HAVE HORSE, WILL TRAVEL - FIRST QUARTER 2026
WORDS: LISSA OLIVER+ EARLY CLOSING AUCTION RACES
Closing 13th January are the Harry's Half Million By Goffs (Class 2) 1200m (6f) York, Thursday 20th August, the €114,271 (£100,000) Tattersalls Somerville Auction Stakes (Class 2) 1200m (6f) Newmarket, Saturday 22nd August, and the €171,400 (£150,000) Tattersalls October Auction Stakes (Class 2) 1400m (7f) Newmarket, Saturday 3rd October. Closing 4th February is the €250,000 (£218,777) Tattersalls Ireland Super Auction Sale Stakes 1200m (6f) Curragh, Sunday 13th September. Closing 24th February are the €285,700 (£250,000) Weatherbys Super Sprint Stakes (Class 2) 1000m (5f) Newbury, Saturday 18th July, and the €262,500 (£300,000) Weatherbys Scientific Two-Year-Old Stakes (Class 2) 1200m (6f) Doncaster, Thursday 10th September.
With changes to the conditions of Royal Ascot's Windsor Castle Stakes, Newbury's Weatherbys Super Sprint Stakes is becoming an increasingly popular target, limited to juveniles who cost no more than €74,062 (£65,000) at the sales.
Closing 4th March is the €75,000 (£65,600) EBF Median Auction 1200m (6f) at Naas 3rd August. And entries for the €75,000 (£65,600) Three-Year-Old Median Auction 1800m (9f) at Gowran Park close 11th March, the race itself run on Bank Holiday Monday 1st June.
+ EARLY CLOSING RACES - IRELAND
There are only four Flat races to be aware of up until April, closing 18th February the Irish Lincolnshire Premier Handicap 1600m (8f) four-year- olds up, Curragh 15th March. The 2000m (10f) Gp.1 Tattersalls Gold Cup four-year-olds up at the Curragh closes 18th March, run 24th May, and closing 25th March the 2000m (10f) Gp.3 Alleged Stakes four-year-olds up, and 1600m (8f) Gp.3 Park Express Stakes three-year-old up fillies and mares, both at the Curragh 19th April.
+EARLY CLOSING FLAT RACES - BRITAIN
Closing 20th January, William Hill Lincoln (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) 1600m (8f) four-year-olds up, Doncaster Saturday 28th March. Closing 24th February, Gp.1 Betfred Derby 2400m (12f) three-year-olds, Epsom Saturday 6th June. Closing 3rd March, Gp.1 Betfred 2000 Guineas Stakes 1600m (8f) three-year-olds, Newmarket Saturday 2nd May. Closing 3rd March, Gp.1 Betfred 1000 Guineas Stakes 1600m (8f) three-year-olds, Newmarket Sunday 3rd May. Closing 24th March, Virgin Bet Queen's Cup (Class 2 Heritage Handicap) 2600m (1m5f) four-year-olds up, Musselburgh Thursday 21st May.
A busy day of entries at the end of March, when several May races close 31st March, notably York May meeting 13th to 16th May, Gp.2 1895 Duke Of York Clipper Stakes 1200m (6f) three-year-olds up; Gp.2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes 2000m (10f) three-year-olds; Gp.2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Middleton Fillies' Stakes 2000m (10f) four-year- olds up; Gp.2 Boodles Yorkshire Cup Stakes 2600m (13f) four-year-olds up. And at Newbury Saturday 16th May, Gp.1 Lockinge Stakes 1600m (8f) four-year-olds up.
Among the early closing Flat races is The Derby, which has received a significant boost in prize money for 2026. It is now worth €2.28m (£2m), alongside the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes, the joint-richest race in Britain. Prize money will now extend to the first 10 places and last year's trial of 72-hour declarations will become permanent.
The Coolmore-sponsored Coronation Cup has also been enhanced, moving to Derby Day on the Saturday and more than doubling its prize money to €1.14m (£1m). Epsom Downs General Manager, Jim Allen, says, "The 'Original Derby' [is] a race which is widely regarded as the most important two and a half minutes in the racing and breeding industry, shaping pedigrees, stallion careers and bloodstock markets for generations. Since the first running in 1780, The Betfred Derby has not only established itself as the definitive test of the thoroughbred, but as a race so prestigious that its name has been adopted worldwide."
