Joshua Tree made history on Sunday night when taking the Canadian International for a record third time. The handsome son of Montjeu has scored at the Woodbine track on two previous occasions under the guidance of Aiden O'Brien and Marco Botti, but Joshua Tree took his place in history by making it a hat-trick of wins, when taking the 76th running of the Canadian International for La Grange stables.
Flying over last week with travelling head lad Andrew Stringer and regular work rider Jason Tate, Joshua Tree settled in well to his now customary stable in the Woodbine quarantine yard, thriving in the Canadian air.
The weather had been changeable leading up to the evening of the race with showers softening the official going on the night to "yielding" but Joshua Tree was in the form of his life and with Ryan Moore partnering him at his favourite track hopes were high for a repeat performance of 2012.
Breaking well Moore held Joshua Tree up in the "box seat" of third position, hugging the rail for the first mile. When entering the long home straight Moore took the initiative and kicked three lengths clear of the chasing pack. Joshua Tree answered his every urging and did not let his closet rival Hyper past, showing his tenacity winning by three quarters of a length.
Moore commented "I didn't want to get into the race too early but I saw Mike Smith was coming around on Slumber, I probably went a bit earlier than I would have liked ideally, but I knew my horse is very tough and he stays - he wasn't going to get outfought. When they come off the bridle, he's the strongest stayer on the block."
It was a tremendous day for Joshua Trees owners Mr Kamal Al Bahou and Mr Khalid A Nabooda who have never shied away from competing the horse at the top level. There are a couple of options open to Joshua Tree now, he has an entry in the Japan Cup and also the Hong Kong Vase, but before deciding on his next adventure we will get him back to La Grange for a hero's reception and toast the triple winner of the Canadian International.