Voyager travels well to win Grade 1 Johnnie Walker Natalma Stakes
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TORONTO, September 12, 2026 – Voyager, with Javier Castellano in the irons, earned her first stakes crown in Saturday’s Johnnie Walker Natalma (G1T) for 2-year-old fillies, at Woodbine.
The $500,000 Natalma, contested at one mile on the E. P. Taylor turf, is part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, with the winner earning an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, a Grade 1 race at the same distance set for Oct. 30 at Keeneland.
Lamirada, a dominant first-out winner, got away quickly from the gate and was immediately flanked by Cattrall and Embouteillage in the early going, as Castellano settled Voyager into sixth of 11 through an opening quarter of :23.09 over firm going.
Lamirada was still leading at the half timed in :46.13 and had increased her lead to one length over Cattrall, who remained just behind her on the outside.
Voyager, making her fourth career start and second at the stakes level – the Mark Casse trainee was second in the Schuylerville at Saratoga on July 3 – had begun to make headway on the leader heading into the turn for home and was swung four-wide under encouragement from Castellano strides before straightening for the drive to the wire.
The bay assumed command 350 yards from the line and was then tasked with holding off a trio of rivals looking to track her down in the late going.
At the finish, Voyager was 1 ¼ lengths in front of De la Renta. Embouteillage was a further head back, while fellow Casse trainee Bounce Back (one of five sent out by the dual Hall of Famer conditioner) was fourth.
The daughter of Justify out of the Lea mare Chart stopped the teletimer in 1:35.06, giving Casse his record ninth Natalma victory.
“He (Casse) basically he told me to ride with a lot of confidence,” said Castellano, who was aboard the D.J. Stable LLC-owned filly for the first time. “I think it is a great course... great feeling. Very impressive the way she did it today. I like the way she did it. Very professional behind the speed. I like the way she did it turning for home and she took off. She's finished really well - very professional horse."
Voyager, who recorded a hard-fought nose win to break her maiden in a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight race on the inner turf at Saratoga on Aug. 1, is now 2-2-0 from four starts.
“She's a racehorse,” said assistant trainer Kathryn Sullivan. “She's a professional. She's done nothing wrong so far for us, and she's just very impressive."
Bred in Kentucky by Stoneriggs Farm, Voyager was a $300,000 purchase at the 2025 Keenland Association January Horses of All Ages Sale.
She paid $9.50 for the win.
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Chris Lomon, Woodbine
