The Knickerbocker Stakes is a Listed American race on turf for Thoroughbred horses run each year at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. The Knickerbocker is open to three-year-olds and up, and set at a distance of miles (nine furlongs). Run in mid October, it currently offers a purse of $200,000.

Graded status Grade 2: 1998–2004, 2017–present Grade 3: 1973–1997, 2005–2016

Historical notes The Knickerbocker is named for a fictional character, Diedrich Knickerbocker, from Washington Irving's Knickerbocker History of New York– a spoof on the imagined colony of New Netherland.

The race was originally run as the Knickerbocker Handicap at Aqueduct Racetrack in late October or early November, although the 1962, 1995 and 2001 renewals were held at Belmont. The race was permanently moved to Belmont Park in 2008 and was changed from a handicap to allowance weight conditions in 2009.

The race has been run at a variety of distances over the years: miles – 1960, 1961, 1971 to 1974 miles – 1962, 1975, 1976, 1978 to 1986 miles – 1963 to 1969 miles – 1970 miles – 1977, 1995 and 2001 miles – 1987 to 1994, 1996 to 2000, 2002 to present

The Knickerbocker was run in two divisions in 1963, 1967, 1969, 1976, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, and 1985.

In 1977, 1992, 1997 and 2023 the race was switched from turf to dirt due to rain. The 2023 event only fielded a two horse field.

In 2025 the event was downgraded by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to Listed status.

Records Speed record: (at current distance of 1 1/8 miles on turf) Za Approval, 1:46.51 ( 2013)

Most wins: 2 – Shady Character (1974, 1975) 2 – Charge d'Affaires (1999, 2000) 2 – Boisterous (2011, 2012) 2 – Blacktype (2017, 2018)

Most wins by a jockey: 7 – Jean Cruguet (1977 (2), 1978, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1992)

Most wins by a trainer: 6 – Christophe Clement (1993, 1999, 2000, 2009, 2013, 2017)

Most wins by an owner: 5 – Ogden Mills Phipps / Phipps Stable (1974, 1975, 1978, 2011, 2012)

