| Grade I race | |
| Location | Saratoga Race Course Saratoga Springs, New York |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1938 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred – Steeplechase |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 2+3⁄8 miles (19 furlongs) |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Four-year-olds and up |
| Purse | $150,000 |
The Jonathan Sheppard Stakes[1] (formerly known as the New York Turf Writers Cup) is a steeplechase race for Thoroughbred horses held at the Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York each year. A Grade I event on the turf for 4-year-olds and up, it offers a purse of $150,000.
The race was originally named for the New York Turf Writers Association, which was founded in 1923. The first running of the race was contested in 1938.
In 2021, NYRA renamed the race in honor of thoroughbred trainer Jonathan E. Sheppard. Inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1990, Sheppard has won the New York Turf Writers Cup fifteen times between 1979 and 2019. Sheppard announced his retirement from the sport in January 2021 after a 56-year career.[1]