Piper’s Gift stakes her claim to Princess Elizabeth crown

TORONTO, November 29, 2025 – Piper’s Gift presented an electrifying performance in Saturday’s $250,000 Princess Elizabeth Stakes, a main track race for Canadian-foaled 2-year-old fillies, and a key event on the path to the 71st running of the Woodbine Oaks presented by Stella Artois, the first jewel of the Canadian Triple Tiara series.

It was Bells of Paradise who swept to the early lead, followed by the trio of Ashlee B, Piper’s Gift and La Culasse through an opening quarter in 24:63.

Bells of Paradise continued to roll along on the front end, holding a 1 1/2-length lead over La Culasse through a half in :49.95, as 2-5 Piper’s Gift, under Rafael Hernandez, watched the proceedings from along the rail in third. ​ ​

As the field navigated the turn for home, Bells of Paradise braced for the challenge of multiple rivals, including Piper’s Gift, who loomed a menacing presence to her outside.

By mid-stretch, the race was on for second, as Piper’s Gift poured it on with every stride, galloping away from her foes with ease en route to a 4 ½-length score. Katie’s Grace, who bobbled at the start, recovered well to finish second, a neck in front of 64-1 Ashlee B. La Culasse was fourth.

The final time was 1:46.39.

Trainer Dale Desruisseaux, enjoying his most successful year to date, heaped praise on the filly who arrived at the Princess Elizabeth off her first stakes crown, the Glorious Song, a seven-furlong main track event for 2-year-old fillies, on October 12.

“I think once he (Hernandez) got her covered up, she relaxed for him, and that’s what we were looking for when we talked earlier this morning,” said Desruisseaux. “And once she got relaxed, I was pretty confident.

“She’s a little headstrong in the mornings, but my gallop girl does a great job with her. We’ve been training her behind horses since the last race, trying to get her to relax, and it’s paid off.”

Robert Landry, a Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame jockey who holds the reins as General Manager of Chiefswood Stables, also applauded the efforts of Piper’s Gift.

“She hasn’t done too much wrong this year,” said Landry, of the Chiefswood Stables homebred. “She’s a special filly.”

The daughter of Yorkton out of the Silent Name (JPN) mare Piper’s Legacy finished second in her debut at Woodbine on July 26, before a fifth in the Catch a Glimpse Stakes on August 16.

Piper’s Gift broke her maiden on September 20 at Woodbine, an eight-length win in a six-furlong main track maiden special weight race.

“We’ll give her some time,” said Landry. “Obviously, I’ll speak with the owners and Dale, but the ideal situation would be to give her a little bit of time, give her a chance to grow a little bit and mature, and start her back up in maybe six to eight weeks, and maybe have her ready for Keeneland or early here.”

Kyle MacDonald is the groom.

Piper’s Gift, now 3-1-0 from five starts, paid $2.90 for the win, while Hernandez celebrated his colony-leading 23rd stakes victory of the season.

Chris Lomon, Woodbine