First Lady Stakes

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First Lady Stakes
ClassGrade I
LocationKeeneland Race Course, Lexington, Kentucky United States
Inaugurated1998
Race typeThoroughbred - Flat racing
Websitewww.keeneland.com
Race information
Distance1 mile
SurfaceTurf
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationFillies & Mares, three-years-old and older
WeightWeight for Age
4-year-olds and up: 125 lbs.
3-year-olds: 121 lbs.
Purse$800,000 (2025)
BonusesWin 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

[edit]

The race was first run on October 16, 1998, as the First Lady Stakes at a distance of 1+316 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

[edit]

Speed record:

  • 1:32.87 - Uni (GB) (2019)

Margins:

  • 7+14 lengths – Bien Nicole (2003)

Most wins

  • 2 - Uni (GB) (2019, 2020)
  • 2 - Gina Romantica (2023, 2024)

Most wins by an owner

Most wins by a jockey

Most wins by a trainer

  • 8 - Chad C. Brown (2014, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)

Winners

[edit]
YearWinnerAgeJockeyTrainerOwnerDistanceTimePurseGradeRef
First Lady Stakes
2025Simply in Front4Ben CurtisEddie KennellyColebrook Farms1 mile1:34.76$776,750I[5]
2024Gina Romantica5Jose L. OrtizChad C. BrownPeter M. Brant1 mile1:33.80$728,750I[6]
2023Gina Romantica4Tyler GaffalioneChad C. BrownPeter M. Brant1 mile1:33.70$724,688I[7]
2022In Italian (GB)4Joel RosarioChad C. BrownPeter M. Brant1 mile1:33.22$683,837I[8]
2021Blowout (GB)5Flavien PratChad C. BrownPeter M. Brant1 mile1:34.86$400,000I[9]
2020Uni (GB)6Joel RosarioChad C. BrownMichael Dubb, Head Of Plains Partners, Robert LaPenta & Bethlehem Stable1 mile1:34.90$343,000I[10]
2019Uni (GB)5Joel RosarioChad C. BrownMichael Dubb, Head Of Plains Partners, Robert LaPenta & Bethlehem Stable1 mile1:32.87$400,000I[11]
2018A Raving Beauty (GER)5John R. VelazquezChad C. BrownMichael Dubb, Madaket Stables & Bethlehem Stables1 mile1:37.78$400,000I[12]
2017Zipessa5Joe BravoMichael StidhamEmpyrean Stables1 mile1:36.99$400,000I[13]
2016Photo Call (IRE)5Kent J. DesormeauxTodd A. PletcherTeresa Viola Racing1 mile1:35.62$400,000I[14]
2015Tepin4Julien R. LeparouxMark E. CasseRobert E. Masterson1 mile1:37.04$400,000I[15]
2014Dayatthespa5John R. VelazquezChad C. BrownJerry & Ronald Frankel, Steve Laymon & Bradley Thoroughbreds1 mile1:35.21$400,000I[16]
2013Better Lucky4Julien R. LeparouxThomas AlbertraniGodolphin Racing1 mile1:39.78$400,000I[17]
2012Tapitsfly5Jose LezcanoDale L. RomansFrank L. Jones Jr.1 mile1:35.44$350,000I[18]
2011Never Retreat6Julien R. LeparouxChris M. BlockTeam Block1 mile1:34.08$350,000I[19]
2010Proviso (GB)5Mike E. SmithWilliam I. MottJuddmonte Farms1 mile1:34.81$400,000I[20]
2009Diamondrella (GB)5Rajiv MaraghAngel A. Penna Jr.IEAH Stables1 mile1:38.66$400,000I[21]
2008Forever Together4Julien R. LeparouxJonathan E. SheppardAugustin Stable1 mile1:35.00$400,000I[22]
2007Vacare4Corey NakataniChristophe ClementSarah & Jon Kelly1 mile1:35.85$432,000II[23]
2006Gorella (FR)4Julien R. LeparouxPatrick L. BianconeMartin S. Schwartz1 mile1:34.14$400,000II[24]
Galaxy Stakes
2005Intercontinental (GB)5Jerry D. BaileyRobert J. FrankelJuddmonte Farms1 mile1:37.40$400,000II[25]
2004Stay Forever7Eddie CastroMartin D. WolfsonSanta Cruz Ranch1+316 miles1:57.08$500,000II[26]
2003Bien Nicole5Donald R. PettingerDonnie K. Von HemelKristine & John Richter1+316 miles1:55.87$500,000II[27]
2002Owsley4Edgar S. PradoRandy SchulhoferArthur B. Hancock III1+316 miles1:56.72$544,500II[28]
2001Spook Express (SAF)7Mike E. SmithThomas J. SkiffingtonRobert & Janet Aron1+316 miles1:54.24$563,500II[29]
2000Tout Charmant4Chris McCarronRon McAnallyStonerside Stable1+316 miles1:54.60$554,000III[4]
First Lady Stakes
1999Happyanunoit (NZ)4Brice BlancRobert J. FrankelAmerman Racing Stables1+316 miles1:53.80$558,500Listed[30]
1998Witchful Thinking4Chris McCarronNiall M. O'CallaghanLeslie R. Grimm1+316 miles1:54.20$273,250Listed[1]

