Keeneland Fall Stakes Worth a Record $9.6 Million

Keeneland‘s 17-day fall meet will offer 22 stakes worth a record $9.6 million, the Lexington track announced June 27. The meet will be run Oct. 4-26.

A total of $550,000 has been added to the purses of four stakes, led by the Bryan Station Stakes (G3T), which has been doubled in value to $600,000 for the one-mile turf race for 3-year-olds. Also rising in value are the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1T), increased by $150,000 to $750,000, and the $350,000 Valley View Stakes (G2) and $300,000 Perryville Stakes (G3), which have both been enhanced by $50,000.

The Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund is contributing $1.35 million to Keeneland’s Fall Meet stakes purses, pending approval from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. 

“The Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup and the Bryan Station are receiving purse increases as part of Keeneland’s working relationship with Kentucky Downs, with the goal being to bolster the overall purse structure in Kentucky and specifically to strengthen the turf program for 3-year-olds,” Keeneland vice president of racing Gatewood Bell said. “Keeneland and Kentucky Downs would like to help facilitate a pattern of races for 3-year-old fillies and 3-year-old colts on the turf in the U.S. by trying to coordinate and work with other tracks throughout the country.” 

The Queen Elizabeth II, being run Oct. 12, is an internationally recognized invitational for 3-year-old fillies racing 1 1/8 miles on the turf. The Bryan Station will be held closing day, Oct. 26.

The October racing season opens with Fall Stars Weekend, which offers $5.55 million in stakes purses and features eight stakes included in the “Win and You’re In” Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series. Winners will earn automatic starting positions and free entry into the 41st Breeders’ Cup World Championships Nov. 1-2 at Del Mar.

The Breeders’ Cup Challenge races to be run Oct. 4 are: the $600,000 Alcibiades Stakes (G1) (Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, G1); the $350,000 Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix Stakes (G2) (Breeders’ Cup Sprint, G1); and the $350,000 Jessamine Stakes (G2T) (Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, G1T).

Breeders’ Cup Challenge races for Oct. 5 are: the $1 million Turf Mile (G1T) (Breeders’ Cup Mile, G1T); the $600,000 Breeders’ Futurity (G1) (Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, G1); and the $350,000 Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes (G2) (Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, G1). The day’s card also includes the $750,000 First Lady Stakes (G1T) and the $350,000 Woodford Stakes (G2T), which are expected to attract Breeders’ Cup hopefuls.

Sunday of Fall Stars Weekend has two Breeders’ Cup Challenge races: the $600,000 Spinster Stakes (G1) (Breeders’ Cup Distaff, G1) and the $350,000 Bourbon Stakes (G2T) (Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, G1T). The day’s third stakes is the listed $250,000 Indian Summer Stakes.

See Keeneland’s Full Fall Meet Stakes Schedule

FanDuel TV will present live coverage of the entire Fall Meet, including the three Fall Stars stakes on opening day. NBC will televise live the five Breeders’ Cup Challenge Stakes being run Oct. 5-6. NBC coverage Oct. 5 will begin 4 p.m. ET and carry the Breeders’ Futurity, the Turf Mile, and the Thoroughbred Club of America. The Oct. 6 coverage will feature the Spinster and the Bourbon stakes starting at 4 p.m. All Keeneland races are streamed live and at no charge on keeneland.com, Keeneland Race Day App, Keeneland Select, and Keeneland’s YouTube channel.

For the 2025 Spring Meet, Bell said the purses of both the Appalachian Stakes (G2T) for 3-year-old fillies and the Transylvania Stakes (G3T) for 3-year-old males, both on the turf, will be increased, adding, “We think these four races will provide a strong starting point in the spring and a nice conclusion to the season in the fall. Keeneland is very appreciative of the support we receive from Kentucky Downs to help make this happen.”

This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.