Racing enthusiasts will flock to Kenilworth Racecourse on Jan. 10, as three premier races offer a direct path to the 2026 Breeders’ Cup World Championships. The excitement will be palpable, and every stride will count on the road to Keeneland.
The Cape Flying Championship (G1), a 1,000-meter weight-for-age sprint, will serve as an automatic qualifier for the Prevagen Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1). Joining it will be the prestigious King’s Plate (G1), a one-mile contest open to three-year-olds and older, which will provide a berth to the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1), and the Paddock Stakes (G1), a 1,400-meter race for fillies and mares three years and older, which will grant a spot in the Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1).
Horses from across the globe will be eligible to earn entry to the 43rd Breeders’ Cup World Championships, scheduled to take place Oct. 30–31, 2026, at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, widely known as the Horse Capital of the World. The Challenge Series, entering its 20th year in 2026, will feature 14 Grade 1 races over a two-day festival with purses and awards exceeding $34 million.
Breeders’ Cup Limited will pay the entry fees for winners of the South African qualifiers and will provide a travel allowance for competitors from outside North America, ensuring top international contenders can compete against the world’s best at Keeneland.
“Breeders’ Cup Limited is thrilled to expand our international Challenge Series with the Cape Flying Championship,” said Dora Delgado, Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Officer of Breeders’ Cup Limited. “We look forward to welcoming top South African talent to the World Championships.”
Justin Vermaak, Executive Racing & Bloodstock at Race Coast, added, “The inclusion of the Cape Flying Championship as a Breeders’ Cup qualifier will be a landmark moment for South African racing. Kenilworth has long been home to some of the sport’s most exhilarating performances, and this partnership reflects our growing presence on the world stage.”
As anticipation builds ahead of Jan. 10, fans will witness fierce competition, world-class sprinters, and a genuine showcase of South African racing on a global platform.
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