"Turf Classic" redirects here. For the race at Churchill Downs, see Turf Classic Stakes.
Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes
SurfaceTurf
ClassGrade I
Horse raceJoe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes
LocationBelmont Park
Elmont, New York, United States
Inaugurated1977 (as Turf Classic at Aqueduct Racetrack)
Race typeThoroughbred – Flat racing
WebsiteNYRA
Distance1 1⁄2 miles
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationThree-years-old and older
WeightWeight for Age
Purse$500,000 (2021)

The Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes is a Grade I American Weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race for three years old and older over a distance of 1 1⁄2 miles on the turf track scheduled in late September or early October at . The event currently offers a purse of $500,000.

History

The inaugural running of the event was on 19 November 1977 as the Aqueduct Turf Classic Stakes and was won by Johnny D., ridden by 17-year-old Steve Cauthen by 3 3⁄4 lengths in a time of 2:331⁄5.[1] The event was scheduled two weeks after the Washington D.C. International, an event that Johnny D. won as well[1] earning him US Champion Male Turf Horse honors for 1977. The following year the event was held at Belmont Park.[2] In 1979, the event was classified as Grade I and was returned to the Aqueduct and was held there until 1983.[2]

In 1983 the name of the event was shortened to being called just the Turf Classic. The event drew the top Thoroughbreds from the U.S. and Europe when it was part of a million-dollar bonus for any horse who won it plus the Canadian International Stakes at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto and the Washington D.C. International at Laurel Park Racecourse in Laurel, Maryland. That year the champion French bred filly All Along was able to win the treble, winning the million-dollar bonus[3] and being crowned US Champion Female Turf Horse and US Horse of the Year.

Other notable champions to win the event in the pre-Breeders' Cup era include the French bred mare, winner in 1978, Waya, who was crowned the US Champion Older Female Horse the following year. The Irish bred filly April Run won the event twice in 1981 and 1982. In 1982 she also won the Washington D.C. International and was voted as US Champion Female Turf Horse. John Henry remarkably won this event in 1984 as a nine-year-old and what would be his second last start. He was crowned the US Horse of the Year that year.

Early in the Breeders' Cup era the event immediately become one of the major preparatory races for the Breeders' Cup Turf. The 1986 winner, the three-year-old Manila, and the 1987 winner, the Irish bred Theatrical, both won the Breeders' Cup Turf and were voted US Champion Male Turf Horse. In 1994 Tikkanen also won the Turf Classic-Breeders' Cup Turf double enroute to US Champion Male Turf Horse.

In 2004 the event was renamed in honor of Joe Hirsch, the award-winning racing columnist and founding president of the National Turf Writers Association. Joe Hirsch, aged 80, died on January 9, 2009.[4]

Dual winner English Channel was a Breeders' Cup Turf winner in 2007 and also the sire of Channel Maker, a dual winner (2018, 2020) and second-placed finisher in 2019 of this event.

In 2022 the event was moved to Aqueduct Racetrack due to infield tunnel and redevelopment work at Belmont Park.[5] The 2022 & 2023 winner was English Channel's daughter War Like Goddess, with his offspring successful in the event for the fourth time.[6]

Records

Time record:

Margins:

  • 10 1⁄4 lengths – Grand Couturier (GB) (2008)

Most wins:

Most wins by an owner:

Most wins by a jockey:

Most wins by a trainer:

