Canadian International winner Hillstar could return next year

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Hillstar made a three-wide move at the top of the stretch under Ryan Moore and continued on strongly to the wire to win the Grade 1 Canadian International at Woodbine on Sunday.

The dynamics of the race changed dramatically minutes before the start, however, when Brown Panther was scratched after bolting from the post parade as the horses were on their way to the gate, unseating jockey Richard Kingscote.

“Just before the break, the horse got wound up and unfortunately he got me off,” Kingscote said. “When I got back on, I tried to keep him relaxed, and as soon as I let go, he bolted. There wasn’t much I could do after that.”

Kingscote said Brown Panther’s prerace behavior was uncharacteristic.

“He’s never done that before,” he said. “He sometimes dances about and gets on his toes, but he’s never been that extreme.”

Moore, meanwhile, captured his second consecutive Canadian International victory after guiding Joshua Tree to the winner’s circle in 2013. It was also the second Canadian International victory for trainer Sir Michael Stoute, who won the race in 1996 with Singspiel.

“Obviously, after what happened, my task was made a bit easier,” Moore said. “The horse was very relaxed and was very comfortable all of the way around. I just thought off the turn we might take a chance. The horse stays well, and at that point with Brown Panther out of the way he was pretty clear on the figures.”

His win in the International capped off a successful campaign for Hillstar, who rebounded from a 14th-place finish in the Dubai World Cup to start the season to record four straight second-place efforts in Group 2 and Group 3 events in England. He finally broke through last time out at Newbury, winning the Group 3 Arc Trial Legacy Cup.

Owner Sir Evelyn De Rothschild, who bred Hillstar at his Southcourt Stud in England, said the 4-year-old will get the rest of the season off and could return to racing next season.

“We’re thrilled that Hillstar yet again proved himself,” he said. “He’s a good horse, and if he goes on as well as he is, we’ll probably keep him in training next year.”