by Myra Lewyn

Royal Oath earned his first stakes win on Saturday as he prevailed by a half-length after a stretch-long duel with pacesetter Ice Bear and held back a determined late bid from stablemate Seaside Retreat in the $306,120 King Edward Handicap (Can-G2) at Woodbine.

The five-year-old Kingmambo horse was formerly based in England, where he won three of 11 starts, including the Royal Hunt Cup over 25 opponents last year at Royal Ascot. He subsequently finished second in the Sony Summer Mile Stakes (Eng-G2) for trainer John Gosden.

Royal Oath made his first start for trainer Mark Casse in the King Edward after finishing fifth as the favorite in his North American debut in the Connaught Cup Stakes (Can-G3) on May 25 at the Toronto track.

A half brother to 2001 E. P. Taylor Stakes (Can-G1) winner Choc Ice (Ire), Royal Oath won for the first time in four starts this season with his close victory over 19.75-to-1 longshot Ice Bear. He covered 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.67 on yielding turf.

Ice Bear sprinted quickly to the front and led through six furlongs in 1:13.15 as Royal Oath raced from midpack into fourth on the turn under Patrick Husbands. He bid three wide at the top of stretch, engaged Ice Bear for an extended duel, and prevailed late as the 2.75-to-1 second choice.

Seaside Retreat finished another half-length back in third after rallying from eighth. Society’s Chairman, the 2.10-to-1 favorite, pressed Ice Bear through six furlongs, but tired at the top of the stretch and faded to seventh in the nine-horse field.

Royal Oath, a homebred of William S. Farish and Bill Farish, improved to four wins in 15 career starts. He began the season in Dubai at Nad al Sheba Racecourse and finished second to Archipenko in the Commercial Bank of Dubai Al Fahidi Fort (UAE-G2) in his season debut.

Kentucky-bred Royal Oath is out of the Goldneyev mare Sherkiya (Ire).

For an Equibase chart, click here.

Myra Lewyn is a Thoroughbred Times Today editor