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Poitras Relay made waves over the weekend, beginning the second team to ever win the Muckleshoot Gold Cup twice after becoming the first Canadian team to win it in 2024. (Image Credit: submitted/Curtis Poitras)
MAKING HISTORY

Poitras Relay becomes second team to ever win multiple Muckleshoot Gold Cups

Jun 18, 2026 | 11:59 AM

The Muckleshoot Gold Cup, the premiere Indian Relay event was held this past weekend at Emerald Downs in Auburn, WA, and Saultaux First Nation’s Poitras Racing took home the win for the second time in team history, with rider Joe “Jumpin Joe” Jackson on the track. 

The event featured heats on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Poitras Relay finished in second place on Friday after what was described as “a couple errors on the track.” 

“The third exchange on the front side. the horse ducked into the wrong box. when that (happened), the rider Joe had to run across our exchange box and get on,” said Curtis Poitras, owner of Poitras Relay. 

“We finished second in that race, which was still the second fastest time of the night.” 

Despite not getting the results they were looking for on the first day, the rest of the weekend was impeccable. 

“On Saturday, everything went pretty smooth and clean. We won that and was the fastest time of the night there. On Sunday, everything was pretty close to flawless in the championship heat,” said Poitras. 

“The rider Joe and the horses performed awesome. Everyone on the track, the catchers, the back holders, everyone did their job. Everyone pretty much where it was very clean, and we won by large margins to win the Muckleshoot Gold Cup.” 


(Image Credit: Emerald Downs/Facebook)

Poitras Relay became just the second team to win the Muckleshoot Golf Cup twice.  

“That is like the Stanley Cup of Indian Relay. The 21 top teams of North America are in invitation only to run there. So, it’s a race that meant lot to our team.” 


(Image Credit: Poitras Relay/Facebook)

It was an emotional weekend for the team, as the race came soon after the passing of Poitras’ cousin, Leonard Moccasin, who was passionate about Indian Relay and close with the team. 

“He would have wanted us down there running, doing what we loved. He was a big supporter of our team. He would have rather us be there running and competing. A sport we love, a sport he loved. He was a big fan of the Poitras Relay team.” 


(Image Credit: submitted/ Curtis Poitras)

This was the second win in three years for Poitras Relay, who became the first Canadian team to win the coveted event in 2024, and representing their roots is vital to the team. 

“The atmosphere with all the people down there was just unreal. So, we’re just proud to be representing Canada. Not only that, but Meadow Lake and also Saulteaux First Nation. It’s Just a proud accomplishment for winning that two times.” 


(Image Credit: submitted/Curtis Poitras)

The team took home a total of $14,200 in winnings and now begins to gear up for the Calgary Stampede in July. 

— 

Ryan.Lambert@pattisonmedia.com