Rock-steady Western Whirl seeks Grade 2 Nearctic triumph
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TORONTO, October 1, 2026 – Western Whirl, a homebred for Chiefswood Stable, will meet six rivals in the $250,000 Nearctic Stakes Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G2T), part of Saturday’s Fall Turf Showcase card at Woodbine.
Trained by Stuart Simon, multiple graded stakes-placed Western Whirl will make his second straight appearance in the six-furlong fixture for 3-year-olds and up, contested over the E.P. Taylor turf.
Last year, the son of Twirling Candy out of the Gone West mare Western Rose was third in the Nearctic, less than a length behind the winner No Nay Hudson (IRE).
“The maturity he has shown from then to today, and the fact that he is an even better horse now, will hopefully get him over the top this time,” said Simon, who is closing in on 900 career wins.
Western Whirl has been a model of consistency over a 20-race career that has produced a mark of 3-6-5, along with $319,845 in purse earnings.
The gelding, who has finished in the top four on 16 occasions, will contest his sixth straight race at the graded stakes level.
“He's just a very honest type of horse. He is just such a consistent type and has developed into a nice quality sprinter. He tries all the time, and he’s become more consistent the older he has gotten. You are grateful to have these horses, the ones who bring it every time.”
In three starts this year, the bay finished third in the Jacques Cartier (G3), second in the Highlander Stakes (G2T) and second, just a head back, in the Bold Venture (G2) on Aug. 15.
Simon is looking forward to seeing Western Whirl back on the E.P. Taylor turf.
“He can run on the synthetic and on the inner turf, but I really think he will be better on the outer turf. We regrouped after his last race and waited, just dialed in on having him ready for this one.
“He is just a bigger horse. Even though he raced well and tolerated the inner turf, I just believe he is too big to handle those tighter turns. I think the outside turf and those sweeping turns will just be better for him considering how big he is.”
Amanda Gregory is the groom.
Recent works: On Sept. 18, Western Whirl covered four furlongs in :48.80. One week later, at five furlongs over the same surface, he stopped the clock in 1:01.20.
“He has just been training very well since his last race,” said Simon. “Looking at those last two works, he just seems to be in the zone and in good order.”
Fast facts: Hall of Fame jockey Robin Platts won the first three editions of the race: in 1973 with Rare Adventure, in 1974 with Henry Tudor and in 1975 with Gurkhas Band. Play The King won back-to-back editions (1987-88), as did Wild Zone (1995-96).
Wagering menu for the Nearctic: 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 Grade 2 Nearctic
Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer
1 – Works for Me – Sahin Civaci – Joseph Lee
2 – Victory Achieved – Rafael Hernandez – Mark Casse
3 – Isivunguvungu (SAF) – Ryan Munger – Graham Motion
4 – Western Whirl – Fraser Aebly – Stuart Simon
5 – Gas Me Up – Pietro Moran – Kevin Attard
6 – Nobals – E.T. Baird – Larry Rivelli
7 – Essex Serpent – Emma-Jayne Wilson – Mark Casse
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Chris Lomon, Woodbine
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