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2026 Breeders' Cup Contenders, Entries, and Top Horses
Which horses are running in the 2026 Breeders' Cup?
Meet the Breeders' Cup Contenders based on the victors of "win and you're in" Challenge races.
Last updated: September 27th at 6:30 p.m. EDT
Breeders' Cup Contenders & Entries
The latest contenders for the 2026 Breeders' Cup can be found below. Final entries are drawn the Tuesday of Breeders' Cup Week.
*Current list contains all WAYI qualifiers and are finalized when fields begin to solidify. Stay-tuned or more Breeders' Cup contender information!
Breeders' Cup Friday
Contenders based on the victors of "win and you're in" Challenge Series races.
Breeders' Cup Saturday
Contenders based on the victors of "win and you're in" Challenge Series races.
2026 Breeders' Cup Contenders for Future Stars Friday
Stay-tuned as we bring you the latest list of Breeders' Cup Contenders for Future Stars Friday.
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint Contenders
The BREEDERS' CUP JUVENILE TURF SPRINT (GI) is a 5 furlong race for 2-year-olds. The race carries a guaranteed purse of $1 million, including travel awards.
ORTHODOX (GB)
Jockey: Rossa Ryan
Trainer: Clive Cox
Owner: J Goddard
BC Challenge Race won: Norfolk Stakes
PERSHAADA (IRE)
Jockey: Sean Levey
Trainer: Richard Hannon Jr.
Owner: Middleham Park Racing
BC Challenge Race won: Molecomb Stakes
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Contenders
The BREEDERS' CUP JUVENILE TURF (GI) is a one mile race for 2-year-old colts and geldings to be run on the turf. The race carries a guaranteed purse of $1 million, including travel awards.
HAFFNER
Jockey: Ryan Moore
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Owner: Tabor / Magnier / Smith / Westerberg / Brant
BC Challenge Race won: Acomb Stakes
AL HUDAIBA
Jockey: William Buick
Trainer: Charles Appleby
Owner: Godolphin, LLC
BC Challenge Race won: Summer Stakes
FOLSOM BLUES
Jockey: Joey Sheridan
Trainer: Jospeh Patrick O'Brien
Owner: Al Shira'aa Racing
BC Challenge Race won: Vincent O'Brien National Stakes
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Contenders
The BREEDERS' CUP JUVENILE FILLIES (GI) is a 1 1/16-mile race for 2-year-old fillies. The race carries a guaranteed purse of $2 million, including travel awards.
SUMMER STARLET
Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr.
Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen
Owner: BC Stables, Wattswood Stables, Bob Albritton, Jay Graham, and David Baggett
BC Challenge Race won: Spinaway Stakes
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf Contenders
The BREEDERS' CUP JUVENILE FILLIES TURF (GI) is a one mile race for 2-year-old fillies to be run on the turf. The race carries a guaranteed purse of $1 million, including travel awards.
MOONRISE
Jockey: Olsin Murphy
Trainer: Andrew Balding
Owner: Ahmad Alkhallafi
BC Challenge Race won: Princess Margaret Stakes
VOYAGER
Jockey: Javier Castellano
Trainer: Mark E. Casse
Owner: D. J. Stable LLC
BC Challenge Race won: Natalma Stakes
SUN GODDESS
Jockey: Ryan Moore
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Owner: D. Smith / Mrs J. Magnier / M. Tabor / Westerberg
BC Challenge Race won: Moyglare Stud Stakes
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Contenders
The BREEDERS' CUP JUVENILE (GI) is a 1 1/16-mile race for 2-year-old colts and geldings. The race carries a guaranteed purse of $2 million, including travel awards.
Contenders will be listed beginning on 10/3 with the running of the Oak Leaf Stakes
2026 Breeders' Cup Entries for Championship Saturday
Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint Contenders
The BREEDERS' CUP FILLY & MARE SPRINT (GI) is a seven furlong race for 3-year-olds and up, fillies & mares. The race carries a guaranteed purse of $1 million, including travel awards.
WAYS AND MEANS
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Trainer: Chad C. Brown
Owner: Klaravich Stables
BC Challenge Race won: Ballerina Handicap
KERRY'S KISS
Jockey: Edwin Gonzalez
Trainer: Saffie A. Joseph Jr.
