About the race
The Joe Hirsch Turf Classic is a Grade 1, USD 500,000 race over 1 1/2 miles on turf for three-year-olds and upwards, staged by The New York Racing Association (NYRA) in the autumn. According to Wikipedia it was first run in 1977 as the Aqueduct Turf Classic and was renamed in 2004 for the racing columnist Joe Hirsch. The 2025 running was held at Belmont at the Big A, at Aqueduct Racetrack. NYRA ended racing at Aqueduct on 28 June 2026, and the 2026 running moved to the new Belmont Park.
Godolphin’s Rebel’s Romance, trained by Charlie Appleby, won on 27 September 2025 by 3 1/2 lengths under Frankie Dettori. The 50th running was moved to 1 October 2026 after NYRA cancelled racing on 26 and 27 September because of a forecast nor’easter. Minaret Station won by half a length from Far Bridge for OXO Equine, trainer Will Walden and jockey Jose Ortiz, keeping the race after a stewards’ inquiry.
The 2025 running
| Date | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 September 2025 | Rebel's Romance | Frankie Dettori | Charlie Appleby | Godolphin |
From the official result.
The 2026 running
| Date | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 October 2026 | Minaret Station | Jose Ortiz | Will Walden | OXO Equine |
From the official result.
Recognition and facts
- 2026 running
- 50th (NYRA)
- 2026 date change
- Rescheduled to Thursday 1 October 2026 after racing at Belmont Park on 26 and 27 September was cancelled
- Japan Cup link
- The winner is eligible for a Japan Racing Association bonus if selected for and running in the Japan Cup (NYRA)
- Aqueduct
- Live racing ended on 28 June 2026 and the track is permanently closed (NYRA)
- Renamed
- 2004, for racing columnist Joe Hirsch (according to Wikipedia)
Questions readers ask
When is the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic run?
In the autumn: on 27 September 2025 at Belmont at the Big A and on 1 October 2026 at Belmont Park. NYRA had not published a 2027 date by 12 October 2026.
What is the prize fund of the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic?
NYRA lists a purse of USD 500,000 for the 2026 running.
Who won the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic in 2025?
Rebel's Romance, owned by Godolphin, trained by Charlie Appleby and ridden by Frankie Dettori.
Sources
The rank and rating are from the IFHA's LONGINES World's Top 100 Group/Grade 1 Races 2025, published 21 January 2026, which ranks races by the ratings of their first four finishers. Other facts are from the pages listed below.
- IFHA: LONGINES World's Top 100 Group/Grade 1 Races 2025 (published 21 January 2026)
- 2026 Belmont Park stakes schedule (NYRA)
- Rebel's Romance romps in G1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (NYRA, 28 September 2025)
- Minaret Station survives inquiry to capture G1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (NYRA, 1 October 2026)
- G1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic tops six graded stakes on October 1 card at Belmont Park (NYRA, 25 September 2026)
- Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (Wikipedia)