The 2026 Christophe Clement Turf Stakes will be run Saturday, August 15 at Saratoga Race Course. The Grade I race is contested at 1½ miles on turf for a $750,000 purse, with the winner earning an automatic spot in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland in October.
| Date | Saturday, August 15, 2026 |
| Track | Saratoga Race Course |
| Distance | 1½ miles |
| Surface | Turf |
| Grade | Grade I |
| Purse | $750,000 |
| Age | 3-year-olds and up |
| Breeders' Cup | Win & You're In - Breeders' Cup Turf |
| Post Time | 5:06 PM ET |
| # | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Morning Lines |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ancient Egypt | D Egan | C Johnston | 5/1 |
| 2 | Tawny Port | K Carmouche | M Clement | 8/1 |
| 3 | Ole Crazy Bone | I Ortiz, Jr. | M J Maker | 4/1 |
| 4 | Program Trading | F Prat | C C Brown | 7/2 |
| 5 | Fort George | K Shoemark | E Walker | 9/2 |
| 6 | Minaret Station | J L Ortiz | W Walden | 3/1 |
| 7 | Survie | M Franco | G Boughey | 6/1 |
Last Updated on 08/12/2026
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This is a Grade I race — the highest level of Thoroughbred competition — with a $750,000 purse, 1½ miles on turf, and an automatic Breeders' Cup Turf entry for the winner. European horses regularly ship in to contest this race, making it one of the most international fields of the Saratoga summer meet at the most celebrated racing venue in America.
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Renamed in 2026 to honor the late Hall of Fame trainer Christophe Clement, who won this race three times and called Saratoga his spiritual home. Clement arrived in the United States from France in 1992 and went on to saddle more than 2,000 winners, training champions including Effinex, Gio Ponti, and Gufo.
El Cordobes (IRE) demolished the field by five lengths in 2025 under Flavien Prat in 2:25.04 for Godolphin — the most dominant performance in the race's modern era. Far Bridge gave Clement himself a deeply emotional 2024 victory in 2:29.51 under Joel Rosario — one of the last Grade I wins of his legendary career before his passing in November 2024.
Bolshoi Ballet (IRE) gave trainer Aidan O'Brien and jockey John Velazquez a 2023 score in 2:29.29 for the Coolmore partnership. Gufo gave Clement back-to-back titles in 2021 (2:28.30) and 2022 (2:28.92), cementing the trainer's legacy in a race that now bears his name.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Forever After All | Tyler Gaffalione | Brendan P. Walsh | 2:26.60 |
| 2024 | Alpha Bella | Luis Saez | Todd A. Pletcher | 2:24.25 |
| 2023 | Personal Best | Irad Ortiz, Jr. | Claude R. McGaughey III | 2:26.40 |
| 2022 | Beautiful Lover | Joel Rosario | Christophe Clement | 2:30.49 |
| 2021 | Always Shopping | Irad Ortiz, Jr. | Todd A. Pletcher | 2:25.38 |
| 2020 | Mean Mary | Luis Saez | H. Graham Motion | 2:28.36 |
The 2026 Christophe Clement Turf Stakes is scheduled for Saturday, August 15 at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. Post time will be announced closer to race day. Check USRacing.com for the latest updates, entries, and official odds.
The Christophe Clement Turf Stakes is contested at 1½ miles on the turf — one of the longest Grade I turf races in North America and a true test of stamina for older horses targeting the Breeders' Cup Turf in the fall.
The purse is $750,000, making it one of the richest turf distance races in North American racing. The winner also receives an automatic, fees-paid starting position in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland in October.
Yes. The winner earns an automatic "Win, and You're In" berth to the Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland in October.
The 2026 favorites will be announced following the post position draw. Check USRacing.com for the latest morning line odds, expert picks, and contender analysis.
Official odds are available at BUSR closer to race day. View the latest morning line and live odds, then place your wager through USRacing.com.
The Christophe Clement Turf Stakes is a Grade I Thoroughbred race held annually at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. Contested at 1½ miles on the turf for horses aged three and older, it was previously known as the Sword Dancer Stakes and was renamed in 2026 in honor of Hall of Fame trainer Christophe Clement, who passed away in November 2024.
At Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York — widely considered the most celebrated racing venue in North America, hosting its annual summer meet each July and August.
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El Cordobes (IRE) won under jockey Flavien Prat for trainer Charlie Appleby and owner Godolphin, winning by five lengths in 2:25.04 — the most dominant performance in the race's modern era.
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