The Travers Stakes is an American Grade I Thoroughbred horse race held at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. It is nicknamed the "Midsummer Derby" and is the third-ranked race for American three-year-olds according to international classifications, behind only the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes. First held in 1864, it is the oldest stakes race in the United States specifically for 3-year-olds, and was named for William R. Travers, the president of the old Saratoga Racing Association. His horse, Kentucky, won the first running of the Travers. The race was not run in 1896, 1898, 1899, 1900, 1911, and 1912. From 1943 to 1945, it was run at Belmont Park instead of Saratoga due to World War II.
The race is the highlight of the summer race meeting at Saratoga, just as the Belmont Stakes is the highlight of the spring meeting at Belmont Park. The purse was increased to $1,000,000 in 1999 and then to $1,250,000 in 2014. The purse for the 2015 renewal was increased to $1,600,000 due to the presence of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah.
The 156th Travers Stakes was run on Saturday, August 23, 2025.
Overview
The Travers is run at scale weights: colts and geldings carry and fillies carry .
The Travers has been run at four different distances:
- : 1864 to 1889
- : 1890 to 1892
- : 1893, 1894, 1897 and 1904 to present
- : 1895 and 1901 to 1903
thumb|A blanket of flowers is presented to the winner
Awards for winner
The winner's trophy, known as the Man o' War Cup, was designed by Tiffany & Co. Its namesake, Man o' War, won this race in 1920. The trophy was won by Man o' War in a special match race in 1920 against Sir Barton, the 1919 American Triple Crown winner. The wife of owner Samuel Riddle donated the trophy in 1936 as the permanent award for winning the race. Each year, the name of the winner is inscribed on the Cup. A gold-plated replica<!--commented this out as cannot find source for name, manufactured by the Craig Frankenhoffer Association for Jib Artistry,--> is presented to the winner each year by a member of the Riddle family.
The winner of the race is presented with a blanket of carnations, which is approximately 10 feet long and requires about 1,500 flowers and is draped over the withers of the winner. The blanket is red in color outlined with a fringe of white carnation and a large "T" also in white. The carnations are red and white, which are the colors of Saratoga Race Track. The blanket is prepared the night before the race by a Saratoga florist.
Winning connections are also given a lawn jockey statue custom-painted in the silk colors of the winning owner to be displayed at the racecourse entrance for the next year.
Since 1961, the colors of the Travers winner have been painted onto a canoe which sits on a pond in the infield. The canoe itself has been a fixture at the track since 1926. He knew he might have a real chance to win. Initially, the odds on the filly were 1-4, while Rothstein's colt was 5–2. On the day of the race, however, a leading three-year-old, Grey Lag, was entered by trainer Sam Hildreth. Grey Lag immediately became the favorite, with Prudery the second choice, driving the odds on Sporting Blood up to 3–1. Rothstein bet $150,000 on his horse. Just before post time, Grey Lag was scratched with no explanation. During the race, Sporting Blood overtook the ailing Prudery, gaining his owner nearly half a million dollars, including wagers and the purse.
Although many smelled foul play, it was never proven that Hildreth received any payoff or that there was a conspiracy between him and Rothstein.
thumb|American Pharoah after his defeat in the 2015 Travers
In 2001, Point Given won the Travers before a record Travers Stakes day attendance of 60,486. The total betting handle was $34,529,273, which was a Saratoga record at that time.
On August 25, 2012, Alpha and Golden Ticket finished in a dead heat for first place – meaning they could not be separated in the photo finish. Following the race, two canoes were put in the infield pond to commemorate the winners. It was the first official tie in the race's history and the winning owners split the $800,000 first-place prize money. In 1874, Attila and Acrobat dead heated but were forced to run off to break the tie.
On August 29, 2015, the 146th Travers Stakes saw Triple Crown winner American Pharoah race in front of a NYRA capped crowd of 50,000, making the event a sellout for the first time ever. In addition, the purse was raised to $1.6 million. The race reaffirmed Saratoga's reputation as the "graveyard of champions" when Keen Ice defeated American Pharoah.
In 2016, The 147th Travers was equally notable as Arrogate rolled home to win by 13 1/2 lengths and set a new stakes record, finishing the race in 1:59:36. Arrogate's victory helped Bob Baffert to avenge his loss the previous year with American Pharoah.
In 2023, Arcangelo by Arrogate won the 154th Travers trained by Jena Antonucci, the first woman to have a horse she trained win one of the three races in American horse racing's triple crown. The horse was ridden in the 2023 Belmont Stakes by jockey Javier Castellano, winner aboard Mage in the 2023 Kentucky Derby. Arcangelo was shipped to the Saratoga Race Course where he won the Travers. by one length in a time of 2:02.23 over a muddy track making Antonucci the second female to win the race in its 154-year history. The horse was ridden by jockey Javier Castellano who set a record of seven winnings in the race.
