The 2026 Hagyard Fayette Stakes takes place Saturday, October 24 at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky. The Grade III race is contested at 1 1/8 miles on dirt for horses age 3 and older and carries a $350,000 purse. One of Keeneland's longest-running fall stakes, the Fayette gives established older dirt runners and improving 3-year-olds an important late-season route opportunity.
| Date | Saturday, October 24, 2026 |
| Track | Keeneland Race Course |
| Race | TBA |
| Distance | 1 1/8 miles |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Grade | Grade III |
| Purse | $350,000 |
| Age | 3-year-olds & upward |
| Post Time | TBA |
Entry Update: Keeneland received 34 nominations for the 2026 Hagyard Fayette Stakes. The official nominees are listed below, and this page will be updated with confirmed entries, post positions, jockeys, and official odds when the Keeneland field is finalized.
| # | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TBA | Alexander Helios | TBA | Saffie A. Joseph Jr. | TBA |
| TBA | Bracket Buster | TBA | Victoria H. Oliver | TBA |
| TBA | British Isles | TBA | Richard Baltas | TBA |
| TBA | Caldera | TBA | Saffie A. Joseph Jr. | TBA |
| TBA | Chunk of Gold | TBA | Ethan W. West | TBA |
| TBA | Dragoon Guard | TBA | Brad H. Cox | TBA |
| TBA | Forged Steel | TBA | Saffie A. Joseph Jr. | TBA |
| TBA | Full Screen | TBA | Saffie A. Joseph Jr. | TBA |
| TBA | Full Serrano (ARG) | TBA | John W. Sadler | TBA |
| TBA | Gearing Up | TBA | G. R. Arnold II | TBA |
| TBA | Gran Oriente (CHI) | TBA | Saffie A. Joseph Jr. | TBA |
| TBA | Hill Road | TBA | D. Whitworth Beckman | TBA |
| TBA | Hit Show | TBA | Brad H. Cox | TBA |
| TBA | Jack's Time | TBA | Kelly R. Von Hemel | TBA |
| TBA | Lambeth | TBA | Joe Sharp | TBA |
| TBA | Mackman | TBA | Matt A. Shirer | TBA |
| TBA | Malarchuk | TBA | Michael W. McCarthy | TBA |
| TBA | Navajo Warrior | TBA | Saffie A. Joseph Jr. | TBA |
| TBA | Nevada Beach | TBA | Bob Baffert | TBA |
| TBA | No Bien Ni Mal (BRZ) | TBA | Paulo H. Lobo | TBA |
| TBA | Our Moneyman | TBA | W. Bret Calhoun | TBA |
| TBA | San Siro | TBA | Brendan P. Walsh | TBA |
| TBA | Sassmaster | TBA | Todd A. Pletcher | TBA |
| TBA | Silent Tactic | TBA | Mark E. Casse | TBA |
| TBA | Sir Greylind | TBA | Michel Douaihy | TBA |
| TBA | So Sandy | TBA | Cherie DeVaux | TBA |
| TBA | Stars and Stripes | TBA | William I. Mott | TBA |
| TBA | This Is Uscar | TBA | Jordan Blair | TBA |
| TBA | Tiztastic | TBA | Steven M. Asmussen | TBA |
| TBA | Truly Quality | TBA | Jonathan Thomas | TBA |
| TBA | Tumbarumba | TBA | Brian A. Lynch | TBA |
| TBA | Will Take It | TBA | Dallas Stewart | TBA |
| TBA | Willy D's | TBA | Michael J. Maker | TBA |
| TBA | Zihnal | TBA | Jonathan Thomas | TBA |
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The Fayette is a strong betting race because 1 1/8 miles on Keeneland's dirt course requires tactical speed, stamina, and the ability to maintain position through two turns. Older runners with established route form often meet younger horses still improving late in the season, giving bettors several class and pace angles to compare. Keeneland form, recent graded stakes performances, and the likely pace structure are especially important.
The 2026 nominations include two-time defending winner Hit Show, along with runners from leading barns such as Brad Cox, Bob Baffert, Todd Pletcher, Bill Mott, Mark Casse, Steve Asmussen, and Saffie Joseph Jr. Hit Show's presence is particularly significant after consecutive Fayette victories in 2024 and 2025. The nominees are listed above, with the latest odds and final field information to follow when entries are drawn.
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The Fayette Stakes was inaugurated at Keeneland in 1959 as the Fayette Handicap and is named for Fayette County, home to Lexington. The race has long been an important event for older dirt horses and has been run at its current 1 1/8-mile distance through much of its modern history. Hagyard Equine Medical Institute became the race sponsor in 2013, while the event currently carries Grade III status.
The winners list includes Summer Squall, Blame, Leofric, West Will Power, and other accomplished dirt runners. Hit Show joined the race's notable history by winning consecutive editions in 2024 and 2025 for trainer Brad Cox, becoming the first horse since three-time winner Royal Harmony to repeat in the Fayette. His two recent victories give the 2026 renewal added historical interest if he returns.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Hit Show | Irad Ortiz Jr. | 1:50.39 |
| 2024 | Hit Show | Florent Geroux | 1:50.33 |
| 2023 | O'Connor (CHI) | Tyler Gaffalione | 1:50.61 |
| 2022 | West Will Power | Joel Rosario | 1:50.68 |
| 2021 | Independence Hall | Javier Castellano | 1:50.30 |
The 2026 Hagyard Fayette Stakes is scheduled for Saturday, October 24 at Keeneland.
The Hagyard Fayette Stakes is contested at 1 1/8 miles on dirt.
The Hagyard Fayette Stakes is a Grade III race.
The 2026 Hagyard Fayette Stakes carries a $350,000 purse.
The Hagyard Fayette Stakes is open to Thoroughbreds age 3 and older.
Keeneland received 34 nominations for the 2026 Hagyard Fayette Stakes.
The latest Hagyard Fayette Stakes odds and field information will be listed above once the field is finalized.
The final field and morning-line odds have not yet been published. Check the odds table above for updates.
No. The Hagyard Fayette Stakes is not designated as a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series Win and You're In race.
Hit Show won the 2025 Hagyard Fayette under jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. in 1:50.39.
The Fayette Stakes was inaugurated at Keeneland in 1959.
You can bet the Hagyard Fayette Stakes online at BUSR.
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