Stephen Foster Stakes prize money
The Stephen Foster Stakes is worth $2,000,000 for the 2026 running . That makes it the 41st richest of the 997 races on this site and the 14th 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.
What the Stephen Foster Stakes is
Grade I · miles · Dirt · Churchill Downs
- Racecourse
- Churchill Downs
- Country
- United States
- Grade
- Grade I
- Distance
- miles
- Surface
- Dirt
- Race type
- Thoroughbred - Flat racing
- Open to
- Three-Year-Olds and older
- Direction
- Left-handed
- First run
- 1982
We hold the total fund for the Stephen Foster 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 1:48.03 in 2026, the Stephen Foster Stakes pays $18,513 for every second of the race, which is 35th of the 611 races in horse racing prize money per second and 11th in the United States.
Every Stephen Foster Stakes winner
45 runnings, 1982 to 2026, newest first
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Prize money |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Magnitude4 · 1:48.03 | Jose L. Ortiz | Steven M. Asmussen | Winchell Thoroughbreds | $1,998,000$2.0m |
| 2025 | Mindframe4 · 1:47.48 | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Todd A. Pletcher | Repole Stable & St. Elias Stables | $940,000 |
| 2024 | Kingsbarns4 · 1:48.09 | Luis Saez | Todd A. Pletcher | Spendthrift Farm | $1,000,000 |
| 2023 | West Will Power6 · 1:47.93 | Flavien Prat | Brad H. Cox | Gary & Mary West | $1,000,000 |
| 2022 | Olympiad4 · 1:47.66 | Junior Alvarado | William I. Mott | Grandview Equine, Cheyenne Stables & LNJ Foxwoods | $600,000 |
| 2021 | Maxfield4 · 1:48.53 | Jose L. Ortiz | Brendan P. Walsh | Godolphin | $600,000 |
| 2020 | Tom's d'Etat7 · 1:47.30 | Miguel Mena | Albert Stall Jr. | G M B Racing | $500,000 |
| 2019 | Seeking the Soul6 · 1:49.27 | John R. Velazquez | Dallas Stewart | Charles E. Fipke | $600,000 |
| 2018 | Pavel4 · 1:49.21 | Mario Gutierrez | Doug F. O'Neill | Reddam Racing | $500,000 |
| 2017 | Gun Runner4 · 1:47.56 | Florent Geroux | Steven M. Asmussen | Winchell Thoroughbreds & Three Chimneys Farm | $500,000 |
| 2016 | Bradester6 · 1:48.85 | Joe Bravo | Eddie Kenneally | Joseph Sutton | $500,000 |
| 2015 | Noble Bird4 · 1:47.94 | Shaun Bridgmohan | Mark E. Casse | John C. Oxley | $500,000 |
| 2014 | Moonshine Mullin6 · 1:49.66 | Calvin H. Borel | Randy L. Morse | Randy Patterson | $500,000 |
| 2013 | Fort Larned5 · 1:47.45 | Brian Hernandez Jr. | Ian R. Wilkes | Janis R. Whitham | $500,000 |
| 2012 | Ron the Greek5 · 1:50.51 | Jose Lezcano | William I. Mott | Brous Stable, Wachtel Stable & Jack Hammer | $437,200 |
| 2011 | Pool Play6 · 1:50.52 | Miguel Mena | Mark E. Casse | William S. Farish IV | $561,300 |
| 2010 | Blame4 · 1:49.37 | Garrett K. Gomez | Albert Stall Jr. | Claiborne Farm & Adele Dilschneider | $671,700 |
| 2009 | Macho Again4 · 1:49.75 | Robby Albarado | Dallas Stewart | West Point Thoroughbreds | $660,000 |
| 2008 | Curlin4 · 1:49.68 | Robby Albarado | Steven M. Asmussen | Stonestreet Stables et al. | $1,000,000 |
