First Lady Stakes
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| Class | Grade I |
|---|---|
| Location | Keeneland Race Course, Lexington, Kentucky United States |
| Inaugurated | 1998 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
| Website | www.keeneland.com |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1 mile |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Fillies & Mares, three-years-old and older |
| Weight | Weight for Age 4-year-olds and up: 125 lbs. 3-year-olds: 121 lbs. |
| Purse | $800,000 (2025) |
| Bonuses | Win and You're In Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf |
The First Lady Stakes is a Grade I American thoroughbred horse race for fillies & mares, age three and older over a distance of one mile on the turf held annually in October at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky during the fall meeting.
History
The race was first run on October 16, 1998, as the First Lady Stakes at a distance of Page Template:Fraction/styles.css has no content.1+3⁄16 miles and was sponsored by Vinery Farm located in Lexington.[1]
In 2000, WinStar Farm became the race's sponsor from then through 2005 and it was renamed the Galaxy Stakes.[2] Also that year the event was classified Grade III by the American Graded Stakes Committee who upgraded it as a Grade II race the following year.[3]
In 2005 the distance of the event was decreased to its present distance of one mile.[3]
In 2006, the name of the event was reverted to its inaugural title.[2]
The First Lady Stakes is a steppingstone to the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf. In 2000, Perfect Sting ran second in this race but went on to win that year's inaugural edition of the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf.[4] In 2005, Intercontinental won this race and the ensuing Breeders' Cup and was crowned US Champion Female Turf Horse. The 2008 winner Forever Together also went on to win the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf and was crowned US Champion Female Turf Horse. The 2015 winner Tepin went on to defeat the males in the Breeders' Cup Mile and also was crowned US Champion Female Turf Horse. The British bred Uni was the most recent winner to claim the Breeders' Cup Mile after winning this event in 2019.
Records
Speed record:
- 1:32.87 - Uni (GB) (2019)
Margins:
- Page Template:Fraction/styles.css has no content.7+1⁄4 lengths – Bien Nicole (2003)
Most wins
- 2 - Uni (GB) (2019, 2020)
- 2 - Gina Romantica (2023, 2024)
Most wins by an owner
- 4 - Peter M. Brant (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
Most wins by a jockey
- 5 - Julien Leparoux (2006, 2008, 2011, 2013, 2015)
Most wins by a trainer
- 8 - Chad C. Brown (2014, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
Winners
| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Distance | Time | Purse | Grade | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Lady Stakes | ||||||||||
| 2025 | Simply in Front | 4 | Ben Curtis | Eddie Kennelly | Colebrook Farms | 1 mile | 1:34.76 | $776,750 | I | [5] |
| 2024 | Gina Romantica | 5 | Jose L. Ortiz | Chad C. Brown | Peter M. Brant | 1 mile | 1:33.80 | $728,750 | I | [6] |
| 2023 | Gina Romantica | 4 | Tyler Gaffalione | Chad C. Brown | Peter M. Brant | 1 mile | 1:33.70 | $724,688 | I | [7] |
| 2022 | In Italian (GB) | 4 | Joel Rosario | Chad C. Brown | Peter M. Brant | 1 mile | 1:33.22 | $683,837 | I | [8] |
| 2021 | Blowout (GB) | 5 | Flavien Prat | Chad C. Brown | Peter M. Brant | 1 mile | 1:34.86 | $400,000 | I | [9] |
| 2020 | Uni (GB) | 6 | Joel Rosario | Chad C. Brown | Michael Dubb, Head Of Plains Partners, Robert LaPenta & Bethlehem Stable | 1 mile | 1:34.90 | $343,000 | I | [10] |
| 2019 | Uni (GB) | 5 | Joel Rosario | Chad C. Brown | Michael Dubb, Head Of Plains Partners, Robert LaPenta & Bethlehem Stable | 1 mile | 1:32.87 | $400,000 | I | [11] |
| 2018 | A Raving Beauty (GER) | 5 | John R. Velazquez | Chad C. Brown | Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables & Bethlehem Stables | 1 mile | 1:37.78 | $400,000 | I | [12] |
| 2017 | Zipessa | 5 | Joe Bravo | Michael Stidham | Empyrean Stables | 1 mile | 1:36.99 | $400,000 | I | [13] |
| 2016 | Photo Call (IRE) | 5 | Kent J. Desormeaux | Todd A. Pletcher | Teresa Viola Racing | 1 mile | 1:35.62 | $400,000 | I | [14] |
| 2015 | Tepin | 4 | Julien R. Leparoux | Mark E. Casse | Robert E. Masterson | 1 mile | 1:37.04 | $400,000 | I | [15] |
| 2014 | Dayatthespa | 5 | John R. Velazquez | Chad C. Brown | Jerry & Ronald Frankel, Steve Laymon & Bradley Thoroughbreds | 1 mile | 1:35.21 | $400,000 | I | [16] |
| 2013 | Better Lucky | 4 | Julien R. Leparoux | Thomas Albertrani | Godolphin Racing | 1 mile | 1:39.78 | $400,000 | I | [17] |
| 2012 | Tapitsfly | 5 | Jose Lezcano | Dale L. Romans | Frank L. Jones Jr. | 1 mile | 1:35.44 | $350,000 | I | [18] |
| 2011 | Never Retreat | 6 | Julien R. Leparoux | Chris M. Block | Team Block | 1 mile | 1:34.08 | $350,000 | I | [19] |
| 2010 | Proviso (GB) | 5 | Mike E. Smith | William I. Mott | Juddmonte Farms | 1 mile | 1:34.81 | $400,000 | I | [20] |
| 2009 | Diamondrella (GB) | 5 | Rajiv Maragh | Angel A. Penna Jr. | IEAH Stables | 1 mile | 1:38.66 | $400,000 | I | [21] |
| 2008 | Forever Together | 4 | Julien R. Leparoux | Jonathan E. Sheppard | Augustin Stable | 1 mile | 1:35.00 | $400,000 | I | [22] |
| 2007 | Vacare | 4 | Corey Nakatani | Christophe Clement | Sarah & Jon Kelly | 1 mile | 1:35.85 | $432,000 | II | [23] |
| 2006 | Gorella (FR) | 4 | Julien R. Leparoux | Patrick L. Biancone | Martin S. Schwartz | 1 mile | 1:34.14 | $400,000 | II | [24] |
| Galaxy Stakes | ||||||||||
| 2005 | Intercontinental (GB) | 5 | Jerry D. Bailey | Robert J. Frankel | Juddmonte Farms | 1 mile | 1:37.40 | $400,000 | II | [25] |
