What is the United Nations Stakes?
The United Nations Stakes is a Grade II turf race for horses three years old and older held at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, New Jersey. Contested over 1 3/8 miles, the race is one of the leading long-distance turf events on the Monmouth Park stakes calendar and traditionally forms part of the track's major Haskell Stakes Day program.
The race was inaugurated in 1953 at Atlantic City Race Course as the United Nations Handicap. It was created as an international event intended to attract horses bred, owned and trained in different countries. Chilean-bred Iceberg II won the inaugural running for trainer Horatio Luro and was later recognized as the 1953 American champion male turf horse.
The United Nations developed into one of the country's most historically significant turf races, with past winners including Round Table, Dr. Fager, Manila, Lure, Sandpit, Better Talk Now, English Channel, Presious Passion, Main Sequence and Big Blue Kitten. English Channel, Presious Passion, Sandpit, Manila, Noble Dancer and Round Table are among the horses to have won the race twice.
When is the United Nations Stakes in 2026?
The 2026 United Nations Stakes is scheduled for Saturday, July 18, 2026, at Monmouth Park. The Grade II event will be contested over 1 3/8 miles on turf and carries a $500,000 purse. It is one of the principal supporting races on the NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes card, which also includes the Molly Pitcher Stakes, Monmouth Cup and WinStar Matchmaker Stakes.
United Nations Stakes History & Notable Winners
Redistricting won the 2025 United Nations Stakes for trainer Chad Brown, owner Klaravich Stables and jockey Flavien Prat, completing the 1 3/8 miles in 2:13.75. Get Smokin captured the 2024 edition in front-running fashion under Fernando De La Cruz for trainer Mark Casse and a partnership headed by Ironhorse Racing Stable, stopping the clock in 2:12.57.
Therapist won the 2023 running in 2:14.50 for trainer Michael Maker, owner Michael Dubb and jockey Javier Castellano. Adhamo prevailed in 2022 for Brown, Prat and the ownership partnership of Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb and Louis Lazzinnaro, finishing in 2:12.68. Tribhuvan gave Brown and Prat another United Nations victory in 2021, completing the race in 2:15.48 for owners Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, Wonder Stables and Michael Caruso.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Redistricting | Flavien Prat | 2:13.75 |
| 2024 | Get Smokin | Fernando De La Cruz | 2:12.57 |
| 2023 | Therapist | Javier Castellano | 2:14.50 |
| 2022 | Adhamo | Flavien Prat | 2:12.68 |
| 2021 | Tribhuvan | Flavien Prat | 2:15.48 |
Its demanding distance, international heritage and distinguished list of champions have made the United Nations Stakes a major summer target for established turf runners. The race remains one of Monmouth Park's most important events and an influential test within the older turf division.
