What is the Eddie Read Stakes?
The Eddie Read Stakes is a Grade II Thoroughbred race held annually at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. Contested at 1⅛ miles on the turf for horses aged three and older, it is the premier turf middle-distance race of the Del Mar summer meet and one of the most storied turf events in California racing history. Inaugurated on August 25, 1974 as the Eddie Read Handicap, the race was named in honor of William E. "Eddie" Read, who served as publicity director at Del Mar from the track's founding in 1937 until his death on May 28, 1973. Elevated to Grade I status in 1988, a distinction it held for nearly three decades before being downgraded to Grade II in 2016, the Eddie Read has a distinguished roll of honor including champions Kotashaan (1993), Aragorn (2006), and two-time winner United (2020, 2021). Kotashaan went on to win the Breeders' Cup Turf and be voted American Horse of the Year following his 1993 Eddie Read score. Trainer Robert J. Frankel holds the all-time record with seven wins. Jockey Umberto Rispoli has won the last two editions in 2024 and 2025, establishing himself as the dominant rider in the modern era of the race. The stakes record of 1:44.79 was set by Aragorn (IRE) in 2006.
When is the Eddie Read Stakes in 2026?
The 2026 Eddie Read Stakes is scheduled for Sunday, July 26 at Del Mar Racetrack. Contested at 1⅛ miles on the turf with a purse of $250,000, the race is the premier turf middle-distance event of the Del Mar summer meet and draws the top older turf horses on the West Coast targeting the summer and fall championship circuit.
Eddie Read Stakes History & Notable Winners
Formidable Man gave trainer Michael McCarthy and jockey Umberto Rispoli a 2025 victory in 1:48.55 for Suzanne and William K. Warren Jr., the five-year-old son of More Than Ready making every post a winning one in a gate-to-wire score. Johannes gave trainer Tim Yakteen and Rispoli a 2024 win in 1:47.88 for Cuyathy, the son of Into Mischief completing an unbeaten 2024 campaign on turf. Gold Phoenix (IRE) gave trainer Phil D'Amato and jockey Hector Berrios a 2023 score in 1:48.62 for Little Red Feather Racing and Sterling Stables. Master Piece (CHI) delivered the fastest recent Eddie Read in 2022, winning in a sharp 1:46.25 under Abel Cedillo for trainer Michael McCarthy and the South American-based ownership of Fernando Diaz-Valdes. United gave trainer Richard Mandella and jockey Flavien Prat a second consecutive Eddie Read win in 2021 in 1:49.49 for LNJ Foxwoods, following his 2020 score in 1:46.71.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Formidable Man | Umberto Rispoli | 1:48.55 |
| 2024 | Johannes | Umberto Rispoli | 1:47.88 |
| 2023 | Gold Phoenix (IRE) | Hector Berrios | 1:48.62 |
| 2022 | Master Piece (CHI) | Abel Cedillo | 1:46.25 |
| 2021 | United | Flavien Prat | 1:49.49 |
The Eddie Read Stakes is one of the most prestigious turf events in California racing and the cornerstone of Del Mar's summer turf program each July.
