The 2026 Champagne Stakes takes place Saturday, October 3 at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. The Grade I race is contested at 1 mile on dirt for 2-year-olds and carries a $500,000 purse. The Champagne is a Breeders' Cup Win & You're In qualifier for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and awards Kentucky Derby qualifying points on a 10-5-3-2-1 basis.
| Date | Saturday, October 3, 2026 |
| Track | Belmont Park |
| Race | 8 |
| Distance | 1 mile |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Grade | Grade I |
| Purse | $500,000 |
| Age | 2-year-olds |
| Kentucky Derby Points | 10-5-3-2-1 |
| Breeders' Cup Qualifier | Win & You're In - Breeders' Cup Juvenile |
| Post Time | 3:53 PM ET |
| # | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Johnny Hockey (KY) | Katie Davis | Antonio Arriaga | 30-1 |
| 2 | Raku (KY) | Paco Lopez | Kelly J. Breen | 12-1 |
| 3 | Gaudreau (LA) | Flavien Prat | Chad C. Brown | 8-5 |
| 4 | Club Reign (KY) | Edgard J. Zayas | D. Whitworth Beckman | 8-1 |
| 5 | U. S. S. Valor (KY) | Manuel Franco | Claude R. McGaughey III | 3-5 |
| 6 | Earth Song (KY) | Ricardo Santana, Jr. | Jorge Delgado | 15-1 |
Last Updated on 10/01/2026
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The Champagne Stakes is one of the most important Grade I races for 2-year-olds in the United States. The one-mile dirt race serves as both a major Breeders' Cup Juvenile qualifier and an early stop on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
The 2026 winner earns an automatic starting position in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Keeneland. The first five finishers also receive Kentucky Derby qualifying points on a 10-5-3-2-1 scale.
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The Champagne Stakes was inaugurated in 1867 and has developed into one of America's most important juvenile races. The race has been contested at its current one-mile distance since 1940 and has produced numerous future champions and Kentucky Derby winners.
Notable Champagne winners include Seattle Slew, Spectacular Bid, Easy Goer, Uncle Mo and Union Rags. Recent winners include Napoleon Solo in 2025, Chancer McPatrick in 2024, Timberlake in 2023, Blazing Sevens in 2022 and Jack Christopher in 2021.
Napoleon Solo won the 2025 Champagne Stakes under jockey Joel Rosario for trainer Chad Summers, completing the mile in 1:34.57.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Napoleon Solo | Joel Rosario | 1:34.57 |
| 2024 | Chancer McPatrick | Flavien Prat | 1:36.51 |
| 2023 | Timberlake | Florent Geroux | 1:35.90 |
| 2022 | Blazing Sevens | Flavien Prat | 1:37.07 |
| 2021 | Jack Christopher | José Ortiz | 1:37.31 |
The 2026 Champagne Stakes is scheduled for Saturday, October 3 at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York.
The Champagne Stakes is Race 8 with a scheduled post time of 3:53 PM ET.
The 2026 Champagne Stakes is held at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York.
The Champagne Stakes is contested at 1 mile on dirt.
The 2026 Champagne Stakes carries a $500,000 purse.
The Champagne Stakes is restricted to 2-year-old Thoroughbreds.
Yes. The Champagne Stakes is a Breeders' Cup Win and You're In qualifier for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.
Yes. The Champagne Stakes awards Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the top five finishers on a 10-5-3-2-1 basis.
The favorite for the 2026 Champagne Stakes can be identified in the latest odds table above.
The latest 2026 Champagne Stakes odds are listed in the odds table above and will be updated as race-day prices change.
You can bet the Champagne Stakes online at BUSR. Create an account, fund your account, select Belmont Park, choose the Champagne Stakes and place your wager. BUSR also offers a 10% horse betting rebate paid daily on selected wagers.
Napoleon Solo won the 2025 Champagne Stakes under jockey Joel Rosario for trainer Chad Summers in 1:34.57.
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