Legend:
  Turf

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "1998 Vinery First Lady Stakes Listed - (race 8)". Equibase. 16 October 1998. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  2. ^ a b "First Lady Stakes Profile". Equibase. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  3. ^ a b "FIRST LADY STAKES - KEENELAND, KY". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2020. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  4. ^ a b "2000 WinStar Galaxy Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 13 October 2000. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  5. ^ "2024 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 4 October 2025. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
  6. ^ "2024 First Lady S. Presented by UK HealthCare Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 5 October 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  7. ^ "2023 First Lady S. Presented by UK HealthCare Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 7 October 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  8. ^ "2022 First Lady S. Presented by UK HealthCare Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 7 October 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  9. ^ "2021 First Lady S. Presented by UK HealthCare Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
  10. ^ "2020 First Lady S. Presented by UK HealthCare Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 3 October 2020. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  11. ^ "2019 First Lady S. Presented by UK HealthCare Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 5 October 2019. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  12. ^ "2018 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 6 October 2018. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  13. ^ "2017 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase. 7 October 2017. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  14. ^ "2016 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase. 8 October 2016. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  15. ^ "2015 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase. 3 October 2015. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  16. ^ "2014 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase. 4 October 2014. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  17. ^ "2013 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase. 5 October 2013. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  18. ^ "2012 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase. 6 October 2012. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  19. ^ "2011 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase. 8 October 2011. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  20. ^ "2010 Abu Dhabi First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 8 October 2011. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  21. ^ "2009 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase. 10 October 2009. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  22. ^ "2008 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 3 October 2008. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  23. ^ "2007 First Lady Stakes Grade 2 - (race 7)". Equibase. 6 October 2007. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  24. ^ "2006 First Lady Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 14 October 2006. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  25. ^ "2005 WinStar Galaxy Stakes Grade 2 - (race 6)". Equibase. 9 October 2005. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  26. ^ "2004 WinStar Galaxy Stakes Grade 2 - (race 6)". Equibase. 10 October 2004. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  27. ^ "2003 WinStar Galaxy Stakes Grade 2 - (race 6)". Equibase. 5 October 2003. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  28. ^ "2002 WinStar Galaxy Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 4 October 2002. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  29. ^ "2001 WinStar Galaxy Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 5 October 2001. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  30. ^ "1999 Vinery First Lady Stakes Listed - (race 8)". Equibase. 15 October 1999. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
    First Lady Stakes
    ClassGrade I
    LocationKeeneland Race Course, Lexington, Kentucky United States
    Inaugurated1998
    Race typeThoroughbred - Flat racing
    Websitewww.keeneland.com
    Race information
    Distance1 mile
    SurfaceTurf
    TrackLeft-handed
    QualificationFillies & Mares, three-years-old and older
    WeightWeight for Age
    4-year-olds and up: 125 lbs.
    3-year-olds: 121 lbs.
    Purse$800,000 (2025)
    BonusesWin 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 1+316 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:

    • 7+14 lengths – Bien Nicole (2003)

    Most wins

    • 2 - Uni (GB) (2019, 2020)
    • 2 - Gina Romantica (2023, 2024)

    Most wins by an owner

    Most wins by a jockey

    Most wins by a trainer

    • 8 - Chad C. Brown (2014, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)

