CHURCHILL DOWNS STAKES · UNITED STATES
Churchill Downs Stakes prize money
The Churchill Downs Stakes is worth $1,000,000 . That makes it the 84th richest of the 997 races on this site and the 30th richest in the United States.
Every figure here is the money the race announces, in the currency it announces it in. The currency control at the top swaps the whole page.
TOTAL PRIZE MONEY $1,000,000
WORLD RANK 84th
RUNNINGS HELD 91
FIRST RUN 1911
What the Churchill Downs Stakes is
Grade I · 7 furlongs · Dirt · Churchill Downs
- Racecourse
- Churchill Downs
- Country
- United States
- Grade
- Grade I
- Distance
- 7 furlongs
- Surface
- Dirt
- Race type
- Thoroughbred, Flat racing
- Open to
- four-year-olds and older
- Direction
- left-handed
- First run
- 1911
We hold the total fund for the Churchill Downs Stakes and no separate winner's cheque. What the winner takes is a rule the racecourse sets rather than a national one, and it varies race by race.
Run in 1:20.49 in 2026, the Churchill Downs Stakes pays $12,424 for every second of the race, which is 51st of the 611 races in horse racing prize money per second and 21st in the United States.
Every Churchill Downs Stakes winner
91 runnings, 1911 to 2026, newest first
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Prize money |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | T O Elvis4 · 1:20.49 | Ryusei Sakai | Daisuke Takayanagi | Tomoya Ozasa | $939,600 |
| 2025 | Mindframe4 · 1:22.64 | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Todd A. Pletcher | Repole Stables & St. Elias Stable | $935,000 |
| 2024 | Gun Pilot4 · 1:21.95 | Cristian Torres | Steven M. Asmussen | Three Chimneys Farm | $1,000,000 |
| 2023 | Cody's Wish5 · 1:21.17 | Junior Alvarado | William I. Mott | Godolphin | $750,000 |
| 2022 | Jackie's Warrior4 · 1:21.95 | Joel Rosario | Steven M. Asmussen | Kirk & Judy Robison | $500,000 |
| 2021 | Flagstaff7 · 1:21.82 | Luis Saez | John W. Sadler | Lane's End Racing & Hronis Racing | $500,000 |
| 2019 | Mitole4 · 1:21.21 | Ricardo Santana Jr. | Steven M. Asmussen | William & Corinne Heiligbrodt | $500,000 |
| 2018 | Limousine Liberal6 · 1:22.73 | Jose L. Ortiz | Ben Colebrook | Katherine G. Ball | $500,000 |
| 2017 | Limousine Liberal5 · 1:23.22 | Jose L. Ortiz | Ben Colebrook | Katherine G. Ball | $500,000 |
| 2016 | Catalina Red4 · 1:20.79 | Javier Castellano | Jorge Navarro | Anthony A. Lenci | $500,000 |
| 2015 | Private Zone (CAN)6 · 1:22.54 | Martin A. Pedroza | Jorge Navarro | Good Friends Stable | $500,000 |
| 2014 | Central Banker4 · 1:21.15 | Corey Nakatani | Albert Stall Jr. | Klaravich Stables & William H. Lawrence | $464,800 |
| 2013 | Delaunay6 · 1:22.35 | Rosie Napravnik | Thomas M. Amoss | Maggi Moss | $443,600 |
| 2012 | Shackleford4 · 1:21.06 | Jesus Lopez Castanon | Dale L. Romans | Michael Lauffer & William D. Cubbedge | $441,600 |
| 2011 | Aikenite4 · 1:21.40 | John R. Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | Dogwood Stable | $348,900 |
