Just Magnificent searches for stakes breakthrough in Eternal Search
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TORONTO, October 21, 2026 – Just Magnificent, a daughter of Big Screen out of the El Prado (IRE) mare Julia’s Star, chases her first stakes win in the $150,000 Eternal Search, Saturday at Woodbine.
Trained by Evette Chartrand-Hoek, Just Magnificent, 3-5-4 ($176,053) from 20 starts, head into the 7 ½-furlong inner turf event for Ontario-sired fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up, off five top three finishes in her past six starts, including a pair of victories.
In eight tries over the turf, the 5-year-old is 1-3-2. She has posted a win, a second and a third in her past three starts, all on the E.P. Taylor turf.
“We had been looking forward to getting her on that [E.P. Taylor] course,” said Chartrand-Hoek, of the mare owned by Sue Leslie, Valerie Kay, Susan Kay and Chris Odell. “It really suits her and she’s done well on it.”
The Eternal Search marks the fourth stakes test for Just Magnificent, who finished second at 18-1 in the Belfountain Stakes two starts back, a rallying effort that earned the bay stakes-placed status.
“She grinds it out and she doesn’t miss too many cheques. Sometimes, she waits a little too long to come with her run and lollygags a bit. That’s been a bit of a problem for her.
“In her most recent start (third, at 1 1/16 miles, on Oct. 4), she set herself back too much and there was just too much to make up.”
On Aug. 20, over 1 1/16 miles, Just Magnificent rallied to notch a 1 ¼-length score.
“That was her first time on the big turf, and it was just what we were hoping for and that’s what she was waiting for – that big, long stretch.”
Chartrand-Hoek, who has already established career-best marks in wins and purse earnings this year, is looking for a lively early pace to benefit her late-running charge.
“We’re back on the inner turf now for this one, so we know she can’t be lollygagging, especially with it being 7 ½ furlongs. She will have to pick her head up a bit quicker.”
Just Magnificent debuted in the summer of 2024 with a pair of thirds and broke her maiden in her sixth start, on June 19, 2025.
Sent off as the 5-2 choice in the seven-furlong main track affair that drew nine hopefuls, Just Magnificent, sixth at the half-mile juncture, rallied to secure a 2 ¾-length victory for the milestone score.
“We have run her quite consistently, so she’s not a horse we train heavily. She seems to thrive at what we do with her, so we haven’t really had to put a lot of works into her over time. She’s just a tough cookie.”
Bred by Hedgestone Management, she was an $18,000 purchase (Hip No. 146) at the 2022 CTHS Premier Yearling Sale.
Chartrand-Hoek also handles groom duties with Just Magnificent.
“She’s tough to be around. She’s like a little viper. Anyone can walk up to her, but once you are in her house, it’s a different story.”
Fast facts: The race is named after the three-time Canadian champion, purchased at age 2 for $50,000 by Mel Lawson, who raced her under his Jim Dandy Stable banner. Eternal Search retired from racing with 15 stakes victories and posted a record of 18-11-2 from 44 starts. She was trained by Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee Ted Mann.
Wagering menu for the Eternal Search: Includes Rolling Double / Exacta / 0.20 Trifecta / 0.20 Superfecta / 0.20 Pick 3 (Races 8-9-10) / 0.20 Pick 4 (Races 8-9-10-11) / $1 Swinger.
Field for the Eternal Search Stakes
Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer
1 – Regal Moment – Fraser Aebly – Stuart Simon
2 – Ella It Is – Pietro Moran – Mark Casse
3 – Olivia Rose – Rafael Hernandez – Mark Casse
4 – Just Magnificent – Pietro Moran – Evette Chartrand-Hoek
5 – Speedy Freeze (S) – Emma-Jayne Wilson – Ron Sadler
6 – Nikita’s Gem (S) – Jose Campos – Sid Attard
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Chris Lomon, Woodbine