Andrew Cooper, Head of Racing and Clerk of the Course at Epsom Downs, explains, "The Betfred Derby is the pinnacle of any Flat trainer or jockey's career. It is vital that we continue to do everything we can to maintain its status and prestige. We want to ensure that we are hosting competitive racing, not just in our feature races, but across the two-day festival. We had clear objectives in this regard, with our key aim to produce races that suit the wide demographic of horses currently in training. We are also hugely grateful to Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and John Magnier from Coolmore for their support of the Coronation Cup. By more than doubling its prize money and giving it a prime place on the Saturday we are demonstrating our commitment to promoting it as one of the outstanding middle-distance races for older horses."
+ROYAL ASCOT
Looking further ahead and whilst not closing until the next quarter, the Gp.2 Norfolk Stakes will move from its traditional slot on the Thursday to the Saturday of the Royal meeting.
+CAGNES-SUR-MER - FRANCE
The season at the beachside Hippodrome Côte d'Azur runs from 1st December to 24th February with both National Hunt and Flat. The Flat highlight on turf is the 1500m (7f) Listed Prix de la Californie for three-year-olds on Sunday 22nd February, with an approximate value (tbc) of €46,000 (£40,000); while on the All Weather is the Listed Prix Saonois Finale Polytrack Challenge, 1600m (8f) for four-year-olds up, with a similar value.
The 2000m (10f) All-Weather Prix Ace Impact (Newcomers Race) for three-year-old colts and geldings usually attracts good debutants with a view to the Classic trials and last year was worth €23,000 (£20,000).
+GERMANY
Two important changes have been made in Germany for 2026, as Managing Director of Deutscher Galopp, Daniel Krüger, tells us. "Prize money for all Listed races has increased by at least 20%, to a minimum of €30,000 (£26,250) for every Listed race in Germany, with several racecourses voluntarily adding to the prize money. There will be one Listed race valued at €40,000 (£35,000) and several at €35,000 (£30,600)."
The Listed races include the 2400m (12f) Grand Prix Aufgalopp, Cologne, four-year-olds up Sunday 29th March, and on Sunday 19th April at the Hoppegarten, Berlin, the 2800m (14f) Altano- Rennen four-year-olds up, the 2000m (10f) Preis von Dahlwitz four-year-olds up, and the 1600m (8f) Hoppegartener Fillies Mile four-year-olds up fillies and mares. At Düsseldorf Saturday 25th April is the 1600m (8f) Henkel Stutenpreis for three-year-old fillies, with a further seven Listed races to look out for in May, and a total of 36 throughout the season.
A very positive change has also been made to the German entry system for all Group 3 races. Krüger explains, "We looked at how our colleagues elsewhere organised entries and our long-term plan for 2027 is to match France and Ireland. For our Group 3 races in 2026, with the two exceptions of our most prestigious two-year-old races the Preis des Winterfavoriten and the Preis der Winterkönigin for fillies, first entry stage will now be just five weeks before the race and second entry the week before, with only two entry stages instead of three.
Entry fee will still be 2% of prize money because that income is very important and is needed by the racecourses. The entry fee is a big part of the prize money, together with gate money from attendances, as sponsorship in Germany is very hard to obtain. But in shortening the entry date we are responding to feedback from owners and trainers and we hope our Group 3 races will be more attractive when planning entries. If it works well, we will extend this to 2027."
The popular winter season, attracting large fields, moves to the All Weather at Dortmund for six Sunday racedays up to 22nd February, with some feature handicaps worth €7,000 (£6,000). Dortmund Managing Director, Oliver Sauer, points out, "It shows that these winter racedays are of great importance." An interesting early season opportunity is the 1600m (8f) Gp.3 Grosser Preis der Wohnstatte Krefeld - Dr Busch-Memorial for three-year-olds at Krefeld Sunday 26th April, last year worth €50,000 (£45,000).
The showcase meeting is at Hamburg in July, when the Gp.1 €650,000 (£569,000) German Derby 2400m (12f) is run Sunday 5th July, entries for which closed 2nd December. However, there is free late entry offered to the four first placed horses in The Derby, Epsom, Prix du Jockey Club, Chantilly, Japanese Derby, Tokyo, The Oaks, Epsom, and Prix de Diane, Chantilly. Free late entry is also offered to the winners of the Dante Stakes, York, and King Edward VII Stakes, Royal Ascot. Late entry is possible until noon 29th June. On the supporting card are two €52,000 (£45,500) auction races for three-year-olds offered as yearlings at a public auction of BBAG or cooperation partners in the auction ring in 2024. The BBAG Meiler Auction Race 1600m (8f) and the BBAG Steher-Auktionsrennen 2200m (11f).
