TORONTO, October 3, 2025 – Last year’s King’s Plate winner, Caitlinhergrtness, is set to return to action in Saturday’s $200,000 Grade 2 Dance Smartly Stakes (G2T) at Woodbine, contested over 1 1/16 miles on the inner turf. The talented filly (seen below, winning the 2024 King’s Plate – Michael Burns Photography) most recently captured the Ontario Matron Stakes (G3) and is now seeking her second graded win of the season. A victory on Saturday would earn her an automatic berth into the Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf Invitational Stakes (G2T) this January. Assistant trainer Joshua Attard, who works under his father, champion conditioner Kevin Attard – currently ranked third in the Woodbine trainer standings – has played a key role in Caitlinhergrtness’s development this season and shares a close bond with her. “She’s an amazing horse,” said Joshua. “Even in the barn, she’s always there, her head out of the stall, you know, cuddling with me, putting her head against my shoulder. “When she goes on the track, she’s all business. She loves her job. She’s a happy horse and she’s got a great side to her and she’s a lovely horse to be around every day.” Now, Caitlinhergrtness will run in the Dance Smartly Stakes, which gives the winner automatic entry into the Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf Invitational Stakes (G2T) in January. This weekend’s Dance Smartly Stakes will mark Caitlinhergrtness’s first start over Woodbine’s inner turf course, and her connections believe it plays to her strengths. “I’d rather see her on the inside turf than the outside turf,” said Joshua. “I think the shorter turns will help her. Obviously, it’s a mile and sixteenth, which is the right distance for her too.” Jockey Fraser Aebly will take the reins on Caitlinhergrtness for the first time on Saturday. Despite facing tough competition – including Breath Away (GB) and Hope Mission – Caitlinhergrtness is listed as the morning-line second choice. Attard is confident in her chances. “She looks pretty good. There are a couple horses she beat last time. Obviously, a couple shippers coming from the U.S. and Europe. But I think Caitlin’s a better horse.” Joshua Attard and Wozniacki. Joshua, 22, earned his assistant trainer license in June and celebrated a major milestone when he saddled Caitlinhergrtness to her Ontario Matron Stakes victory on his birthday. “A big day like that on my birthday doesn’t happen too often, like the Woodbine Mile,” he reflected. “Leading her into the winners’ circle was a proud moment of mine. To saddle a Grade 3 winner on my birthday was a special moment that I will never forget.” He cites surface as a reason for the win after a defeat in the E.P. Taylor Stakes (G1T). “With the cutback in distance, being on the Tapeta track, I was very confident in her,” Joshua said. “She was training exceptionally well heading into the race.” Joshua also owns several horses himself, including stakes-level filly Wozniacki and War in Charge, both trained by his grandfather, Tino Attard. His now-retired gelding, Keep Grinding, ran in the 2021 Queen’s Plate, finishing fifth, just two lengths behind the winner. As Caitlinhergrtness closes in on a milestone $1 million in purse earnings, the young Attard is just starting out with big goals of his own. “I’d like to work under my dad maybe for another two years, but then go on my own,” he said. “Obviously, I’ve got to pick up clients and feel comfortable working as a trainer on my own.” For now, his focus is on Saturday and Caitlinhergrtness. -30- Anna Jeffs, for Woodbine Share This:Share
