Breeders' Cup sets 2026 international challenge series schedule

Fourteen countries on five continents will host races from the Breeders’ Cup challenge series of win-and-you’re-in qualifiers as the international series enters its 20th year in 2026. 

Breeders’ Cup has allocated a record $6.5 million in free entry fees for the 2026 challenge series, with all winners guaranteed a starting position in a corresponding race at the 43rd Breeders’ Cup on Oct. 30 and 31 at Keeneland.  

Argentina, Canada, Chile, England, France, Ireland, Japan, Peru, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, the U.S. and Uruguay will host challenge Series races in 2026. The 45-race international schedule may be viewed at BreedersCup.com/races/challenge-series. The North American portion of the challenge series, including races in Canada, will be announced in the spring when racing schedules have been further finalized. 

“Global participation is a cornerstone of the Breeders’ Cup, and the challenge series remains the premier pathway for horsemen worldwide to secure automatic qualification for the world championships,” said Dora Delgado, executive vice president and chief racing officer of Breeders’ Cup Ltd. “We are grateful to the racing authorities and partner organizations spanning five continents for their continued commitment, which is essential to the strength of the challenge series, and we anticipate another outstanding edition of the world championships at Keeneland this fall.” 

Breeders’ Cup will offer a $10,000 travel allowance for all starters within North America who are located outside of Kentucky and a $40,000 travel allowance to the connections of championship starters who are based outside of North America. If not already nominated, each challenge winner must be nominated to the Breeders’ Cup program by the pre-entry deadline of Oct. 19 to receive the rewards. 

The 2026 Challenge Series launched in December with Obataye winning an entry to the Breeders’ Cup Turf through the Gran Premio International Carlos Pellegrini Stakes (G1) in Argentina. On Jan. 6, the international action continued with Herr Kitten securing a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt mile via the Gran Premio Pedro Pineyrua (G3) in Uruguay. 

The spotlight shifts Jan. 10 to Kenilworth Race Course in South Africa, with the King's Plate (G1) offering a free berth to the Breeders’ Cup mile, the Paddock Stakes (G1) serving as an automatic qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf, and the Cape Flying Championship (G1) providing entry to the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. 

The Saudi Cup (G1) card at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 14 and the Feb. 22 February Stakes (G1) card at Tokyo Race Course in Japan again will feature key challenge series races, along with the Dubai World Cup (G1) festival at Meydan Race Course in the United Arab Emirates in late March. The Royal Ascot meeting in England in June also will provide four automatic qualifiers. The series continues in the summer and fall, winding down with the Oct. 4 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) meeting at ParisLongchamp and the Oct. 17 Champion Stakes (G1) at Ascot Racecourse.  

Last year, 46 challenge series winners competed in the Breeders' Cup at Del Mar, and three won their respective divisional races: Forever Young in the Classic, Notable Speech in the mile and Ted Noffey in the Juvenile.