In 2024, Thorpedo Anna competed in the 155th Travers looking to become the first filly to win this race since 1915. Despite a late challenge down the home stretch, Fierceness ended up winning the race, defeating her by a nose at the wire.
In 2025, Sovereignty become the first horse to win the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes & Travers Stakes in the same year since 1995. Only five horses were entered in to the 2025 race, making it the smallest field since 1994.
Records
Speed record: (at current distance of miles)
- 1:59.36 – Arrogate (2016)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 7 – Javier Castellano (2006, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2023)
Most wins by a trainer:
- 5 – Bert Mulholland (1939, 1950, 1951, 1962, 1963)
Most wins by an owner:
- 5 – Dwyer Brothers Stable (1881, 1883, 1886, 1888, 1890)
- 5 – George D. Widener Jr. (1939, 1950, 1951, 1962, 1963)
- 5 – Rokeby Stable (1964, 1969, 1972, 1987, 1993)
Record victory margin:
- 22 lengths – Damascus (1967)
Winners
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%"
|-
! style="width:30px" | Year
! style="width:110px" | Winner
! style="width:110px" | Jockey
! style="width:110px" | Trainer
! Owner
! style="width:25px" | Distance<br> <span style="font-size:75%">(Miles)</span>
! style="width:25px" | Time
! style="width:35px" | Win $
! style="width:25px" | Gr.
|-
| align="center" |2025
| Sovereignty
| Junior Alvarado
| William I. Mott
| Godolphin
| align="center" |1-1/4 m
| 2:00.84
|$687,000
| align="center" |G1
|-
|align=center|2024
|Fierceness
|John R. Velazquez
|Todd A. Pletcher
|Repole Stable
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|2:01.79
|$687,000
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|2023
|Arcangelo
|Javier Castellano
|Jena Antonucci
|Blue Rose Farm
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|2:02.23
|$687,500
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|2022
|Epicenter
|Joel Rosario
|Steven M. Asmussen
|Winchell Thoroughbreds
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|2:00.72
|$670,000
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|2021
|Essential Quality
|Luis Saez
|Brad H. Cox
|Godolphin
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|2:01.96
|$670,000
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|2020
|Tiz the Law
|Manuel Franco
|Barclay Tagg
|Sackatoga Stable
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:00.95
|$535,000
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|2019
|Code of Honor
|John R. Velazquez
|Claude R. McGaughey III
|William S. Farish III
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:01.05
|$670,000
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|2018
|Catholic Boy
|Javier Castellano
|Jonathan Thomas
|Robert V. LaPenta, Madaket Stables, Siena Farm, Twin Creeks Racing Stables
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:01.94
|$670,000
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|2017
|West Coast
|Mike E. Smith
|Bob Baffert
|Gary & Mary West
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:01.19
|$670,000
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|2016
|Arrogate
|Mike E. Smith
|Bob Baffert
|Juddmonte Farms
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|1:59.36
|$670,000
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|2015
|Keen Ice
|Javier Castellano
|Dale Romans
|Donegal Racing
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:01.57
|$670,000
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|2014
|V.E. Day
|Javier Castellano
|James A. Jerkens
|Magalen Bryant
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:02.98
|$670,000
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|2013
|Will Take Charge
|Luis Saez
|D. Wayne Lukas
|Willis D. Horton
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:02.68
|$600,000
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|2012
|Alpha<br>Golden Ticket (DH)
|Ramon Domínguez<br>David Cohen
|Kiaran McLaughlin<br>Ken McPeek
|Godolphin<br>Magic City Thoroughbreds
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:02.74
|$400,000<br>
$400,000
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|2011
|Stay Thirsty
|Javier Castellano
|Todd A. Pletcher
|Repole Stable
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:03.03
|$600,000
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|2010
|Afleet Express
|Javier Castellano
|James A. Jerkens
|Gainesway Farm
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:03.28
|$600,000
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|2009
|Summer Bird
|Kent Desormeaux
|Tim Ice
|Kalarikkal & Vilasini Jayaraman
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:02.83
|$600,000
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|2008
|Colonel John
|Garrett K. Gomez
|Eoin G. Harty
|WinStar Farm
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:03.20
|$600,000
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|2007
|Street Sense
|Calvin Borel
|Carl Nafzger
|James B. Tafel
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:02.69
|$600,000
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|2006
|Bernardini
|Javier Castellano
|Thomas Albertrani
|Darley Stable
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:01.60
|$600,000
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|2005
|Flower Alley
|John R. Velazquez
|Todd A. Pletcher
|Melnyk Racing Stables
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:02.76
|$600,000
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|2004
|Birdstone
|Edgar Prado
|Nick Zito
|Marylou Whitney Stables
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:02.45
|$600,000
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|2003
|Ten Most Wanted
|Pat Day
|Wallace Dollase
|J. Paul Reddam
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:02.14
|$600,000
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|2002
|Medaglia d'Oro
|Jerry Bailey
|Robert J. Frankel
|Edmund A. Gann
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:02.53
|$600,000
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|2001
|Point Given
|Gary Stevens
|Bob Baffert
|The Thoroughbred Corp.
