Globe-trotting Joshua Tree has become the first three-time winner of Canada’s premier race, the Woodbine International, achieving the feat under three different trainers and three different jockeys.
Ridden by Ryan Moore for Khalid Nabooda and Kamel Albahou, the Ed Dunlop-trained horse beat Hyper and Seismos in the 2400m race on turf.
Joshua Tree won the race in 2010 when trained by Aidan O’Brien and again last year in the care of Marco Botti when he beat leading Melbourne Cup contender Dandino.
For good measure he was second in 2012.
Dunlop, who is preparing Red Cadeaux for a third tilt at the Melbourne Cup, was represented by his assistant trainer Andrew Stringer.
“He drank well, ate well, and trained well. Everything was perfect preparation for him,” Stringer said.
” We had a bit of rain which helped. I just can’t believe it that he’s won three Group One races here for three different trainers with three different training methods.
“It just goes to show you how tough and genuine this horse is.”
If Joshua Tree has another start before being retired to stud it will be at the Hong Kong International meeting in December.
He will then become the foundation stallion for his owners’ stud, Haras de Gastines near Chateaubriant in France.