+ABU DHABI - UAE
The 2000m (10f) right-handed turf track has a 400m (2f) straight and has in the past mainly staged races for Purebred Arabians, but Saturday 7th February 2026 will see the inauguration of the nicely- placed €857,000 (£750,000) Listed Abu Dhabi Gold Cup 1600m (8f) for four-year-olds up. December's 1400m (7f) HH The President Cup serves as a stepping stone and Super Saturday at Meydan falls three weeks later. A partnership with Churchill Downs means that the winner of the 2026 Gr.1 Turf Classic Stakes on Kentucky Derby Day will receive an automatic invitation to the 2027 Abu Dhabi Gold Cup, which will no doubt enjoy enhanced status in the years to come.
+DUBAI - UAE
The Dubai Racing Carnival opened in November at Meydan, hosting 15 meetings throughout the season, which concludes 28th March with the 30th anniversary of the €28m (£24m) Dubai World Cup meeting. The Gp.1 highlights of the €10.2m (£8.93m) World Cup supporting card are the €1.4m (£1.2m) 1200m (6f) Al Quoz Sprint on turf, the €1.8m (£1.6m) 1200m (6f) Dubai Golden Shaheen on dirt, the €4.6m (£3.9m) 1800m (9f) Dubai Turf, and the €5.5m (£4.7m) 2410m (12f) Dubai Sheema Classic on turf. Prior to that, Super Saturday 28th February offers an evening of ideal prep races for the World Cup.
The Dubai Racing Club selection committee will only consider horses rated 105 and above for travel subsidies. Additionally, two- year-olds of 2025 and three-year-olds of 2026 will be entitled for shipping subsidies if they finish in the first three in any Meydan pattern races or if they achieve a rating of 95 and above at the end of the Carnival.
+HONG KONG
Champions Day is held at Sha Tin 26th April 2026, with three Gp.1 races, the €3.3m (£2.9m) QEII Cup 2000m (10f), the €2.6m (£2.3m) Champions Mile 1600m (8f) and the €2.6m (£2.3m) Chairman's Sprint Prize 1200m (6f). Connections of selected overseas horses for Hong Kong's seven feature Group 1 races, including those in April, will enjoy travel and accommodation packages provided by the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Flights will be provided for the owner plus one, trainer plus one, and the jockey, as well as two persons per horse (groom, exercise rider, etc) and five nights hotel accommodation for each of those listed. This also includes free transfers from the airport and transport between the official hotels and Sha Tin Racecourse for morning track work and race meetings, plus transport between the official hotels and the venues for official functions. The Club also offers shipping incentives to selected overseas horses, covering the costs of return transport by road from home stable to departure airport, and return air transport for each selected horse.
The Quarantine Stables are located at Sha Tin Racecourse, 45 minutes from Hong Kong International Airport. The Club strongly recommends shipping horses at least eight days before the date of the race to allow for the recovery from, and appropriate treatment of, any potential travel-related illness. During the 90 days prior to export to Hong Kong, but not within 14 days, a horse must be administered either a primary course of approved vaccinations against equine influenza comprising at least two doses with an interval of four to six weeks (or according to the terms of vaccine registration with the relevant government authority) or a booster vaccination given within 12 months of a primary course.
During the 14 days prior to export, specific disease testing is to be performed. No less than 10 days prior to a horse departing for Hong Kong, irrespective of the country in which the horse is located at the time, the trainer must submit the First Medication Declaration Form (MDF1) to the Club via the online Equine MediRecord system. Between six days (maximum) and three days (minimum) a pre-travel veterinary inspection must be performed by a Club-approved veterinary surgeon. At the time of this inspection, the inspecting veterinary surgeon must obtain from the horse's trainer a completed and signed copy of the Second Medications Declaration Form (MDF2), which records any additional medications administered to the horse since the submission of the First Medications Declaration Form (MDF1). It should be noted that nasal dilators and drop nosebands are not permitted to be used on horses in Hong Kong.
