Pair of Europeans arrive for Canadian International

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Toronto, ON (SportsNetwork.com) - Only two European based horses will go to post for Sunday's $1 million Canadian International to be run over Woodbine's E. P. Taylor turf course at 1 1/2 miles.

The last four runnings of the International have been won by horses coming in from overseas, with Joshua Tree claiming the last two editions along with the 2010 race.

Europe will be represented on Sunday by Brown Panther and Hillstar.

Brown Panther comes into the International off a victory in the Irish St Leger at the Curragh in Ireland. The 6-year-old, trained by Tom Dascombe, won the 1 3/4-mile stakes by 6 1/2 lengths as a 14-1 longshot.

"It was a hugely exciting day and the race went absolutely to plan," said Dascombe. "It was a thrilling result as it was my first Group 1 winner and something I'll always remember."

Brown Panther has earned $1,106,547 with 10 wins, four seconds and three thirds from 24 career starts. Richard Kingscote will be in the saddle as usual.

"He's won two listed races over a mile and a half and he was just beaten about four lengths in the (Group 1) King George over a mile and a half," noted Dascombe about Brown Panther. "As long as there's a nice pace in the race it won't bother him. He won't want a crawl."

Celebrated trainer Sir Michael Stoute will saddle Hillstar for owner Sir Evelyn De Rothschild in the International. Stoute won the race in 1996 with champion Singspiel. Ryan Moore can win his second straight International after riding last year's winner, Joshua Tree.

Hillstar captured the Dubai Duty Free Arc Trial Legacy Cup at Newbury in England four weeks ago over soft ground as the 5-2 favorite. The win snapped a series of four races in which the 4-year-old colt finished second, including the Boodles Diamond Ormonde in May behind Brown Panther.

Hillstar, who arrived Tuesday at Woodbine, has a record of three wins, six seconds and a third for earnings of $660,500.

"It was a good trip over, uneventful. He's bright, temperature is good and he's happy," said Sarah Denniff, travelling head lass for the trainer.

Here are the nine probable International starters with jockeys: Big Blue Kitten, Joel Rosario; Brown Panther, Richard Kingscote; Dynamic Sky, Patrick Husbands; Hillstar, Ryan Moore; O'Prado Ole, Channing Hill; Reporting Star, Justin Stein; Suntracer, Carlos Marquez Jr.; The Pizza Man, Florent Geroux and War Dancer, Luis Contreras.

The International will have an approximate post time of 3:32 p.m. ET and will be aired live on TSN.