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:01.40
|$600,000
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|2000
|Unshaded
|Shane Sellers
|Carl Nafzger
|James B. Tafel
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:02.59
|$600,000
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|1999
|Lemon Drop Kid
|José A. Santos
|Flint S. Schulhofer
|Jeanne G. Vance
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:02.00
|$600,000
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|1998
|Coronado's Quest
|Mike E. Smith
|Claude R. McGaughey III
|Stuart S. Janney III
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:03.40
|$450,000
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|1997
|Deputy Commander
|Chris McCarron
|Wallace Dollase
|Horizon Stable
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:04.00
|$450,000
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|1996
|Will's Way
|Jorge F. Chavez
|H. James Bond
|William Clifton Jr.
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:02.40
|$450,000
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|1995
|Thunder Gulch
|Gary Stevens
|D. Wayne Lukas
|Michael Tabor
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:03.40
|$450,000
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|1994
|Holy Bull
|Mike E. Smith
|Warren A. Croll Jr.
|Warren A. Croll Jr.
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:02.00
|$450,000
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|1993
|Sea Hero
|Jerry Bailey
|MacKenzie Miller
|Rokeby Stable
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:01.80
|$600,000
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|1992
|Thunder Rumble
|Herb McCauley
|Richard O'Connell
|Braeburn Farm
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:00.99
|$600,000
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|1991
|Corporate Report
|Chris McCarron
|D. Wayne Lukas
|William T. Young
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:01.20
|$600,000
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|1990
|Rhythm
|Craig Perret
|Claude R. McGaughey III
|Ogden Phipps
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:02.60
|$707,100
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|1989
|Easy Goer
|Pat Day
|Claude R. McGaughey III
|Ogden Phipps
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:00.80
|$653,100
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|1988
|Forty Niner
|Chris McCarron
|Woody Stephens
|Claiborne Farm
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:01.40
|$653,500
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|1987
|Java Gold
|Pat Day
|MacKenzie Miller
|Rokeby Stable
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:02.00
|$673,800
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|1986
|Wise Times
|Jerry Bailey
|Phil Gleaves
|Russell L. Reineman Stables
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:03.40
|$203,700
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|1985
|Chief's Crown
|Ángel Cordero Jr.
|Roger Laurin
|Star Crown Stable
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:01.20
|$202,800
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|1984
|Carr de Naskra
|Laffit Pincay Jr.
|Richard J. Lundy
|Virginia Kraft Payson
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:02.60
|$184,500
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|1983
|Play Fellow
|Pat Day
|Harvey L. Vanier
|Carl Lauer
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:01.00
|$135,000
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|1982
|Runaway Groom
|Jeffrey Fell
|John A. DiMario
|Albert Coppola Sr.
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:02.60
|$132,900
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|1981
|Willow Hour
|Eddie Maple
|James E. Picou
|Marcia Whitney Schott
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:03.60
|$135,600
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|1980
|Temperence Hill
|Eddie Maple
|Joseph B. Cantey
|Loblolly Stable
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:02.80
|$100,980
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|1979
|General Assembly
|Jacinto Vásquez
|LeRoy Jolley
|Bertram R. Firestone
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:00.00
|$80,850
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|1978
|Alydar
|Jorge Velásquez
|John M. Veitch
|Calumet Farm
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:02.00
|$62,880
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|1977
|Jatski
|Sam Maple
|William A. Cole
|William H. Murray
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:01.60
|$68,160
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|1976
|Honest Pleasure
|Craig Perret
|LeRoy Jolley
|Bertram R. Firestone
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:00.20
|$65,040
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|1975
|Wajima
|Braulio Baeza
|Stephen A. DiMauro
|East-West Stable
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:02.00
|$65,220
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|1974
|Holding Pattern
|Michael Miceli
|James J. Sarner Jr.
|John Gerbas Jr.