+AUSTRALIA
The Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival runs from Saturday 14th March to Saturday 18th April 2026, offering six racedays worth over €26.25m (£22.9m) at Royal Randwick and Rosehill Gardens. The feature Gp.1 races at Royal Randwick are the €428,312 (£374,245) Canterbury Stakes 1300m (6f) three- year-olds up, 7th March, the €2.85m (£2m) Doncaster Mile 1600m (8f) three-year-olds up, 4th April, the €2.85m (£2.5m) Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2000m (10f) three-year-olds up, 11th April, the €1.14m (£990,000) Sydney Cup 3200m (16f) three- year-olds up, 11th April, and the €857,100 (£748,857) All Aged Stakes 1400m (7f) two-year-olds up, 18th April. At Rosehill Gardens the feature Gp.1s are the €571,416 (£499,173) Coolmore Classic 1500m (7f) fillies and mares, 14th March, the €571,416 (£499,173) George Ryder Stakes 1500m (7f) three-year-olds up, 21st March, and the €857,100 (£748,857) H E Tancred Stakes 2400m (12f) three-year-olds up, 28th March.
+SAUDI ARABIA
In February the 41st Asian Racing Conference will be held at the Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC Hotel and Convention Centre, Riyadh, for the first time, coinciding with the 2026 Saudi Cup meeting. With the theme "Honouring Tradition Shaping The Future", the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia (JCSA) and the Asian Racing Federation will welcome delegates from all over the world between 9th and 14th February for the conference. The Saudi Cup race meeting, the JCSA's marquee event, takes place at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on 14th February and features the world's richest race.
Saudi Arabia has been granted a number of race upgrades at Riyadh, including the country's first top tier race on turf, with the Saudi Cup day €1.7m (£1.49m) Neom Howden Turf Cup, 2100m (10f), granted Group 1 status for 2026. This brings the tally of topflight contests on the day to three, with an undercard including three Group 2s, one Group 3 and the newly Listed Tuwaiq Cup.
In addition, the 1600m (8f) Gp.3 Saudi Derby on The Saudi Cup undercard has been added to 'The Road to The Kentucky Derby' and runners in The Saudi Derby will now be eligible to collect points for the Kentucky Derby. The €1.28m Saudi Derby will have a maximum of 30 points available to the winner to try and qualify for the Gp.1 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday 2nd May.
The highlight remains the €17m (£14.9m) 1800m (9f) Saudi Cup, with prize money down to 10th place, run on the King Abdulaziz dirt track, the final event of Saturday's eight-race card. The 1351m (7f) Turf Sprint, the 1600m (8f) Saudi Derby, the 1200m (6f) Riyadh Dirt Sprint and the 3000m (15f) Red Sea Turf Handicap support the big race.
Adding international flavour to the Friday card is the 2100m (10f) €462,235 (£393,255) Saudi International Handicap confined to horses trained within the IFHA-registered Part II and III racing countries, which should be of interest to the relevant European countries. (Part II nations Bahrain, India, Italy, Korea, Malaysia, Panama, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, Scandinavia, Singapore, Turkey, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe. Part III nations Belgium, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Hungary, Jamaica, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Poland, Qatar, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, and Trinidad & Tobago.)
Stabling, quarantine and training facilities are provided at all of the racecourses, subject to availability, and invited connections at King Abdulaziz Racecourse are provided with complimentary access to the Howden Owners & Trainers Lounge, and dining in the Al Thuraya Trackside Restaurant.
The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia can arrange transport for delegates and guests between venues, with international airports close by. Riyadh Airport Marriott Hotel is a 5-star hotel five minutes from King Khalid International Airport and ten minutes from the racecourse. The Radisson Hotel Riyadh Airport is close to the airport and 15 minutes from the racecourse. The Equine Hospital in Riyadh provides advanced care in diagnostic procedures, treatment, emergency care and hospitalisation for equine patients, open around-the-clock every day of the year for emergency and critical care cases.
+AMERICAN TRIPLE CROWN
The North American Triple Crown is proving to be attainable and each leg is attracting foreign attention. The 2000m (10f) Kentucky Derby kickstarts the dream Saturday 2nd May at Churchill Downs and two weeks later 16th May the 1800m (9f) Preakness Stakes run this year at Laurel Park in Baltimore will either keep it alive or end it. Three weeks later, 6th June, the 2000m (10f) Belmont Stakes brings it to a close, run this year at Saratoga in upstate New York.
The €4.26m (£3.74m) Gr.1 Kentucky Derby has a tiered point system in select races to determine which 20 horses qualify to run. The Road to the Kentucky Derby is a series of designated races in which points are awarded to the top five finishers. Points increase with the quality of each race.