| 2010 | Atta Boy Roy5 · 1:22.54 | Calvin H. Borel | Valorie Lund | R.E.V. Racing | $290,000 |
| 2009 | Accredit4 · 1:23.24 | Julien R. Leparoux | Michael J. Maker | Kenneth L. and Sarah K. Ramsey | $280,500 |
| 2008 | Elite Squadron4 · 1:21.53 | John R. Velazquez | James E. Baker | Tom R. Walters | $282,000 |
| 2007 | Saint Anddan5 · 1:22.31 | Rafael Bejarano | Robert J. Frankel | Mr. & Mrs. William Warren Jr. | $277,750 |
| 2006 | Trickey Trevor7 · 1:21.68 | Russell Baze | Jerry Hollendorfer | Jerry Hollendorfer, Dan Jelladian & George Todaro | $229,000 |
| 2005 | Battle Won5 · 1:20.56 | Ramon A. Dominguez | Charles Simon | Jay & Gretchen Manoogian | $231,000 |
| 2004 | Speightstown6 · 1:21.38 | John R. Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | Eugene & Laura Melnyk | $221,800 |
| 2003 | Aldebaran5 · 1:21.80 | Jerry D. Bailey | Robert J. Frankel | Flaxman Holdings Ltd. | $233,800 |
| 2002 | † D'wildcat4 · 1:22.37 | Kent J. Desormeaux | Robert B. Hess Jr. | Fog City Stable | $171,450 |
| 2001 | Alannan5 · 1:20.50 | Edgar S. Prado | Carl A. Nafzger | Eaglestone Farm | $179,550 |
| 2000 | Straight Man4 · 1:21.53 | Jorge F. Chavez | Bob Baffert | Robert & Beverly Lewis | $169,200 |
| 1999 | Rock and Roll4 · 1:22.81 | Pat Day | William I. Mott | Madeleine Paulson & Jenny Craig | $166,350 |
| 1998 | Distorted Humor5 · 1:21.18 | Gary L. Stevens | W. Elliott Walden | Russell L. Reineman & Prestonwood Farms Inc. | $166,950 |
| 1997 | Diligence4 · 1:22.37 | Mike E. Smith | Nicholas P. Zito | Kinsman Stable | $113,600 |
| 1996 | Criollito (ARG)5 · 1:22.01 | Chris McCarron | Bob Baffert | Robert & Beverly Lewis | $114,800 |
| 1995 | Goldseeker Bud4 · 1:21.75 | Willie Martinez | Angel O. Montano Sr. | Falkon Stable | $115,700 |
| 1994 | Honor the Hero6 · 1:23.05 | Garrett K. Gomez | Doug Oliver | Alan Burdick, Arnulf & Rebecca Ueland | $109,800 |
| 1993 | Callide Valley5 · 1:22.01 | Gary L. Stevens | Orin J. Glass Jr. | Gary & Mary West | $86,250 |
| 1992 | Pleasant Tap5 · 1:22.32 | Eddie Delahoussaye | Christopher Speckert | Buckland Farm | $85,425 |
| 1991 | Thirty Six Red4 · 1:22.15 | Jerry D. Bailey | Nicholas P. Zito | B. Giles Brophy | $57,900 |
| 1990 | Beau Genius5 · 1:23.20 | Ricardo D. Lopez | Gerald S. Bennett | D. Brian Davidson | $58,200 |
| 1989 | Dancing Spree4 · 1:24.00 | Pat Day | Claude R. McGaughey III | Ogden Phipps | $58,850 |
| 1988 | Conquer4 · 1:23.20 | Gary L. Stevens | D. Wayne Lukas | Thomas Curnes | $56,650 |
| 1987 | Sovereign's Ace5 · 1:22.00 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Bernard S. Flint | Alan Art Stables | $35,295 |
| 1986 | Sovereign's Ace4 · 1:22.60 | Phil Rubbicco | Bernard S. Flint | Alan Art Stables | $35,280 |
| 1985 | Rapid Gray4 · 1:24.00 | Pat Day | William I. Mott | William Lucas | $36,400 |
| 1984 | Habitonia4 · 1:23.00 | Pat Day | Larry D. Edwards | Farid Sefa | $33,225 |
| 1983 | Shot n' Missed6 · 1:23.60 | Leroy Moyers | William I. Mott | William Lucas | $33,425 |
