Windward Islands’ decisive victory in the $300,000 Nijinsky S. (G2) at Woodbine on July 24 marked a milestone for Gainesway Sales.

He became the tenth Graded stakes winner of the year from Gainesway yearling consignments, a number previously unmatched in our sales consignment history.

Windward Islands was also conceived in the Gainesway breeding shed. The son of Cozzene out of Cruisie, by Assert (Ire) was bred in Kentucky by Dr. Steve Kramer and Cozzene Syndicate, and consigned by Gainesway to the Keeneland September Sale.

Windward Islands entered the Nijinsky off a 13-month layoff. The Sam-Son Farms color-bearer settled comfortably behind the pace-setters under Chantal Sutherland, before rolling into contention four-wide in the stretch. He wrested the lead from stablemate Grand Adventure at the eighth pole, and drew off to score by 3 ½-lengths.

A winner at two and stakes winner at three, Windward Islands previously won the Toronto Cup over the Woodbine course, and ran second in the 2009 Fair Grounds H. (G3) and third in the 2007 Sky Classic S. (G2). Windward Island boasts a career record of 17-5-3-1 and $495,836.

Windward Islands is among 17 stakes winners this year consigned by Gainesway.