Churchill Downs Incorporated and the New York Racing Association (NYRA) have partnered to develop the Thoroughbred Championship Series, featuring an annual season-long competition set to begin in May 2027.
“The Thoroughbred Championship Series will extend the excitement of the sport across a five-month season. The Kentucky Derby introduces millions of fans to a new generation of Thoroughbred stars each year, and this series gives those fans a reason to stay engaged with the sport's biggest stars throughout the season,” Churchill Downs CEO Bill Carstanjen said.
“By connecting these premier events through one championship, we're creating a season-long storyline that benefits the future of Thoroughbred racing.”
The six-race competition will include the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, Matt Winn Stakes, Jim Dandy Stakes, Travers Stakes and Championship Race, each hosted from Churchill Downs, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course.
A unified points system will be used to keep track of rankings, while a $5m prize pool will be awarded based on the final standings – in addition to individual race purses.
NYRA President & CEO Dan O’Rourke also spoke the new collaboration, having said, “This series is designed to showcase the sport’s best three-year-olds across a season-long championship, elevating our biggest events and creating the next generation of fans.
“The return of the Belmont Stakes to a newly transformed Belmont Park makes this an especially exciting moment for our sport. Together with Churchill Downs and our television partners, we are building on tradition to carry the excitement of these marquee races through the entire season.”
Churchill Downs and NYRA are set to collaborate on the competition’s rules, nominations process, marketing, sponsorship, wagering opportunities and television distribution, as the annual event will begin on the first Saturday in May.
On July 29, Churchill Downs reported its financial results for the second quarter and first half of 2026, as net revenue during both periods increased 4.9% and 4.2%, respectively, for totals of $980m and just over $1.6bn.
During the second quarter of 2025, Churchill Downs generated $241m of net income and increased the total by 11.1%, while the operator’s adjusted EBITDA rose 5.8% to $477m.
Churchill Downs agreed to acquire the New York Racing Association’s 49% interest in United Tote on July 30, restoring full ownership of the pari-mutuel wagering technology supplier
