TORONTO, August 2, 2025 – Oujda (FR), under a strong ride from Rafael Hernandez, rallied impressively to win Saturday’s $125,000 Sweet Briar Too Stakes at Woodbine. Trained by William Walden for owner Woodford Thoroughbreds LLC, the 5-year-old daughter of Sioux Nation out of the Elusive Quality mare La Conseillante looked right at home on the E.P. Taylor turf after an exceptional effort over the world-renowned course. Queen of the Mud (IRE) and Sickle Dance both got away sharply in the six-furlong feature for fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up, with Sickle Dance the leader through an opening quarter in :22.79 over firm ground, while Oujda (FR) settled into fourth of 10 along the rail in the early going. Queen of the Mud (IRE) held a slim advantage over Sickle Dance and graded stakes winner Dontlookbackatall after a half in :44.80, but a host of runners, including Oujda (FR), came calling as the long drive to the wire commenced. A winner’s circle trip was up for grabs in early stretch, as Hernandez had Oujda (FR) off the rail and looking to reel in Dontlookbackatall. Ready to Jam, supplemented to the race, was also full of run to the outside, while stablemate Ticker Tape Home came with an inside bid with less than 200 yards to the finish line. At the wire, Oujda (FR) was 1 ¼ lengths clear of Ready to Jam. Ticker Tape Home, a further half-length back, was third, a neck ahead of late-running Metaphysical. Dancing Duchess was scratched. The final time was a brisk 1:07.98 (the track record is 1:06.88, set by Kasuga on July 7, 2017). Oujda winning the Sweet Briar Too Stakes with jockey Rafael Hernandez on August 2, 2025 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo) Herandez was delighted to see the strapping Oujda (FR), a Group 3 winner in Europe, stand tall in her first North American test. “I had a phone call today,” said Hernandez. “He [William Walden] told me, “Raffy, just let her break, ride like you own her and just ride with confidence, and she’s going to do everything.’ “I just wanted to save ground and ride confident. That’s what I did – just put her clear down the lane.” Oujda (FR) arrived at the Sweet Briar Too off a victory in Group 3 Prix de Seine-et-Oise at Chantilly on October 26, 2024. Bred in France by SCEA Du Grand Chene Haras Du Bois, the chestnut mare is now 7-2-1 from 17 starts. Oujda (FR) debuted in November of 2022 with a second at Chantilly and broke her maiden in her next start, on March 12, 2023, at Compiegne. A $996,613 (USD) purchase at the 2024 Tattersalls December Mare Sale, she paid $9.60 for Saturday’s win. Chris Lomon, Woodbine Share This:Share
