Paramount Prince digs in late to score Seagram double

TORONTO, August 1, 2026 – Paramount Prince exuded his back class when he needed it most to win Saturday’s $175,000 Seagram Cup (G3) at Woodbine. ​

Ridden by Fraser Aebly, the 2023 King’s Plate winner broke alertly from post position nine and quickly cleared the field of eight, to lead in the 1 1/16-mile main track event for three-year-olds and up, through an opening quarter mile in :23.82. ​ ​

Up the backstretch, a relaxed Aebly had Paramount Prince freewheeling on the lead through an opening half mile in :47.77, with longshot Twin City racing second, Sedsburys Ghost third on the rail and post time favourite Runaway Again outside in fourth. ​ ​

2025 King’s Plate winner and reigning Canadian Horse of the Year Mansetti trailed the field into the far turn, but with Pietro Moran up, launched a visually impressive wide rally, circling the field, while moving into contention through an opening six furlongs in 1:12.47.

Into the lane, a ground saving Paramount Prince cut the corner smartly and with Mansetti flattening out in the drive, now braced for a stretch rematch with Runaway Again, who had defeated Paramount Prince by a neck in the nine-furlong Dominion Day Stakes (G3) on June 27th. ​ ​

Inside the 1/16th pole, Paramount Prince (inside) and Runaway Again (outside), hooked up in a thrilling late duel, with both hitting the wire together and the Mark Casse trained Paramount Prince getting the nod in a photo finish. The final running time was 1:43.24. ​

Paramount Prince, a six-year-old chestnut gelding (Society’s Chairman – Platinum Steel, by Eddington) won his season bow on May 2nd, scoring by 4 3/4 lengths, in a seven-furlong

allowance race. ​ ​ He was subsequently 4th after being softened up on the pace, then a tough luck 2nd to Runaway Again in the Dominion Day, all three races with Aebly in the irons. ​

“Paramount Prince is a really nice horse with a high cruising speed. And he finds his stride, hard horse to beat that way,” said Aebly after the Seagram score. ​ ​ ​ ​

“At the head of the lane, I could see Mansetti start to come around on the outside, and Paramount Prince grabbed another gear for me and I was thinking in my head, where’s Sid’s horse, I know he’s coming. He kind of showed his face at the 1/8th pole, but we got the bob today.” ​

Bred in Ontario by Ericka Rusnak and owned by Michael J. Langlois and Gary Barber,

Paramount Prince is now a 2-time winner of the Seagram Cup after taking the 2024 edition when it was listed as a Grade 2. With the ’26 Seagram win, Paramount Prince improved to 9-3-7 from 24 lifetime starts. ​ ​ Canada’s Champion 3-year-old in 2023 and Champion Older Main Track Male in 2024, earned his 3rd career win at 8.5 furlongs from eight starts at the distance. ​ ​

The morning line second choice at 3-1, Paramount Prince went off at 7-2 and paid $9.50 for the win, while giving Casse his record-breaking 5th win in this race and third straight. ​ ​ ​

Runaway Again was second, Sedburys Ghost was 3rd and Rapid Test rallied to finish forth. Mansetti was 6th.  Notorious Gangster was a stewards scratch

Phil McSween, Woodbine