| 1982 | Top Avenger4 · 1:23.00 | Ronald D. Ardoin | Frank L. Brothers | John Franks | $33,475 |
| 1981 | Dreadnought4 · 1:23.60 | Julio C. Espinoza | James A. Padgett | Centurion Stable | $30,200 |
| 1980 | Dr. Riddick6 · 1:23.20 | Don Brumfield | Frank L. Brothers | Albert M. Stall Sr. | $27,350 |
| 1979 | Trimlea5 · 1:24.60 | Jorge Velasquez | John M. Veitch | Calumet Farm | $28,850 |
| 1978 | To the Quick4 · 1:25.00 | Jose Amy | Anthony Basile | Bwamazon Farm | $22,325 |
| 1977 | It's Freezing5 · 1:23.40 | Eddie Delahoussaye | William R. O'Neill | Bwamazon Farm | $22,350 |
| 1976 | Yamanin4 · 1:23.80 | Garth Patterson | George T. Poole | Hajime Doi | $22,300 |
| 1975 | Navajo5 · 1:24.40 | Jimmy Nichols | James Keefer | Joe Stevenson & Ray Stump | $22,775 |
| 1974 | Barbizon Streak6 · 1:25.40 | Rick Wilson | Oran Battles | Mrs. Herman (Irene C.) Udouj | $23,100 |
| 1973 | Code of Honor5 · 1:23.00 | Earlie Fires | Chuck Werstler | Dixiana Farm | $23,225 |
| 1972 | List4 · 1:23.30 | Jimmy Nichols | Alcee Richard | Mrs. Joe (Dorothy Dorsett) Brown | $24,250 |
| 1971 | No No Billy4 · 1:23.20 | Don MacBeth | Stanley M. Rieser | Paul & Robert Schleicher | $23,600 |
| 1970 | True North4 · 1:22.60 | Mike Manganello | George T. Poole | Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney | $17,000 |
| 1969 | Judge Kilday4 · 1:23.60 | David E. Whited | Ronnie Warren | Mr. & Mrs. Robert F. Roberts | $17,200 |
| 1968 | Cabildo5 · 1:23.20 | Jimmy Combest | Alcee Richard | Mrs. Joe (Dorothy Dorsett) Brown | $16,775 |
| 1967 | Bay Phantom5 · 1:22.00 | Earlie Fires | Lyle S. Whiting | Charles Viar | $17,575 |
| 1966 | Bay Phantom4 · 1:22.00 | Ronald J. Campbell | Robert E. Holthus | Charles Viar | $16,350 |
| 1965 | Little Lu4 · 1:22.40 | Mike Manganello | Virgil H. Jaycox | Virgil H. Jaycox | $14,000 |
| 1964 | Olden Times6 · 1:21.40 | Bill Shoemaker | Mesh Tenney | Rex Ellsworth | $11,500 |
| 1963 | Editorialist5 · 1:22.40 | Manuel Ycaza | S. Bryant Ott | Fourth Estate Stable | $11,275 |
| 1962 | Editorialist4 · 1:22.60 | Bill Shoemaker | S. Bryant Ott | Fourth Estate Stable | $11,550 |
| 1961 | Cactus Tom4 · 1:22.40 | Larney Hansman | Thomas H. Stevens Sr. | Natjolee Stable | $11,600 |
| 1960 | Little Fitz5 · 1:22.40 | William A. Peake | Robert C. Steele | John C. Hauer | $11,575 |
| 1959 | Cuvier Boy4 · 1:22.40 | Steve Brooks | Milton Rinke | Sydney I. Crew | $11,625 |
| 1958 | § Shan Pac4 · 1:22.00 | Johnny Heckman | Vester R. Wright | T. Alie Grissom | $11,650 |
| 1957 | Swoon's Son4 · 1:24.60 | David Erb | Alexis G. Wilson | E. Gay Drake | $12,000 |
| 1956 | Scrutinized6 · 1:25.40 | William M. Cook | Frank J. Baker | Buddah Stable | $12,350 |
| 1955 | Torch of War5 · 1:11.20 | John Adams | Harry Trotsek | Hasty House Farm | $11,650 |
| 1954 | § Sunny Dale6 · 1:11.00 | Paul Bailey | Dwight Denham | Buddah Stable | $12,475 |
| 1953 | Roaming4 · 1:10.60 | Jorge Contreras | Horatio Luro | Herman B. Delman | $11,675 |
| 1952 | ƒ Here's Hoping5 · 1:11.00 | Steve Brooks | Jack Hodgins | Dixiana Farm | $11,725 |
