Dream comeback: Cruden Bay takes second straight Grade 2 Connaught Cup
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TORONTO, July 20, 2025 – Cruden Bay made a storybook return to racing, winning Sunday’s $175,000 bet365 Connaught Cup (G2T) for the second straight year.
Away from racing action since last August due to injury, 7-year-old Cruden Bay, trained by Don MacRae for Michael Lay, came back in a big way on a sunny afternoon at Woodbine.
It was Kehoe Beach, the 3-5 choice on the tote board, who took early command of the seven-furlong race for 3-year-olds and up, powering to the front to hold a one-length lead after an opening quarter in :23.45 over an E.P. Taylor turf listed as firm. Fraser Aebly, in the irons of Cruden Bay, settled his late-running charge into ninth of 10.
Keho Beach, winner of last year’s Mrs. Revere (G2T) at Churchill, continued to show the way, a half-length clear of I’m a Gambler (IRE) through a half in :46.05, while Cruden Bay remained ninth.
When the field turned for home, Kehoe Beach attempted to dash away from his pursuers but quickly found himself under siege from both sides. Cruden Bay, fourth and gaining at the stretch call, continued to gobble up ground to the outside and then powered to the lead with ease, en route to a 1 ½-length score. Northern Invader was second, Piper’s Factor was third and Kehoe Beach finished fourth.
The final time was 1:21.98.
“When we hit the head of the lane, I knew I started to smooch at him a little bit, and he started to pick up the bridle, and it was just whether we found our spot to go,” said Aebly. “And he sure gave me everything he had when he found it.”
Bred in Ontario by Spring Farm, Cruden Bay, who won his debut November 14, 2020, at Woodbine, is now 7-9-1 from 24 lifetime starts.
“Around the three-eighths pole, I did say to Michael (Lay), I said, ‘We got a lot of horse,’" said MacRae. "And when you know this horse, you know how hard he tries – it’s just amazing.
“I mean, we're a small team, but we bust our butts every day, and I'm so proud of everyone right now."
Cruden Bay was a $45,000 (CDN) purchase at the 2019 CTHS Canadian-bred Yearling Sale.
The gelded son of Big Screen out of the Bold Executive mare Executive Affair paid $20.20 for the win.
Chris Lomon, Woodbine
