Home / Sports / Horse Racing Series Launched with $5M Prize
Horse Racing Series Launched with $5M Prize
4 Aug
Summary
- New six-race championship series announced for next year.
- Total prize pool of $5 million to be awarded.
- Includes Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes races.
Beginning next year, a new six-race championship series will crown the sport's top 3-year-old thoroughbreds. This collaborative effort between Churchill Downs Incorporated and the New York Racing Association includes a substantial $5 million prize pool across five months of competition.
The series features iconic races like the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, traditionally held five weeks apart between May 1 and June 5. Discussions are ongoing regarding the timing of the Preakness Stakes, which has seen a decline in participation from Derby winners in recent years.
Additional races in the championship include the Matt Winn Stakes at Churchill Downs in July, and the Jim Dandy and Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course later in the summer. A further championship race is slated for Churchill Downs in September, preceding the Breeders' Cup, which is scheduled for Belmont Park in 2027.
Officials emphasize that this series is designed to create a compelling, season-long storyline that highlights premier thoroughbred events and cultivates future fans for the sport. Broadcasting rights have been secured by NBC for Churchill Downs races and Fox for New York events.
