The 2026 John Henry Turf Championship takes place Saturday, September 26 at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. The Grade II race is contested at 1 1/4 miles on turf for 3-year-olds and up and carries a $200,000 purse. The race is an important late-season test for turf horses targeting major fall races, including the Breeders' Cup Turf.
| Date | Saturday, September 26, 2026 |
| Track | Santa Anita Park |
| Race | TBA |
| Distance | 1 1/4 miles |
| Surface | Turf |
| Grade | Grade II |
| Purse | $200,000 |
| Age | 3-year-olds and up |
| Post Time | TBA |
Entry Update: Final entries for the 2026 John Henry Turf Championship have not yet been confirmed. The official nominees will be listed below once verified, and this page will be updated with confirmed entries, post positions, jockeys, and official odds when the Santa Anita Park field is finalized.
| # | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final entries for the 2026 John Henry Turf Championship have not yet been confirmed. | ||||
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The John Henry Turf Championship is one of Santa Anita Park's leading races for older turf horses. The Grade II event is contested at 1 1/4 miles and provides a significant late-season stamina test for horses competing in the turf division.
The race is positioned during Santa Anita's important opening-weekend stakes program and has regularly attracted accomplished graded-stakes runners preparing for major fall turf races.
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The John Henry Turf Championship was inaugurated in 1969 and has been contested under several names during its history. It is now named for legendary Hall of Fame gelding John Henry, who won the race three consecutive times from 1980 through 1982.
John Henry was a two-time Horse of the Year and one of the most accomplished racehorses of his era. The race has also been won by numerous elite turf performers, and Red Giant established a notable 1 1/4-mile turf record when winning the 2008 edition in 1:57.16.
Gold Phoenix won the 2025 John Henry Turf Championship under jockey Umberto Rispoli for trainer Philip D'Amato, completing the 1 1/4 miles in 1:58.74.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Gold Phoenix | Umberto Rispoli | 1:58.74 |
| 2024 | Cabo Spirit | Abel Cedillo | 2:01.26 |
| 2023 | Balladeer | Victor Espinoza | 1:58.94 |
| 2022 | Masteroffoxhounds | Umberto Rispoli | 1:59.79 |
| 2021 | United | Flavien Prat | 1:58.41 |
The 2026 John Henry Turf Championship is scheduled for Saturday, September 26 at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California.
The John Henry Turf Championship is contested at 1 1/4 miles on turf.
The 2026 John Henry Turf Championship carries a $200,000 purse.
The John Henry Turf Championship is open to Thoroughbreds 3 years old and up.
Final entries for the 2026 John Henry Turf Championship have not yet been confirmed. The field, post positions, jockeys and official odds will be updated once Santa Anita Park publishes the final race card.
The favorite for the 2026 John Henry Turf Championship can be identified in the latest odds table above.
The latest 2026 John Henry Turf Championship odds are listed in the odds table above and will be updated as race-day prices change.
The John Henry Turf Championship is a Grade II turf race for horses 3 years old and up held at Santa Anita Park. The 2026 race is contested at 1 1/4 miles for a $200,000 purse.
The John Henry Turf Championship is held at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California.
No. The 2026 John Henry Turf Championship is not a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series Win and You're In race, although it is an important late-season race for turf horses targeting major fall competition.
You can bet the John Henry Turf Championship online at BUSR. Create an account, fund your account, select Santa Anita Park, choose the John Henry Turf Championship and place your wager. BUSR also offers a 10% horse betting rebate paid daily on selected wagers.
Gold Phoenix won the 2025 John Henry Turf Championship under jockey Umberto Rispoli for trainer Philip D'Amato in 1:58.74.
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