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The Kentucky Oaks is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred fillies staged annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States. The race currently covers at Churchill Downs; the horses carry . The Kentucky Oaks is held on the Friday before the Kentucky Derby each year. The winner gets $846,300 of the $1,500,000 purse, and a large garland blanket of lilies, resulting in the nickname "Lilies for the Fillies." A silver Kentucky Oaks Trophy is presented to the winner.
The Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby are the oldest continuously contested sporting events in American history. The Kentucky Oaks was modeled after the British Epsom Oaks, which has been run annually at Epsom Downs, Epsom, in Surrey since 1779. In the first race, the horse Vinaigrette won the then mile race in a time of 2:, winning a purse of $1,175. Since that race, the Kentucky Oaks has been held each year.
In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kentucky Oaks was rescheduled from May 1 to September 4.
The Kentucky Oaks is considered by some to be among the most popular horse races in American horse-racing society due to its high attendance. It has attracted about 100,000 people in attendance each year since 2001's 127th running of the Kentucky Oaks.Bob Chip Nold, Insiders' Guide to Louisville, Kentucky & Southern Indiana, 2nd edition, Globe Pequot, p. 175 In 1980, attendance reached about 50,000 people and by 1989, it had increased to about 67,000. The attendance at the Kentucky Oaks ranks third in North America and usually surpasses the attendance of all other stakes races including the Belmont Stakes and the Breeders' Cup. The attendance of the Kentucky Oaks typically trails only the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes; for more information see American thoroughbred racing top attended events.
The Kentucky Oaks, the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, and the Acorn Stakes are the counterparts to the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, held at Churchill Downs, Pimlico Race Course and Belmont Park, respectively. The "Filly Triple Crown", known as the Triple Tiara of Thoroughbred Racing, is a series of three races at the Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course. The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) has considered changing the Triple Tiara series to the three counterparts of the Triple Crown.
In July 2025 it was announced that the 2026 Kentucky Oaks would be run in the evening for the very first time, and would be broadcast in primetime to a national audience on NBC and Peacock.
The first garland for the Kentucky Oaks was presented to Kathleen, the 1916 winner. It was made of roses, not the lilies that have become synonymous with the filly's race today. Though every Oaks winner since Kathleen has received a garland, the Star Gazer Lily did not become the official flower of the Kentucky Oaks until 1991, when the Kroger Company was commissioned to create a feminine garland for the fillies. Lite Light, winner of the 117th Kentucky Oaks, was the first filly to receive the garland of lilies.
The Star Gazer Lily was selected for its femininity and strength. A total of 133 lilies are sewn onto a white moire fabric backing with a fleur-de-lis pattern, which, like the green satin of the Derby garland, is embroidered in white-on-white with the seal of the Commonwealth of Kentucky at one end and an image of the Twin Spires and the words stating which running of the Kentucky Oaks it is on the opposite end. It is trimmed in a border of Oak Ivy Leaves symbolic of the event. The completed fabric is 116 inches long, 18 inches wide and weighs approximately 18 pounds. A bouquet of Star Gazer Lilies is also given to the jockey for the winner's circle photo. Kroger is the official florist of the Kentucky Oaks and Derby. The public can view the lily garland at a local Kroger store the evening before the race.The Kentucky Derby Media Guide, 135th Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs, 2 May 2009, p. 241.
Charitable initiative
On Kentucky Oaks Day, Churchill Downs Racetrack is a vision in pink as more than 100,000 guests are asked to incorporate pink into their attire in an effort to drive national attention to the fight against breast and ovarian cancer.
Awards for winners
Besides the silver Kentucky Oaks Trophy presented to the winner, they are also presented with a Garland of Lilies draped around the filly's withers.
Changes in distance
The Kentucky Oaks has been run at four different distances:
Records
Speed record
Largest winning margin
Longest shot to win the Oaks
Most wins by a jockey
Female jockeys to win
Most wins by a Horse trainer
Most wins by an owner
Only brothers to both win the Kentucky Oaks
Carl used the original German spelling of "Goose", which one of a few spellings was "Ganz", but also Gantz, Gans, and so on.
The Goose brothers are cousins of Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr., the founder of the Louisville Jockey Club.
"Oaks/Derby Double"
Jockeys, trainers, and owners competing in the Kentucky Oaks often will compete in the Kentucky Derby, a race for the next day the Oaks. Winning both these races in the same year is referred to as an "Oaks/Derby Double;" 8 jockeys, 3 trainers, and 5 owners have accomplished this feat:
*Until the 1950s, the Oaks was held several days or weeks after the Derby.
