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 ( miles) : 1977–1979 12 furlongs ( 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.
Records Speed record: (at current distance of miles) 2:23.20 – Awad (1997)
Most wins: 2 – Majesty's Prince (1983, 1984) 2 – El Senor (1989, 1990) 2 – With Anticipation (2001, 2002) 2 – Grand Couturier (2007, 2008) 2 – Telling (2009, 2010) 2 – Flintshire (2015, 2016) 2 – Gufo (2021, 2022)
Most wins by an owner: 2 – John DeWitt Marsh (1983, 1984) 2 – Augustin Stable (2001, 2002) 2 – Marc Keller (2007, 2008) 2 – Alex & JoAnn Lieblong (2009, 2010) 2 – Juddmonte Farms (2015, 2016) 2 – Otter Bend Stables (2021, 2022) 2 - Michael B. Tabor (2023, 2026)
Most wins by a jockey: 4 – Pat Day (1987, 1997, 2001, 2002)
Most wins by a trainer: 5 – Christophe Clement (1999, 2011, 2021, 2022, 2024)
Winners since 1975 Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Distance (Miles) Time Grade2026Survie (IRE)5Manuel FrancoGeorge BougheyMichael Tabor1-1/22:31.55I2025El Cordobes (IRE)4Flavien PratCharlie ApplebyGodolphin Racing 1-1/22:25.04I2024Far Bridge4Joel RosarioChristophe ClementLSU Stables1-1/22:29.51I2023Bolshoi Ballet (IRE)5John R. VelazquezAidan O'BrienWesterberg, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor & Derrick Smith1-1/22:29.29I2022Gufo5Joel RosarioChristophe ClementOtter Bend Stables1-1/22:28.92I2021Gufo4Joel RosarioChristophe ClementOtter Bend Stables1-1/22.28.30I2020Channel Maker6Manuel FrancoWilliam MottWachtel Stable, Gary Barber Et Al1-1/2 2:34.86I2019Annals of Time6Javier CastellanoChad C. BrownKlaravich Stables, Inc. & William H. Lawrence1-1/2 2:27.50 I2018Glorious Empire7Julien LeparouxJames L. Lawrence, IIMatthew Schera1-1/2 2:24.41 I2017Sadler's Joy4Julien LeparouxThomas AlbertraniWoodslane Farm1-1/2 2:24.58 I2016Flintshire (GB)6Javier CastellanoChad C. BrownJuddmonte Farms1-1/22:23.45I2015Flintshire (GB)5Vincent CheminaudAndré FabreJuddmonte Farms1-1/22:23.77I2014Main Sequence5Rajiv MaraghH. Graham MotionFlaxman Holdings1-1/22:24.72I2013Big Blue Kitten5Joe BravoChad C. BrownKenneth and Sarah Ramsey1-1/22:26.46I2012Point of Entry4John VelazquezClaude R. McGaughey IIIPhipps Stable1-1/22:26.40I2011Winchester6Cornelio VelásquezChristophe ClementMr. & Mrs. Bertram Firestone1-1/22:26.74I2010Telling6Garrett GomezSteve HobbyAlex & JoAnn Lieblong1-1/22:25.29I2009Telling5Javier CastellanoSteve HobbyAlex & JoAnn Lieblong1-1/22:25.43I2008Grand Couturier 5Alan GarciaRobert RibaudoMarc Keller1-1/22:32.21I2007Grand Couturier 4Calvin BorelRobert RibaudoMarc Keller1-1/22:26.59I2006Go Deputy6Eibar CoaTodd PletcherWertheimer et Frère1-1/22:26.78I2005King's Drama5Jorge ChavezRobert J. FrankelGary A. Tanaka1-1/22:27.38I2004Better Talk Now5Ramon DomínguezH. Graham MotionBushwood Stables1-1/22:28.49I2003Whitmore's Conn5Jean-Luc SamynRandy SchulhoferMichael & Lynn Shanley1-1/22:28.14I2002With Anticipation7Pat DayJonathan SheppardAugustin Stable1-1/22:24.06I2001With Anticipation6Pat DayJonathan SheppardAugustin Stable1-1/22:26.41I2000John's Call9Jean-Luc SamynThomas H. VossTrillium Stable 1-1/22:32.17I1999Honor Glide5José A. SantosChristophe ClementRobert G. Schaedle1-1/22:28.23I1998Cetewayo4John VelazquezMichael DickinsonJohn A. Chandler1-1/22:29.56I1997Awad7Pat DayDavid G. DonkRyehill Farm1-1/22:23.20I1996Broadway Flyer5Mike E. SmithWilliam I. MottSultan & Bienstock1-1/22:32.08I1995Kiri's Clown6Mike LuzziPhilip G. JohnsonCobble View Stable1-1/22:25.08I1994Alex The Great5Pat ValenzuelaRodney RashVistas Stables1-1/22:28.66I1993Spectacular Tide4Julie KroneStanley M. HoughRoyal Lines Stable1-1/22:30.39I1992Fraise4Jerry BaileyWilliam I. MottMadeleine Paulson1-1/22:25.88I1991Dr. Root4Jean-Luc SamynVincent L. BlengsBarry K. Schwartz1-1/22:25.43I1990El Senor6Ángel Cordero Jr.William W. WrightWilliam W. Wright1-1/22:28.00I1989El Senor5Herb McCauleyWilliam W. WrightFrances W. Luro1-1/22:27.00I1988Anka Germania6Craig PerretTom SkiffingtonFernwood Stable1-1/22:32.20I1987Theatrical5Pat DayWilliam I. MottBertram R. Firestone1-1/22:26.00I1986Southern Sultan5Robbie DavisRoss PearceBuckland Farm1-1/22:39.60I1985Tri For Size4Robert Thibeau Jr.Michael SedlacekRory Green Stable1-1/22:33.20I1984Majesty's Prince5Eddie MapleJoseph B. CanteyJohn DeWitt Marsh1-1/22:31.00I1983Majesty's Prince4Eddie MapleJoseph B. CanteyJohn DeWitt Marsh1-1/22:34.40II1982Lemhi Gold4Chris McCarronLazaro S. BarreraAaron U. Jones1-1/22:26.00II1981John Henry6Bill ShoemakerLefty NickersonDotsam Stable1-1/22:26.80III1980Tiller6Ruben HernandezDavid A. WhiteleyWilliam Haggin Perry1-1/22:25.201979Darby Creek Road4Ángel Cordero Jr.Howard M. TesherH. Joseph Allen1-1/161:41.601978True Colors4Michael VeneziaWillard C. FreemanRobert Billips1-1/161:41.001977Effervescing4Ángel Cordero Jr.John W. RussellOgden Phipps1-1/161:39.601976Arabian Law3Jacinto VásquezDavid A. WhiteleyLazy F Ranch6 fur.1:10.601975Gallant Bob3Gerard GallitanoJoseph MarquetteRobert Horton6 fur.1:09.60 In 1987, Theatrical was awarded first place following the disqualification of Dance of Life.
References
The 2008 Sword Dancer Invitational Handicap at the NTRA