| 2007 | Flashy Bull4 · 1:48.63 | Robby Albarado | Kiaran P. McLaughlin | West Point Thoroughbreds | $829,500 |
| 2006 | Seek Gold6 · 1:49.24 | Calvin H. Borel | Ron Moquett | Bowman Couch Racing | $844,500 |
| 2005 | Saint Liam5 · 1:47.52 | Edgar S. Prado | Robert J. Frankel | Mr. & Mrs. William K. Warren Jr. | $828,000 |
| 2004 | Colonial Colony6 · 1:50.40 | Rafael Bejarano | Walter M. Bindner Jr. | Lakeside Farms (Chris Nolan) | $893,725 |
| 2003 | Perfect Drift4 · 1:47.55 | Pat Day | Murray W. Johnson | Stonecrest Farm | $856,500 |
| 2002 | | Street Cry (IRE)4 · 1:50.44 | Jerry D. Bailey | Saeed bin Suroor | Godolphin | $833,250 |
| 2001 | Guided Tour5 · 1:47.74 | Larry Melancon | Niall M. O'Callaghan | Morton Fink | $831,000 |
| 2000 | Golden Missile5 · 1:49.56 | Kent J. Desormeaux | Joe Orseno | Stronach Stables | $810,000 |
| 1999 | Victory Gallop4 · 1:47.28 | Jerry D. Bailey | W. Elliott Walden | Prestonwood Farm | $827,250 |
| 1998 | Awesome Again4 · 1:48.61 | Pat Day | Patrick B. Byrne | Stronach Stables | $799,500 |
| 1997 | City by Night4 · 1:50.52 | Shane Sellers | Patrick B. Byrne | Richard & Nancy Kaster | $163,950 |
| 1996 | Tenants Harbor4 · 1:49.94 | Francisco C. Torres | Robert L. Desensi | Michael Sheehan | $166,050 |
| 1995 | Recoup the Cash5 · 1:49.39 | Aaron Gryder | Jere R. Smith Sr. | Richard E. Trebat | $168,149 |
| 1994 | Recoup the Cash4 · 1:49.46 | Juvenal Lopez Diaz | Jere R. Smith Sr. | Richard E. Trebat | $163,500 |
| 1993 | Root Boy5 · 1:50.80 | Tommy Turner | Louis D. Bernier Jr. | Richard F. Blue Jr. | $114,000 |
| 1992 | Discover4 · 1:50.14 | Brent E. Bartram | Steven C. Penrod | Claiborne Farm | $115,900 |
| 1991 | Black Tie Affair (IRE)5 · 1:49.80 | Juvenal Lopez Diaz | Ernie T. Poulos | Jeffrey Sullivan | $109,100 |
| 1990 | No Marker6 · 1:49.80 | Aaron Gryder | Patricia L. Johnson | Billy Ray Gowdy | $112,200 |
| 1989 | Air Worthy4 · 1:49.60 | Donald Joseph Soto | William G. Huffman | John Carlesimo | $112,700 |
| 1988 | Honor Medal7 · 1:50.60 | Luis Enrique Ortega | Neil D. Drysdale | Lettuce Farm | $129,700 |
| 1987 | Red Attack5 · 1:51.20 | Jack Kaenel | D. Wayne Lukas | Pillar Stud, Inc. | $103,775 |
| 1986 | Hopeful Word5 · 1:49.40 | K. Keith Allen | Carl E. Bowman | James Clifton, Robert Doll, Barrett Morris | $102,050 |
| 1985 | Vanlandingham4 · 1:48.80 | Pat Day | Claude R. McGaughey III | Loblolly Stable | $79,250 |
| 1984 | Mythical Ruler6 · 1:49.60 | James McKnight | Fred V. Wirth | Albert Risen | $73,550 |
| 1983 | Vodika Collins5 · 1:49.20 | Leroy Moyers | Forrest Kaelin | Milbert B. Collins | $54,750 |
| 1982 | Vodika Collins4 · 1:51.80 | Thomas Barrow | Forrest Kaelin | Milbert B. Collins | $57,900 |
45 of the 45 runnings name the rider, 45 name the trainer and 45 name the owner, who is the one of the three the prize money actually belongs to. 45 carry the total prize money for that year, converted here the same way the purse above is.
