What is the Ben Ali Stakes?
The Ben Ali Stakes is a Grade III Thoroughbred race held annually at Keeneland Racecourse in Lexington, Kentucky. Run at 1 3/16 miles on the dirt for horses aged four and older, it is one of the most prestigious older-horse route races in the Keeneland Spring Meet and a key prep target for horses pointing to major summer championship events. The race is named for James Ben Ali Haggin (1822–1914), a California Gold Rush financier who became one of the most influential Thoroughbred breeders of his era, owning Hall of Fame horses Salvator and Firenzi. First run in 1917 and revived at Keeneland in 1937, the Ben Ali has carried Grade III status since 1973.
When is the Ben Ali Stakes in 2026?
The 2026 Ben Ali Stakes is scheduled for Saturday, April 18 at Keeneland. Contested at 1 3/16 miles on the dirt with a purse of $350,000, the race draws a competitive mix of older horses returning from winter campaigns and those pointing toward the Preakness Stakes trail or summer Grade I targets.
Ben Ali Stakes History & Notable Winners
The Ben Ali Stakes has a rich history at Keeneland stretching back nearly nine decades. In recent years the race produced Scalding's four-race winning streak capped by a sharp 2022 performance under Javier Castellano, and Kingsbarns' crowd-pleasing 2024 renewal under Luis Saez for trainer Todd Pletcher, which announced the 5-year-old as a serious route contender after a prolonged absence. Tennessee Lamb won the 2025 edition for trainer George Arnold II and Calumet Farm under Jose Ortiz, launching a 2025 campaign that included a Grade I placing later in the season.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Tennessee Lamb | Jose Ortiz | 1:59.00 |
| 2024 | Kingsbarns | Luis Saez | 1:57.74 |
| 2023 | Rattle N Roll | Brian Hernandez Jr. | 1:56.48 |
| 2022 | Scalding | Javier Castellano | 1:50.30 |
| 2021 | Silver Dust | Adam Beschizza | 1:50.21 |
Last Updated on 04/14/2026
The Ben Ali Stakes is a signature Keeneland Spring Meet event and a critical benchmark for older horses on the American dirt circuit heading into the summer.
