Churchill Downs and NYRA Launch Thoroughbred Championship Series With $5 Million Bonus

Churchill Downs Incorporated and the New York Racing Association (NYRA) have unveiled a new six-race series for three-year-old horses, fundamentally altering the competitive landscape for the sport’s younger talent. The “Thoroughbred Championship Series” incorporates marquee events such as the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes but notably omits the Preakness Stakes, the traditional second leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown.

The new series features a schedule that extends from spring into fall, designed to offer a more season-long narrative rather than a condensed five-week sprint. The lineup begins with the Kentucky Derby on May 1, followed by the Belmont Stakes on June 5. Subsequent races include the Matt Winn Stakes in July, the Jim Dandy Stakes, the Travers Stakes at Saratoga, and concludes with a “Championship Race” in September at Churchill Downs.

To incentivize participation, the organizers have attached a $5 million bonus to the series. This financial reward, combined with spacing that addresses industry concerns over the grueling two-week turnaround between the Derby and Preakness, could make the new format more attractive to owners and trainers. In recent years, high-profile contenders have increasingly skipped the Preakness to avoid the rapid scheduling, opting to rest horses for later targets like the Belmont or Breeders’ Cup.

The launch coincides with significant infrastructure changes in the industry. Both Belmont Park and Pimlico Race Course, the home of the Preakness, are currently undergoing reconstruction. Consequently, the Belmont Stakes has been temporarily moved to Saratoga with a reduced distance, while the Preakness is currently being held at Laurel Park.

David O’Rourke, CEO of NYRA, stated that the series is intended to elevate premier events and cultivate a new generation of fans through a sustained storyline. Churchill Downs CEO Bill Carstanjen emphasized that linking these events creates a cohesive championship that benefits the future of the sport. The new September race also provides a specific late-season opportunity for three-year-olds to compete against their own age group before facing older horses in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Shares of Churchill Downs Incorporated (CHDN) were flat at $83.47 in recent trading. The company has a market capitalization of approximately $5.76 billion.

What to watch

• Official participation numbers for the 2025 Triple Crown events versus the new Championship Series.
• Future operational details regarding the opening of the new Belmont Park facility.
• Updates on any sponsorship or media rights agreements specific to the Thoroughbred Championship Series.

Source: original release