The 20 horses with the most points will earn a spot in the starting gate. The series includes the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby and the European-Middle East Road to the Kentucky Derby. In Europe, the Beresford Stakes, Royal Lodge Stakes, Prix Jean- Luc Lagardere and Futurity Stakes provided points last year, and the three-year-old races outside of America include the UAE 2000 Guineas 25th January, Saudi Derby 14th February, Dubai Road to the Kentucky Derby Stakes 20th February, Road to the Kentucky Derby Condition Stakes at Kempton Park 25th February, The Patton at Dundalk 6th March, and the UAE Derby 28th March. Horses must be nominated for the Triple Crown series by the deadline in late January of their three-year-old year, but may still be entered by paying a larger supplemental fee.
Have Horse Will Travel - the international racing opportunities that trainers should be targeting this autumn
Ireland
The Irish Champions Festival takes place at Leopardstown and the Curragh 13th and 14th September respectively. The Curragh boasts the richest day of its year, with a card worth over €2.5m (£2.10m) in total. The highlights are the €600,000 (£503,865) Gp.1 Irish St Leger for three-year-olds and up, the Gp.1 Moyglare Stud Stakes and Gp.1 Vincent O’Brien National Stakes for juveniles and Gp.1 sprint The Flying Five Stakes, each worth €400,000 (£335,900).
The €200,000 (£168,000) Gp.2 Blandford Stakes, the €250,000 (£210,000) Tattersalls Ireland Super Auction Sale Stakes and two Premier Handicaps each worth €150,000 (£126,000) complete the card.
On the opening day at Leopardstown, the nine-race card features five Group races, including the €1.25m (£1.05m) Gp.1 Irish Champion Stakes 2000m (10f), the €400,000 (£335,900) Gp.1 Matron Stakes, €200,000 (£168,000) Gp.2 Solonaway Stakes, €150,000 (£126,000) Juvenile Stakes, €100,000 (£84,000) Gp.3 Tonybet Stakes, the €100,000 (£84,000) Ingabelle Stakes and two Premier Handicaps each carrying €150,000 (£126,000).
In addition to the Irish Champions Festival, the Autumn Racing Weekend will be held at the Curragh 27th and 28th September, which includes the 1400m (7f) €1m (£850,000) Goffs Million, the richest race for two-year-olds in Europe, and the richest handicap in Europe the 3200m (16f) Irish Cesarewitch, worth €500,000 (£425,000). The meeting will also include the Gp.2 Beresford Stakes (€120,000/£101,700) 1600m (8f) for juveniles, celebrating its 150th anniversary, 1200m (6f) Gp.3 Renaissance Stakes (€60,000/£50,800), and 1400m (7f) Gp.3 Weld Park Stakes (€60,000/£50,800).
Irish jumps series
For National Hunt runners, a series of seven 3300m (2m1f) 10-hurdle Irish Stallion Farms EBF Academy Hurdle races will be run in Ireland from October to December. The first is at Cork on 12th October, followed by Fairyhouse 4th October, Punchestown 13th November, Cork 23rd November, Navan 6th December, Naas 15th December and concluding at Leopardstown 29th December.
The races are open to three-year-olds which have not had any previous run under either Rules of Racing or I.N.H.S. Rules other than in Academy Hurdle races. Horses that run in any of the seven races can continue their careers in bumpers, maiden hurdles or Point-to-Points.
Jonathan Mullin, Director of Racing at HRI, explains, “Each of the races offer a Sales Voucher, similar to the IRE incentive for the owners of any eligible Irish-bred horse which wins or is placed either second or third. Each winning owner will receive a €5,000 voucher while the owners of the runner-up and the third-placed horses will each receive €3,000 and €2,000 respectively.”
Additionally, all seven races are part of the Weatherbys National Hunt Fillies Bonus Scheme, so three-year-old Irish-bred fillies that win an Irish EBF Academy Hurdle in 2025 will be awarded an additional €7,500 bonus on top of the race prize money and will still be eligible for the €5,000 scheme bonuses available if subsequently winning a bumper or a steeplechase, but not a maiden hurdle.
Germany
This season, Deutscher Galopp introduced 12 premium handicaps and 15 Premium Racedays, which included seven Group 1 racedays, guaranteeing at least €15,000 (£12,500) in handicaps and maiden races on those days.
