2025 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic S.

about this race

Race Info
History

The Joe Hirsch Turf Classic is a 1 1/2 mile race run on Belmont Park's turf course for 3-year-olds and up in late September. The race was created in 1977 and is named in honor of award-winning journalist Joe Hirsch. It is a "Win and You're In" event for the Breeders' Cup Turf.

Winners of the race include Breeders' Cup winners Theatrical, English Channel, Little Mike and Main Sequence and champions Big Blue Kitten, Cape Blanco and Kitten's Joy.

The Joe Hirsch Turf Classic is a 1 1/2 mile race run on Belmont Park's turf course for 3-year-olds and up in late September. The race was created in 1977 and is named in honor of award-winning journalist Joe Hirsch. It is a "Win and You're In" event for the Breeders' Cup Turf.

Winners of the race include Breeders' Cup winners Theatrical, English Channel, Little Mike and Main Sequence and champions Big Blue Kitten, Cape Blanco and Kitten's Joy.

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Fastest Time (since 1976): 2:23:39
Greatest Winning Margin (since 1976): 10 1/4 lengths

Date	Past Winner	Trainer	Jockey	Owner
09/26/2025	Rebel's Romance (IRE) Trainer / Charles Appleby Jockey / Lanfranco Dettori Owner / Godolphin, LLC	Charles Appleby	Lanfranco Dettori	Godolphin, LLC
09/27/2024	Far Bridge Trainer / Christophe Clement Jockey / Joel Rosario Owner / LSU Stables	Christophe Clement	Joel Rosario	LSU Stables
10/06/2023	War Like Goddess Trainer / William I. Mott Jockey / Junior Alvarado Owner / George Krikorian	William I. Mott	Junior Alvarado	George Krikorian
10/07/2022	War Like Goddess Trainer / William I. Mott Jockey / Jose Lezcano Owner / George Krikorian	William I. Mott	Jose Lezcano	George Krikorian
10/08/2021	Rockemperor (IRE) Trainer / Chad C. Brown Jockey / Javier Castellano Owner / Madaket Stables LLC, Dubb, Michael, Wonder Stables, Kisber, Michael E. and Caruso, Michael J.	Chad C. Brown	Javier Castellano	Madaket Stables LLC, Dubb, Michael, Wonder Stables, Kisber, Michael E. and Caruso, Michael J.
10/02/2020	Channel Maker Trainer / William I. Mott Jockey / Manuel Franco Owner / Wachtel Stable, Barber, Gary, Hill Stable, and Reeves Racing	William I. Mott	Manuel Franco	Wachtel Stable, Barber, Gary, Hill Stable, and Reeves Racing
10/04/2019	Arklow Trainer / Brad H. Cox Jockey / Junior Alvarado Owner / Donegal Racing, Bulger, Joseph and Coneway, Peter	Brad H. Cox	Junior Alvarado	Donegal Racing, Bulger, Joseph and Coneway, Peter
09/28/2018	Channel Maker Trainer / William I. Mott Jockey / Jose L. Ortiz Owner / Wachtel Stable and Barber, Gary	William I. Mott	Jose L. Ortiz	Wachtel Stable and Barber, Gary
09/29/2017	Beach Patrol Trainer / Chad C. Brown Jockey / Joel Rosario Owner / Covello, James, Sheep Pond Partners and Head of Plains Partners LLC	Chad C. Brown	Joel Rosario	Covello, James, Sheep Pond Partners and Head of Plains Partners LLC
09/30/2016	Ectot (GB) Trainer / Todd A. Pletcher Jockey / Jose L. Ortiz Owner / Al Shaqab Racing and Normand, Gerard Augustin	Todd A. Pletcher	Jose L. Ortiz	Al Shaqab Racing and Normand, Gerard Augustin
