Cape Flying Championship Joins BC Challenge Series

A trio of world-class races at Kenilworth Racecourse in South Africa will anchor a blockbuster qualifying day Jan. 10 for the 2026 Breeders' Cup World Championships via the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In. Horses from around the globe will qualify for the 43rd running of the World Championships through the Win and You're In program, which will enter its 20th year in 2026. Consisting of 14 grade 1 races run during a two-day festival worth purses and awards of more than $34 million, the 2026 World Championships will be held Oct. 30-31 at Keeneland in Lexington, the Horse Capital of the World. The Cape Flying Championship (G1), a 1,000-meter (about 5-furlong) weight-for-age race, will serve as an automatic qualifier for the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T). The race joins the King's Plate (G1), a 1-mile race for 3-year-olds and up which provides a free berth to the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T), and the Paddock Stakes (G1), a 1 1/8-mile race for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and up that is an automatic qualifier for the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T). As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders' Cup will pay the entry fees for the winners of the three South African races to start in the respective Breeders' Cup divisions. "Breeders' Cup Limited is pleased to continue the expansion of our international Breeders' Cup Challenge Series with the addition of the Cape Flying Championship," said Breeders' Cup executive vice president and chief racing officer Dora Delgado. "We're grateful for the collaborative efforts that brought this partnership to fruition and look forward to welcoming top South African contenders to the World Championships." "The inclusion of the World Pool Cape Flying Championship in the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series is a landmark moment for South African racing," said Justin Vermaak, executive racing and bloodstock, Race Coast. "Hollywoodbets Kenilworth has long showcased some of the sport's most thrilling performances, and we are honored that our flagship sprint now serves as a gateway to the Breeders' Cup World Championships. This partnership reflects the growing stature of South African racing on the world stage, and we look forward to seeing our horses compete at Keeneland alongside the best in the world." Breeders' Cup will also provide a travel allowance for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships. The Challenge winner must be nominated to the Breeders' Cup program by the pre-entry deadline of Oct. 19, 2026, to receive the rewards.