Patches O’Houlihan takes tough road to Highlander triumph

TORONTO, June 28, 2025 – Patches O’Houlihan drifted out down the lane, but managed to come out on top in Saturday’s $200,000 bet365 Highlander Stakes (G2T), at Woodbine.

Sofia Vives wasted no time in putting Patches O’Houlihan ahead of the pack in the six-furlong turf sprint for 4-year-olds and up contested over an E.P. Taylor turf listed as good, with My Boy Prince and Old Chestnut picking up the pursuit through a spirited opening panel in :22.13.

It was still Canada’s reigning Horse of The Year calling the shots through a half in :44.36, but the multiple graded stakes winning son of Reload out of the Silent Name (JPN) mare Maythefourthbwithu began to drift out coming off the turn for home.

Patches O’Houlihan continued to drift towards the grandstand as My Boy Prince commenced a furious inside rally and began to cut into the lead.

Clinging to a head lead at the stretch call, Patches O’Houlihan, bred and owned by Frank Di Giulio, Jr., held on for an eventful neck score in a time of 1:08.39. My Boy Prince was three lengths clear of Dresden Row for second. Playmea Tune was fourth. Its Time to Shine and Ms. Tart were both scratched. ​

The bay gelding was pulled up by Vives after the race and and is now back at the barn and resting comfortably after being assessed by the veterinarians. Further updates will be shared on X through @WoodbineComms.

Now 13-1-0 from 16 starts, the 5-year-old, trained by Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee Bob Tiller, has now six of his past seven starts. He was scratched from a spot in the starting gate for the Jacques Cartier Stakes on May 31 after spiking a fever.

Patches O’Houlihan – a nod to the Rip Torn character in the comedy movie Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story – debuted in September 2022 and posted a 4 ½-length score at 5 ½ furlongs over the Woodbine main track.

Between May and September of 2023, he reeled off six consecutive victories.

He paid $3.60 for the Highlander win. ​

Chris Lomon, Woodbine