TORONTO, July 17, 2026 – Multiple graded stakes placed Bessie Abott (IRE) will make her fourth straight start at Woodbine, this time in Sunday’s $200,000 Nassau Stakes (G2T). A 1-mile inner turf event for fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up, the Nassau shares the spotlight with three other Sunday stakes: the $500,000 (plus up to $250,000 for registered Ontario-breds) Woodbine Oaks Presented by Stella Artois, the $200,000 Plate Trial, and the $200,000 bet365 Connaught Cup. Sired by Kuroshio out of the Invincible Spirit mare Supreme Spirit, Bessie Abott (IRE) heads into the race off a third-place effort in the Royal North (G3T) Stakes on June 27. Under Fraser Aebly, who will be in the irons again this weekend, the Mark Casse trainee was in tight in between foes in early stretch but showed late vigor to secure third in the 7 ½-furlong inner turf test for fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up. “We had a really nice trip up until about the quarter-pole and I hadn’t moved on her yet,” said Aebly. “I found a seam, but a few horses drifted and gave us a little bump at the head of the lane. She finished up very strong and I thought we could have been a little closer at the end, but we had a bit of tough racing luck that day.” A runner-up in the 2025 edition of the Wonder Again (G3) at Saratoga, Bessie Abott (IRE) won a 7-furlong main track race originally slated for the turf on Oct. 23 at Woodbine. She followed it up with a nose score over the same distance and same surface on Nov. 29. Aebly, who set career-best numbers last season, including 94 wins and $4,686,799 in purse earnings, expects another determined effort from Bessie Abott (IRE) on Sunday. “I rode her before the Royal North and she is always a very hard-trying filly, who gives you everything she’s got. She relaxed so nicely for me last time and we sat a very good trip, but it was tough luck that day. I’m very excited about this race. She’s in a good spot now and I’m looking forward to this weekend.” Owned by Gary Barber and Team Valor International LLC, the 4-year-old sports a mark of 3-3-1 from nine starts, along with $188,585 in purse earnings. “When you ride a horse multiple times, you get to know them more and more,” said Aebly. “I think the one thing that is a constant with her is that ability to be laser-focused when she’s on the track.” A half-sister to stakes winner Spirit and Glory (IRE), Bessie Abott (IRE) was bred by Dr. Noel Cogan and Patrick Williams. Errol Farquharson is the groom. Bessie Abott (IRE) winning Race 7 on November 29, 2025 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo) Recent works: Bessie Abott (IRE) breezed 4 furlongs in :46.60 on July 10, the fastest of 35 works at the distance that morning. “I wasn’t on her for that breeze, but I did breeze her before the Royal North,” said Aebly. “She’s lovely. She is the same as she is in the afternoons. When you look at her works, she tries very hard and gives you that effort you love to see. She’s a very classy filly whatever the time of day it is. She does everything right. She’s nice to be around and nice to deal with.” Fast Facts: Dual Hall of Fame trainer Roger Attfield has the most Nassau wins with four. Several horses have won two editions of the race, including Belle Geste (1971-72), Momigi (1976-77), Eternal Search (1982-83) and Bold Ruritana (1995-96). Baffin Bay won the inaugural running in 1956. Wagering menu for the Nassau: Includes Rolling Double / Exacta / 0.20 Trifecta / 0.20 Superfecta / 0.20 Pick 3 (Races 8-9-10) / $1 Swinger / $5 All Stakes Pick 3 (Races 8-9-11) ***15 % Takeout*** Field for the Nassau Stakes (G2T) Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer 1 – Sultana – Rafael Hernandez – Kevin Attard 2 – Equitas – Emma-Jayne Wilson – Mike De Paulo 3 – Salty Senorita (S) – Sahin Civaci – Michael Maker 4 – Vina Arana (IRE) – Adam Beschizza – Jack Sisterton 5 – Fiery Lucy (GB) (S) – Pietro Moran – Brendan Walsh 6 – Bessie Abott (IRE) – Fraser Aebly – Mark Casse 7 – Quadruple (GB) – John Velazuez – Josie Carroll -30- Chris Lomon, Woodbine Share This:Share