Winners Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Win$2023Pioneering Spirit4José OrtizLinda RiceA. Bianco Holding Limited1 M1:51.42$112,5002022King Cause7Kendrick CarmoucheMichael J. MakerNice Guys Stables1 M1:50.06$150,0002021Sacred Life6José OrtizChad C. BrownMichael Dubb, Wonder Stables, Bethlehem Stables & Madaket Stables 1 M1:46.66$150,0002020Devamani6Joel RosarioChad C. BrownSanford J. Goldfarb1 M1:51.78$110,0002019Lucullan5Luis SaezKiaran McLaughlinGodolphin Racing LLC1 M1:46.87 $110,0002018Blacktype7Joel RosarioChristophe ClementJump Sucker Stable1 M1:48.35 $110,0002017Blacktype6Joel RosarioChristophe ClementJump Sucker Stable1 M1:50.33$120,0002016Heart to Heart 5Irad Ortiz Jr.Brian A. LynchTerry Hamilton1 M1:50.62$120,0002015Messi5John R. VelazquezH. Graham MotionGestut Brummerhof1 M1:49.70$120,0002014Legendary5Sheldon RussellNiall SavilleWalter Swinburn1 M1:51.65$120,0002013Za Approval5Joel RosarioChristophe ClementLive Oak Racing 1 M1:46.51$120,0002012Boisterous5Jose LezcanoClaude R. McGaughey IIIPhipps Stable1 M1:50.26$60,0002011Boisterous4John R. VelazquezClaude R. McGaughey IIIPhipps Stable1 M1:51.42$60,0002010Violon Sacre5Pablo FragosoPatrick L. BianconeBernard Weill1 M1:52.62$60,0002009Operation Red Dawn7Rajiv MaraghChristophe ClementDion A. Recachina1 M1:50.21$63,9002008Formal Decree5Jean-Luc SamynSaeed bin SuroorGodolphin Racing LLC1 M1:47.57$66,8402007Fishy Advice5Javier CastellanoDavid G. DonkCharles K. Marquis1 M1:52.06$67,7402006Drum Major4Joe BravoGeorge R. WeaverDogwood Stable1 M1:50.59$68,4602005Atlando4Jerry BaileyPascal BaryGary A. Tanaka1 M1:50.93$90,0002004Host4Christopher DeCarloTodd A. PletcherEugene Melnyk & Laura Melnyk1 M1:49.80$90,0002003Better Talk Now4Edgar PradoH. Graham MotionBushwood Stables1 M1:50.40$90,0002002Dawn of the Condor5Jorge ChavezGary J. SciaccaRich Meadow Farm1 M1:52.40$90,0002001Sumitas5Edgar PradoRobert J. FrankelGary A. Tanaka1 M2:02.40$90,0002000Charge d'Affaires5José A. SantosChristophe ClementMarquise de Moratalla1 M1:49.00$90,0001999Charge d'Affaires4José A. SantosChristophe ClementMarquise de Moratalla1 M1:49.00$66,4801998Sahm4John R. VelazquezKiaran P. McLaughlinShadwell Stable1 M1:48.60$67,4401997Sir Cat4Mike E. SmithWilliam I. MottJohn R. Murrell1 M1:50.00$69,0601996Mr. Bluebird5Mike E. SmithJohn C. KimmelThomas Warfield1 M1:49.20$69,6601995Diplomatic Jet3Mike E. SmithJames E. PicouFred W. Hooper1 M2:04.80$87,8701994Kiri's Clown5Mike LuzziPhilip G. JohnsonCobble View Stable1 M1:49.20$52,3351993River Majesty4Mike E. SmithChristophe ClementBruce McNall1 M1:54.40$52,9201992Binary Light3Jean CruguetPatrick J. KellyLive Oak Racing 1 M1:52.60$56,1601991Home of the Free3John R. VelazquezMacKenzie MillerRokeby Stable1 M1:48.60$56,0701990Who's To Pay4Jerry BaileyMacKenzie MillerRokeby Stable1 M1:49.20$57,2401989Trans Banner4Jean-Luc SamynJohn P. CampoCasetta Farm1 M1:53.60$58,7701988Jimmy's Bronco4Jean CruguetMichael A. BrayMichael Hanafin1 M1:54.80$58,5901987Laser Lane4José A. SantosH. Allen JerkensCentennial Farms1 M1:51.60$73,2601986Duluth4Jean CruguetThomas J. KellyRoslyn Farms1 M2:20.80$55,7101985-1Putting Green5Eddie MapleChester RossSeymour Cohn1 M2:23.80$54,4051985-2Rocamadour II6Jean CruguetFrank LaBoccetta Sr.Twin Bee Stable1 M2:24.00$54,4051984He's Vivacious4Robbie DavisKay E. JensenArchie R. Donaldson1 M2:26.00$46,4401983-1Four Bases4Robert Thibeau Jr.Gilberto PuentesMurray M. Garren1 M2:17.80$34,4701983-2Piling5Eddie MaplePeter M. HowePillar Farms1 M2:19.00$34,2301982-1Half Iced3Don MacBethStanley M. HoughBertram Firestone1 M2:18.20$33,3301982-2If Winter Comes4Mike VeneziaMary M. CotterEdward Clucas Jr.1 M2:19.60$33,3301981-1Euphrosyne5Richard MiglioreStephen A. DiMauroWilliam de Burgh1 M2:18.40$33,5401981-2Ghazwan4Constantino HernandezLeonard ImperioBuckram Oak Farm 1 M2:20.60$33,3001980-1Foretake4John RuaneMary L. EdensAdele W. Paxson1 M2:22.20$33,4501980-2Lobsang II4Mike VeneziaVictor J. NickersonWalter Haefner1 M2:23.60$33,4501979French Colonial4Jacinto VásquezDavid A. WhiteleyLazy F Ranch1 M2:21.40$35,8801978Fluorescent Light4Jean CruguetAngel Penna Sr.Ogden Mills Phipps1 M2:14.20$34,5601977-1Dance d'Espoir5Jean CruguetFloreano FernandezJulie Miron1 M2:05.00$26,4601977-2Keep the Promise5Jean CruguetFloreano FernandezJule Fink1 M2:04.40$26,0101976-1Javamine3Jorge VelásquezMackenzie MillerCragwood Stables1 M2:20.60$26,1001976-2Oilfield3Sandy HawleyLeonard ImperioNelson Bunker Hunt1 M2:22.60$26,4001975Shady Character4Ángel Cordero Jr.John W. RussellOgden Mills Phipps1 M2:16.20$33,9001974Shady Character3Ángel Cordero Jr.John W. RussellOgden Mills Phipps1 M2:41.40$33,6901973Astray4Chuck BaltazarFrank Y. Whiteley Jr.William Haggin Perry1 M2:39.80$34,7101972Triangular5John L. RotzNick CombestEdith Baily Dent 1 M2:57.20$16,6651971Fresh Alibhai3John RuaneJoseph S. NashJoseph S. Nash1 M2:57.40$20,9701970Mongo's Pride3Carlos H. MarquezDon CombsMrs. Russell L. Reineman1 M2:44.00$19,1101969-1Vent du Nord4Rudy L. TurcotteAlfred A. ScottiEmanuel Mittman1 M1:57.60$15,0311969-2Zarco3Ron TurcotteVictor J. NickersonWatermill Farm1 M1:56.40$15,0311968Flit To5Manuel YcazaJames P. ConwayRobert Lehman1 M1:56.00$19,3371967-1Flag7Sandino HernandezH. Allen JerkensRoy C. Kidder1 M1:58.00$14,7711967-2Dunderhead4Ernest CardoneH. Allen JerkensAnne Jerkens1 M1:58.20$14,9341966Rego3Hedley WoodhouseJames P. ConwayNiblick Stable1 M1:59.60$19,5971965Circus4Mike SorrentinoSherrill W. WardLazy F Ranch1 M1:55.80$18,6551964Third Martini5Manuel YcazaH. Allen JerkensHobeau Farm1 M1:56.20$19,3051963-1Parka5Bill ShoemakerWarren A. Croll Jr.Pelican Stable 1 M1:55.20$14,1051963-2Hellenic Hero5Hedley WoodhouseFrank L. MooreMelanie Farm1 M1:54.00$14,1051962The Axe II4Bill ShoemakerJohn M. Gaver Sr.Greentree Stable1 M2:13.20$19,5321961T.V. Lark4Johnny LongdenPaul K. ParkerPreston W. Madden1 M2:40.00$19,0771960Quiz Star4Bill ShoemakerBurley E. ParkeHarbor View Farm1 M2:49.40$18,712

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