    Winners

    YearWinnerAgeJockeyTrainerOwnerDistanceTimePurseGradeRef
    First Lady Stakes
    2025Simply in Front4Ben CurtisEddie KennellyColebrook Farms1 mile1:34.76$776,750I[5]
    2024Gina Romantica5Jose L. OrtizChad C. BrownPeter M. Brant1 mile1:33.80$728,750I[6]
    2023Gina Romantica4Tyler GaffalioneChad C. BrownPeter M. Brant1 mile1:33.70$724,688I[7]
    2022In Italian (GB)4Joel RosarioChad C. BrownPeter M. Brant1 mile1:33.22$683,837I[8]
    2021Blowout (GB)5Flavien PratChad C. BrownPeter M. Brant1 mile1:34.86$400,000I[9]
    2020Uni (GB)6Joel RosarioChad C. BrownMichael Dubb, Head Of Plains Partners, Robert LaPenta & Bethlehem Stable1 mile1:34.90$343,000I[10]
    2019Uni (GB)5Joel RosarioChad C. BrownMichael Dubb, Head Of Plains Partners, Robert LaPenta & Bethlehem Stable1 mile1:32.87$400,000I[11]
    2018A Raving Beauty (GER)5John R. VelazquezChad C. BrownMichael Dubb, Madaket Stables & Bethlehem Stables1 mile1:37.78$400,000I[12]
    2017Zipessa5Joe BravoMichael StidhamEmpyrean Stables1 mile1:36.99$400,000I[13]
    2016Photo Call (IRE)5Kent J. DesormeauxTodd A. PletcherTeresa Viola Racing1 mile1:35.62$400,000I[14]
    2015Tepin4Julien R. LeparouxMark E. CasseRobert E. Masterson1 mile1:37.04$400,000I[15]
    2014Dayatthespa5John R. VelazquezChad C. BrownJerry & Ronald Frankel, Steve Laymon & Bradley Thoroughbreds1 mile1:35.21$400,000I[16]
    2013Better Lucky4Julien R. LeparouxThomas AlbertraniGodolphin Racing1 mile1:39.78$400,000I[17]
    2012Tapitsfly5Jose LezcanoDale L. RomansFrank L. Jones Jr.1 mile1:35.44$350,000I[18]
    2011Never Retreat6Julien R. LeparouxChris M. BlockTeam Block1 mile1:34.08$350,000I[19]
    2010Proviso (GB)5Mike E. SmithWilliam I. MottJuddmonte Farms1 mile1:34.81$400,000I[20]
    2009Diamondrella (GB)5Rajiv MaraghAngel A. Penna Jr.IEAH Stables1 mile1:38.66$400,000I[21]
    2008Forever Together4Julien R. LeparouxJonathan E. SheppardAugustin Stable1 mile1:35.00$400,000I[22]
    2007Vacare4Corey NakataniChristophe ClementSarah & Jon Kelly1 mile1:35.85$432,000II[23]
    2006Gorella (FR)4Julien R. LeparouxPatrick L. BianconeMartin S. Schwartz1 mile1:34.14$400,000II[24]
    Galaxy Stakes
    2005Intercontinental (GB)5Jerry D. BaileyRobert J. FrankelJuddmonte Farms1 mile1:37.40$400,000II[25]
    2004Stay Forever7Eddie CastroMartin D. WolfsonSanta Cruz Ranch1+316 miles1:57.08$500,000II[26]
    2003Bien Nicole5Donald R. PettingerDonnie K. Von HemelKristine & John Richter1+316 miles1:55.87$500,000II[27]
    2002Owsley4Edgar S. PradoRandy SchulhoferArthur B. Hancock III1+316 miles1:56.72$544,500II[28]
    2001Spook Express (SAF)7Mike E. SmithThomas J. SkiffingtonRobert & Janet Aron1+316 miles1:54.24$563,500II[29]
    2000Tout Charmant4Chris McCarronRon McAnallyStonerside Stable1+316 miles1:54.60$554,000III[4]
    First Lady Stakes
    1999Happyanunoit (NZ)4Brice BlancRobert J. FrankelAmerman Racing Stables1+316 miles1:53.80$558,500Listed[30]
    1998Witchful Thinking4Chris McCarronNiall M. O'CallaghanLeslie R. Grimm1+316 miles1:54.20$273,250Listed[1]

    Legend:
      Turf

    See also

    References

    1. ^ a b "1998 Vinery First Lady Stakes Listed - (race 8)". Equibase. 16 October 1998. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
    2. ^ a b "First Lady Stakes Profile". Equibase. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
    3. ^ a b "FIRST LADY STAKES - KEENELAND, KY". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2020. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
    4. ^ a b "2000 WinStar Galaxy Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 13 October 2000. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
    5. ^ "2024 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 4 October 2025. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
    6. ^ "2024 First Lady S. Presented by UK HealthCare Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 5 October 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
    7. ^ "2023 First Lady S. Presented by UK HealthCare Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 7 October 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
    8. ^ "2022 First Lady S. Presented by UK HealthCare Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 7 October 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
    9. ^ "2021 First Lady S. Presented by UK HealthCare Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
    10. ^ "2020 First Lady S. Presented by UK HealthCare Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 3 October 2020. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
    11. ^ "2019 First Lady S. Presented by UK HealthCare Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 5 October 2019. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
    12. ^ "2018 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 6 October 2018. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
    13. ^ "2017 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase. 7 October 2017. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
    14. ^ "2016 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase. 8 October 2016. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
    15. ^ "2015 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase. 3 October 2015. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
    16. ^ "2014 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase. 4 October 2014. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
    17. ^ "2013 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase. 5 October 2013. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
    18. ^ "2012 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase. 6 October 2012. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
    19. ^ "2011 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase. 8 October 2011. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
    20. ^ "2010 Abu Dhabi First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 8 October 2011. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
    21. ^ "2009 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase. 10 October 2009. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
    22. ^ "2008 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 3 October 2008. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
    23. ^ "2007 First Lady Stakes Grade 2 - (race 7)". Equibase. 6 October 2007. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
    24. ^ "2006 First Lady Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 14 October 2006. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
    25. ^ "2005 WinStar Galaxy Stakes Grade 2 - (race 6)". Equibase. 9 October 2005. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
    26. ^ "2004 WinStar Galaxy Stakes Grade 2 - (race 6)". Equibase. 10 October 2004. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
    27. ^ "2003 WinStar Galaxy Stakes Grade 2 - (race 6)". Equibase. 5 October 2003. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
    28. ^ "2002 WinStar Galaxy Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 4 October 2002. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
    29. ^ "2001 WinStar Galaxy Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 5 October 2001. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
    30. ^ "1999 Vinery First Lady Stakes Listed - (race 8)". Equibase. 15 October 1999. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
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