Winners

YearWinnerAgeJockeyTrainerOwnerDistanceTimePurseGradeRef
At Aqueduct – Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes
2025Rebel's Romance (IRE)7Frankie DettoriCharlie ApplebyGodolphin1 1⁄2 miles2:25.72$485,000I[7]
2024Far Bridge4Joel RosarioChristophe ClementLSU Stables1 1⁄2 miles2:32.22$485,000I[8]
2023ƒ War Like Goddess6Junior AlvaradoWilliam I. MottGeorge Krikorian1 1⁄2 miles2:32.86[a]$500,000I[9]
2022ƒ War Like Goddess5Jose LezcanoWilliam I. MottGeorge Krikorian1 1⁄2 miles2:27.29$500,000I[10]
At Belmont Park
2021Rockemperor (IRE)5Javier CastellanoChad C. BrownMichael Dubb, Michael E. Kisber, Wonder Stables, Bethlehem Stables & Madaket Stables1 1⁄2 miles2:25.61$500,000I[11]
2020Channel Maker4Manuel FrancoWilliam I. MottWachtel Stable, Gary Barber, R. A. Hill Stable & Reeves Thoroughbred Racing1 1⁄2 miles2:25.99$250,000I[12]
2019Arklow5Junior AlvaradoBrad H. CoxDonegal Racing, Joseph Bulger & Peter Coneway1 1⁄2 miles2:27.34$507,500I[13]
2018Channel Maker4Jose L. OrtizWilliam I. MottWachtel Stable & Gary Barber1 1⁄2 miles2:30.73$500,000I[14]
2017Beach Patrol4Joel RosarioChad C. BrownJames Covello, Sheep Pond Partners & Head of Plains Partners1 1⁄2 miles2:26.29$500,000I[15]
2016Ectot (GB)5Jose L. OrtizTodd A. PletcherAl Shaqab Racing & Gerard Augustin-Normand1 1⁄2 miles2:28.76$475,000I[16]
2015Big Blue Kitten7Joe BravoChad C. BrownKenneth and Sarah Ramsey1 1⁄2 miles2:23.39$600,000I[17]
2014Main Sequence5Rajiv MaraghH. Graham MotionFlaxman Holdings1 1⁄2 miles2:26.32$600,000I[18]
Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational Stakes
2013Little Mike6Mike E. SmithDale L. RomansPriscilla Vaccarezza1 1⁄2 miles2:25.00$600,000I[19]
2012Point of Entry4John R. VelazquezClaude R. McGaughey IIIPhipps Stable1 1⁄2 miles2:33.73$600,000I[20]
2011Cape Blanco (IRE)4Jamie P. SpencerAidan P. O'BrienDerrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor & Mrs. Fitriani Hay1 1⁄2 miles2:36.61$500,000I[21]
2010Winchester5Cornelio VelasquezChristophe ClementBertram and Diana Firestone1 1⁄2 miles2:36.09$500,000I[22]
2009Interpatation7Robby AlbaradoRobert BarbaraElliot Mavorah1 1⁄2 miles2:41.22$600,000I[23]
2008Grand Couturier (GB)5Alan GarciaRobert RibaudoMarc Keller1 1⁄2 miles2:34.84$600,000I[24]
2007English Channel5John R. VelazquezTodd A. PletcherJames T. Scatuorchio1 1⁄2 miles2:25.73$600,000I[25]
2006§ English Channel4John R. VelazquezTodd A. PletcherJames T. Scatuorchio1 1⁄2 miles2:28.69$600,000I[26]
2005Shakespeare4Jerry D. BaileyWilliam I. MottDell Ridge Farm & William Schettine1 1⁄2 miles2:27.22$750,000I[27]
2004Kitten's Joy3John R. VelazquezDale L. RomansKenneth and Sarah Ramsey1 1⁄2 miles2:29.97$750,000I[28]