The BBAG Auktionsrennen at Mülheim 4th October is worth €52,000 (£43,600), run over 2000m (10f) for three-year-olds offered as yearlings at the 2023 BBAG Sale, while at Krefeld 15th October is the €55,000 (£46,000) Gp.3 Herzog Von Ratibor-Rennen for two-year-olds, over 1700m (8.5f).
The Berlin-Hoppegarten card 3rd October is one of the Premium Racedays and as well as including the 2000m (10f) Gp.3 Preis Der Deutschen Einheit, €55,000 (£46,000) for three-year-olds and up, there is also a 1400m (7f) BBAG Auktionsrennen for three-year-olds offered as yearlings at the 2023 BBAG Sale, and a support card of seven other races from €15,000 (£12,500) to €22,000 (£18,500). Similarly, 19th October at Baden-Baden sees a nine-race card with the guaranteed minimum that also features the Gp.3 €155,000 (£130,000) Preis Der Winterkönigin for two-year-olds over 1600m (8f), and the Gp.3 Herbst Trophy €55,000 (£46,000) over 2400m (12f) for three-year-olds and up.
The 26th October Hannover Premium card includes the €55,000 (£46,000) Gp.3 Herbst-Stutenpreis over 2200m (11f) for three-year-olds and up and two €25,000 (£21,000) juvenile races over 2000m (10f) and, for fillies only, 1400m (7f). The Premium Racedays conclude at Munich 8th November, where the feature is the Gp.1 Grosser Allianz Preis Von Bayern over 2400m (12f) worth €155,000 (£130,000), and another €52,000 (£43,600) BBAG Auktionsrennen, this time for two-year-olds over 1600m (8f) offered as yearlings at the 2034 BBAG Sale.
Sweden
Sweden’s showcase takes place at Bro Park 12th September with a card that includes the Gp.3 Stockholm Cup International (Gp. 3) over 2400m (12f) for three-year-olds and up and worth SEK 1,000,000 (€91,700 / £76,900). The three Listed races on the support card are each worth SEK 550,000 (€50,500 / £42,350) and open to three-year-olds and up, namely the Bro Park Sprint Championship 1200m (6f), the Tattersalls Nickes Minneslöpning 1600m (8f) and the Lanwades Stud Stakes for fillies 1600m (8f).
Later Listed opportunities for three-year-olds up, each worth SEK 400,000 (€36,700 / £30,800), are the 2400m (12f) Skånska Fältrittklubbens Jubileumslöpning and the Peas and Carrots Mile over 1600m (8f) at Jägersro Galopp 5th October, and the 2100m (10.5f) Songline Classic at Bro Park 26th October.
Spain
The highlight of the Spanish season is Champions Day 19th October in Madrid, with a card that includes the Gran Premio Memorial Duque de Toledo over 2400m (12f) for three-year-olds and up, with a value of €50,000 (£42,000) and the Gran Premio Ruban over 1200m (6f) worth €40,000 (£33,500). The €40,000 (£33,500) Gran Criterium for two-year-olds is run over 1600m (8f) 26th October.
British Champions Day
Opening a card that features the British Champions Long Distance Cup (€590,000/£500,000), the British Champions Sprint Stakes ((€590,000/£500,000), the British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes ((€590,000/£500,000), the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (€1.36m/£1.15m), the Champion Stakes (€1.53m/£1.3m) and the 1600m (8f) Balmoral Handicap (€295,000/£250,000) is the newly-introduced Two-Year-Olds Conditions Race, worth €295,000 (£250,000), taking the total prize money on the day to €5.13m (£4.35m). Open to two-year-olds, the 1200m (6f) conditions race, like all races at this distance at Ascot, will be run over the straight course.
Turkey
The Jockey Club of Türkiye hosts seven international races in Istanbul at Veliefendi Racetrack, as part of the International Racing Festival run on the first weekend in September. The highlights are the €62,650 (£53,400) 2000m (10f) Gp.2 Anatolia Trophy for three-year-olds up, €190,000 (£162,000) Gp.2 1600m (8f) Topkapi Trophy for three-year-olds up, the €98,700 (£84,150) Gp.3 1200m (6f) Queen Elizabeth II Cup for two-year-olds, €197,500 (£168,400) Gp.3 2400m (12f) Bosphorus Cup for three-year-olds up and the Gp.3 1600m (8f) €142,400 (£121,400) Istanbul Trophy, entries closing 6th August. There is a transport subsidy for international races, $18,000 for round-trip per horse arriving from the continents of America (North and South), Oceania, Africa and Far East countries, €12,000 for round trip per horse arriving from Europe and United Arab Emirates. Any horses scratched from the race after arrival by veterinary report will still receive transportation subsidy. The Gp.3 Malazgirt Trophy for purebred Arabians over 1600m (8f) will also be part of the card.