| 1951 | Johns Joy5 · 1:22.80 | William M. Cook | John A. Kinard Jr. | John A. Kinard Jr. | $12,025 |
| 1950 | Fleeting Star4 · 1:24.00 | Steve Brooks | Jack Hodgins | Dixiana Farm | $12,175 |
| 1949 | Free America4 · 1:25.00 | Steve Brooks | Ben A. Jones | Calumet Farm | $11,375 |
| 1948 | George Gains5 · 1:25.20 | Antonio J. Fernandez | Keene Daingerfield | George R. Schneider | $12,125 |
| 1947 | Dark Jungle4 · 1:25.20 | Steve Brooks | John Milton Goode | Lucas B. Combs | $12,225 |
| 1946 | Bull Play4 · 1:42.40 | Robert J. Campbell | Lee Niles | Walter W. "Britches" Jones | $11,775 |
| 1945 | Equifox8 · 1:40.00 | Albert Bodiou | Howard J. Wells | Howard J. Wells | $5,750 |
| 1944 | ƒ Traffic Court6 · 1:36.80 | Willie Garner | Nick Burger | Mrs. M. E. Miller & Nick Burger | $5,870 |
| 1943 | Best Seller5 · 1:38.40 | Johnny Longden | Rollie T. Shepp | John W. Galbreath & Robert J. Dienst | $3,075 |
| 1942 | Royal Crusader5 · 1:37.40 | Arthur Craig | Paul Meredith | Rancho Casitas Stable | $3,145 |
| 1941 | My Bill3 · 1:36.60 | Conn McCreary | John T. Weaver | William E. Smith | $3,060 |
| 1940 | Arab's Arrow6 · 1:39.80 | Carroll Bierman | Gilbert Hardy | Louise Hickman | $3,160 |
| 1939 | Arab's Arrow5 · 1:24.80 | Carroll Bierman | Gilbert Hardy | Louise Hickman | $3,140 |
| 1938 | Arab's Arrow4 · 1:26.80 | Willie Lee Johnson | Gilbert Hardy | Louise Hickman | $3,020 |
| 1913 | Rudolfo4 · 1:51.80 | Johnny Loftus | William S. Trevey | Harry H. Emmons | $1,000 |
| 1912 | Any Port4 · 1:51.60 | Joe Byrne | Frank D. Weir | Emerson E. McCargo | $1,880 |
| 1911 | Carlton G.4 · 1:51.80 | George Taplin | Lon Johnson | Lon Johnson | $2,500 |
91 of the 91 runnings name the rider, 91 name the trainer and 91 name the owner, who is the one of the three the prize money actually belongs to. 91 carry the total prize money for that year, converted here the same way the purse above is.
What the Churchill Downs Stakes has paid, season by season
Total prize money, 1911 to 2026
$2,500 11
$1,880 12
$1,000 13
$3,020 38
$3,140 39
$3,160 40
$3,060 41
$3,145 42
$3,075 43
$5,870 44
$5,750 45
$12k 46
$12k 47
$12k 48
$11k 49
$12k 50
$12k 51
$12k 52
$12k 53
$12k 54
$12k 55
$12k 56
$12k 57
$12k 58
$12k 59
$12k 60
$12k 61
$12k 62
$11k 63
$12k 64
$14k 65
$16k 66
$18k 67
$17k 68
$17k 69
$17k 70
$24k 71
$24k 72
$23k 73
$23k 74
$23k 75
$22k 76
$22k 77
$22k 78
$29k 79
$27k 80
$30k 81
$33k 82
$33k 83
$33k 84
$36k 85
$35k 86
$35k 87
$57k 88
$59k 89
$58k 90
$58k 91
$85k 92
$86k 93
$110k 94
$116k 95
$115k 96
$114k 97
$167k 98
$166k 99
$169k 00
$180k 01
$171k 02
$234k 03
$222k 04
$231k 05
$229k 06
$278k 07
$282k 08
$280k 09
$290k 10
$349k 11
$442k 12
$444k 13
$465k 14
$500k 15
$500k 16
$500k 17
$500k 18
$500k 19
$500k 21
$500k 22
$750k 23
$1.0m 24
$935k 25
$940k 26
The total prize money went from $2,500 in 1911 to $939,600 in 2026, 375.8 times more. Every year is converted at today's rate, so the line is the money the race puts up rather than the money the exchange rate did.
