# Champagne Stakes (United States)

The Champagne Stakes is an American Grade I Thoroughbred horse race for two-year-old horses. The race is run at a distance of one mile on the dirt at Belmont Park in October each year. Although the race is open to both colts and fillies, in practice it is New York's premier race for two-year-old colts and fillies enter the Frizette Stakes instead.
The race is a Road to the Kentucky Derby Prep Season qualifying race. The winner receives 10 points toward qualifying for the Kentucky Derby.
The race is also a part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge series. The winner automatically qualifies for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.
The race was first run in 1867, and it is the oldest race of its kind in the United States. It was given the same name as the British Champagne Stakes which has been run annually since 1823 at the Doncaster Racecourse in South Yorkshire, England.
There was no Champagne Stakes run from 1910 through 1913, due to a legislated ban by the State of New York on parimutuel wagering, and no race was held in 1956.
Notable past winners who have gone on to success as three-year-olds or older include U.S. Triple Crown champions Seattle Slew, Count Fleet, and Secretariat however; Secretariat was disqualified from the race because of a questionable interference call which is still debatable today. Others such as Ben Brush, Colin, Sarazen, Alsab, Grey Lag, Buckpasser, Riva Ridge, Foolish Pleasure, Alydar, Spectacular Bid, and Easy Goer, all of whom are now in the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. Easy Goer ran the best Beyer Speed Figure performance (in the 1988 Champagne Stakes) by any 2-year-old since Beyer racing figures were first published.
The 1880 winner was Lady Rosebery, a horse owned by August Belmont, Sr. and named to honor England's Hannah Primrose, Countess of Rosebery whose family was prominent in British racing. Similarly, the 1950 winner was Uncle Miltie, a horse given the nickname of the famous comedian and New York City native, Milton Berle.
The inaugural running of the Champagne Stakes took place in 1867 at Jerome Park Racetrack prior where it remained through 1889. Shifted to the Morris Park Racecourse facility, it was held there through 1904. Moved to its present home at Belmont Park for the 1905 racing season, it was run at the Aqueduct Racetrack in 1959, from 1963 to 1967, and again in 1984.
Over the years, the Champagne Stakes has been raced over a variety of distances:
* Six furlongs : 1871–1889
* Seven furlongs : 1891–1904
* 165 feet short of seven furlongs (Widener Course) : 1905–1932
* Six and one-half furlongs (Widener Course) : 1933–1939
* One mile : 1940–1983, 1985–1993; 2005 to present
* One and one-eighth miles : 1984
* One and one-sixteenth miles : 1994–2004

## Records

Speed record:
* 1:34.20 – Devil's Bag (1983)
* 1:34.40 – Seattle Slew (1976)
Most wins by an owner:
* 5 – Calumet Farm (1933, 1936, 1944, 1949, 1977)
Most wins by a jockey:
* 5 – Braulio Baeza (1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1975)
Most wins by a trainer:
* 6 – Todd A. Pletcher (2004, 2006, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014)