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!Year
!Kentucky Oaks Winner
!Kentucky Derby Winner
!Jockey
!Trainer
!Owner 2025 Good Cheer Sovereignty different different Godolphin 2024 Thorpedo Anna Mystik Dan Brian Hernandez Jr. Kenneth G. McPeek different 2018 Monomoy Girl Justify different different Head of Plains Partners/Monomoy Stables 2009 Rachel Alexandra Mine That Bird Calvin Borel different different 1993 Dispute Sea Hero Jerry Bailey different different 1966 Native Street Kauai King Donald Brumfield different different 1952 Real Delight Hill Gail Eddie Arcaro Ben Jones Calumet Farm 1950 Ari's Mona Middleground Bill Boland different different 1949 Wistful Ponder different Ben Jones different 1933* Barn Swallow Brokers Tip Don Meade Herbert J. Thompson Edward R. Bradley 1884* Modesty Buchanan Isaac Murphy different different
Winners
2025 Good Cheer Luis Saez Brad H. Cox Godolphin 1:50.15 I 2024 Thorpedo Anna Brian Hernandez Jr. Kenny McPeek Brookdale Racing, Mark Edwards, Judy B. Hicks and Magdalena Racing (Sherri McPeek) 1:50.83 I 2023 Pretty Mischievous Tyler Gaffalione Brendan Walsh Godolphin Racing 1:49.77 I 2022 Secret Oath Luis Saez D. Wayne Lukas Briland Farm 1:49.44 I 2021 Malathaat John R. Velazquez Todd A. Pletcher Shadwell Stable 1:48.99 I 2020 Shedaresthedevil Florent Geroux Brad H. Cox Flurry Racing Stables LLC, Qatar Racing Limited, Big Aut Farms 1:48.28 I 2019 Serengeti Empress José Ortiz Tom Amoss Joel Politi 1:50.17 I 2018 Monomoy Girl Florent Geroux Brad H. Cox Michael Dubb, Monomoy Stables (Sol Kumin), Elkstone Group, Bethlehem Stables (Michael Caruso) 1:49.13 I 2017 Abel Tasman Mike E. Smith Bob Baffert China Horse Club 1:51.62 I 2016 Cathryn Sophia Javier Castellano John Servis Cash Is King Stable 1:50.53 I 2015 Lovely Maria Kerwin Clark J. Larry Jones Brereton Jones 1:50.45 I 2014 Untapable Rosie Napravnik Steven M. Asmussen Winchell Thoroughbreds 1:48.68 I 2013 Princess of Sylmar Mike E. Smith Todd A. Pletcher King of Prussia Stables 1:49.17 I 2012 Believe You Can Rosie Napravnik J. Larry Jones Brereton C. Jones 1:49.50 I 2011 Plum Pretty Martin Garcia Bob Baffert Peachtree Stable 1:49.50 I 2010 Blind Luck Rafael Bejarano Jerry Hollendorfer Mark DeDomenico, John Carver, Peter Abruzzo & Jerry Hollendorfer 1:50.70 I 2009 Rachel Alexandra Calvin Borel Hal R. Wiggins Dolphus C. Morrison & Michael Lauffer 1:48.87 I 2008 Proud Spell Gabriel Saez J. Larry Jones Brereton C. Jones 1:50.01 I 2007 Rags to Riches Garrett Gomez Todd A. Pletcher Derrick Smith & Michael Tabor 1:49.99 I 2006 Lemons Forever Mark Guidry Dallas Stewart Leon Willis, Terry Horton & Dallas Stewart 1:50.07 I 2005 Summerly Jerry Bailey Steven M. Asmussen Winchell Thoroughbreds 1:50.23 I 2004 Ashado John Velazquez Todd A. Pletcher Starlight Stables 1:50.81 I 2003 Bird Town Edgar Prado Nick Zito Marylou Whitney 1:48.64 I 2002 Farda Amiga Chris McCarron Paulo Lobo Jose De Camargo, Old Friends Inc. & Winner Silk Inc. 1:50.41 I 2001 Flute Jerry Bailey Robert J. Frankel Juddmonte Farms 1:48.85 I 2000 Secret Status Pat Day Neil J. Howard William S. Farish, James A.Elkins Jr., W. Temple Webber Jr. 1:50.30 I 1999 Silverbulletday Gary Stevens Bob Baffert Michael E. Pegram 1:49.92 I 1998 Keeper Hill David R. Flores Robert J. Frankel John A. Chandler 1:52.06 I 1997 Blushing K.D. Lonnie Meche Sam David Jr. James & Sue Burns 1:50.29 I 1996 Pike Place Dancer Corey Nakatani Jerry Hollendorfer Jerry Hollendorfer & George Todaro 1:49.88 I 1995 Gal In A Ruckus Herb McCauley John T. Ward Jr. John C. Oxley 1:50.09 I 1994 Sardula Ed Delahoussaye Brian A. Mayberry Jerry Moss 1:51.16 I 1993 Dispute Jerry Bailey Claude R. McGaughey III Ogden Mills Phipps 1:52.47 I 1992 Luv Me Luv Me Not Fabio Arguello Jr. Glenn Wismer Philip Maas 1:51.41 I 1991 Lite Light Corey Nakatani Jerry Hollendorfer Oaktown Stable 1:48.80 I 1990 Seaside Attraction Chris McCarron D. Wayne Lukas Overbrook Farm 1:52.80 I 1989 Open Mind Ángel Cordero Jr. D. Wayne Lukas Eugene V. Klein 1:50.60 I 1988 Goodbye Halo Pat Day Charlie Whittingham Arthur B. Hancock III & Alex Campbell Jr. 1:50.40 I 1987 Buryyourbelief José A. Santos Laz Barrera Dana S. Bray Jr. 1:50.40 I 1986 Tiffany Lass Gary Stevens Laz Barrera Aaron U. Jones 1:50.60 I 1985 Fran's Valentine Pat Valenzuela Joseph Manzi Earl Scheib 1:50.00 I 1984 Lucky Lucky Lucky Ángel Cordero Jr. D. Wayne Lukas Leslie Combs II & Equites St. 1:51.80 I 1983 Princess Rooney Jacinto Vásquez Frank Gomez Paula J. Tucker 1:50.80 I 1982 Blush With Pride Bill Shoemaker D. Wayne Lukas Stonereath Farms 1:50.20 I 1981 Heavenly Cause Laffit Pincay Jr. Woody Stephens Ryehill Farm 1:43.80 I 1980 Bold 'n Determined Ed Delahoussaye Neil Drysdale Saron Stable 1:44.80 I 1979 Davona Dale Jorge Velásquez John M. Veitch Calumet Farm 1:47.20 I 1978 White Star Line Eddie Maple Woody Stephens Newstead Farm 1:45.20 I 1977 Sweet Alliance Chris McCarron Bud Delp Windfields Farm 1:43.60 II 1976 Optimistic Gal Braulio Baeza LeRoy Jolley Diana M. Firestone 1:44.60 II 1975 Sun and Snow Garth Patterson George T. Poole Cornelius V. Whitney 1:44.60 II 1974 Quaze Quilt William Gavidia Thomas W. Kelley Fred W. Hooper 1:46.60 II 1973 Bag of Tunes Danny Gargan George T. Poole Cornelius V. Whitney 1:44.20 II 1972 Susan's Girl Victor Tejada John W. Russell Fred W. Hooper 1:44.20 1971 Silent Beauty Kenny Knapp Richard J. Fischer Leslie Combs II 1:44.20 1970 Lady Vi-E David Whited John C. Oxley A. H. & Albert M. Stall 1:44.80 1969 Hail to Patsy David Kassen Loyd Gentry Jr. Walter Kitchen 1:44.40 1968 Dark Mirage Manuel Ycaza Everett W. King Lloyd I. Miller 1:44.60 1967 Nancy Jr. Johnny Sellers Stanley M. Rieser Hidden Valley Farm 1:44.00 1966 Native Street Don Brumfield Les Lear Aisco Stable 1:44.80 1965 Amerivan Ron Turcotte Mary D. Keim Mary D. Keim 1:44.40 1964 Blue Norther Bill Shoemaker Wally Dunn Mrs. William R. Hawn 1:44.20 1963 Sally Ship Manuel Ycaza Woody Stephens Cain Hoy Stable 1:44.80 1962 Cicada Bill Shoemaker Casey Hayes Meadow Stable 1:44.60 1961 My Portrait Braulio Baeza Charles R. Parke Fred W. Hooper 1:47.00 1960 Make Sail Manuel Ycaza Woody Stephens Cain Hoy Stable 1:44.20 1959 Wedlock John L. Rotz Paul Shawhan Paul Shawhan 1:45.00 Hidden Talent Manuel Ycaza Woody Stephens Cain Hoy Stable 1:44.40 1958 Bug Brush Eddie Arcaro Sylvester Veitch Cornelius V. Whitney 1:44.80 1957 Lori-El Lois C. Cook Mike R. Soto Al Berke & Mike R. Soto 1:44.80 1956 Princess Turia Bill Hartack Horace A. Jones Calumet Farm 1:44.80 1955 Lalun Henry E. Moreno Loyd Gentry Jr. Cain Hoy Stable 1:46.00 1954 Fascinator Anthony DeSpirito Edward A. Neloy Maine Chance Farm 1:45.00 1953 Bubbley Eddie Arcaro Horace A. Jones Calumet Farm 1:45.60 1952 Real Delight Eddie Arcaro Horace A. Jones Calumet Farm 1:45.40 1951 How Eddie Arcaro Horatio Luro Herman B. Delman 1:45.60 1950 Ari's Mona William Boland John C. Hauer John C. Hauer 1:43.60 1949 Wistful Gordon