| 2004 | Stay Forever | 7 | Eddie Castro | Martin D. Wolfson | Santa Cruz Ranch | Page Template:Fraction/styles.css has no content.1+3⁄16 miles | 1:57.08 | $500,000 | II | [26] |
| 2003 | Bien Nicole | 5 | Donald R. Pettinger | Donnie K. Von Hemel | Kristine & John Richter | Page Template:Fraction/styles.css has no content.1+3⁄16 miles | 1:55.87 | $500,000 | II | [27] |
| 2002 | Owsley | 4 | Edgar S. Prado | Randy Schulhofer | Arthur B. Hancock III | Page Template:Fraction/styles.css has no content.1+3⁄16 miles | 1:56.72 | $544,500 | II | [28] |
| 2001 | Spook Express (SAF) | 7 | Mike E. Smith | Thomas J. Skiffington | Robert & Janet Aron | Page Template:Fraction/styles.css has no content.1+3⁄16 miles | 1:54.24 | $563,500 | II | [29] |
| 2000 | Tout Charmant | 4 | Chris McCarron | Ron McAnally | Stonerside Stable | Page Template:Fraction/styles.css has no content.1+3⁄16 miles | 1:54.60 | $554,000 | III | [4] |
| First Lady Stakes | ||||||||||
| 1999 | Happyanunoit (NZ) | 4 | Brice Blanc | Robert J. Frankel | Amerman Racing Stables | Page Template:Fraction/styles.css has no content.1+3⁄16 miles | 1:53.80 | $558,500 | Listed | [30] |
| 1998 | Witchful Thinking | 4 | Chris McCarron | Niall M. O'Callaghan | Leslie R. Grimm | Page Template:Fraction/styles.css has no content.1+3⁄16 miles | 1:54.20 | $273,250 | Listed | [1] |
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Legend:
Page Template:Legend/styles.css has no content. Turf
See also
References
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- ^ a b Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."1998 Vinery First Lady Stakes Listed - (race 8)". Equibase. 16 October 1998. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
- ^ a b Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."First Lady Stakes Profile". Equibase. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
- ^ a b Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."FIRST LADY STAKES - KEENELAND, KY". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2020. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
- ^ a b Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."2000 WinStar Galaxy Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 13 October 2000. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."2024 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 4 October 2025. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."2024 First Lady S. Presented by UK HealthCare Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 5 October 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."2023 First Lady S. Presented by UK HealthCare Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 7 October 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."2022 First Lady S. Presented by UK HealthCare Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 7 October 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."2021 First Lady S. Presented by UK HealthCare Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."2020 First Lady S. Presented by UK HealthCare Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 3 October 2020. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."2019 First Lady S. Presented by UK HealthCare Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 5 October 2019. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."2018 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 6 October 2018. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."2017 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase. 7 October 2017. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."2016 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase. 8 October 2016. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."2015 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase. 3 October 2015. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."2014 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase. 4 October 2014. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."2013 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase. 5 October 2013. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."2012 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase. 6 October 2012. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."2011 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase. 8 October 2011. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."2010 Abu Dhabi First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 8 October 2011. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."2009 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase. 10 October 2009. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."2008 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 3 October 2008. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."2007 First Lady Stakes Grade 2 - (race 7)". Equibase. 6 October 2007. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."2006 First Lady Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 14 October 2006. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."2005 WinStar Galaxy Stakes Grade 2 - (race 6)". Equibase. 9 October 2005. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."2004 WinStar Galaxy Stakes Grade 2 - (race 6)". Equibase. 10 October 2004. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."2003 WinStar Galaxy Stakes Grade 2 - (race 6)". Equibase. 5 October 2003. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."2002 WinStar Galaxy Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 4 October 2002. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."2001 WinStar Galaxy Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 5 October 2001. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."1999 Vinery First Lady Stakes Listed - (race 8)". Equibase. 15 October 1999. Retrieved 14 September 2020.