Owner: Epic Horses, LLC, BAG Racing Stables, LLC, and The White House Stables, LLC
BC Challenge Race won: Princess Rooney Stakes
Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint Contenders
The BREEDERS' CUP TURF SPRINT (GI) is a five furlong race for 3-year-olds and up to be run on the turf. The race carries a guaranteed purse of $1 million, including travel awards.
KINGDUNDEE (SAF)
Jockey: Calvin Habib
Trainer: Dean Smith
Owner: Clive Murphy
BC Challenge Race won: World Pool Cape Flying Championship
REEF RUNNER
Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Trainer: David Fawkes
Owner: Lieborg, Alex and JoAnn
BC Challenge Race won: Jaipur Stakes
MISSION CONTROL (IRE)
Jockey: Ryan Moore
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Owner: Tabor / Magnier / Smith / Westerberg / Brant
BC Challenge Race won: King Charles III Stakes
BACIO
Jockey: Juan J. Hernandez
Trainer: Wesley A. Ward
Owner: Myracehorse / Gladwell / Dailey / Dejablu
BC Challenge Race won: Nunthorpe Stakes
SORRENTO SKY (IRE)
Jockey: Umberto Rispoli
Trainer: Philip D'Amato
Owner: Benowitz Family Trust / CYBT / McLean Racing Stables / Saul Gevertz / Marc Lantzman / Michael Nentwig
BC Challenge Race won: Green Flash Handicap
POSSIBLEMENTE
Jockey: Jose L. Ortiz
Trainer: Joe Sharp
Owner: T and E Racing (Taylor A. Logan)
BC Challenge Race won: Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint Stakes
COMANCHE BRAVE
Jockey: Billy Loughnane
Trainer: Donnacha A. O'Brien
Owner: Mr. Muhaideb A. Al Muhaideb
BC Challenge Race won: Flying Five Stakes
Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile Contenders
The BREEDERS' CUP DIRT MILE (GI) is a one mile race for 3-year-olds and up. The race carries a guaranteed purse of $1 million, including travel awards.
HERR KITTEN (BRZ)
Jockey: Carlos Lavor
Trainer: Ricardo Colombo
Owner: Los Trico
BC Challenge Race won: Gran Premio Pedro Pineyrua
NYSOS
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Owner: Baoma Corporation
BC Challenge Race won: Metropolitan Handicap
IRON MAN CAL
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Trainer: Phillip D'Amadto
Owner: Little Red Feather Racing and Madaket Stables
BC Challenge Race won: Pat O'Brien Stakes
HYMN
Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr.
Trainer: Ron Moquett
Owner: Fleur De Lis Stables, WIlliam S. Sparks, and Bret Jones
BC Challenge Race won: Forego Stakes
DIKTAEAN (JPN)
Jockey: Takayuki Yano
Trainer: Katsunori Ariyama
Owner: G1 Racing Co. Ltd.
BC Challenge Race won: Korea Cup
Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf Contenders
The BREEDERS' CUP FILLY & MARE TURF (GI) is a 1 1/8-mile race for fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up, to be run on the turf. The race carries a guaranteed purse of $2 million, including travel awards.
WISH LIST (SAF)
Jockey: Andrew Fortune
Trainer: Justin Snaith
Owner: Main Chance Farm (Johnathan Bloch and Nancy Hossack)
BC Challenge Race won: Cartier Paddock Stakes
SE VA COLANDO (ARG)
Jockey: Huber Bocanegra
Trainer: J. Suárez Villaroel
Owner: Stud Jet Set
BC Challenge Race won: Gran Premio Pamplona
EMBROIDERY (JPN)
Jockey: Christophe Patrice Lemaire
Trainer: Kazutomo Mori
Owner: Silk Racing Co. Ltd.
BC Challenge Race won: Victoria Mile
DIAMOND NECKLACE (IRE)
Jockey: Ryan Moore
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Owner: Tabor / Smith / Magnier / Westerberg
BC Challenge Race won: Nassau Stakes
KALPANA (GB)
Jockey: Colin Keane
Trainer: Andrew Balding
Owner: Juddmonte
BC Challenge Race won: Yorkshire Oaks
BLUE BOLT
Jockey: Colin Keane
Trainer: Andrew Balding
Owner: Juddmonte
BC Challenge Race won: Matron Stakes
GIMME A NOTHER
Jockey: John Velazquez
Trainer: Graham Motion
Owner: Newstead Stables LLC
BC Challenge Race won: E. P. Taylor Stakes
Breeders' Cup Sprint Contenders
The BREEDERS' CUP SPRINT (GI) is a six furlong race for 3-year-olds and up. The race carries a guaranteed purse of $1.5 million, including travel awards.