USA
Kentucky Downs is home to America's only European-style 2000m (10f) all turf racecourse, hosting just seven days racing from 28th August to 10th September, entries closing from 16th August, when emailed expressions of interest must also have arrived for the invitationals. The feature races are the $3.5m (€3m/£2.6m) Gr.3 Nashville Derby Invitational over 2400m (12f) for three-year-olds, the $2.5m (€2.19m/£1.86m) Gr.3 1600m (8f) Mint Millions Invitational and the 2400m (12f) Gr.2 Kentucky Turf Cup Invitational of the same value which is also a "Win and You're In Breeders' Cup Turf" race. Both races are for three-year-olds and up.
Carrying $2m (€1.75m/£1.48m) each are the Gr.3 Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf for fillies and mares three-year-olds and up over 1600m (8f), the Gr.2 Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf Sprint 1200m (6f) for fillies and mares three-year-olds and up, the Gr.1 1200m (6f) Franklin-Simpson Stakes for three-year-olds, the Listed 1600m (8f) Gun Runner for three-year-olds, the Gr.2 1200m (6f) Music City Stakes for three-year-old fillies, the Gr.3 2000m (10f) Kentucky Downs Ladies Marathon Invitational for three-year-olds and up fillies and mares, the Gr.3 2000m (10f) Dueling Grounds Oaks Invitational three-year-old fillies, and the Gr.2 Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint 1200m (6f) for three-year-olds and up which is another of the "Win and You're In Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint Division” races.
Each carrying purses of $1m (€870,000/£738,000) are the Bowling Green Gold Cup Invitational 3200m (16f) for three-year-olds up, the 1600m (8f) Listed Kentucky Downs Juvenile Fillies, the 1200m (6f) Listed Kentucky Downs Juvenile Sprint, the 1600m (8f) Listed Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile, and the 1200m (6f) Untapable Stakes for two-year-old fillies. The Listed Tapit Stakes over 1600m (8f) for three-year-olds up heads three races worth $500,000 (€437,000/£370,000), alongside the 1600m (8f) NTL Tight Spot Overnight Handicap for three-year-olds up, and the 1600m (8f) Listed One Dreamer for fillies and mares three-year-olds up. Maiden races, already the richest in the world, carry €181,000 (€158,000/£133,300) per race.
“We want to build the Nashville Derby into a race that American and European horsemen alike point to and buy horses for,” says Ron Winchell, co-managing partner of Kentucky Downs with Marc Falcone. “We’ve positioned the Nashville Derby so that it fits into a big-money circuit for three-year-old turf horses.”
The 42nd running of the Breeders’ Cup will be held for a fourth time in Del Mar, California, on the edge of the Pacific Ocean in San Diego “where the turf meets the surf”. Consisting of 14 Grade 1 races with purses and awards totalling more than $31m (€27.11m/£22.97m), the meeting takes place Friday 31 October and Saturday 1st November.
“Our return to Del Mar in back-to-back years marks the continuation of a wonderful collaboration and successful partnership, both with our friends at the track and with the greater San Diego area,” says Drew Fleming, President and CEO of Breeders’ Cup Limited. “We look forward to once again gathering where the turf meets the surf as the world’s best thoroughbreds put on an incredible show.”
“We couldn’t be more excited about hosting back-to-back Breeders’ Cup World Championships and welcoming the very best in international racing back to the town of Del Mar and the greater San Diego area,” said Joe Harper, CEO of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. “The Breeders’ Cup represents the pinnacle in world-class racing and the organisation’s willingness to return here again is a testament to the quality of our racing facilities, our idyllic weather, and the warm hospitality shown to our visitors by the local community.”
With 14 championship races held over two days, Future Stars Friday sees the two-year-old championships run for purses upwards of €931,130 (£783,500) and €1.9m (£1.6m). Saturday boasts nine races, culminating with the €6.5m (£5.5m) Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Classic. The “win and you’re in” series consists of 69 of the best races from around the world, from June to October, awarding each winner an automatic and free entry into the Breeders' Cup World Championships.