Who wins the Churchill Downs Stakes more than once
The fact the table above holds and cannot show
Arab's Arrow has won it 3 times, which is more than any other horse.
5 horses have won it more than once across 91 runnings.
Most wins by a trainer
| Horse | Wins | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Arab's Arrow | 3 | 1938, 1939, 1940 |
| Limousine Liberal | 2 | 2017, 2018 |
| Sovereign's Ace | 2 | 1986, 1987 |
| Bay Phantom | 2 | 1966, 1967 |
| Editorialist | 2 | 1962, 1963 |
Races worth about the same
Either side of the Churchill Downs Stakes in the world money order
| # | Race | Country | Prize money | As published |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 74 | The Gold RushAscot Racecourse | Australia | $1,055,556 | AU$1,500,000 |
| 75 | Al Quoz SprintMeydan Racecourse | United Arab Emirates | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| 76 | American Turf StakesChurchill Downs | United States | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| 77 | Arlington MillionColonial Downs | United States | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| 78 | Breeders' Cup Dirt MileUnited States | United States | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| 79 | Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare SprintUnited States | United States | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| 80 | Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies TurfUnited States | United States | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| 81 | Breeders' Cup Juvenile TurfUnited States, United States | United States | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| 82 | Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf SprintUnited States | United States | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| 83 | Breeders' Cup Turf SprintUnited States | United States | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| 85 | Cotillion HandicapParx Racing and Casino | United States | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| 86 | Derby City Distaff StakesChurchill Downs | United States | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| 87 | Florida DerbyGulfstream Park | United States | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| 88 | Godolphin MileMeydan Racecourse | United Arab Emirates | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| 89 | Haskell StakesMonmouth Park Racetrack | United States | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| 90 | Jockey Club Gold CupBelmont Park | United States | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| 91 | La Troienne StakesChurchill Downs | United States | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| 92 | Louisiana DerbyFair Grounds Race Course | United States | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| 93 | Manhattan StakesBelmont Park | United States | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| 94 | Metropolitan HandicapBelmont Park | United States | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
The 20 races closest to the Churchill Downs Stakes in what they pay, above and below it. Follow the ranking all the way up on the richest races in the world.
The rest of the money in the United States
196 races, 30th of them is this one
| Race | Racecourse | Grade | Prize money |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf | United States | Grade I | $1,000,000 |
| Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf | United States, United States | Grade I | $1,000,000 |
| Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint | United States | Grade 1 | $1,000,000 |
| Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint | United States | Grade I | $1,000,000 |
| Cotillion Handicap | Parx Racing and Casino | Grade I | $1,000,000 |
| Derby City Distaff Stakes | Churchill Downs | Grade I | $1,000,000 |
| Florida Derby | Gulfstream Park | Grade I | $1,000,000 |
| Haskell Stakes | Monmouth Park Racetrack | Grade I | $1,000,000 |
Every race in the United States we hold a purse for is on the United States prize money list.
Frequently asked questions
What is the total Churchill Downs Stakes prize money?
$1,000,000.
Where does the Churchill Downs Stakes rank among the richest races in the world?
84th of 997. 83 races pay more, the nearest of them The Gold Rush. In the United States it is 30th of 196.
Which horse has won the Churchill Downs Stakes most often?
Arab's Arrow, 3 times, in 1938, 1939, 1940.
Which jockey has won the Churchill Downs Stakes most often?
Steve Brooks, with 5 wins between 1947 and 1959.
When was the Churchill Downs Stakes first run?
1911. This page holds 91 runnings, from 1911 to 2026.
How far is the Churchill Downs Stakes?
7 furlongs, on dirt, at Churchill Downs.
Where to next
The rest of the racing money