Breeders’ Cup Marathon

MONMOUTH JUNCTION, NJ - OCTOBER 27: Hystericalady #12, riden by Eddie Castro, battles Ginger Punch 4, riden by Rafael Bejarano down the final stretch of the Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Distaff October 27, 2007 during the Breeders' Cup at Monmouth Park in Monmouth Junction, New Jersey. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
The Breeders’ Cup Marathon is the long distance highlight of the annual Breeders’ Cup meeting. Originally run over a distance of 12 furlongs, the race was extended to 14 furlongs for the 2009 Breeders’ Cup.

The Breeders’ Cup Marathon is a weight-for-age handicap, and is open to 3 year old and above thoroughbreds. The race is run on dirt, and is therefore of limited appeal to European trainers who are more accustomed to racing their horses over turf.

The Breeders’ Cup Marathon was introduced to the Breeders’ Cup meeting as recently as 2008 to compensate for the lack of a true stayers’ race at the meeting. As a new race the Breeders’ Cup Marathon is yet to be classified, and offers a prize fund of $500,000.

Breeders’ Cup Marathon

Year

Winner

Time

Jockey

Trainer
2008 Muhannak 2:28.24 Pat Smullen Ralph Beckett

2008 Breeders’ Cup Marathon

The inaugural running of the Breeders’ Cup Marathon took place in 2008. The race was run over a distance of 12 furlongs (1 1/2 miles) at Santa Anita Park in California. 8 racehorses competed in the event, with Ralph Beckett’s Muhannak running out as winner. Church Service finished the race in second place, and was followed home by Big Booster.