Sword Dancer Stakes
Breeders' Cup Challenge Series > Sword Dancer Stakes
Sword Dancer Stakes Race Facts
- Location: Saratoga Race Course, Sarasota Springs, NY
- Inaugural Race: 1975
- Distance: 1 & 1/2 miles (12 furlongs)
- Track Type: Left-handed, Turf
- Age Qualifications: Three Year Olds and up
- 2024 Purse: $750,000
- 2024 Race Date: Saturday, August 24th
2024 Sword Dancer Stakes Race Results
| POST | HORSE | JOCKEY / TRAINER | WIN / PLACE / SHOW |
|---|
3 | Far Bridge | Joel Rosario / Christophe Clement | $18.40 / $5.10 / $2.60 |
2 | Measured Time (GB) | William T. Buick / Charles Appleby | $2.70 / $2.10 |
4 | Silver Knott (GB) | Flavien Prat / Charles Appleby | $2.10 |
5 | Pioneering Spirit | Irad Ortiz, Jr. / Linda Rice | |
6 | Grand Sonata | Javier Castellano / Todd A. Pletcher |
Exotic Payoffs:
- $1.00 Exacta (3-2) Paid: $18.30
- $0.50 Trifecta (3-2-4) Paid: $10.20
- $0.10 Superfecta (3-2-4-5) Paid: $6.72
Watch the 2024 Sword Dancer Stakes
Sword Dancer Stakes Race History
Founded in 1975, the Sword Dancer Stakes is a Grade I race run each year at the Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. The race is named in honor of the legendary stallion Sword Dancer, who is known for his incredible three year old season in which he won the Belmont Stakes and took second place in both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. That year he was named US Champion 3-Yr-old Colt and Horse of the Year.
Before settling at its current distance of 12 furlongs, the race was contested both 6 and 8 1/2 furlongs. At its current distance, Awad holds the speed record when he turned in a 2:23.20 time in the 1997 edition. Currently seven horses are tied for most wins at two: Majesty's Prince (1983, 1984), El Senor (1989, 1990), With Anticipation (2001, 2002), Grand Couturier (2007, 2008), Telling (2009, 2010), Flintshire (2015, 2016) and most recently Gufo (2021, 2022). Pat Day holds the record for most wins by a jockey with four (1987, 1997, 2001, 2002), while Christophe Clement holds to record for trainers with four wins of his own (1999, 2011, 2021, 2022).
As part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series, the race has been a "win and you're in" qualifying race for the Breeders' Cup Turf.
Sword Dancer Stakes Past Winners
| Year | Winner | Jockey / Trainer | Distance / Time |
|---|
2024 | Far Bridge | Joel Rosario / Christophe Clement | 1 1/2 M / 2:29.51 |
2023 | Bolshoi Ballet (IRE) | John R. Velazquez / Aidan P. O'Brien | 1 1/2 M / 2:29.29 |
2022 | Gufo | Joel Rosario / Christophe Clement | 1 1/2 M / 2:28.92 |
2021 | Gufo | Joel Rosario / Christophe Clement | 1 1/2 M / 2:28.30 |
2020 | Channel Maker | Manuel Franco / William Mott | 1 1/2 M / 2:34.86 |
2019 | Annals of Time | Javier Castellano / Chad C. Brown | 1 1/2 M / 2:27.50 |
2018 | Glorious Empire | Julien Leparoux / James L. Lawrence, II | 1 1/2 M / 2:24.41 |
2017 | Sadler's Joy | Julien Leparoux / Thomas Albertrani | 1 1/2 M / 2:24.58 |
2016 | Flintshire (GB) | Javier Castellano / Chad C. Brown | 1 1/2 M / 2:23.45 |
2015 | Flintshire (GB) | Vincent Cheminaud / André Fabre | 1 1/2 M / 2:23.77 |
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