09/25/2015	Big Blue Kitten Trainer / Chad C. Brown Jockey / Joe Bravo Owner / Ramsey, Kenneth L. and Sarah K.	Chad C. Brown	Joe Bravo	Ramsey, Kenneth L. and Sarah K.
09/26/2014	Main Sequence Trainer / H. Graham Motion Jockey / Rajiv Maragh Owner / Flaxman Holdings, Ltd.	H. Graham Motion	Rajiv Maragh	Flaxman Holdings, Ltd.
09/27/2013	Little Mike Trainer / Dale L. Romans Jockey / Mike E. Smith Owner / Priscilla Vaccarezza	Dale L. Romans	Mike E. Smith	Priscilla Vaccarezza
09/28/2012	Point of Entry Trainer / Claude R. McGaughey III Jockey / John R. Velazquez Owner / Phipps Stable	Claude R. McGaughey III	John R. Velazquez	Phipps Stable
09/30/2011	Cape Blanco (IRE) Trainer / Aidan P. O'Brien Jockey / Jamie P. Spencer Owner / Hay, Mrs. Fitriani, Smith, Derrick, Magnier, Mrs. John and Tabor, Michael, B.	Aidan P. O'Brien	Jamie P. Spencer	Hay, Mrs. Fitriani, Smith, Derrick, Magnier, Mrs. John and Tabor, Michael, B.
10/01/2010	Winchester Trainer / Christophe Clement Jockey / Cornelio H. Velasquez Owner / Firestone, Mr. and Mrs. Bertram R.	Christophe Clement	Cornelio H. Velasquez	Firestone, Mr. and Mrs. Bertram R.
10/02/2009	Interpatation Trainer / Robert Barbara Jockey / Robby Albarado Owner / Elliot Mavorah	Robert Barbara	Robby Albarado	Elliot Mavorah
09/26/2008	Grand Couturier (GB) Trainer / Robert Ribaudo Jockey / Alan Garcia Owner / Marc Keller	Robert Ribaudo	Alan Garcia	Marc Keller
09/29/2007	English Channel Trainer / Todd A. Pletcher Jockey / John R. Velazquez Owner / James T. Scatuorchio	Todd A. Pletcher	John R. Velazquez	James T. Scatuorchio
10/06/2006	English Channel Trainer / Todd A. Pletcher Jockey / John R. Velazquez Owner / James T. Scatuorchio	Todd A. Pletcher	John R. Velazquez	James T. Scatuorchio
09/30/2005	Shakespeare Trainer / William I. Mott Jockey / Jerry D. Bailey Owner / Dell Ridge Farm and Schettine, William	William I. Mott	Jerry D. Bailey	Dell Ridge Farm and Schettine, William
10/01/2004	Kitten's Joy Trainer / Dale L. Romans Jockey / John R. Velazquez Owner / Ramsey, Kenneth L. and Sarah K.	Dale L. Romans	John R. Velazquez	Ramsey, Kenneth L. and Sarah K.
09/26/2003	Sulamani (IRE) Trainer / Saeed bin Suroor Jockey / Jerry D. Bailey Owner / Godolphin, LLC	Saeed bin Suroor	Jerry D. Bailey	Godolphin, LLC
09/28/2002	Denon Trainer / Robert J. Frankel Jockey / Edgar S. Prado Owner / Gann, Edmund A. and Flaxman Stable	Robert J. Frankel	Edgar S. Prado	Gann, Edmund A. and Flaxman Stable
09/28/2001	Timboroa (GB) Trainer / Robert J. Frankel Jockey / Edgar S. Prado Owner / Edmund A. Gann	Robert J. Frankel	Edgar S. Prado	Edmund A. Gann
10/06/2000	John's Call Trainer / Thomas H. Voss Jockey / Jean-Luc Samyn Owner / Trillium Stable	Thomas H. Voss	Jean-Luc Samyn	Trillium Stable
10/08/1999	Val's Prince Trainer / H. James Bond Jockey / Jorge F. Chavez Owner / Martin, Robin and Weiner, Steve	H. James Bond	Jorge F. Chavez	Martin, Robin and Weiner, Steve
10/09/1998	Buck's Boy Trainer / P. Noel Hickey Jockey / Shane J. Sellers Owner / Quarter B. Farm	P. Noel Hickey	Shane J. Sellers	Quarter B. Farm