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:05.20
|$69,660
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|1973
|Annihilate 'Em
|Ron Turcotte
|Douglas Davis Jr.
|Patricia B. Blass
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:02.40
|$68,280
|align=center|G1
|-
|align=center|1972
|Key To The Mint
|Braulio Baeza
|J. Elliott Burch
|Rokeby Stable
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:01.20
|$66,600
|-
|align=center|1971
|Bold Reason
|Laffit Pincay Jr.
|Angel Penna Sr.
|William A. Levin
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:02.40
|$66,420
|-
|align=center|1970
|Loud
|Jacinto Vásquez
|James W. Maloney
|William Haggin Perry
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:01.00
|$73,385
|-
|align=center|1969
|Arts and Letters
|Braulio Baeza
|J. Elliott Burch
|Rokeby Stable
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:01.60
|$69,290
|-
|align=center|1968
|Chompion
|Jean Cruguet
|Ivor G. Balding
|Cornelius V. Whitney
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:04.80
|$55,802
|-
|align=center|1967
|Damascus
|Bill Shoemaker
|Frank Y. Whiteley Jr.
|Edith W. Bancroft
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:01.60
|$52,065
|-
|align=center|1966
|Buckpasser
|Braulio Baeza
|Edward A. Neloy
|Ogden Phipps
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:01.60
|$53,690
|-
|align=center|1965
|Hail To All
|Johnny Sellers
|Eddie Yowell
|Zelda Cohen
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:02.20
|$56,777
|-
|align=center|1964
|Quadrangle
|Manuel Ycaza
|J. Elliott Burch
|Rokeby Stable
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:04.40
|$52,033
|-
|align=center|1963
|Crewman
|Eric Guerin
|Bert Mulholland
|George D. Widener Jr.
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:02.40
|$52,910
|-
|align=center|1962
|Jaipur
|Bill Shoemaker
|Bert Mulholland
|George D. Widener Jr.
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:01.60
|$53,722
|-
|align=center|1961
|Beau Prince
|Steve Brooks
|Horace A. Jones
|Calumet Farm
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:03.00
|$54,210
|-
|align=center|1960
|Tompion
|Bill Hartack
|John J. Greely Jr.
|Cornelius V. Whitney
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:03.40
|$53,165
|-
|align=center|1959
|Sword Dancer
|Manuel Ycaza
|J. Elliott Burch
|Brookmeade Stable
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:04.20
|$51,962
|-
|align=center|1958
|Piano Jim
|Bobby Ussery
|Oscar White
|Sarah F. Jeffords
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:05.80
|$29,920
|-
|align=center|1957
|Gallant Man
|Bill Shoemaker
|John A. Nerud
|Ralph Lowe
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:04.00
|$29,500
|-
|align=center|1956
|Oh Johnny
|Hedley Woodhouse
|Norman R. McLeod
|Helene D. Gilroy
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:06.20
|$33,200
|-
|align=center|1955
|Thinking Cap
|Paul J. Bailey
|Henry S. Clark
|Christiana Stable
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:06.40
|$19,150
|-
|align=center|1954
|Fisherman
|Hedley Woodhouse
|Sylvester Veitch
|Cornelius V. Whitney
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:06.00
|$19,500
|-
|align=center|1953
|Native Dancer
|Eric Guerin
|William C. Winfrey
|Alfred G. Vanderbilt II
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:05.60
|$18,850
|-
|align=center|1952
|One Count
|Eric Guerin
|Oscar White
|Sarah F. Jeffords
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:07.40
|$16,450
|-
|align=center|1951
|Battlefield
|Eddie Arcaro
|Bert Mulholland
|George D. Widener Jr.
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:06.20
|$15,000
|-
|align=center|1950
|Lights Up
|George Hettinger
|Bert Mulholland
|George D. Widener Jr.
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:03.00
|$16,350
|-
|align=center|1949
|Arise
|Con Errico
|James C. Bentley
|Addison Stable (Harry Addison Sr. & Mrs. Jack Addison)
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:06.20
|$16,600
|-
|align=center|1948
|Ace Admiral
|Ted Atkinson
|James W. Smith
|Maine Chance Farm
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:05.00
|$19,650
|-
|align=center|1947
|Young Peter
|Thomas May
|George M. Odom
|Cornelia Gerry
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:06.20
|$19,375
|-
|align=center|1946
|Natchez
|Ted Atkinson
|Oscar White
|Sarah F. Jeffords
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:08.00
|$24,750
|-
|align=center|1945
|Adonis
|Conn McCreary
|Willie Booth
|William G. Helis
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:02.80
|$28,680
|-
|align=center|1944
|By Jimminy
|Eddie Arcaro
|James W. Smith
|Alfred P. Parker
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:03.40
|$25,015
|-
|align=center|1943
|Eurasian
|Steve Brooks
|Sol Rutchick
|Mill River Stable
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:03.80
|$19,850
|-
|align=center|1942
|Shut Out
|Eddie Arcaro
|John M. Gaver Sr.
|Greentree Stable
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:04.40
|$17,825
|-
|align=center|1941
|Whirlaway*
|Alfred Robertson
|Ben A. Jones
|Calumet Farm
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:05.80
|$16,900
|-
|align=center|1940
|Fenelon
|James Stout
|Jim Fitzsimmons
|Belair Stud
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:04.40
|$17,425
|-
|align=center|1939
|Eight Thirty
|Harry Richards
|Bert Mulholland
|George D. Widener Jr.