## Winners of the Champagne Stakes since 1946

| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Time |
| 2024 | Chancer McPatrick | Flavien Prat | Chad C. Brown | Flanagan Racing | 1:36.51 |
| 2023 | Timberlake | Florent Geroux | Brad H. Cox | WinStar Farm & Siena Farm | 1:35.90 |
| 2022 | Blazing Sevens | Flavien Prat | Chad C. Brown | Rodeo Creek Racing LLC | 1:37.07 |
| 2021 | Jack Christopher | José Ortiz | Chad C. Brown | Jim Bakke, Gerry Isbister, Coolmore Stud & White Birch Farm | 1:37.31 |
| 2020 | Jackie's Warrior | Joel Rosario | Steven M. Asmussen | Kirk And Judy Robison | 1:35.42 |
| 2019 | Tiz the Law | Manny Franco | Barclay Tagg | Sackatoga Stable | 1:35.41 |
| 2018 | Complexity | José L. Ortiz | Chad C. Brown | Klaravich Stables, Inc. | 1:34.63 |
| 2017 | Firenze Fire | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Jason Servis | Mr. Amore Stable (Ron Lombardi) | 1:35.91 |
| 2016 | Practical Joke | Joel Rosario | Chad C. Brown | Klaravich Stables, Inc. & William Lawrence | 1:34.68 |
| 2015 | Greenpointcrusader | Joe Bravo | Dominick Schettino | St. Elias Stable, MeB Racing Stables, Brooklyn Boyz Stables | 1:36.25 |
| 2014 | Daredevil | Javier Castellano | Todd A. Pletcher | Let's Go Stable (managing partners Kevin Scatuorchio & Bryan Sullivan) | 1:36.62 |
| 2013 | Havana | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Todd A. Pletcher | Michael Tabor, Susan Magnier, Derrick Smith | 1:35.81 |
| 2012 | Shanghai Bobby | Rosie Napravnik | Todd A. Pletcher | Starlight Racing (Jack & Laurie Wolf) | 1:35.55 |
| 2011 | Union Rags | Javier Castellano | Michael Matz | Chadds Ford Stable | 1:35.55 |
| 2010 | Uncle Mo | John Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | Mike Repole | 1:34.51 |
| 2009 | Homeboykris | Edgar Prado | Richard E. Dutrow Jr. | Louis Lazzinnaro, Joseph Bulger, Jack Mandato, et al. | 1:35.12 |
| 2008 | Vineyard Haven | Edgar Prado | Robert J. Frankel | Robert J. Frankel | 1:36.06 |
| 2007 | War Pass | Cornelio Velásquez | Nicholas P. Zito | Robert V. LaPenta | 1:36.12 |
| 2006 | Scat Daddy | John R. Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | James T. Scaturochio & Michael Tabor | 1:36.97 |
| 2005 | First Samurai | Jerry D. Bailey | Frank L. Brothers | Bruce Lunsford & Lansdon B. Robbins III | 1:36.29 |
| 2004 | Proud Accolade | John R. Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | Padua Stables | 1:42.30 |
| 2003 | Birdstone | Jerry D. Bailey | Nicholas P. Zito | Marylou Whitney | 1:44.05 |
| 2002 | Toccet | Jorge Chavez | John F. Scanlan | Dan Borislow | 1:44.45 |
| 2001 | Officer | Victor Espinoza | Bob Baffert | The Thoroughbred Corp. | 1:43.39 |
| 2000 | A P Valentine | Jorge Chavez | Nicholas P. Zito | Celtic Pride Stable | 1:41.45 |
| 1999 | Greenwood Lake | Jean-Luc Samyn | Nicholas P. Zito | Dee Conway & Fred Dematteis | 1:43.70 |
| 1998 | The Groom Is Red | Corey Nakatani | Nicholas P. Zito | Celtic Pride Stable | 1:42.91 |
| 1997 | Grand Slam | Gary Stevens | D. Wayne Lukas | Robert & Christina Baker, et al. | 1:40.59 |
| 1996 | Ordway | John R. Velazquez | David G. Donk | Philip F. DiLeo & William Punk | 1:42.09 |
| 1995 | Maria's Mon | Robbie Davis | Richard Schosberg | Mrs. Morton Rosenthal | 1:42.39 |
| 1994 | Timber Country | Pat Day | D. Wayne Lukas | Gainesway Farm et al. | 1:44.01 |
| 1993 | Dehere | Chris McCarron | Reynaldo H. Nobles | Due Process Stable | 1:35.91 |
| 1992 | Sea Hero | Jerry D. Bailey | MacKenzie Miller | Rokeby Stables | 1:34.80 |
| 1991 | Tri To Watch | Ángel Cordero Jr. | Carl Domino | Fred W. Hooper | 1:36.60 |
| 1990 | Fly So Free | José A. Santos | Flint S. Schulhofer | Thomas Valando | 1:35.60 |
| 1989 | Adjudicating | Jacinto Vásquez | Claude R. McGaughey III | Ogden Mills Phipps | 1:37.60 |
| 1988 | Easy Goer | Pat Day | Claude R. McGaughey III | Ogden Phipps | 1:34.80 |
