Thoroughbred Championship Series News Release: Nominations Now Open for Inaugural 2027 Thoroughbred Championship Series

Nov 12, 2026

Nominations are now open for the inaugural 2027 Thoroughbred Championship Series (“TCS”), the new 10-race championship series created by Churchill Downs Incorporated (“CDI”) (Nasdaq: CHDN) and The New York Racing Association, Inc. (“NYRA”).

Horsemen can nominate eligible 3-year-olds for the 2027 TCS Derby and Oaks Divisions at $500 each online at TCSnominations.com through Thursday, Dec. 10. Following the early nominations period, horses may still be nominated at increased fees, as outlined in the TCS nomination schedule.

The TCS will feature six Derby Division races and four Oaks Division races staged at Churchill Downs, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course. In addition to race purses, the series will award $5 million in Derby Division bonuses and $1 million in Oaks Division bonuses. In total, more than $22 million in purses and prizes will be available across the 10 races.

HOW TO NOMINATE

Nominations can be submitted at TCSnominations.com.

A single nomination and payment of the applicable fee nominates an eligible male horse to all six Derby Division races. A filly nominated to the TCS is automatically nominated to both the Oaks and Derby Divisions, providing her connections with the flexibility to compete in either division throughout the season.

Horses must be nominated to the TCS to earn series points, appear in the official TCS standings or qualify for TCS bonus awards.

Complete TCS rules, including the nomination fee schedule, points structure and prize payout information, are available at TCSnominations.com.

TRAINER AND JOCKEY AWARDS

The TCS also will award $100,000 each to the leading trainers and jockeys based on points earned across both the Derby and Oaks Divisions. The top three trainers and jockeys in the final standings will receive $50,000 for first place, $30,000 for second and $20,000 for third, creating an additional season-long competition across the series.

The 2027 Derby Division will include the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve; Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets; Matt Winn Stakes; Jim Dandy Stakes; DraftKings Travers Stakes; and TCS Championship.

The 2027 Oaks Division will include the Longines Kentucky Oaks; DraftKings Acorn Stakes; Coaching Club American Oaks; and Alabama Stakes.

For more information about the Thoroughbred Championship Series, visit ThoroughbredChampionshipSeries.com.