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:06.60
|$16,575
|-
|align=center|1938
|Thanksgiving
|Eddie Arcaro
|Mary Hirsch
|Anne Corning
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:03.60
|$14,400
|-
|align=center|1937
|Burning Star
|Wayne D. Wright
|John J. Greely
|Shandon Farm Stables (Patrick A. & Richard J. Nash)
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:04.80
|$14,550
|-
|align=center|1936
|Granville
|James Stout
|James E. Fitzsimmons
|Belair Stud
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:05.80
|$14,700
|-
|align=center|1935
|Gold Foam
|Silvio Coucci
|John M. Milburn
|Starmount Stable (Edward Benjamin)
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:04.60
|$14,675
|-
|align=center|1934
|Observant
|Lee Humphries
|Max Hirsch
|Morton L. Schwartz
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:05.60
|$14,650
|-
|align=center|1933
|Inlander
|Robert Jones
|Robert A. Smith
|Brookmeade Stable
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:08.00
|$21,050
|-
|align=center|1932
|War Hero
|John Gilbert
|George Conway
|Glen Riddle Farm
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:05.80
|$23,150
|-
|align=center|1931
|Twenty Grand
|Linus McAtee
|James G. Rowe Jr.
|Greentree Stable
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:04.60
|$33,000
|-
|align=center|1930
|Jim Dandy
|Frank Baker
|James B. McKee
|Chaffee Earl
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:08.00
|$27,050
|-
|align=center|1929
|Beacon Hill
|Alfred Robertson
|James G. Rowe Jr.
|Harry P. Whitney
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:04.20
|$31,825
|-
|align=center|1928
|Petee-Wrack
|Steve O'Donnell
|Willie Booth
|John R. Macomber
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:08.00
|$30,555
|-
|align=center|1927
|Brown Bud
|Laverne Fator
|Alfred J. Gunther
|Frederick Johnson
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:05.60
|$29,925
|-
|align=center|1926
|Mars
|Frank Coltiletti
|Scott P. Harlan
|Sarah F. Jeffords
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:04.60
|$15,050
|-
|align=center|1925
|Dangerous
|Clarence Kummer
|William B. Duke
|Gifford A. Cochran
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:10.80
|$13,425
|-
|align=center|1924
|Sun Flag
|Frank Keogh
|Carroll H. Shilling
|Gifford A. Cochran
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:04.40
|$14,675
|-
|align=center|1923
|Wilderness
|Benny Marinelli
|Thomas J. Healey
|Richard T. Wilson Jr.
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:04.00
|$13,500
|-
|align=center|1922
|Little Chief
|Laverne Fator
|Sam Hildreth
|Rancocas Stable
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:13.40
|$11,325
|-
|align=center|1921
|Sporting Blood
|Lawrence Lyke
|Willie Booth
|Redstone Stable
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:05.80
|$10,275
|-
|align=center|1920
|Man o' War
|Andy Schuttinger
|Louis Feustel
|Glen Riddle Farm
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:01.80
|$9,275
|-
|align=center|1919
|Hannibal
|Lavelle Ensor
|Thomas J. Healey
|Richard T. Wilson Jr.
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:02.80
|$9,835
|-
|align=center|1918
|Sun Briar
|Willie Knapp
|Henry McDaniel
|Willis Sharpe Kilmer
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:03.20
|$7,700
|-
|align=center|1917
|Omar Khayyam
|James Butwell
|Richard F. Carmen
|Wilfrid Viau
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:08.80
|$5,350
|-
|align=center|1916
|Spur
|Johnny Loftus
|John H. McCormack
|James Butler
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:05.00
|$3,125
|-
|align=center|1915
|Lady Rotha
|Mack Garner
|A. J. Goldsborough
|Andrew Miller
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:11.40
|$2,150
|-
|align=center|1914
|Roamer
|James H. Butwell
|A. J. Goldsborough
|Andrew Miller
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:04.00
|$3,000
|-
|align=center|1913
|Rock View
|Thomas McTaggart
|Louis Feustel
|August Belmont Jr.
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:06.60
|$2,725
|- bgcolor="#eeeeee"
| align="center" |1911 - 1912
| colspan="8" align="center" | Race not held
|-
|align=center|1910
|Dalmatian
|Carroll H. Shilling
|Sam Hildreth
|Sam Hildreth
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:10.00
|$4,825
|-
|align=center|1909
|Hilarious
|Richard Scoville
|James G. Rowe Sr.
|James R. Keene
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:06.00
|$5,800
|-
|align=center|1908
|Dorante
|James Lee
|Raleigh Colston Jr.
|Frederick A. Forsythe
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:09.60
|$5,800
|-
|align=center|1907
|Frank Gill
|Joe Notter
|John I. Smith
|Jack L. McGinnis
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:07.00
|$5,800
|-
|align=center|1906
|Gallavant
|Walter Miller
|Thomas J. Healey
|Richard T. Wilson Jr.
