Arzak in a 2024 BC Turf Sprint work is ready to challenge again. (Ernie Belmonte/Past The Wire)
2025 Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series Fact Sheet
Breeders’ Cup Release
FRANKLIN, Ky.—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 $2 million The Mint Kentucky Turf Sprint (G2) winner will earn a guaranteed starting position into the $1 million Prevagen Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1). On Sept. 6, the winner of the $2.5 million Kentucky Cup Turf Invitational (G2) will gain an automatic starting position into the $5 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1).
There will be 12 Challenge Series races conducted in the Commonwealth of Kentucky this year.
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.
$2 million The Mint Kentucky Turf Sprint (G2), 6 furlongs, 3YO & Up
Race #9 – Post Time: 4:52 p.m. ET (NBC broadcast)
Entries courtesy of Equibase
Winner Receives: Automatic starting position in $1 million Prevagen Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1); $30,000 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: Cogburn (2024) finished fifth in the 2024 Prevagen Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.
2025 Prevagen Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint Division– Challenge Series Races
| Race Date | Track | Race Name | Distance | Age | Winner | |
| 6/7/2025 | SAR | The Jaipur (G1) | 5 1/2 Furlongs (T) | 3 YO & UP | Ag Bullet | |
| 6/17/2025 | ASC | The King Charles III Stakes (G1) | 5 Furlongs (T) | 3 YO & UP | American Affair (GB) | |
| 8/22/2025 | YOR | Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes (G1) | 5 Furlongs (T) | 2 YO & UP | Asfoora (AUS) | |
| 8/30/2025 | DMR | Green Flash Handicap (G3) | 5 Furlongs (T) | 3 YO & UP | ||
| 8/30/2025 | KD | The Mint Kentucky Turf Sprint (G2) | 6 Furlongs (T) | 3 YO & UP | ||
| 9/14/2025 | CUR | Bar One Flying Five Stakes (G1) | 5 Furlongs (T) | 3 YO & UP | ||
| 10/5/2025 | LCH | Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp Longines (G1) | 5 Furlongs (T) | 2 YO & UP |
