TWILIGHT DERBY · UNITED STATES
Twilight Derby prize money
The Twilight Derby is worth $200,000 . That makes it the 465th richest of the 997 races on this site and the 145th 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 $200,000
WORLD RANK 465th
RUNNINGS HELD 57
FIRST RUN 1969
What the Twilight Derby is
Grade II · miles (9 furlongs) · Turf · Santa Anita Park
- Racecourse
- Santa Anita Park
- Country
- United States
- Grade
- Grade II
- Distance
- miles (9 furlongs)
- Surface
- Turf
- Race type
- Thoroughbred, Flat racing
- Open to
- Three-year-olds
- Direction
- Left-handed
- First run
- 1969
We hold the total fund for the Twilight Derby 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 1:47.66 in 2025, the Twilight Derby pays $1,858 for every second of the race, which is 290th of the 611 races in horse racing prize money per second and 149th in the United States.
Every Twilight Derby winner
57 runnings, 1969 to 2025, newest first
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Prize money |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Test Score1:47.66 | Juan J. Hernandez | H. Graham Motion | Amerman Racing | $200,000 |
| 2024 | Atitlan1:49.12 | Hector Berrios | John A. Shirreffs | John M. B. O'Connor | $201,000 |
| 2023 | Seal Team (GB)1:47.29 | Umberto Rispoli | Richard E. Mandella | Perry R. & Ramona S. Bass | $254,000 |
| 2022 | Cabo Spirit1:49.46 | Joe Bravo | George Papaprodromou | Kretz Racing | $201,500 |
| 2021 | Subconscious1:47.00 | Juan Hernandez | Richard E. Mandella | LNJ Foxwoods | $202,500 |
| 2020 | Smooth Like Strait1:46.89 | Umberto Rispoli | Michael W. McCarthy | Cannon Thoroughbreds | $202,000 |
| 2019 | Mo Forza1:46.18 | Joel Rosario | Peter L. Miller | Bardy Farm & OG Boss | $202,106 |
| 2018 | River Boyne (IRE)1:45.36 | Flavien Prat | Jeff Mullins | Red Baron's Barn & Rancho Temescal | $201,380 |
| 2017 | Sharp Samurai1:45.36 | Gary L. Stevens | Mark Glatt | Mark Glatt, Red Barron's Barn & Rancho Temescal | $201,380 |
| 2016 | Frank Conversation1:46.81 | Mario Gutierrez | Doug F. O'Neill | Reddam Racing | $201,725 |
| 2015 | Om1:45.90 | Gary L. Stevens | Dan L. Hendricks | Sareen Family Trust | $200,750 |
| 2014 | Long On Value1:46.82 | Rosie Napravnik | William I. Mott | Watchtel Stables & George J. Kerr | $201,500 |
| 2013 | Rookie Sensation1:46.54 | Victor Espinoza | John Shirreffs | Stronach Stables | $152,000 |
| 2012 | Grandeur (IRE)1:46.78 | William T. Buick | Jeremy Noseda | Yvonne Jacques | $150,000 |
| 2011 | Ultimate Eagle1:47.03 | Martin A. Pedroza | Michael Pender | B. J. Wright | $150,000 |
| 2010 | Fantastic Pick (GB)1:48.51 | Corey Nakatani | James Lloyd | Jim Ford, Robert Maycock & Ken Smole | $150,000 |
| 2009 | The Usual Q. T.1:44.48 | Victor Espinoza | James M. Cassidy | Don Van Racing, Michael Nentwig, George Saadeh, Thomas H. Braden | $150,000 |
| 2008 | Muny1:47.69 | David R. Flores | Mike Puype | Robert Bone, Don Johnson, Richard S. Trontz, Brewer Racing Stable & Robinson | $150,000 |
| 2007 | Daytona (IRE)1:46.40 | Mike E. Smith | Dan L. Hendricks | Jeff Davenport, Tom Lenner, Jess Ravich & Thomas W. Murray | $150,000 |
| 2006 | Dark Islander (IRE)1:46.21 | Jose Valdivia Jr. | John W. Hills | Donald M. Kerr | $150,000 |
| 2005 | Aragorn (IRE)1:46.48 | Pat Valenzuela | Neil D. Drysdale | Ballygallon Stud | $150,000 |
| 2004 | Greek Sun1:48.08 | Edgar S. Prado | Robert J. Frankel | Peter G. Angelos | $150,000 |
| 2003 | Devious Boy (GB)1:48.92 | Julie Krone | Kathy Walsh | James R. Vreeland | $150,000 |
| 2002 | Johar1:46.00 | Alex O. Solis | Richard E. Mandella | The Thoroughbred Corporation | $150,000 |