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:08.20
|$5,800
|-
|align=center|1905
|Dandelion
|Willie Shaw
|John E. Madden
|Francis R. Hitchock
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:08.00
|$8,350
|-
|align=center|1904
|Broomstick
|Tommy Burns
|Robert Tucker
|Samuel S. Brown
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:06.80
|$5,850
|-
|align=center|1903
|Ada Nay
|Frank O'Neill
|A. Jack Joyner
|James B. A. Haggin
|align=center|1-1/8 m
|align=center|1:57.00
|$8,150
|-
|align=center|1902
|Hermis
| Bruce Rice
|John H. McCormack
|Henry M. Ziegler
|align=center|1-1/8 m
|align=center|1:54.80
|$6,750
|-
|align=center|1901
|Blues
|Willie Shaw
|Thomas Welsh
|C. Fleischmann Sons
|align=center|1-1/8 m
|align=center|1:56.60
|$6,750
|- bgcolor="#eeeeee"
|align=center|1900
|align=center colspan=8| Race not held
|- bgcolor="#eeeeee"
|align=center|1899
|align=center colspan=8| Race not held
|- bgcolor="#eeeeee"
|align=center|1898
|align=center colspan=8| Race not held
|-
|align=center|1897
|Rensselaer
|Fred Taral
|Henry Harris
|John E. McDonald
|align=center|1-1/8 m
|align=center|1:56.60
|$1,425
|- bgcolor="#eeeeee"
|align=center|1896
|align=center colspan=8| Race not held
|-
|align=center|1895
|Liza
|Henry Griffin
|John Huggins
|Pierre Lorillard IV
|align=center|1-1/8 m
|align=center|1:55.50
|$1,125
|-
|align=center|1894
|Henry of Navarre
|Fred Taral
|Byron McClelland
|Byron McClelland
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:10.25
|$2,350
|-
|align=center|1893
|Stowaway
|Lawrence McDermott
|H. H. Brandt
|Woodland Stable
|align=center|1-1/4 m
|align=center|2:10.75
|$2,450
|-
|align=center|1892
|Azra
|Alonzo Clayton
|John H. Morris
|Bashford Manor Stable
|align=center|1-1/2 m
|align=center|2:43.75
|$2,750
|-
|align=center|1891
|Vallera
|Robert Williams
|Enoch Wishard
|Scoggan Bros. (George W., Hiram J., John)
|align=center|1-1/2 m
|align=center|2:49.00
|$2,900
|-
|align=center|1890
|Sir John
|Marty Bergen
|Frank McCabe
|Dwyer Brothers Stable
|align=center|1-1/2 m
|align=center|2:39.00
|$4,925
|-
|align=center|1889
|Long Dance
|Shelby Barnes
|G. M. Rye
|G. M. Rye
|align=center|1-3/4 m
|align=center|3:08.75
|$3,700
|-
|align=center|1888
|Sir Dixon
|Jim McLaughlin
|Frank McCabe
|Dwyer Brothers Stable
|align=center|1-3/4 m
|align=center|3:07.75
|$4,625
|-
|align=center|1887
|Carey
|Harry Blaylock
|Edward Corrigan
|Edward Corrigan
|align=center|1-3/4 m
|align=center|3:17.75
|$4,625
|-
|align=center|1886
|Inspector B
|Jim McLaughlin
|Frank McCabe
|Dwyer Brothers Stable
|align=center|1-3/4 m
|align=center|3:10.25
|$3,825
|-
|align=center|1885
|Bersan
|John Spellman
|Green B. Morris
|Green B. Morris
|align=center|1-3/4 m
|align=center|3:08.25
|$4,025
|-
|align=center|1884
|Rataplan
|William Fitzpatrick
|Frank Midgley
|Norman W. Kittson
|align=center|1-3/4 m
|align=center|3:07.50
|$4,150
|-
|align=center|1883
|Barnes
|Jim McLaughlin
|James G. Rowe Sr.
|Dwyer Brothers Stable
|align=center|1-3/4 m
|align=center|3:18.00
|$3,400
|-
|align=center|1882
|Carley B
|George Quantrell
|H. Welch
|A. Burnham
|align=center|1-3/4 m
|align=center|3:28.75
|$3,450
|-
|align=center|1881
|Hindoo
|Jim McLaughlin
|James G. Rowe Sr.
