The Breeders’ Cup Challenge is a series of national and international stakes races that allow a horse to qualify for a Breeder Cup entry. It is as simple as win, and they’re in, meaning the horses receive an automatic free entry and fees paid into the Breeders’ Cup World Championship, which is scheduled to be held this year Nov. 4-5 at Keeneland Racecourse.
The Challenge Series, now in its 16th year, will be hosted at many of the world’s premier racetracks in Argentina, Canada, Chile, England, France, Ireland, Japan, Peru, South Africa and the United States.
Each Breeders’ Cup race presents four trophies to the connections of the winner and a garland of flowers draped over the withers of the winning horse. Many Breeders’ Cup winners will go on to win the Eclipse Award in their respective division.
A maximum of 14 starters are allowed in each of the Breeders’ Cup Championships races (depending on track dimensions, some races such as the Turf Sprint or Dirt Mile may be limited to 12 starters). Breeders’ Cup Limited has adopted a field selection system to select runners in the event fields are oversubscribed. Winners of the “Win and You’re In” Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series races automatically qualify.
Other pre-entries are ranked by a point system for graded stakes performance during the year, and the judgment of a panel of racing experts. After pre-entries are taken approximately two weeks before the Breeders’ Cup, the ranking determines eligibility in oversubscribed races. After pre-entry, any vacancies in the fields are filled by horses in order of panel preference.
Check all the details about the BC Challenge series, races, winners, tracks, and more!
Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series Races
U.S and International
Track
Date
Race Name
Breeders’ Cup Division
Winner
Video
ARG
San Isidro
11- Dec 2021
Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini
Longines Turf
Village King
Cape Town
Kenilworth
08-Jan
L’ Ormarins Queen’s Plate
Fan Duel Mile
Jet Dark
Cape Town
Kenilworth
08-Jan
Cartier Paddock Stakes
Maker’s Mark F&M Turf
Captain’s Ransom
JRA
Tokyo
20-Feb
February Stakes
Longines Classic
Cafe Phraroah
Argentina
Palermo
01-May
Gran Premio Criadores
Longines Distaff
La Validada
JRA
Tokyo
15- May
Victoria Mile
Maker’s Mark F&M Turf
Sodashi
Chile
Club Hipico
29- May
Gran Premio Club Hipico Falabella
FanDuel Mile
Viejos Tiempos
USA
Santa Anita
30-May
Shoemaker Mile
FanDuel Mile
Count Again
JRA
Tokyo
5-June
Yasuda Kinen
FanDuel Mile
Songline
USA
Belmont Park
11-June
Hill ‘N’ Dale Metropolitan
FanDuel Mile
Flightline
USA
Belmont Park
11-June
Jaipur
Turf Sprint
Casa Creed
USA
Belmont Park
11-JUne
Ogden Phipps
Longines Distaff
Clairiere
UK
Ascot
14-June
King’s Stand S.
Turf Sprint
Nature Strip
UK
Ascot
14-June
Queen Anne Stakes
FanDuel Mile
Baaeed
UK
Ascot
15-June
Prince of Wales’s Stakes
Longines Turf
State of Rest
UK
Ascot
16-June
Norfolk Stakes
Juvenile Turf Sprint
The Ridler
Peru
Hipodromo de Monterrico
26-June
Gran Premio Pamplona
Maker’s Mark F&M Turf
Ola Perfecta
JRA
Hashin
26-June
Takarazuka Kinen
Longines Turf
Titleholder
Brasil
Hipódromo da Gávea
26-June
Grande Premio Brasil
Longines Turf
Nautilus
USA
Gulfstream Park
2-July
Princess Rooney Invitational
Filly & Mare Sprint
Ce Ce
USA
Churchill Downs
2-July
Stephen Foster Stakes
Longines Classic
Olympiad
UK
Ascot
23-July
King George VI & Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes
Longines Turf
Pyledriver
USA
Monmouth Park
23-July
TVG.com Haskell Stakes
Longines Classic
Cyberknife
UK
Goodwood
27-July
Qatar Sussex Stakes
FanDuel Mile
Baaeed
USA
Del Mar
30-July
Bing Crosby Stakes
Qatar Racing Sprint
American Theorem
USA
Del Mar
6-Aug
Clement L. Hirsch Stakes
Longines Distaff
Blue Stripe
USA
Saratoga
6-Aug
The Whitney
Longines Classic
Life Is Good
USA
Saratoga
13-Aug
The Fourstardave
FanDuel Mile
Casa Creed
USA
Churchill Downs
13-Aug
Beverly D. Stakes
Maker’s Mark Filly & Mare Turf
Dalika
France
France Galop
14-Aug
Prix du Haras de Fresnay-Le-Buffard Jacques le Marois