IMAGINATION
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Owner: SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Bashor Racing LLC, Masterson, Robert E., Waves Edge Capital LLC, Donovan, Catherine and Ryan, Tom J.
BC Challenge Race won: Riyadh Dirt Sprint
DARK SAFFRON
Jockey: Connor Beasley
Trainer: Ahmad bin Harmash
Owner: Sultan Ali
BC Challenge Race won: Dubai Golden Shaheen
LISTENUPSHANCE
Jockey: Emisael Jaramillo
Trainer: Doug F. O'Neill
Owner: Great Friends Stables and Run Fast Racing
BC Challenge Race won: Bing Crosby Stakes & Santa Anita Sprint Championship
DRAGON WELDS
Jockey: Keita Tosaki
Trainer: Hideaki Fujiwara
Owner: Yoshiro Kubota
BC Challenge Race won: Korea Sprint
Breeders' Cup Mile Contenders
The BREEDERS' CUP MILE (GI) is a one mile race for 3-year-olds and up, to be run on the turf. The race carries a guaranteed purse of $2 million, including travel awards.
THE REAL PRINCE (SAF)
Jockey: Craig Zackey
Trainer: Dean Kannemeyer
Owner: Khaya Stables Ltd.
BC Challenge Race won: L'Ormarins King's Plate
OMBUDSMAN (IRE)
Jockey: William Buick
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden
Owner: Godolphin
BC Challenge Race won: Dubai Turf
SIXPENCE (JPN)
Jockey: Yutaka Take
Trainer: Hiroyasu Tanaka
Owner: Carrot Farm
BC Challenge Race won: Yasuda Kinen
TEN BOB TONY (IRE)
Jockey: Kieran Shoemaker
Trainer: Ed Walker
Owner: TBT Racing
BC Challenge Race won: Queen Anne Stakes
BOW ECHO (IRE)
Jockey: Billy Loughnane
Trainer: George Boughey
Owner: Exors Of The Late Sheikh Mohammed Obaid
BC Challenge Race won: Sussex Stakes
DETERMINISTIC
Jockey: Kendrick Carmouche
Trainer: Miguel Clement
Owner: St. Elias Stable, Ken Langone, Steven C. Duncker & Vicarage Stable
BC Challenge Race won: The Fourstardave Stakes
NOTABLE SPEECH
Jockey: William Buick
Trainer: Charles Appleby
Owner: Godolphin, LLC
BC Challenge Race won: Woodbine Mile
CABO SPIRIT
Jockey: Mike E. Smith
Trainer: George Papaprodromou
Owner: Kretz Racing
BC Challenge Race won: City of Hope Mile
Breeders' Cup Distaff Contenders
The BREEDERS' CUP DISTAFF (GI) is a 1 1/8-mile race for fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up. The race carries a guaranteed purse of $2 million, including travel awards.
CLARET BERET
Jockey: Micah J. Husbands
Trainer: Saffie A. Joseph Jr.
Owner: Miller Racing LLC
BC Challenge Race won: Apple Blossom Handicap
HERD IMMUNITY (ARG)
Jockey: Francisco Lavigna
Trainer: Angel Perez
Owner: Stud Volver Al Futuro
BC Challenge Race won: Gran Premio Criadores
NITROGEN
Jockey: Jose L. Ortiz
Trainer: Mark E. Casse
Owner: D. J. Stable LLC
BC Challenge Race won: Ogden Phipps Stakes
IMMERSIVE
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Trainer: Brian H. Cox
Owner: Godolphin
BC Challenge Race won: Fleur De Lis Stakes
EUNOMIA
Jockey: Micah J. Husbands
Trainer: Saffie A Joseph, Jr.
Owner: St. Elias Stables LLC and WSS Racing, LLC
BC Challenge Race won: Clement L. Hirsch Stakes
FULLY SUBSCRIBED
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Trainer: Chad C. Brown
Owner: Klaravich Stables
BC Challenge Race won: Personal Ensign Stakes
SUPER CORREDORA
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Trainer: John W. Sadler
Owner: Spartan Equine Racing LLC, West Point Thoroughbreds, Gardiner, Robert C. and Olszewski, Michael W.