Turf Classic Invitational Stakes
2003Sulamani (IRE)4Jerry D. BaileySaeed bin SuroorGodolphin Racing1 1⁄2 miles2:27.51$750,000I[29]
2002§ Denon4Edgar S. PradoRobert J. FrankelEdmund A. Gann & Flaxman Stable1 1⁄2 miles2:28.47$750,000I[30]
2001Timboroa (GB)5Edgar S. PradoRobert J. FrankelEdmund A. Gann1 1⁄2 miles2:29.43$750,000I[31]
2000John's Call9Jean-Luc SamynThomas H. VossTrillium Stable1 1⁄2 miles2:28.58$750,000I[32]
1999Val's Prince7Jorge F. ChavezH. James BondRobin Martin & Steve Weiner1 1⁄2 miles2:28.63$600,000I[33]
1998Buck's Boy5Shane SellersP. Noel HickeyQuarter B Farm1 1⁄2 miles2:33.25$500,000I[34]
1997Val's Prince5Mike E. SmithJames E. PicouRobin Martin & Steve Weiner1 1⁄2 miles2:28.92$500,000I[35]
1996Diplomatic Jet4Jorge F. ChavezJames E. PicouFred W. Hooper1 1⁄2 miles2:27.51$500,000I[36]
1995Turk Passer5John R. VelazquezFlint S. SchulhoferMichael Shanley1 1⁄2 miles2:36.63$500,000I[37]
1994Tikkanen3Cash AsmussenJonathan E. PeaseAugustin Stable1 1⁄2 miles2:25.88$500,000I[38]
1993Apple Tree (FR)4Mike E. SmithAndré FabreMohammed Al Kabeer1 1⁄2 miles2:28.31$500,000I[39]
1992Sky Classic5Pat DayJames E. DaySam-Son Farm1 1⁄2 miles2:24.50$500,000I[40]
1991Solar Splendor4Herb McCauleyPatrick J. KellyLive Oak Plantation1 1⁄2 miles2:27.89$500,000I[41]
At Belmont Park – Turf Classic
1990Cacoethes4Ray CochraneGuy HarwoodLady Jane Harrison1 1⁄2 miles2:25.00$600,000I[42]
1989Yankee Affair7Jose A. SantosHenry L. CarrollJujugen Stable1 1⁄2 miles2:27.20$654,200I[43]
1988Sunshine Forever3Angel Cordero Jr.John M. VeitchDarby Dan Farm1 1⁄2 miles2:33.80$600,000I[44]
1987Theatrical (IRE)5Pat DayWilliam I. MottBertram R. Firestone1 1⁄2 miles2:29.20$600,000I[45]
1986Manila3Jose A. SantosLeRoy JolleyBradley M. Shannon1 1⁄2 miles2:27.80$705,250I[46]
1985Noble Fighter3Alain LequeuxMitri SalibaBuckram Oak Farm1 1⁄2 miles2:25.40$718,500I[47]
1984John Henry9Chris McCarronRon McAnallyDotsam Stable1 1⁄2 miles2:25.20$626,250I[48]
At Aqueduct
1983ƒ All Along (FR)4Walter R. SwinburnPatrick L. BianconeDaniel Wildenstein1 1⁄2 miles2:34.00$585,700I[49]
1982ƒ April Run (IRE)4Cash AsmussenFrançois BoutinDiana M. Firestone1 1⁄2 miles2:29.80$476,800I[50]
1981ƒ April Run (IRE)3Philippe PaquetFrançois BoutinDiana M. Firestone1 1⁄2 miles2:31.20$300,000I[51]
1980ƒ Anifa4Alfred GibertMitri SalibaBuckram Oak Farm1 1⁄2 miles2:39.60$300,000I[52]
1979Bowl Game5Jorge VelasquezJohn M. Gaver Jr.Greentree Stable1 1⁄2 miles2:28.20$250,000I[53]
At Belmont
1978ƒ Waya (FR)4Angel Cordero Jr.Angel Penna Sr.Daniel Wildenstein1 1⁄2 miles2:26.80$200,000[54]
At Aqueduct
1977Johnny D.3Steve CauthenMichael KayDana S. Bray Jr.1 1⁄2 miles2:33.20$200,000[1]