| 1987 | Forty Niner | Eddie Maple | Woody Stephens | Claiborne Farm | 1:36.80 |
| 1986 | Polish Navy | Randy Romero | Claude R. McGaughey III | Ogden Phipps | 1:35.20 |
| 1985 | Mogambo | Ángel Cordero Jr. | LeRoy Jolley | Peter M. Brant | 1:37.20 |
| 1984 | For Certain Doc | Marcel Zuniga | Thomas DeBonis | Philip C. Chuck | 1:49.20 |
| 1983 | Devil's Bag | Eddie Maple | Woody Stephens | Hickory Tree Stable | 1:34.20 |
| 1982 | Copelan | Jerry D. Bailey | Mitchell Griffin | Fred W. Hooper | 1:37.80 |
| 1981 | Timely Writer | Jeffrey Fell | Dominic Imprescia | Peter Martin | 1:36.40 |
| 1980 | Lord Avie | Jorge Velásquez | Daniel Perlsweig | David Simon | 1:37.20 |
| 1979 | Joanie's Chief | Ruben Hernandez | Eugene Jacobs | Peter Barberino | 1:38.20 |
| 1978 | Spectacular Bid | Jorge Velásquez | Grover G. Delp | Hawksworth Farm (Harry & Teresa Meyerhoff) | 1:34.80 |
| 1977 | Alydar | Jorge Velásquez | John M. Veitch | Calumet Farm | 1:36.80 |
| 1976 | Seattle Slew | Jean Cruguet | William H. Turner Jr. | Karen L. Taylor | 1:34.40 |
| 1975 | Honest Pleasure | Braulio Baeza | LeRoy Jolley | Bertram R. Firestone | 1:36.40 |
| 1974 | Foolish Pleasure | Jacinto Vásquez | LeRoy Jolley | John L. Greer | 1:36.00 |
| 1973 | Protagonist | Angel Santiago | John P. Campo | Elmendorf Farm | 1:36.00 |
| 1973 | Holding Pattern | Michael Miceli | Jerome Sarner Sr. | John Gerbas Jr. | 1:36.00 |
| 1972 | Stop The Music * | John L. Rotz | John M. Gaver Sr. | Greentree Stable | 1:35.00 |
| 1971 | Riva Ridge | Ron Turcotte | Lucien Laurin | Meadow Stable | 1:36.40 |
| 1970 | Limit To Reason * | Jorge Velásquez | Thomas J. Kelly | Brookmeade Stable | 1:35.40 |
| 1969 | Silent Screen | John L. Rotz | J. Bowes Bond | Elberon Farm | 1:37.20 |
| 1968 | Top Knight | Manuel Ycaza | Raymond Metcalf | Steven B. Wilson | 1:35.20 |
| 1967 | Vitriolic | Braulio Baeza | Edward A. Neloy | Ogden Phipps | 1:34.60 |
| 1966 | Successor | Braulio Baeza | Edward A. Neloy | Wheatley Stable | 1:35.00 |
| 1965 | Buckpasser | Braulio Baeza | William C. Winfrey | Ogden Phipps | 1:36.40 |
| 1964 | Bold Lad | Braulio Baeza | William C. Winfrey | Wheatley Stable | 1:36.40 |
| 1963 | Roman Brother | John L. Rotz | Burley Parke | Harbor View Farm | 1:38.00 |
| 1962 | Never Bend | Manuel Ycaza | Woody Stephens | Cain Hoy Stable | 1:35.80 |
| 1961 | Donut Queen | Manuel Ycaza | Ron McAnally | Verne Winchell | 1:36.00 |
| 1960 | Roving Minstrel | Henry Moreno | Burley Parke | Harbor View Farm | 1:35.60 |
| 1959 | Warfare | Ismael Valenzuela | Hack Ross | Bellehurst Stable (Clifton Jones Jr.) | 1:35.20 |
| 1958 | First Landing | Eddie Arcaro | Casey Hayes | Christopher Chenery | 1:39.40 |
| 1957 | Jewel's Reward | Bill Shoemaker | Ivan H. Parke | Maine Chance Farm | 1:37.40 |
| 1955 | Beau Fond | Eddie Arcaro | Daverne Emery | Mrs. Henry H. Hecht | 1:36.40 |
| 1954 | Flying Fury | Henry Moreno | Loyd Gentry Jr. | Cain Hoy Stable | 1:37.80 |
| 1953 | Fisherman | Hedley Woodhouse | Sylvester Veitch | C. V. Whitney | 1:38.60 |
| 1952 | Laffango | Nick Shuk | Merritt A. Buxton | Trio Stable (Jack Liberman & Abe Giddins) | 1:38.00 |
| 1951 | Armageddon | Bill Shoemaker | Moody Jolley | Cain Hoy Stable | 1:38.20 |
| 1950 | Uncle Miltie | Hedley Woodhouse | Andrew C. Colando | Joseph J. Colando | 1:36.60 |
| 1949 | Theory | Steve Brooks | Horace A. Jones | Calumet Farm | 1:37.00 |
| 1948 | Capot | Ted Atkinson | John M. Gaver Sr. | Greentree Stable | 1:37.20 |
| 1947 | Vulcan's Forge | Arnold Kirkland | Sylvester Veitch | C. V. Whitney | 1:36.60 |
| 1946 | Donor | Job Dean Jessop | Preston M. Burch | W. Deering Howe | 1:37.40 |
* In 1970, Hoist The Flag won the race but was disqualified and set back to last.
* In 1972, Secretariat won the race but was disqualified and set back to second.
* Due to a large field, in 1973 the race was run in two divisions.

