Horse Racing·Stakes calendar

The racing year,month by month.

Every major stakes race on the international Thoroughbred calendar — Pegasus opens January, Saudi Cup + Dubai World Cup span late winter, Derby preps build through April, the Triple Crown anchors May–June, summer stakes carry through August, Breeders' Cup crowns the year in November.

Month 01

January

1 race

Pegasus

G1

1 1/8 miles · Dirt

Gulfstream Park

Late January

Month 02

February

1 race

Saudi Cup

G1

1800m (~1 1/8 mi) · Dirt

King Abdulaziz Racetrack

Late February

Month 03

March

2 races

Dubai World Cup

G1

2000m (~1¼ mi) · Dirt

Meydan

Late March

Louisiana Derby

G2

1 3/16 miles · Dirt

Fair Grounds

Late March

Month 04

April

5 races

Arkansas Derby

G1

1 1/8 miles · Dirt

Oaklawn Park

Mid-April

Blue Grass

G1

1 1/8 miles · Dirt

Keeneland

Early April

Florida Derby

G1

1 1/8 miles · Dirt

Gulfstream Park

Late March / early April

Santa Anita Derby

G1

1 1/8 miles · Dirt

Santa Anita Park

Early April

Wood Memorial

G2

1 1/8 miles · Dirt

Aqueduct

Early April

Month 05

May

3 races

The Derby

G1

1¼ miles · Dirt

Churchill Downs

First Saturday in May

The Oaks

G1

1 1/8 miles · Dirt

Churchill Downs

Eve of the Kentucky Derby (Friday)

The Preakness

G1

1 3/16 miles · Dirt

Pimlico Race Course

Third Saturday in May

Month 06

June

2 races

The Belmont

G1

1½ miles · Dirt

Belmont Park

Early June

Royal Ascot

G1

Multi-distance (5 days, 30+ races) · Turf

Ascot Racecourse

Mid-June (5-day meeting)

Month 07

July

1 race

The Haskell

G1

1 1/8 miles · Dirt

Monmouth Park

Late July

Month 08

August

2 races

The Travers

G1

1¼ miles · Dirt

Saratoga Race Course

Late August

The Whitney

G1

1 1/8 miles · Dirt

Saratoga Race Course

Early August

Month 09

September

1 race

Pacific Classic

G1

1¼ miles · Dirt

Del Mar

Early September

Month 10

October

1 race

Arc

G1

2400m (~1½ mi) · Turf

Longchamp / ParisLongchamp

First Sunday in October

Month 11

November

8 races

BC Classic

G1

1¼ miles · Dirt

Rotates (Del Mar / Santa Anita / Keeneland / Churchill)

Saturday of Breeders' Cup weekend (early Nov)

BC Distaff

G1

1 1/8 miles · Dirt

Rotates (host track)

Friday of Breeders' Cup weekend

BC Juvenile

G1

1 1/16 miles · Dirt

Rotates (host track)

Friday of Breeders' Cup weekend

BC Mile

G1

1 mile · Turf

Rotates (host track)

Saturday of Breeders' Cup weekend

BC Sprint

G1

6 furlongs · Dirt

Rotates (host track)

Saturday of Breeders' Cup weekend

BC Turf

G1

1½ miles · Turf

Rotates (host track)

Saturday of Breeders' Cup weekend

Japan Cup

G1

2400m (~1½ mi) · Turf

Tokyo Racecourse

Late November

Melbourne Cup

G1

3200m (~2 mi) · Turf

Flemington Racecourse

First Tuesday in November

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