| 2001 | No Slip (FR)1:46.56 | Kent J. Desormeaux | Robert J. Frankel | Amerman Racing Stables | $150,000 |
| 2000 | Sign of Hope (GB)1:47.71 | Alex O. Solis | Neil D. Drysdale | Relatively Stable | $250,000 |
| 1999 | Mula Gula1:46.67 | Gary L. Stevens | Jerry Hollendorfer | Steven J. Gula | $250,000 |
| 1998 | Ladies Din1:50.24 | Gary L. Stevens | Julio C. Canani | J. Terrence Lanni, Bernard Schiappa & Mike Sloan | $250,000 |
| 1997 | Lasting Approval1:50.84 | Alex O. Solis | Diane L. Perkins | Wimborne Farm | $250,000 |
| 1996 | Odyle1:46.83 | Chris McCarron | J. Paco Gonzalez | Ron Brimacombe, Trudy McCaffery & John Toffan | $130,250 |
| 1995 | Helmsman1:48.98 | Chris McCarron | Wallace Dollase | Horizon Stable, Jarvis & Taber, et al. | $131,900 |
| 1994 | Run Softly1:49.96 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Robert J. Frankel | Juddmonte Farms | $109,800 |
| 1993 | Eastern Memories (IRE)1:48.00 | Jerry D. Bailey | Mark A. Hennig | Team Valor, Amerman & Stibor | $111,800 |
| 1992 | Blacksburg1:48.00 | Alex O. Solis | D. Wayne Lukas | Overbrook Farm | $112,700 |
| 1991 | General Meeting1:46.78 | Kent J. Desormeaux | David E. Hofmans | Golden Eagle Farm | $114,500 |
| 1990 | In Excess (IRE)1:46.60 | Gary L. Stevens | Bruce L. Jackson | Jack J. Munari | $110,300 |
| 1989 | Seven Rivers1:45.80 | Robbie Davis | Charles E. Whittingham | Enemy Stable & Mandysland Farm | $111,100 |
| 1988 | Coax Me Clyde1:48.40 | Pat Valenzuela | Barry Knight | Vistas Stables | $135,000 |
| 1987 | The Medic1:47.80 | Sandy Hawley | Gary F. Jones | Dr. Edward Giammarino | $84,050 |
| 1986 | Air Display1:48.00 | Gary L. Stevens | Darrell Vienna | Apple, Forgnone, Levy, et al. | $107,450 |
| 1985 | Justoneoftheboys1:47.60 | Alex O. Solis | Ron McAnally | Morris Cohen & Dion Recachina | $110,000 |
| 1984 | Tights1:46.60 | Chris McCarron | Laz Barrera | Mill House Stable | $110,500 |
| 1983 | Mamaison1:49.80 | Chris McCarron | Richard E. Mandella | Sam Bretzfield & Hal Oliver | $108,900 |
| 1982 | Lamerok1:46.20 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | LeRoy Jolley | Peter M. Brant | $111,300 |
| 1981 | Seafood1:49.00 | Marco Castaneda | Ron McAnally | Elmendorf Farm | $85,450 |
| 1980 | Pocketful in Vail1:47.80 | Fernando Toro | Jerry M. Fanning | Kahn, Morcus & Rosburg | $66,400 |
| 1979 | Hyannis Port1:47.60 | Bill Shoemaker | Charles E. Whittingham | Bell Bloodstock & Charles E. Whittingham | $54,800 |
| 1978 | Wayside Station1:47.80 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | John H. Adams | El Peco Ranch | $57,100 |
| 1977 | Kulak1:46.80 | Bill Shoemaker | Charles E. Whittingham | Mary Jones Bradley, Charles E. Whittingham & Buck Wynne Jr. | $33,300 |
| 1976 | Today 'n Tomorrow1:46.80 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Roger E. Clapp | Connie M. Ring | $32,950 |
| 1975 | § Messenger of Song1:46.80 | Jerry Lambert | Gordon C. Campbell | Bernard J. Ridder | $43,450 |
| 1974 | Within Hail1:48.40 | Bill Shoemaker | Charles E. Whittingham | Bwamazon Farm | $45,250 |
| 1973 | ‡ Race not held | ||||
| 1972 | Bicker1:48.20 | Glen Brogan | Robert Wingfield | Green Thumb Farm Stable | $33,150 |
| 1971 | Vegas Vic1:48.20 | Howard Grant | Randy Sechrest | Betty Sechrest & Charles Fritz | $33,550 |
| 1970 | Mickey McGuire1:47.40 | Bill Shoemaker | Paul K. Parker | Vanguard Stable (Suzanne Reagan) & Anita Madden | $25,450 |
| 1969 | § Tell1:46.80 | Bill Shoemaker | Charles E. Whittingham | Elizabeth A. Keck | $57,500 |
56 of the 57 runnings name the rider, 56 name the trainer and 56 name the owner, who is the one of the three the prize money actually belongs to. 56 carry the total prize money for that year, converted here the same way the purse above is.
