can pick up my scent; that’s a big part of it. A horse that knows the groom by the scent. I let all of my horses sniff me so that they know, ‘This is the person that’s taking care of me.’

I’ve got a good connection with her, she’s special. That horse doesn’t do nothing wrong. Everything is on par with her. She’s so kind, she’s a lovable horse. Even the vets that come to treat her love her. She’s gentle. She loves her job.”

Harewood is looking forward to the Breeders’ Stakes and believes that the distance will be beneficial for Aristella.

“She’s getting her distance now, so she’s showing her real, true potential.”

Sedburys Ghost

Sedburys Ghost is trained by Barb Minshall and owned by Yawen Wu, with Ryan Munger as the jockey. Dexter Brathwaite grooms Sedburys Ghost.

Brathwaite has been working at Woodbine since 1992 and has worked for Minshall for 19 years.

“He has a very good personality,” Brathwaite said of Sedburys Ghost. “He’s a very easy horse to work around, and I’m hoping for the best in the Breeders’.”

Sedburys Ghost’s unique quirks and his alertness stand out the most for Brathwaite.

“He’s one of my favourites. It’s the little things he does – he likes to shake his head, telling you good morning or good night. He likes to look around and watch and likes to go graze and relax. A kid could hold him out there.

“He knows when it’s race day. When he jogs for the commission vet, and when you put him back in the stall. He knows he’s running.”

Brathwaite is looking forward to his run in the Breeders’ Stakes.

“I’m always excited whenever you’re in those kinds of races. I think he’s going to run a big one. Hoping for the best, and that we can get a good trip.”

Faber

Kevin Attard trains Faber, who is owned by Al and Bill Ulwelling. Faber ran in the first two races of the Canadian Triple Crown, where he finished sixth in the King’s Plate and placed third in the Prince of Wales. Donovan Buchanan grooms the gelding.

Buchanan has been working at Woodbine since 1997 and has worked at numerous racetracks across Canada, including Western Canada. This year marks Buchanan’s third of working for Attard.

“He’s a calm horse and has a cool personality,” Buchanan said of Faber. “He tells me if something’s wrong. He’s a very happy horse. He’s more of a playful horse; he’ll play around with me in the stall. I can leave him loose and do him up – he’s really a pet. He’s a very quiet horse.”

Faber is also attentive and knows when it’s race day.

“He knows the difference – he wakes up. He’s more alert, and he powers himself up. He knows the difference between a race and just a morning workout.”

Faber is one of Buchanan’s favourite horses that he takes care of.

“Even when I’m at home, I think about him. I just want to make sure that everything is proper with him. He’s like a big dog. He’s a happy horse, and I love being around him. I’m happy that Kevin Attard gave me the opportunity and the chance of a lifetime to be working with this type of animal.”

Buchanan notes how Faber’s most unique quality is his eyes.

“He has two different types of eyes. He has a wall eye and a regular horse eye, that’s a binocular eye. To me, that makes him special. He’s calm, he’s cool, collected, playful. He’s a very handsome horse, and he knows that he’s handsome.”

Buchanan is looking forward to seeing Faber contest the Breeders’ Stakes.

“I’m excited, I can’t wait to watch my horse down the lane. He’s won on the inside turf before. I have a lot of confidence in him, he’s like a son, and I know he’s going to do wonderful in the Breeders’ Stakes. When he’s in the gate, I just leave it up to him and Pietro (jockey, Moran).”