Legend:


Notes:
§ Ran as an entry
ƒ Filly or Mare

  1. ^ War Like Goddess set a new track record for the distance on the outer turf track at Aqueduct

See also

References

  1. ^ "Cauthen is aboard as Johnny D. wins (1977 Turf Classic – race 8: held 19 November 1977)". Hackensack Record. The Associated Press. 20 November 1977. p. 77. Archived 21 June 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  2. ^ "Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes (Gr. 1)". Equibase. 2020. Archived 24 October 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  3. ^ Beard, Gordon (13 November 1983). "All Along wins International and $1 million bonus (1983 Washington DC International – race 8: held 12 November 1989)". The Courier-Journal. p. 51. Archived 21 June 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  4. ^ Stakes Histories, The Original Racing Almanac 2009, page 360 on June 26, 2008.
  5. ^ Ehalt, Bob (28 July 2022). "NYRA Shifts Belmont Fall Meet to Aqueduct Change will allow construction of infield tunnel, redevelopment plan to begin.". Archived 22 August 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  6. ^ Mitchell, Eric (8 October 2022). "War Like Goddess Beats Boys in Joe Hirsch Turf Classic; The English Channel mare defeated six male challengers Oct. 8 at Aqueduct.". bloodhorse.com. Archived 11 October 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  7. ^ "2025 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 5)". Equibase. September 27, 2025. Archived September 27, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
  8. ^ "2024 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 6)". Equibase. September 28, 2024. Archived October 7, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  9. ^ "2023 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 8)". Equibase. October 7, 2023. Archived January 2, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  10. ^ "2022 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 8 October 2022. Archived 9 October 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  11. ^ "2021 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase. Archived 10 October 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  12. ^ "2020 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase. 3 October 2020. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  13. ^ "2019 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 5 October 2019. Archived 26 June 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  14. ^ "2018 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 29 September 2018. Archived 24 June 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  15. ^ "2017 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 - (race 10)". Equibase. 30 September 2017. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  16. ^ "2016 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 - (race 6)". Equibase. 1 October 2016. Archived 14 June 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  17. ^ "2015 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 - (race 10)". Equibase. 26 September 2015. Archived 15 June 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  18. ^ "2014 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 27 September 2014. Archived 7 December 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  19. ^ "2013 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 28 September 2013. Archived 19 June 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  20. ^ "2012 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 29 September 2012. Archived 14 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  21. ^ "2011 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational Stakes Grade 1 - (race 6)". Equibase. 1 October 2011. Archived 18 June 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  22. ^ "2010 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 2 October 2010. Archived 5 June 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  23. ^ "2009 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 3 October 2009. Archived 8 December 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  24. ^ "2008 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 27 September 2008. Archived 8 December 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  25. ^ "2007 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 30 September 2007. Archived 7 November 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  26. ^ "2006 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 7 October 2006. Archived 7 November 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  27. ^ "2005 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 1 October 2005. Archived 30 October 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  28. ^ "2004 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 2 October 2004. Archived 9 December 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  29. ^ "2003 Turf Classic Invitational Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 27 September 2003. Archived 7 December 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  30. ^ "2002 Turf Classic Invitational Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 29 September 2002. Archived 7 December 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  31. ^ "2001 Turf Classic Invitational Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 29 September 2001. Archived 7 December 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  32. ^ "2000 Turf Classic Invitational Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 7 October 2000. Archived 25 November 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  33. ^ "1999 Turf Classic Invitational Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 9 October 1999. Archived 29 June 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  34. ^ "1998 Turf Classic Invitational Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 10 October 1998. Archived 2 February 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  35. ^ "1997 Turf Classic Invitational Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 18 October 1997. Archived 14 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  36. ^ "1996 Turf Classic Invitational Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 5 October 1996. Archived 9 December 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  37. ^ "1995 Turf Classic Invitational Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 7 October 1995. Archived 9 December 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  38. ^ "1994 Turf Classic Invitational Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase. 8 October 1994. Archived 9 December 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  39. ^ "1993 Turf Classic Invitational Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase. 9 October 1993. Archived 11 December 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  40. ^ "1992 Turf Classic Invitational Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase. 3 October 1992. Archived 13 December 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  41. ^ "1991 Turf Classic Invitational Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 6 October 1991. Archived 13 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  42. ^ Indrisano, Ron (8 October 1990). "Cacoethes captures Turf Classic with continental flair (1990 Turf Classic – race 6: held 7 October 1990)". Boston Globe. p. 57. Archived 21 June 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  43. ^ "Yankee Affair nabs Turf Classic (1989 Turf Classic – race 8: held 8 October 1989)". The Courier-Journal. Associated Press. 9 October 1989. p. 29. Archived 21 June 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  44. ^ "Sunshine Forever stars in $600,000 Turf Classic (1988 Turf Classic – race 8: held 9 October 1988)". The Courier-Journal. Associated Press. 10 October 1988. p. 35. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  45. ^ "Relaxed Theatrical romps in Turf Classic (1987 Turf Classic – race 8: held 26 September 1987)". The Courier-Journal. Associated Press. 27 September 1987. p. 24. Archived 21 June 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  46. ^ Cornelius, Jim (21 September 1986). "Manila edges longshot in Turf Classic at Belmont (1986 Turf Classic – race 8: held 22 September 1986)". Hackensack Record. p. 40. Archived 21 June 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  47. ^ "55-1 longshot Noble Fighter captures Turf Classic (1985 Turf Classic – race 8: held 21 September 1985)". Central New Jersey Home News. The Associated Press. 22 September 1985. p. 40. Archived 21 June 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  48. ^ Cornelius, Jim (23 September 1984). "John Henry wins Turf Classic (1984 Turf Classic – race 8: held 22 September 1984)". Hackensack Record. p. 7. Archived 21 June 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  49. ^ "All Along tops Turf Classic (1983 Turf Classic – race 9: held 29 October 1983)". Hackensack Record. 30 October 1983. p. 187. Archived 21 June 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  50. ^ Whelan, Tom (24 October 1982). "April Run wins Turf Classic (1982 Turf Classic – race 8: held 23 October 1982)". White Plains Journal News. p. 50. Archived 21 June 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  51. ^ "Firestone's April Run captures rich Turf Classic (1981 Turf Classic – race 8: held 24 October 1981)". The Courier-Journal. The Associated Press. 25 October 1981. p. 18. Archived 21 June 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  52. ^ Whelan, Tom (24 October 1980). "Anifa, 44-1, wins soggy Turf Classic (1980 Invitational Turf Classic – race 8: held 23 October 1980)". White Plains Journal News. p. 50. Archived 21 June 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  53. ^ "Bowl Game captures 'Classic' (1979 Invitational Turf Classic – race 8: held 27 October 1979)". Central New Jersey Home News. The Associated Press. 28 October 1979. p. 50. Archived 21 June 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  54. ^ "French filly wins Turf Classic at Belmont (1978 Turf Classic – race 8: held 21 October 1978)". White Plains Journal News. The Associated Press. 22 October 1978. p. 588. Archived 21 June 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 17 September 2020.