|Dwyer Brothers Stable
|align=center|1-3/4 m
|align=center|3:07.50
|$2,950
|-
|align=center|1880
|Grenada
|Lloyd Hughes
|R. Wyndham Walden
|George L. Lorillard
|align=center|1-3/4 m
|align=center|3:12.50
|$3,750
|-
|align=center|1879
|Falsetto
|Isaac Burns Murphy
|Eli Jordan
|J. W. Hunt Reynolds
|align=center|1-3/4 m
|align=center|3:09.25
|$4,950
|-
|align=center|1878
|Duke of Magenta
|Lloyd Hughes
|R. Wyndham Walden
|George L. Lorillard
|align=center|1-3/4 m
|align=center|3:08.00
|$4,250
|-
|align=center|1877
|Baden-Baden
|Tom Sayres
|James Williams
|William Astor Jr.
|align=center|1-3/4 m
|align=center|3:15.50
|$3,700
|-
|align=center|1876
|Sultana
|William Hayward
|John W. McClelland
|August Belmont Sr.
|align=center|1-3/4 m
|align=center|3:15.50
|$3,700
|-
|align=center|1875
|D'Artagnan
|George Barbee
|J. B. Pryor
|James A. Grinstead
|align=center|1-3/4 m
|align=center|3:06.50
|$4,850
|-
|align=center|1874
|Attila
|George Barbee
|William Pryor
|Pierre Lorillard IV
|align=center|1-3/4 m
|align=center|3:09.50
|$5,050
|-
|align=center|1873
|Tom Bowling
|Robert Swim
|Ansel Williamson
|H. Price McGrath
|align=center|1-3/4 m
|align=center|3:09.75
|$5,400
|-
|align=center|1872
|Joe Daniels
|James G. Rowe Sr.
|David McDaniel
|David McDaniel
|align=center|1-3/4 m
|align=center|3:08.25
|$5,500
|-
|align=center|1871
|Harry Bassett
|W. Miller
|David McDaniel
|David McDaniel
|align=center|1-3/4 m
|align=center|3:21.60
|$5,600
|-
|align=center|1870
|Kingfisher
|Charles Miller
|Raleigh Colston Sr.
|Daniel Swigert
|align=center|1-3/4 m
|align=center|3:15.25
|$4,950
|-
|align=center|1869
|Glenelg
|Charles Miller
|Jacob Pincus
|August Belmont
|align=center|1-3/4 m
|align=center|3:14.00
|$3,000
|-
|align=center|1868
|The Banshee
|Smith
|J. H. Davis
|John M. Clay
|align=center|1-3/4 m
|align=center|3:10.75
|$3,150
|-
|align=center|1867
|Ruthless
|Gilbert W. Patrick
|A. Jackson Minor
|Francis Morris
|align=center|1-3/4 m
|align=center|3:18.25
|$2,850
|-
|align=center|1866
|Merrill
|Abe Hawkins
|Ansel Williamson
|Robert A. Alexander
|align=center|1-3/4 m
|align=center|3:29.00
|$3,500
|-
|align=center|1865
|Maiden
|W. Sewell
|T. G. Moore
|T. G. Moore
|align=center|1-3/4 m
|align=center|3:18.50
|$3,400
|-
|align=center|1864
|Kentucky
|Gilbert W. Patrick
|A. Jackson Minor
|John Hunter & William R. Travers
|align=center|1-3/4 m
|align=center|3:18.75
|$2,950
|}
- To date, Whirlaway is the only Triple Crown winner to win the Travers Stakes.
Sire lines
Winners of the Travers Stakes can be connected to each other due to the practice of arranging horse breeding based on their previous success. All of the horses can be traced back to the three foundational sires, with Godolphin Arabian the ancestor of 14 winners, Byerley Turk the ancestor of 14 winners, and Darley Arabian the ancestor of 129 winners, including all winners since 2009.
Darley Arabian sire line
- the Darley Arabian (1700c) sire line (all branched through the Eclipse (1764) line) produced 129 Stakes winners (122 colts, 4 geldings, 3 fillies), including all winners from 2009 to present. The main branches of this sire line are:
- the King Fergus (1775) branch (all branched through the Voltigeur (1847) line), produced 15 winners. His sire line continued primarily through his son Vedette (1854) with 12 winners, due primarily to his son Galopin (1872) with 8 winners (exclusively through St. Simon (1881), most recently Thunder Rumble in 1992)
- the Potoooooooo (1773) branch produced 114 winners (all branched through the Waxy (1790) line). The primary branch of this sire line is through Whalebone (1807), which has produced 111 winners. In turn, the primary branch continues through Sir Hercules (1826), which has produced 85 winners, and then the Birdcatcher (1833) branch which produced 78 winners. From Birdcatcher, the branch of The Baron (1842) has produced 75 winners (exclusively through the Stockwell (1849) line). Birdcatcher's grandson Doncaster (1870) sired Bend Or (1877), whose sire line accounts for 67 winners. The main branch of the Bend Or sire line continued through his son Bona Vista (1889) with 55 winners, exclusively through the Phalaris (1913) line, which has dominated in the last several decades (including all winners from 2009 to present) through the following sons:
- the Pharamond (1925) branch (4 winners, most recently Chompion in 1968); A third branch through Whalebone is via Waverley (exclusively through the Ben Brush (1893) line) which produced 5 winners, most recently Thinking Cap in 1955.
