Stein Gets Victory 1,000 in Woodbine Opener

Justin Stein picked up his 1,000th career win on Saturday, Sept. 5 when he guided Battle Castle to a 1 3/4-length victory in Saturday's opening race at Woodbine.

Battle Castle, a two-year-old daughter of Marcavelly trained and co-owned by Denyse McClachrie in a partnership that includes Shale Wagman and Gayle Bosscher, made her first career start a special one. Stein sent the feisty bay to the lead in the six-furlong sprint and she stayed on strong down the lane to fend off the onrushing Marsala.

"The horse was so game," said Stein. "When that horse (Marsala) came to her and she wouldn't let her go by, I knew we were going to win."

Stein, who resides in Caledon with his wife Renee and their four sons, was pleased to reach the milestone score in his 11th year of riding.

"I'm very thankful to all of the trainers and owners that have supported me over the years. Winning a thousand races has always been a goal of mine and it's nice to reach that landmark," Stein said. "Hopefully I can keep on riding for another 10 years and reach 2000 wins." 

It was the 32nd win of the meet for Stein, who is currently eighth in the jockey standings.

Born in New Westminster, B.C., 35-year-old Stein began his riding career at Hastings Park in 2004, notching his first win Aug. 28 aboard claimer Mayne Stating.

Stein elected to ride full time at Woodbine in 2006, finishing fourth in the rider standings with 109 wins, and has been a fixture near the top of the table ever since.

In 2012, Stein won his first Canadian Classic, racing gate-to-wire with Canyon Farms' homebred Strait of Dover to take the $1-million Queen's Plate for trainer Dan Vella. He added a second classic score earlier this meet when filly Academic, trained by Reade Baker for Bear Stables Ltd., won the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks, presented by Budweiser, in track record time. Stein and Academic have since traveled to Northlands Park in Edmonton where they stormed home victorious in the Grade 3 Canadian Derby.

The veteran rider is associated with a number of other notable horses include Alpha Bettor, Phil's Dream, and Stormy Lord.