What the Stephen Foster Stakes has paid, season by season
Total prize money, 1982 to 2026
The total prize money went from $57,900 in 1982 to $1,998,000 in 2026, 34.5 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 Stephen Foster Stakes more than once
The fact the table above holds and cannot show
Most wins by a trainer
| Horse | Wins | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Recoup the Cash | 2 | 1994, 1995 |
| Vodika Collins | 2 | 1982, 1983 |
Races worth about the same
Either side of the Stephen Foster Stakes in the world money order
| # | Race | Country | Prize money | As published |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | Magic Millions ClassicGold Coast Turf Club | Australia | $2,111,111$2.1m | AU$3,000,000 |
| 32 | Belmont StakesBelmont Park | United States | $2,000,000$2.0m | $2,000,000 |
| 33 | Breeders' Cup DistaffNorth America | United States | $2,000,000$2.0m | $2,000,000 |
| 34 | Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare TurfNorth America | United States | $2,000,000$2.0m | $2,000,000 |
| 35 | Breeders' Cup JuvenileNorth America | United States | $2,000,000$2.0m | $2,000,000 |
| 36 | Breeders' Cup Juvenile FilliesNorth America | United States | $2,000,000$2.0m | $2,000,000 |
| 37 | Breeders' Cup MileNorth America | United States | $2,000,000$2.0m | $2,000,000 |
| 38 | Breeders' Cup SprintNorth America | United States | $2,000,000$2.0m | $2,000,000 |
| 39 | Dubai Golden ShaheenMeydan Racecourse | United Arab Emirates | $2,000,000$2.0m | $2,000,000 |
| 40 | Preakness StakesPimlico Race Course | United States | $2,000,000$2.0m | $2,000,000 |
| 42 | Epsom DerbyEpsom Downs | Great Britain | $1,995,000$2.0m | £1,500,000 |
| 43 | All-Star MileFlemington Racecourse, Caulfield Racecourse and The Valley | Australia | $1,759,259$1.8m | AU$2,500,000 |
| 44 | Kentucky Downs Ladies Sprint StakesKentucky Downs | United States | $1,750,000$1.7m | $1,750,000 |
| 45 | Prix du Jockey ClubChantilly Racecourse | France | $1,705,128$1.7m | €1,500,000 |
| 46 | Hong Kong Champions & Chater CupSha Tin Racecourse | Hong Kong | $1,642,550$1.6m | HK$13,000,000 |
| 47 | Centenary Sprint CupSha Tin Racecourse | Hong Kong | $1,516,200$1.5m | HK$12,000,000 |
| 48 | Hong Kong Gold CupSha Tin Racecourse | Hong Kong | $1,516,200$1.5m | HK$12,000,000 |
| 49 | Hong Kong Stewards' CupSha Tin Racecourse | Hong Kong | $1,516,200$1.5m | HK$12,000,000 |
| 50 | Queen's Silver Jubilee CupSha Tin Racecourse | Hong Kong | $1,516,200$1.5m | HK$12,000,000 |
| 51 | Kentucky OaksChurchill Downs | United States | $1,500,000$1.5m | $1,500,000 |
The 20 races closest to the Stephen Foster 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, 14th of them is this one
| Race | Racecourse | Grade | Prize money |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies | North America | Grade I | $2,000,000$2.0m |
| Breeders' Cup Mile | North America | Grade I | $2,000,000$2.0m |
| Breeders' Cup Sprint | North America | Grade I | $2,000,000$2.0m |
| Preakness Stakes | Pimlico Race Course | Grade I | $2,000,000$2.0m |
| Kentucky Downs Ladies Sprint Stakes | Kentucky Downs | Grade I | $1,750,000$1.7m |
| Kentucky Oaks | Churchill Downs | Grade I | $1,500,000$1.5m |
| Turf Classic Stakes | Churchill Downs | Grade I | $1,500,000$1.5m |
| Apple Blossom Handicap | Oaklawn Park | Grade I | $1,250,000 |
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 Stephen Foster Stakes prize money?
$2,000,000, for the 2026 running.
Where does the Stephen Foster Stakes rank among the richest races in the world?
41st of 997. 40 races pay more, the nearest of them Magic Millions Classic. In the United States it is 14th of 196.
Which horse has won the Stephen Foster Stakes most often?
Recoup the Cash, 2 times, in 1994, 1995.
Which jockey has won the Stephen Foster Stakes most often?
Robby Albarado, with 3 wins between 2007 and 2009.
When was the Stephen Foster Stakes first run?
1982. This page holds 45 runnings, from 1982 to 2026.
How far is the Stephen Foster Stakes?
miles, on dirt, at Churchill Downs.
Where to next
The rest of the racing money