What is the Maxfield Stakes?
The Maxfield Stakes is a Listed Thoroughbred race held annually at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Contested at 7 furlongs on the dirt exclusively for 3-year-olds, it is one of the key early-summer sprint-route tests for sophomore horses targeting the Stephen Foster Stakes and the classic distance trail. The race is named in honor of Maxfield, the unbeaten sensation who won all five of his starts including the 2021 Stephen Foster Stakes (Grade II at the time) for trainer Brendan Walsh and owner Godolphin, before an injury ended his career. The Maxfield was inaugurated in 2024 as a Listed event with a purse of $250,000 and runs on closing weekend of the Churchill Downs Spring Meet alongside the Stephen Foster Stakes and Wise Dan Stakes. The 2025 edition was won by Verifire under Flavien Prat for trainer Bob Baffert, the son of Authentic delivering an unbeaten record into the race and maintaining it with a dominant front-running score for Spendthrift Farm.
When is the Maxfield Stakes in 2026?
The 2026 Maxfield Stakes is scheduled for Saturday, June 27 at Churchill Downs as part of Stephen Foster Day. Contested at 7 furlongs on the dirt with a purse of $250,000, the race draws top 3-year-olds targeting the summer stakes championship circuit.
Maxfield Stakes History & Notable Winners
The Maxfield Stakes is in its early years but has already established itself as a key summer test for top 3-year-old dirt horses. Verifire gave trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Flavien Prat a 2025 victory for Spendthrift Farm, the unbeaten son of Authentic dominating wire-to-wire to earn a 104 Beyer Speed Figure in his stakes debut. The 2024 inaugural edition produced a similarly impressive performance, setting the tone for what promises to become an important race for the sophomore division at Churchill Downs each summer.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Verifire | Flavien Prat | 1:20.77 |
| 2024 Maxfield Overnight Stakes | Raging Torrent | Antonio Fresu | 1:22.04 |
| 2023 At Ellis Park | Ryvit | Cristian Torres | 1:22.33 |
| 2022 At Churchill Downs | Gunite | Tyler Gaffalione | 1:23.08 |
After two runnings of the event with Listed status, in 2026 the event was upgraded to Grade III
The Maxfield Stakes is a key summer test for 3-year-old dirt horses at Churchill Downs and a tribute to one of the most talented horses to grace the Twin Spires in recent years.