What the Twilight Derby has paid, season by season
Total prize money, 1969 to 2025
$57k 69
$25k 70
$34k 71
$33k 72
$45k 74
$43k 75
$33k 76
$33k 77
$57k 78
$55k 79
$66k 80
$85k 81
$111k 82
$109k 83
$111k 84
$110k 85
$107k 86
$84k 87
$135k 88
$111k 89
$110k 90
$114k 91
$113k 92
$112k 93
$110k 94
$132k 95
$130k 96
$250k 97
$250k 98
$250k 99
$250k 00
$150k 01
$150k 02
$150k 03
$150k 04
$150k 05
$150k 06
$150k 07
$150k 08
$150k 09
$150k 10
$150k 11
$150k 12
$152k 13
$202k 14
$201k 15
$202k 16
$201k 17
$201k 18
$202k 19
$202k 20
$203k 21
$202k 22
$254k 23
$201k 24
$200k 25
The total prize money went from $57,500 in 1969 to $200,000 in 2025, 3.5 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 Twilight Derby more than once
The fact the table above holds and cannot show
No horse has won the Twilight Derby twice in the 57 runnings on this page.
Most wins by a jockey
Races worth about the same
Either side of the Twilight Derby in the world money order
| # | Race | Country | Prize money | As published |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 454 | Commonwealth Turf CupLaurel Park | United States | $200,000 | $200,000 |
| 455 | Dwyer StakesAqueduct Racetrack | United States | $200,000 | $200,000 |
| 457 | Hill Prince StakesAqueduct Racetrack | United States | $200,000 | $200,000 |
| 458 | Lone Star DerbyLone Star Park | United States | $200,000 | $200,000 |
| 459 | Mathis Mile StakesSanta Anita Park | United States | $200,000 | $200,000 |
| 460 | Peter Pan StakesBelmont Park | United States | $200,000 | $200,000 |
| 461 | Robert B. Lewis StakesSanta Anita Park | United States | $200,000 | $200,000 |
| 462 | San Vicente StakesSanta Anita Park | United States | $200,000 | $200,000 |
| 463 | Smarty Jones Stakes (Parx)Parx Casino and Racing | United States | $200,000 | $200,000 |
| 464 | Sunshine Millions ClassicSanta Anita Park, Arcadia, California & | United States | $200,000 | $200,000 |
| 466 | Baring Bingham Novices' HurdleCheltenham Racecourse | Great Britain | $199,500 | £150,000 |
| 467 | Becher ChaseAintree Racecourse | Great Britain | $199,500 | £150,000 |
| 468 | Festival Trophy Handicap ChaseCheltenham Racecourse | Great Britain | $199,500 | £150,000 |
| 469 | Hampton Court StakesAscot Racecourse | Great Britain | $199,500 | £150,000 |
| 470 | Johnny Henderson Grand Annual ChaseCheltenham Racecourse | Great Britain | $199,500 | £150,000 |
| 471 | Scottish Grand NationalAyr Racecourse | Great Britain | $199,500 | £150,000 |
| 472 | Spa Novices' HurdleCheltenham Racecourse | Great Britain | $199,500 | £150,000 |
| 473 | Supreme Novices' HurdleCheltenham Racecourse | Great Britain | $199,500 | £150,000 |
| 474 | Triumph HurdleCheltenham Racecourse | Great Britain | $199,500 | £150,000 |
| 475 | Chester VaseChester Racecourse | Great Britain | $186,200 | £140,000 |
The 20 races closest to the Twilight Derby 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, 145th of them is this one
| Race | Racecourse | Grade | Prize money |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robert B. Lewis Stakes | Santa Anita Park | Grade III | $200,000 |
| San Vicente Stakes | Santa Anita Park | Grade II | $200,000 |
| Smarty Jones Stakes (Parx) | Parx Casino and Racing | Listed | $200,000 |
| Sunshine Millions Classic | Santa Anita Park, Arcadia, California & | Restricted | $200,000 |
| California Cup Derby | Santa Anita Park, Arcadia, California | Restricted Stakes | $175,000 |
| Kitten's Joy Stakes | Gulfstream Park | Listed | $175,000 |
| Quick Call Stakes | Saratoga Race Course | Grade III | $175,000 |
| Swale Stakes | Gulfstream Park | Listed | $175,000 |
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 Twilight Derby prize money?
$200,000.
Where does the Twilight Derby rank among the richest races in the world?
465th of 997. 464 races pay more, the nearest of them Commonwealth Turf Cup. In the United States it is 145th of 196.
Which jockey has won the Twilight Derby most often?
Gary L. Stevens, with 6 wins between 1986 and 2017.
When was the Twilight Derby first run?
1969. This page holds 57 runnings, from 1969 to 2025.
How far is the Twilight Derby?
miles (9 furlongs), on turf, at Santa Anita Park.
Where to next
The rest of the racing money