2025 Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series Fact Sheet
Breeders’ Cup Release
The Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In is an international series of 93 stakes races in 15 countries whose winners receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into a corresponding race at the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. The full schedule may be viewed at BreedersCup.com/races/challenge-series.
The $750,000 Fourstardave Stakes (G1) provides the winner with an automatic starting position into the $2 million FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) and the $1 million Whitney Stakes gives with winner a free berth into the $7 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).
The Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series debuted at Saratoga in 2007.
In 2024, five Breeders’ Cup World Championships winners earned automatic berths via the Breeders’ Cup Challenge series: Lake Victoria (IRE) (John Deere Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf), Citizen Bull (FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile), Immersive (NetJets Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies), Soul of an Angel (PNC Bank Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint), and Moira (ON) (Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf).
After the 2025 running of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, the 2026 edition will be held at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky., and the 2027 World Championships will be held at the new Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.
$750,000 Fourstardave Stakes (G1), 1 Mile, 4YO & Up
Winner Receives: Automatic starting position in $2 million FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1); $60,000 entry fee waived, $10,000 awarded to Breeders’ Cup nominator (when applicable). All Championship starters based outside of California receive a travel allowance.
Recent Winner Highlights: Carl Spackler (IRE) (2024) finished sixth in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Mile; Casa Creed (2022, 2023) finished ninth in the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) and finished third in the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Mile. World Approval (2017) won the 2017 Breeders’ Cup Mile; Tourist (2016) won the 2016 Breeders’ Cup Mile; Wise Dan (2012, 2013) won the 2012 and the 2013 Breeders’ Cup Mile and was voted Horse of the Year in both of those years; Da Hoss (1996) won the 1996 Breeders’ Cup Mile and the 1998 Breeders’ Cup Mile; Lure (1992) won the 1992 Breeders’ Cup Mile and the 1993 Breeders’ Cup Mile. Steinlen (GB) (1989) won the 1989 Breeders’ Cup Mile.
2025 FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile Division – Challenge Series Races
| Race Date | Track | Race Name | Distance | Age | Winner |
| 1/4/2025 | KEN | L’Ormarins King’s Plate (G1) | 1 Mile (T) | 3 YO & UP | One Stripe (SAF) |
| 4/5/2025 | MEY | Dubai Turf sponsored by DP World (G1) | 1 1/8 Miles (T) | 3 YO & UP | Soul Rush (JPN) |
| 5/25/2025 | CHS | Gran Premio Club Hípico Falabella (G1) | 1 1/4 Miles (T) | 3 YO & UP | Gran Oriente (CHI) |
| 6/8/2025 | TOK | Yasuda Kinen (G1) | 1 Mile (T) | 3 YO & UP | Jantar Mantar (JPN) |
| 6/17/2025 | ASC | The Queen Anne Stakes (G1) | 1 Mile (T) | 4 YO & UP | Docklands (GB) |
| 7/30/2025 | GOO | Qatar Sussex Stakes (G1) | 1 Mile (T) | 3 YO & UP | Qirat (GB) |
| 8/2/2025 | Sar | The FanDuel Fourstardave (G1) | 1 Mile (T) | 4 YO & UP | |
| 9/13/2025 | WO | Rogers Woodbine Mile (G1) | 1 Mile (T) | 3 YO & UP | |
| 9/27/2025 | SA | City of Hope Mile (G2) | 1 Mile (T) | 3 YO & UP | |
| 10/4/2025 | Kee | Coolmore Turf Mile (G1) | 1 Mile (T) | 3 YO & UP | |
| 10/5/2025 | Lch | Qatar Prix de la Foret (G1) | 7 Furlongs (T) | 3 YO & UP |
$1 million Whitney Stakes (G1) 1 1/8 Miles, 4YO & Up
Winner Receives: Automatic starting position in $7 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1); $150,000 entry fee waived, $10,000 awarded to Breeders’ Cup nominator (when applicable). All Championship starters based outside of California receive a travel allowance.
Recent Winner Highlights: Arthur’s Ride (2024) finished 12th in the 2024 Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic; White Abarrio (2023) won the 2023 Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic; Life Is Good (2022) finished fifth in the 2022 Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic; Knicks Go (2021) won the 2021 Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic and was voted the 2021 Horse of the Year; Gun Runner (2017) won the 2017 Breeders’ Cup Classic and was voted the 2017 Horse of the Year; Fort Larned (2012) won the 2012 Breeders’ Cup Classic; Blame (2010) won the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Classic; Invasor (ARG) (2006) won the 2006 Breeders’ Cup Classic and was voted the 2006 Horse of the Year; Awesome Again (1998) won the 1998 Breeders’ Cup Classic; Lady’s Secret (1986) won the 1986 Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) and was voted the 1986 Horse of the Year.
2025 Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic Division – Challenge Series Races
| Date | Track | Races (All G1) | Distance | Age | Winner |
| 2/22/2025 | KAR | Saudi Cup | 1 1/8 Miles | 3 YO & UP | Forever Young (JPN) |
| 2/23/2025 | TOK | February Stakes | 1 Mile | 4 YO & UP | Costa Nova (JPN) |
| 4/5/2025 | MEY | Dubai World Cup sponsored by Emirates Airlines | 1 1/4 Miles | 3 YO & UP | Hit Show |
| 6/28/2025 | CD | Stephen Foster Stakes | 1 1/8 Miles | 4 YO & UP | Mindframe |
| 7/19/2025 | Mth | NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes | 1 1/8 Miles | 3 YO | Journalism |
| 8/2/2025 | Sar | The Whitney | 1 1/8 Miles | 4 YO & UP | |
| 8/20/2025 | YOR | Juddmonte International Stakes | 1 1/4 Miles (T) | 3 YO & UP | |
| 8/30/2025 | Dmr | Pacific Classic | 1 1/4 Miles | 3 YO & UP | |
| 8/31/2025 | Sar | Jockey Club Gold Cup | 1 1/4 Miles | 3 YO & UP | |
| 9/27/2025 | SA | Goodwood Stakes | 1 1/8 Miles | 3 YO & UP |
