The Christophe Clement Turf debuts its new title with a true international showdown

Ancient Egypt, Survie, and Fort George spearhead the European contingent for Saratoga's historic G1, which starting this year honors the late French trainer. The winner will secure a direct berth into the Breeders’ Cup Turf

Tawny Port is trained by Miguel Clement, son of Christophe / ARCHIVO / ADAM COGLIANESE / NYRA

SARATOGA SPRINGS, New York—A historic contest begins a brand-new era this Saturday. The 52nd running of the traditional Sword Dancer Invitational (G1) will be contested for the very first time under its new title: the $750,000 Christophe Clement Turf (G1-1 1/2m). The race honors the life and enduring legacy of the legendary French trainer, who passed away in 2025 and was recently inducted into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame.

Clement left an indelible mark on American racing and on this feature event in particular, winning it a record five times. Now, his name will forever be tied to the 12-furlong test over the inner turf course at Saratoga Race CourseHacer clic para abrir el panel lateral y obtener más información, which also serves as a Win and You’re Inchallenge event, offering the winner an automatic berth into the $5,000,000 Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) on October 31 at Keeneland.

A field of seven has been confirmed for an edition defined by a strong international flavor, spearheaded by three European invaders bringing formidable credentials: Ancient Egypt (Frankel), Survie (Churchill), and Fort George(Territories). The visitors will look to build on the recent dominance of foreign runners, who have captured two of the last three editions with El Cordobes (Frankel) in 2025 and Bolshoi Ballet (Galileo) in 2023.

Leading the European contingent is Ancient Egypt, representing Amo Racing USA. By Frankel, his maternal pedigree is deeply rooted in Juddmonte royalty—his dam, Atone (Oasis Dream), is a full sister to champion, Breeders' Cup winner, and six-time G1 heroine Midday.

Trained by Charlie Johnston, Ancient Egypt has won three of his seven lifetime starts, including a Listed stake at Newmarket on May 1. After finishing eighth on soft ground in the Epsom Derby (G1), he rebounded just 13 days later to finish second by a neck in the King Edward VII Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot, before falling short by a agonizing head in the Grand Prix de Paris (G1) on July 14 at ParisLongchamp.

Those last two runs convinced Johnston to target a U.S. G1 opportunity, particularly as Ancient Egypt thrives on firm footing. The prospect of encountering softer ground during the European autumn ultimately tipped the scales toward Saratoga.

"His last two runs were fantastic, if painful in defeat. He proved he is a top-class horse over 2400 meters on firm ground," explained Johnston, who expects "a very big performance." He will be ridden by David Egan from post 1.

Another dangerous European contender is Survie (Churchill), who returns on less than two weeks' rest after dominating the Glens Falls Stakes (G2) over the same course and distance. The Michael Tabor-owned mare, trained by George Boughey, boasts five wins from 19 starts and has finished in the top three on 13 occasions.

Survie is no stranger to elite global competition. She placed third in the Neom Turf Cup (G1) in Saudi Arabia this February and previously won the Prix de Malleret (G2) over 1 1/2 miles. Intriguingly, she was conditioned earlier in her career by Nicolas Clement, brother of Christophe, before selling for over $2.6 million at Tattersalls last December.

Rounding out the European trio is Fort George (Territories), who delivered an encouraging U.S. debut when falling short by just a nose to Ole Crazy Bone (Ghostzapper) in the 11-furlong Bowling Green Stakes (G2).

The 1 1/2-mile distance poses no issue for the Ed Walker trainee; in his only previous try at the trip, he finished second to global star Rebel’s Romance (Dubawi) in the Dubai City of Gold (G2) at Meydan—arguably the signature performance of his career. Walker remains confident that the experience gained in the Bowling Green will trigger another step forward.

On the local front, Ole Crazy Bone (Ghostzapper) stands out as one of the primary defense weapons. Trained by Mike Maker, he has finished in the top three in eight of his last nine starts, entering off his victorious Bowling Greeneffort. He also captured last year's Kentucky Turf Cup (G2) and is closing in on the $2,000,000 career earnings mark.

However, much of the afternoon's emotional weight will center around Tawny Port (Pioneerof the Nile), trained by Miguel Clement, son of Christophe. At 7 years old, he is enjoying arguably the finest form of his career, coming off a track-record-setting victory over two miles in the Belmont Gold Cup (G2).

"He is training spectacularly. I kept him fresh and skipped the Bowling Green. He’s working better than ever," explained Miguel, before revealing the profound personal meaning behind a potential victory: "There were three races I wanted to win more than any other this season at Saratoga: the Hall of Fame, the Fourstardave, and the Christophe Clement. They mean the world to me for so many reasons."

The young trainer has already checked off the first two with Bottas (Vekoma) and Deterministic (Liam's Map), respectively. Now, he aims to complete a deeply sentimental stakes sweep in the race that carries his father's name.

Furthermore, Tawny Port holds a golden ticket invitation to the Melbourne Cup (G1) over 3200 meters, making a trip to Australia a strong possibility down the road.

Program Trading (Lope de Vega), hailing from the Chad Brown barn, enters following back-to-back scores in the Monmouth Stakes (L) and the United Nations Stakes (G2), though he will be stretching out to 12 furlongs for the first time. Flavien Prat, who won this race in 2025 aboard El Cordobes, retains the mount.

Brown, a three-time winner of the event, paid tribute to his long-time rival on the New York circuit: "Christophe was a great trainer. I'm thrilled he entered the Hall of Fame and that NYRA named a major race after him. It’s fully deserved. We always had a great relationship and a friendly rivalry."

Completing the field is Minaret Station (Instilled Regard), bred and owned by OXO Equine. Winner of the Bourbon Stakes (G2) at two and the American Derby (L) at three, he comes off a close third-place finish—beaten just half a length by Ole Crazy Bone and Fort George—in the Bowling Green.

With Europe taking on the U.S., a field packed with marathon specialists, and a guaranteed Breeders' Cup berth on the line, Saturday's feature promises top-tier drama. Above all, it will be an afternoon steeped in emotion as Saratoga runs the Christophe Clement Turf for the very first time, cementing the memory of a trainer who left an everlasting mark on American racing history.