BC Challenge Race won: Personal Ensign Stakes
Breeders' Cup Turf Contenders
The BREEDERS' CUP TURF (GI) is a 1 1/2-mile race for 3-year-olds and up, to be run on the turf. The race carries a guaranteed purse of $4 million, including travel awards.
OBATAYE (BRZ)
Jockey: Joao Moreira
Trainer: Antonio Oldoni
Owner: Hara Rio Iguassu
BC Challenge Race won: Gran Premio International Carlos Pellegrini Stakes
CALANDAGAN (IRE)
Jockey: Mickael Barzalona
Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard
Owner: H. H. Aga Khan
BC Challenge Race won: Dubai Sheema Classic
ECCENTRIC (CHI)
Jockey: Oscar Ulloa
Trainer: Patricio Baeza
Owner: Don Alberto Stable
BC Challenge Race won: Gran Premio Club Hipico Falabella
MEISHO TABARU (JPN)
Jockey: Yutaka Take
Trainer: Mamoru Ishibashi
Owner: Yoshio Matsumoto
BC Challenge Race won: Takarazuka Kinen
OMBUDSMAN (IRE)
Jockey: William Buick
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden
Owner: Godolphin
BC Challenge Race won: Prince of Wales's Stakes
KALPANA (GB)
Jockey: Colin Keane
Trainer: Andrew Balding
Owner: Juddmonte
BC Challenge Race won: King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes
SURVIE (IRE)
Jockey: Manuel Franco
Trainer: George Boughey
Owner: Michael Tabor
BC Challenge Race won: Christophe Clement Turf Stakes
TEST SCORE
Jockey: Juan J. Hernandez
Trainer: H. Graham Motion
Owner: Amerman Racing
BC Challenge Race won: Del Mar Handicap
TIFFANY (IRE)
Jockey: Luke Morris
Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott
Owner: Elite Racing 004
BC Challenge Race won: Kentucky Turf Cup
HOTAZHELL
Jockey: Shane Foley
Trainer: Jessica Harrington
Owner: Silverton Hill Partnership
BC Challenge Race won: Irish Champion Stakes
Breeders' Cup Classic Contenders
The BREEDERS' CUP CLASSIC (GI) is a 1 1/4-mile race for 3-year-olds and up. The race carries a guaranteed purse of $6 million, including travel awards.
SKIPPYLONGSTOCKING
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Trainer: Saffie A. Joseph Jr.
Owner: Daniel Alonso
BC Challenge Race won: Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes
FOREVER YOUNG (JPN)
Jockey: Ryusei Sakai
Trainer: Yoshito Yahagi
Owner: Susumu Fujita
BC Challenge Race won: Saudi Cup & Jockey Club Gold Cup
COSTA NOVA (JPN)
Jockey: Christpohe Lemaire
Trainer: Tetsuya Kimura
Owner: Katsumi Yoshida
BC Challenge Race won: February Stakes
MAGNITUDE
Jockey: Jose L. Ortiz
Trainer: Steven M. Assmussen
Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC
BC Challenge Race won: Dubai World Cup & Stephen Foster Stakes
BABY VINO
Jockey: Jorge A. Vargas Jr.
Trainer: Lindsay Schultz
Owner: Cosmo Stables and Delta Squad Racing, LLC
BC Challenge Race won: Haskell Stakes
SOVEREIGNTY
Jockey: Junior Alvarado
Trainer: William I. Mott
Owner: Godolphin Racing
BC Challenge Race won: Whitney Stakes
ITEM
Jockey: Colin Keane
Trainer: Andrew Balding
Owner: Juddmonte
BC Challenge Race won: International Stakes
KNIGHTSBRIDGE
Jockey: Junior Alvarado
Trainer: William I. Mott
Owner: Godolphin Racing
BC Challenge Race won: Pacific Classic Stakes
FORGED STEEL
Jockey: Edwin Gonzalez
Trainer: Saffie A. Joseph Jr.
Owner: C2 Racing Stable LLC, Mathis Stables LLC and TCC Stables LLC
BC Challenge Race won: Goodwood Stakes