What is the Stephen Foster Stakes?
The Stephen Foster Stakes is a Grade I Thoroughbred race held annually at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Contested at 1⅛ miles on the dirt for horses aged three and older, it is the premier summer dirt race in North America and the most important Breeders' Cup Classic prep of the summer season. The race is named in honor of Stephen Foster (1826-1864), the legendary American composer who wrote "My Old Kentucky Home," the song played during the post parade of the Kentucky Derby every year since 1921. Inaugurated in 1982, the Stephen Foster has progressed from Grade III in 1988 to Grade II in 1995 to Grade I in 2002, with a brief period at Grade II from 2019 to 2022 before being upgraded to Grade I again in 2023. Since 2015, it has been a Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" qualifier, with the winner receiving an automatic, fees-paid berth in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland in October. For 2026, Churchill Downs doubled the purse from $1,000,000 to $2,000,000, making it the richest summer dirt race in North American racing history and cementing its status as the defining early-season championship event for older dirt horses. Four horses have used Stephen Foster victories as part of Horse of the Year campaigns: Black Tie Affair (1991), Saint Liam (2005), Curlin (2008), and Gun Runner (2017).
When is the Stephen Foster Stakes in 2026?
The 2026 Stephen Foster Stakes is scheduled for Saturday, June 27 at Churchill Downs. Contested at 1⅛ miles on the dirt with a purse of $2,000,000, post time is approximately 6:03 PM ET. The race is broadcast live on NBCSN and Peacock from 4:30-6:30 PM ET and on FanDuel TV. The Stephen Foster winner earns an automatic, fees-paid berth in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland on October 31.
Stephen Foster Stakes History & Notable Winners
The Stephen Foster Stakes has produced some of the most dominant performances by older dirt horses in American racing history. Todd Pletcher won back-to-back editions in 2024 and 2025, becoming only the second trainer to accomplish that feat in the race's history. Mindframe gave Pletcher and jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. a decisive 2025 victory in 1:47.48, defeating Sierra Leone and First Mission. Kingsbarns won the 2024 renewal in 1:48.09 under Luis Saez for Spendthrift Farm. West Will Power gave trainer Brad Cox and jockey Flavien Prat a 2023 victory in 1:47.93, running at Ellis Park that year after the race was moved from Churchill Downs following a series of fatalities during the spring meet. Olympiad — one of the most dominant older horses in recent years — gave trainer Bill Mott and jockey Junior Alvarado a 2022 win in 1:47.66. Maxfield gave Godolphin and trainer Brendan Walsh a 2021 score in 1:48.53 under Jose Ortiz, the first Stephen Foster win for the powerful international ownership.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Mindframe | Irad Ortiz, Jr. | Todd A. Pletcher | Repole Stable and St. Elias Stables LLC. | 1:47.48 |
| 2024 | Kingsbarns | Luis Saez | Todd A. Pletcher | Spendthrift Farm | 1:48.09 |
| 2023 | West Will Power | Flavien Prat | Brad H. Cox | Gary & Mary West | 1:47.93 |
| 2022 | Olympiad | Junior Alvarado | William I. Mott | Grandview Equine, Cheyenne Stables & LNJ Foxwoods | 1:47.66 |
| 2021 | Maxfield | Jose L. Ortiz | Brendan P. Walsh | Godolphin | 1:48.53 |
| 2020 | Tom's d'Etat | Miguel Mena | Albert Stall Jr. | G M B Racing | 1:47.30 |
The Stephen Foster Stakes is the premier summer dirt race in North America, the centerpiece of Churchill Downs' summer meet, and the most direct path to the Breeders' Cup Classic each fall.
