Christophe Clement Turf Stakes
Flintshire prior to winning the 2015 Sword Dancer | |
| Class | Grade 1 |
|---|---|
| Location | Saratoga Race Course Saratoga Springs, New York, United States |
| Inaugurated | 1975 (as the Sword Dancer Stakes) |
| Race type | Thoroughbred – Flat racing |
| Website | www.nyra.com |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1+1⁄2 miles (12 furlongs) |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Three-year-olds & up |
| Weight | Assigned |
| Purse | US$750,000 |
The Christophe Clement Turf Stakes (formerly the Sword Dancer Stakes) is an American race for thoroughbred horses, aged three and up, run annually in mid August at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. A prep for the Breeders' Cup Turf, it is set at a distance of one and one-half miles (12 furlongs) on the turf. A Grade I event, the race currently offers a purse of $750,000.
Inaugurated in 1975 as a six furlong sprint on dirt for three-year-old horses, the race was originally named for 1959 Horse of the Year Sword Dancer, who was elected to the United States Racing Hall of Fame in 1977.
Beginning in 1977 the race was held at Belmont Park, then in 1992 it was moved to the Saratoga Race Course. Since its inception, the race has been contested at various distances:
- 6 furlongs : 1975–1976 (on dirt)
- 8.5 furlongs (1+1⁄16 miles) : 1977–1979
- 12 furlongs (1+1⁄2 miles) : 1980–present (on turf)
The race was run as an Invitational Handicap from 1994 to 2014.
In August 2025, it was announced on the day of the Sword Dancer Stakes that the race would be renamed in 2026 for the late thoroughbred trainer Christophe Clement, who died earlier that year. Clement won the Sword Dancer five times, more than any other trainer.