Bahrain
The Bahrain Turf Series is fairly new to the calendar and has seen just five renewals to date. Running from December through to February, each race carries prize money from €73,750 (£62,850) up to €91,880 (£78,200) with total and the series is designed to attract international runners rated 85-100 to compete against local Bahrain-based horses.
“We believe the time is right to build on the success of the Bahrain Turf Series and expand the international programme to incorporate our season’s premier races,” explains His Highness Shaikh Isa Bin Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Bahrain Turf Club. “Our most prestigious races, including the Crown Prince’s Cup and the King’s Cup, fall within the Bahrain Turf Series calendar, and are intended to make racing in Bahrain an even more attractive and compelling proposition for international visitors.”
In total, the Series of sprint and middle-distance races comprises of 12 races, six in each division, with each race carrying bonus prizes for the horses accumulating most points in their respective division.
At time of going to press the dates and 2025/26 prize monies were not available, but last year saw significant increases. In December are two 1000m (5f) and two 2000m (10f) races for horses rated 84-100 and a 1200m (6f) and 2000m (10f) race for those rated 80-100.
In January there are two conditions races, over 1000m (5f) and 1800m (9f). February, when the season concludes, sees opportunities for horses rated 80-100 at 1000m (5f), 1200m (6f), 1800m (9f) and 2000m (10f). For those seeking black type, the 2000m (10f) Gr2 Bahrain International Trophy in November for three-year-olds and up is establishing Bahrain as a premier horseracing destination. Run on turf, in 2024 the race was worth €921,858 (£785,315) in total, with €553,115 (£471,178) to the winner.
Entries close 2nd October with supplementary entry stages later in October, but there are three 'Automatic Invitation' races, for the first, second and third from The Royal Bahrain Irish Champions Stakes and the Gp.3 Strensall Stakes at York. The Bahrain Turf Club will provide air tickets for overseas connections and hotel accommodation on a room only basis. Shipment of invited horses will be arranged and paid for by the Bahrain Turf Club.
Australia
The Melbourne Cup Carnival needs no introduction and the Cup itself is only one of 10 Gp.1 racedays during the 22-day season at Flemington. The 3200m (16f) Gr1 Melbourne Cup will be worth A$8.66m (€4.93m / £4.14m) this year, with prize money down to 12th.
During the week there are three €1.8m (£1.6m) weight-for-age Gr1s, the 2000m (10f) Champion Stakes, 1600m (8f) Champions Mile and the 1200m (6f) Champions Sprint. “It is always a great thrill to host international connections who make the journey to Melbourne,” Leigh Jordon, the VRC Executive General Manager, tells us.
More recently the Sydney Everest Carnival held at Royal Randwick and Rosehill Gardens has competed for equal attention, running from 21st September to 9th November, and boasting the world’s richest race on turf, The Everest, over 1200m (6f) in mid-October at Royal Randwick and worth A$20m (€11.3m / £9.5m). The opening day at Royal Randwick features two weight-for-age races, each with a total prize of €615,840 (£520,265) for three-year-olds and up, The 7 Stakes 1600m (8f) and the Gp.2 1100m (5f) Shorts. Randwick later hosts the iconic 1600m (8f) Epsom Handicap, a Gp.1 worth €924,000 (£780,500) and on the Everest supporting card is the €3m (£2.6m) Gp.1 King Charles III Stakes over 1600m (8f).
At Rosehill Gardens, the Hill Stakes over 2000m (10f), and 1800m (9f) Five Diamonds each carry a purse of €1.2m (£1m), with the €6.2m (£5.2m) Golden Eagle over 1500m (7f) the showpiece in November.
Japan
The JRA offers travel incentives for particular overseas horses for Group 1 races and for invited overseas horses for the Japan Cup. The JRA provides air transport costs for the horse and two attendants, the owner, trainer, jockey, and their spouse/partner, and five nights’ accommodation at a JRA designated hotel.
All Japanese Gr.1s are free to enter, or by free invitation, and carry the same declaration fee of €20,200 (£17,500), with significant bonuses from first down to last for the participating winners of designated Gr.1 races globally. The 2400m (12f) Japan Cup is run at Tokyo in November for a purse of €7.3m (£6.3m), Also in November, at Kyoto, the 2200m (11f) Queen Elizabeth II Cup for fillies and mares carries a purse of €1.9m (£1.6m), and The Mile Championship is worth €2.7m (£2.3m). Run on dirt at Chukyo Racecourse, the 1800m (9f) Champions Cup has a total value of €1.7m (£1.5m).
