6/14/2026
By Vince Bruun
(Auburn, WA) The 10th annual Muckleshoot Gold Cup began Friday night at Emerald Downs and wrapped up on Sunday. Poitras Relay joined Omak Express as the only 2-time Champions with Omak Express winning last year.
We’ve have updated coverage of each day on this post with special thanks to Emerald’s Vince Bruun for his nightly coverage. We also have the links to all qualifying and finals heats thanks to the strong work of the Emerald Downs TV department led by Cy Labar. Each days coverage will be added to the top of this post.
Muckleshoot Gold Cup Winners
2026: Poitras Relay
2025: Omak Express
2024: Poitras Relay
2023: Two Medicine
2022: Omak Express
2021: Amskapi Pikunii
2019: River Road Relay
2018: Abrahamson
2017: Starr School
2016: Carlson
Day 3: Championship Sunday!
Jumping Joe Jackson, the TikTok sensation, with a flawless ride in the Muckleshoot Gold Cup championship for team Poitras Relay as they claim their second championship in the past three years.
Curtis Poitras the owner of the winning team dedicated this big win to his cousin – my brother. “Truly a blessing to come here and put on a show.”
Blue skies and a big crowd made the trek to Emerald Downs for the annual $85,000 Muckleshoot Gold Cup Indian Relay Races that started in 2016.
Jackson was asked about racing, he said “Just love being out there with the horses and riding free.” He led the 2 mile race from start to finish. The second exchange posed the biggest threat to Jumping Joe as he collided with another horse leaving the front stretch.
Championship Results
1, Poitras Relay (Joe Jackson), $14,200 Total Money Won, Meadowlake, SK, 3:31.53.
2, Abrahamson (Jonathan Abrahamson), $7,750, Omak, WA.
3, Bird In Ground Relay, (Tristian Bird in Ground), $6,950, Crow MT.
4, Blackbear (Jay Peeaychew), $5,400, Cochin, SK.
5, Teton (Azeri Coby), $5,000, Lincoln Creek, ID.
6, Little Mountain Relay (Weston Birdin Ground), $4,300, Pryor, MT.
7, Arrow Lakes (Terence Holford), $3,500, Inchelium, WA.
Championship Race Replay
Silver Consolation
1, Tissidimit. 2, Two Medicine. 3, Dancing Warrior.
Silver Race Replay
Bronze Consolation
1, Young Money. 2, Frontline Relay. 3, Grizzly Mountain.
Bronze Race Replay
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Day 2: MUCKLESHOOT GOLD CUP HEATS UP AT EMERALD DOWNS
Saturday featured day two of the 10th Muckleshoot Gold Cup Indian Relay Races, the annual three-day competition featuring 21 teams representing seven tribes from five states and two provinces. Featuring total prize money of $85,000, the festivities conclude Sunday with the championship Muckleshoot Gold Cup.
In Saturday’s heats, Poitras Relay from Saskatchewan led by rider Joe Jackson delivered an overwhelming victory in Heat 1, covering two miles in 3:32.11. Poitras was the Gold Cup winner here in 2024.
Also winning Saturday were BirdinGround Relay of Crow, Mont., and Blackbear of Cochin Sask., the latter cruising to an enormous victory under the riding of Jay Peeaychew.
Action continues Sunday with three more races with the Muckleshoot Gold Cup the climax after the sixth race at Emerald Downs.
Saturday’s qualifying heats (top three finishers)
Heat 1: 1st Poitras Relay (Joe Jackson riding), Meadowlake, Sask., 3:32.11; 2nd Mountain Crow Relay (Alva Curlew), Pryor, Mont., 3:36.07; 3rd Two Medicine (Jesse Carlson), Browning, Mont., 3:37.11.
Replay of Saturday Heat 1
Heat 2: 1st BirdinGround Relay (Tristan BirdinGround), Crow, Mont., 3:38.08; 2nd Abrahamson (Ryder Abrahamson), Omak, Wash., 3:39.33; 3rd Beegup Relay (Hernan Tendoy), Pocatello, Ida., 3:40.15.
Replay of Saturday Heat 2
Heat 3: 1st Blackbear (Jay Peeaychew), Cochin, Sask., 3:33.05; 2nd Dancing Warrior (Kaden Brings Plenty), Pine Ridge, SD, 3:36.46; 3rd Spqni Relay (Desmond Arcihlta), Spokane, Wash., 3:36.58.
Replay of Saturday Heat 3
Sunday’s schedule
Consolation 1 – 2:28 p.m. (after Emerald Downs Race 2)
Consolation 2 – 3:46 p.m. (after Emerald Downs Race 4)
Muckleshoot Gold Cup – 5:05 p.m. (after Emerald Downs Race 6) – Poitras Relay, Bird In Ground Relay, Arrow Lakes, Little Mountain Relay, Teton, Black Bear and Abrahamson
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Day 1: MUCKLESHOOT GOLD CUP UNDERWAY AT EMERALD DOWNS
Friday’s action featured opening night of the 10th Muckleshoot Gold Cup Indian Relay Races, the annual three-day competition featuring 21 teams representing seven tribes from five states and two provinces. Featuring total prize money of $85,000, the festivities conclude Sunday with the championship Muckleshoot Gold Cup.
In Friday’s Heat 1, Arrow Lakes and rider Terrence Holford held off defending champion Omak Express and rider Tyler Peasley for the victory, covering two miles in 3:33.41. Also winning Friday were Teton and Little Mountain Relay, the latter holding off Tissidimit in an extremely close finish to Heat 3.
Action continues Saturday with three more qualifiers following Emerald Downs’ races two, four, and six.
Friday’s qualifying heats (top three finishers)
Heat 1: 1st Arrow Lakes (Terrence Holford), Inchelium, Wash., 3:36.85; 2nd Omak Express (Tyler Peasley), Omak, Wash., 3:37.29; 3rd River Road (Darren Charges Strong Jr.), Crow Agency, Mont.
Replay of Friday Heat 1
Heat 2: 1st Teton (Azeri Coby), Lincoln Creek, Ida., 3:32.22; 2nd Poitras Relay (Joe Jackson), Meadowlake, Saskatchewan, 3:33.68; 3rd Abrahamson (Jonathan Abrahamson), Omak, Wash., 3:36.17.
Replay of Friday Heat 2
Heat 3: 1st Little Mountain Relay (Weston Birdin Ground), Pryor, Mont., 3:38.50; 2nd Tissidimit (Miaus Teton), Fort Hall, Ida., 3:38.52.
Replay of Friday Heat 3
Saturday’s Heat Schedule
Heat 1 – 2:28 p.m. (after Emerald Downs Race 2)
Heat 2 – 3:46 p.m. (after Emerald Downs Race 4)
Heat 3 – 5:05 p.m. (after Emerald Downs Race 6)
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