10/17/1997	Val's Prince Trainer / James E. Picou Jockey / Mike E. Smith Owner / Steve Weiner	James E. Picou	Mike E. Smith	Steve Weiner
10/04/1996	Diplomatic Jet Trainer / James E. Picou Jockey / Jorge F. Chavez Owner / Fred W. Hooper	James E. Picou	Jorge F. Chavez	Fred W. Hooper
10/06/1995	Turk Passer Trainer / Flint S. Schulhofer Jockey / John R. Velazquez Owner / Michael Shanley	Flint S. Schulhofer	John R. Velazquez	Michael Shanley
10/07/1994	Tikkanen Trainer / Jonathan E. Pease Jockey / Cash B. Asmussen Owner / Augustin Stables	Jonathan E. Pease	Cash B. Asmussen	Augustin Stables
10/08/1993	Apple Tree (FR) Trainer / Andre Fabre Jockey / Mike E. Smith Owner / Sultan Mohammed al Kabeer	Andre Fabre	Mike E. Smith	Sultan Mohammed al Kabeer
10/02/1992	Sky Classic Trainer / James E. Day Jockey / Pat Day Owner / Sam Son Farm	James E. Day	Pat Day	Sam Son Farm
10/05/1991	Solar Splendor Trainer / Patrick J. Kelly Jockey / Herb McCauley Owner / Live Oak Plantation	Patrick J. Kelly	Herb McCauley	Live Oak Plantation
10/06/1990	Cacoethes Trainer / Guy Harwood Jockey / Ray Cochrane Owner / Harrison Jane	Guy Harwood	Ray Cochrane	Harrison Jane
10/07/1989	Yankee Affair Trainer / Henry L. Carroll Jockey / Jose A. Santos Owner / Jujugen Stable	Henry L. Carroll	Jose A. Santos	Jujugen Stable
10/08/1988	Sunshine Forever Trainer / John M. Veitch Jockey / Angel Cordero, Jr. Owner / Darby Dan Farm	John M. Veitch	Angel Cordero, Jr.	Darby Dan Farm
09/25/1987	Theatrical (IRE) Trainer / William I. Mott Jockey / Pat Day Owner / Firestone & Paulson	William I. Mott	Pat Day	Firestone & Paulson
09/19/1986	Manila Trainer / LeRoy S. Jolley Jockey / Jose A. Santos Owner / Shannon B M	LeRoy S. Jolley	Jose A. Santos	Shannon B M
09/20/1985	Noble Fighter Trainer / Mitri Saliba Jockey / Alain Lequeux Owner / Buckram Oak Farm	Mitri Saliba	Alain Lequeux	Buckram Oak Farm
09/21/1984	John Henry Trainer / Ronald L. McAnally Jockey / Chris J. McCarron Owner / Dotsam Stable	Ronald L. McAnally	Chris J. McCarron	Dotsam Stable
10/28/1983	All Along (FR) Trainer / Patrick L. Biancone Jockey / Walter R. Swinburn Owner / Wildenstein D	Patrick L. Biancone	Walter R. Swinburn	Wildenstein D
10/22/1982	April Run (IRE) Trainer / Francois Boutin Jockey / Cash B. Asmussen Owner / Firestone Mrs B R	Francois Boutin	Cash B. Asmussen	Firestone Mrs B R
10/23/1981	April Run (IRE) Trainer / Francois Boutin Jockey / Philippe Paquet Owner / Firestone Mrs B R	Francois Boutin	Philippe Paquet	Firestone Mrs B R
10/24/1980	Anifa Trainer / Mitri Saliba Jockey / Alfred Gibert Owner / Buckram Oak Farm	Mitri Saliba	Alfred Gibert	Buckram Oak Farm
10/26/1979	Bowl Game Trainer / John M. Gaver, Jr. Jockey / Jorge Velasquez Owner / Greentree Stable	John M. Gaver, Jr.	Jorge Velasquez	Greentree Stable
10/20/1978	Waya (FR) Trainer / Angel Penna, Sr. Jockey / Angel Cordero, Jr. Owner / Wildenstein D	Angel Penna, Sr.	Angel Cordero, Jr.	Wildenstein D
11/18/1977	Johnny D. Trainer / Michael Kay Jockey / Stephen Cauthen Owner / Bray Dana S Jr	Michael Kay	Stephen Cauthen	Bray Dana S Jr