## Earlier winners

* 1945 – Marine Victory
* 1944 – Pot O'Luck
* 1943 – Pukka Gin
* 1942 – Count Fleet
* 1941 – Alsab
* 1940 – Monday Lunch
* 1939 – Andy K.
* 1938 – Porter's Mite
* 1937 – Menow
* 1936 – Privileged
* 1935 – Brevity
* 1934 – Balladier
* 1933 – Hadagal
* 1932 – Dynastic
* 1931 – Sweeping Light
* 1930 – Mate
* 1929 – Whichone
* 1928 – Healy
* 1927 – Oh Say
* 1926 – Valorous
* 1925 – Bubbling Over
* 1924 – Beatrice
* 1923 – Sarazen
* 1922 – Nassau
* 1921 – Surf Rider
* 1920 – Grey Lag
* 1919 – Cleopatra
* 1918 – War Pennant
* 1917 – Lanius
* 1916 – Vivid
* 1915 – Chicle
* 1914 – Paris
* 1913 – Race Not Run
* 1912 – Race Not Run
* 1911 – Race Not Run
* 1910 – Race Not Run
* 1909 – Fauntleroy
* 1908 – Helmet
* 1907 – Colin
* 1906 – Kentucky Beau
* 1905 – Perverse
* 1904 – Oiseau
* 1903 – Stalwart
* 1902 – Meltonian
* 1901 – Endurance by Right
* 1900 – Garry Herrmann
* 1899 – Kilmarnock
* 1898 – Lothario
* 1897 – Plaudit
* 1896 – The Friar
* 1895 – Ben Brush
* 1894 – Salvation
* 1893 – Sir Excess
* 1892 – Ramapo
* 1891 – Azra
* 1890 – Hoodlum
* 1889 – June Day
* 1888 – Radiant
* 1887 – Cascade
* 1886 – Connemarra
* 1885 – Dew Drop
* 1884 – Eachus
* 1883 – Leo
* 1882 – Breeze
* 1881 – Macduff
* 1880 – Lady Rosebery
* 1879 – Carita
* 1878 – Belinda
* 1877 – Albert
* 1876 – Bombast
* 1875 – Virginius
* 1874 – Hyder Ali
* 1873 – Grinstead
* 1872 – Minnie W.
* 1871 – Grey Planet
* 1870 – Madam Dudley
* 1869 – Finesse
* 1868 – Cottrill
* 1867 – Sarah B.