- the Sir Hercules (1826) branch produced two main lines: the primary branch of Birdcatcher (1833), and the secondary branch of Faugh-a-Ballagh (1841) which produced 6 winners (exclusively through the Leamington (1853) line), most recently 1894 Travers Stakes winner Henry of Navarre.
- the Stockwell (1849) branch produced two main lines: the primary branch of Doncaster (1870), and the secondary branch of St Albans (1857) which produced 5 winners (exclusively through the Rock Sand (1900) line), most recently 1963 Travers Stakes winner Crewman.
- the Bend Or (1877) branch produced two main lines: the primary branch of Bona Vista (1889), and the secondary branch of Ormonde (1883) which produced 8 winners (exclusively through the Teddy (1913) line), most recently 1991 Travers Stakes winner Corporate Report.
Godolphin Arabian sire line
- the Godolphin Arabian (1724c) sire line produced 14 winners (13 colts, 1 filly). The main branches of this sire (all branched through the West Australian (1850) line) are:
- the Solon (1861) branch produced 3 winners, most recently Thanksgiving in 1938)
- the Australian (1858) branch produced 11 winners, including:
- Joe Daniels (1869), winner of the 1872 Travers Stakes
- Attila (1871), winner of the 1874 Travers Stakes
- Baden-Baden (1874), winner of the 1877 Travers Stakes
- the Springbok (1870) branch produced 1 winner (most recently of the Vallera in 1891)
- the Spendthrift (1876) branch produced 7 winners including:
- Stowaway (1890), winner of the 1893 Travers Stakes
- the Hastings (1893) branch produced 6 winners (exclusively through the Fair Play (1905) line), including 1921 Travers Stakes winner Sporting Blood (1918) and 5 winners through the Man o' War (1917) line, including his win in the 1920 Travers Stakes, and 4 direct male progeny, most recently Colonel John in 2008.
Byerley Turk sire line
- the Byerley Turk (1680c) sire line produced 14 winners (10 colts, 1 gelding, 3 fillies). The main branches of this sire (all branched through the Herod (1758) line) are:
- the Woodpecker (1773) branch produced 4 winners (all branched through the Buzzard (1787) line). The main branches of this sire line are:
- the Castrel (1801) branch produced 1 winner, most recently Sir John in 1890
- the Selim (1802) branch produced 3 winners (all branched through the Virgil (1864) line). The main branches of this sire are:
- Carley B (1879), winner of the 1882 Travers Stakes
- the Hindoo (1878) branch produced 2 winners, including his win in the 1878 Travers Stakes, and 1 direct sire line progeny, most recently Dandelion in 1905
- Maiden, winner of the 1865 Travers Stakes
- Merrill, winner of the 1866 Travers Stakes
- The Banshee, winner of the 1868 Travers Stakes
- Kingfisher, winner of the 1870 Travers Stakes
- Harry Bassett, winner of the 1871 Travers Stakes
- Tom Bowling, winner of the 1873 Travers Stakes
- the Lightning branch produced 1 winner (most recently D' Artagnan in 1875)
- Sultana, winner of the 1876 Travers Stakes
- Duke of Magenta, winner of the 1878 Travers Stakes
;Travers Stakes winners with male-line descendants including other Travers Stakes winners:
- Native Dancer (1953 winner) – 20 colts; most recently Arrogate (2015)
- Man o' War (1920 winner) – 4 colts; most recently Colonel John (2008)
- Eight Thirty (1939 winner) – 2 colts; most recently Crewman (1963)
- Sir Dixon (1888 winner) – 1 colt; Blues (1901)
- Hindoo (1881 winner) – 1 colt; Dandelion (1905)
- Sun Briar (1918 winner) – 1 colt; Sun Flag (1924)
- Tompion (1960 winner) – 1 colt; Chompion (1968)
- Jaipur (1962 winner) – 1 colt; Jatski (1977)
- Key to the Mint (1972 winner) – 1 colt; Java Gold (1987)
- Damascus (1967 winner) – 1 colt; Corporate Report (1991)
- Easy Goer (1989 winner) – 1 colt; Will's Way (1996)
- Birdstone (2004 winner) – 1 colt; Summer Bird (2009)