Moira stormed into the course to claim a record-breaking victory in the $1 million Queen’s Plate at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto on Sunday – the first jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown. This secured Attard his first career Plate title at his sixth attempt. The win is the culmination of a childhood dream for Attard. And despite being a finalist as Canada’s champion trainer for the past four years and earning Grade 1 wins in the EP Taylor Stakes, Woodbine Mile and Prince of Wales. Attard likened not winning the Plate to a hockey player going his entire career without ever playing for a Stanley Cup champion. “There were a lot of emotions leading up to this fight,” said Attard, his shirt drenched in sweat. “It’s something I’ve obviously loved for a long time. “My goal has always been to try and be the best and I think that puts me in a special field of trainers. I just feel very privileged to be associated with this horse.” WATCH l Moira captures the Queen’s 163rd Plate:
Moira explodes from rivals to win 163rd Queen’s Plate
Moira and jockey Rafael Hernandez win the 163rd Queen’s Plate at Woodbine Racetrack. Moira tipped off last month that she was a clear Plate contender, winning the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks by 10 3/4 lengths. And he did so despite running without back shoes after a pre-race incident in the paddock. “Obviously in the Horse Races you hope these horses have another performance like this,” Attard said. “I think it’s improved, I don’t think we’ve hit the bottom of it yet. “She has her quirks, that wasn’t easy for me. She made me sweat. It’s a good thing I sweat more than her.” As dominant as Moira was on the track, Attard said his horse had a form of pre-race jitters. “I could see she was getting a little nervous just because there were so many people around,” Attard said. “He knew today was a different day. “But the beauty of her is that she takes everything she does and goes through, she’s able to stay mentally focused and know she still has a job to do. I think that’s what has set her up as a good horse.”
“He gave me another gear”
On Sunday, jockey Rafael Hernandez had Moira eighth at half a mile and seventh after three-quarters of a mile. He moved her up to third with a quarter of a mile to go behind Ironstone and The Minkster before Moira simply took off, winning by seven lengths on synthetic track and a Plate record time of 2:01.48. “Raffie said to me afterwards, ‘We’ve got a lot left,’” said Attard, who received a congratulatory phone call from American Triple Crown conditioner winner Bob Baffert. “I remember Ironstone making an offer for The Minkster and I said, “Gee, we’re still a little away from that.” “The next thing you know it’s like it’s devouring the ground.” Hernandez earned his second Plate victory after winning the ’15 race with Shaman Ghost. “He gave me other equipment,” he said. “When we came home, she was incredible. She’s something else. She’s so special.” Moira became the eighth to score the Oaks-Plate double. MOIRA wins record 163rd Queen’s Plate!!! pic.twitter.com/oPBzt5Afqf —@WoodbineTB Hall of Dreams was second to Sir for sure. The remainder of the 11-horse field, in order, included: Ironstone; Dancin in Da’nile? Rondure? Hunt Master? Duke of Love? The Minkster? Causin’ Mayhem? and Shamateur. Moira paid $5.60, $3.40, and $2.90. Hall of Dreams returned $10.60 and $7.10 while Sir for Sure paid $7.10. Moira won all three of her 2022 starts and reached the winner’s circle for the fourth time in five career races. The exception was second in the $156,400 Grade 3 Mazarine Stakes on November 28, 2021 at Woodbine. Jockey Rafael Hernandez, right, celebrates with trainer Kevin Attard in the winner’s circle after riding Moira to victory on Sunday. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press) Attard comes from a racing family, with his father, Tino, uncle, Sid, and son, Joshua, all in the business as trainers or owners. Last year, all four Attards had horses in the Queen’s Plate and Sid Attard sent out Shamateur after Sunday. Kevin Attard becomes the second family member to win the Queen’s Plate after Larry Attard, a Hall of Fame jockey, rode Bompago to victory in 1983. But being surrounded by family Sunday meant the world to Kevin Attard. “Being in this business and the time in the barn, my family sacrifices a lot,” he said. “For them to be there and share this moment means a lot. “When we won the Woodbine Mile [in 2020 with Starship Jubile] It was just my dad and my son and it was great because my son is such an integral part of my life and so into Horse Racing. But my wife wasn’t there, my daughter or my mother, who is probably my biggest supporter.” But Attard said he wouldn’t be where he is today without his father’s guidance. “My dad put me in this position,” Kevin Attard said. “He taught me everything I know. “I think he sacrificed some of his career to put me in a position to succeed when he was training and I was able to start taking over his part of the business. I can’t thank him enough, I love him so much. “ The second Canadian Triple Crown event will be the Prince of Wales Stakes on September 13 at Fort Erie Racetrack. “Honestly we haven’t discussed [anything] passed this race,” said Attard. “At this point, I’m not sure what’s next. “Obviously, as a local trainer I’d like to put my name next to a Triple Crown horse if I could. But again there’s a lot of people involved, we’ll talk about that when the time comes, but if I could go for a Triple Crown or try to win that would be something very special.” The third and final race will be the Breeders’ Stakes scheduled for Oct. 2 at Woodbine. Wando was the last winner of the Canadian Triple Crown, completing the feat in 2003.
