Chester x NYRA: Ormonde Stakes Winner Earns Belmont Gold Cup & Manhattan Stakes Entry

New partnership between UK's Chester Racecourse and New York Racing Association opens door to prestigious US races.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 3:49pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a horse race at Chester Racecourse, with the colors of the UK and US flags blending together to represent the international collaboration between the two organizations.The new Chester-NYRA partnership opens the door for international horses to compete in some of America's most prestigious races.Belmont Today

A groundbreaking collaboration between Chester Racecourse in the UK and the New York Racing Association (NYRA) will provide a direct pathway for winners of select Chester races, including the Ormonde Stakes, to compete in the Grade 2 Belmont Gold Cup and the $1 million Grade 1 Manhattan Stakes at Saratoga during the Belmont Stakes festival. The partnership also includes travel incentives to make the journey more accessible for winning horses and their connections.

Why it matters

This deal represents a significant opportunity for international horses to gain access to some of the most prestigious races in American racing. It also highlights the growing importance of cross-border partnerships and travel incentives in the global horse racing industry.

The details

The key races at Chester's May meeting that will offer guaranteed entry to the Belmont Gold Cup and Manhattan Stakes are the Ormonde Stakes, Huxley Stakes, and Manhattan Stakes. Winners of these races will not only secure their spot in the lucrative US events but also receive travel support to make the journey across the Atlantic more feasible.

  • The Ormonde Stakes, Huxley Stakes, and Manhattan Stakes at Chester take place annually in May.
  • The Belmont Gold Cup and Manhattan Stakes at Saratoga are held during the Belmont Stakes festival, typically in early June.

The players

Chester Racecourse

A historic racecourse in Chester, England, known for its prestigious May meeting featuring the Ormonde Stakes, Huxley Stakes, and Manhattan Stakes.

New York Racing Association (NYRA)

The organization that operates the three major Thoroughbred horse racing tracks in New York state: Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park, and Saratoga Race Course.

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What’s next

The first edition of this new transatlantic racing collaboration will take place in May 2026, when the winners of the Ormonde Stakes, Huxley Stakes, and Manhattan Stakes at Chester will earn their spots in the Belmont Gold Cup and Manhattan Stakes at Saratoga.

The takeaway

This partnership between Chester Racecourse and the New York Racing Association represents a significant step forward in connecting the global horse racing community. By offering guaranteed entry and travel incentives, it creates a clear path for international horses to compete at the highest levels of American racing, potentially leading to a more diverse and competitive racing landscape.