Glisson Ben A. Jones Calumet Farm 1:47.40 1948 Challe Anne Willie Garner Walter U. Ridenour F. L. Flanders 1:48.60 1947 Blue Grass Johnny Longden Willie Crump Arthur B. Hancock Jr. 1:51.60 1946 First Page James R. Layton C. A. Bidencope H. G. Jones 1:51.40 1945 Come and Go Charles L. Martin J. Price Sallee Thomas Piatt 1:49.80 1944 Canina John H. Adams Frank E. Childs Abe Hirschberg 1:48.60 1943 Nellie L. Wendell Eads Ben A. Jones Calumet Farm 1:48.60 1942 Miss Dogwood John H. Adams John M. Goode Brownell Combs 1:47.00 1941 Valdina Myth George King John J. Flanigan Valdina Farms 1:52.60 1940 Inscolassie Bobby Vedder Ross O. Higdon Woolford Farm 1:54.40 1939 Flying Lill Carroll Bierman Clifford Porter Mrs. C. H. Cleary 1:51.00 1938 Flying Lee Leon Haas Duval A. Headley Hal Price Headley 1:52.80 1937 Mars Shield Alfred Robertson Robert V. McGarvey Ethel V. Mars 1:53.40 1936 Two Bob Raymond Workman James W. Healy Cornelius V. Whitney 1:52.60 1935 Paradisical Glenn Fowler Al Miller Isaac J. Collins 1:51.20 1934 Fiji Gilbert Elston Thomas B. Young Young Bros. 1:51.60 1933 Barn Swallow Don Meade Herbert J. Thompson Edward R. Bradley 1:51.20 1932 Suntica Anthony Pascuma Jack Whyte Willis Sharpe Kilmer 1:52.20 1931 Cousin Jo Eugene James William Reed Charles Nuckols Sr. 1:53.00 1930 Alcibiades Robert Finnerty Walter W. Taylor Hal Price Headley 1:52.60 1929 Rose of Sharon Willie Crump Daniel E. Stewart Johnson N. Camden Jr. 1:51.00 1928 Easter Stockings Willie Crump Kay Spence Audley Farm Stable 1:51.60 1927 Mary Jane Danny Connelly S. Sewell Combs Gallaher & Combs 1:53.40 1926 Black Maria Arthur Mortensen William H. Karrick William R. Coe 1:55.40 1925 Deeming James McCoy C. B. Dailey C. B. Dailey 1:54.00 1924 Princess Doreen Harry Stutts S. Miller Henderson Audley Farm Stable 1:51.80 1923 Untidy John Corcoran James G. Rowe Jr. Helen Hay Whitney 1:53.00 1922 Startle Danny Connelly John I. Smith Herbert H. Hewitt 1:52.60 1921 Nancy Lee Linus McAtee John H. McCormack Philip Allen Clark 1:50.40 1920 Lorraine Danny Connelly J. Cal Milam Johnson N. Camden Jr. 1:58.40 1919 Lillian Shaw T. Murray John H. McCormack J. R. Livingston 1:45.00 1918 Viva America W. Warrington W. N. Potts C. T. Worthington 1:46.80 1917 Sunbonnet Johnny Loftus Walter B. Jennings A. Kingsley Macomber 1:46.80 1916 Kathleen Roscoe Goose Peter Coyne George J. Long 1:47.40 1915 Waterblossom Eddie Martin George Denny Thomas C. McDowell 1:46.60 1914 Bronzewing William Obert Daniel Lehan Alex P. Humphrey Jr. 1:45.60 1913 Cream Carl Ganz Auval John Baker Charles C. Van Meter 1:47.60 1912 Flamma James Butwell J. Duffy E. F. Condran 1:51.20 1911 Bettie Sue Ted Rice D. Huestis A. Brown 1:48.00 1910 Samaria Richard Scoville William McDaniel J. P. Ross & Co. 1:50.20 1909 Floreal Sam Heidel William H. Fizer William H. Fizer 1:49.20 1908 Ellen-a-Dale Vincent Powers George Denny Thomas C. McDowell 1:46.60 1907 Wing Ting James Lee Joseph S. Hawkins Joseph S. Hawkins 1:50.20 1906 King's Daughter E. Robinson Thomas C. McDowell Thomas C. McDowell 1:47.80 1905 Janeta Dale Austin R. L. Rogers Cassin & Rogers 1:49.75 1904 Audience Almer Helgesen Kimball Patterson Samuel S. Brown 1:51.00 1903 Lemco John Reiff Frank Kelly Edward Corrigan 1:49.75 1902 Wainamoinen M. Coburn T. Hart Talbot Talbot Bros. 1:51.25 1901 Lady Schorr John Woods John F. Schorr John F. Schorr 1:53.00 1900 Etta Monk Overton Edward D. Brown Ed Brown & Co. 1:48.00 1899 Rush J. Hill Thomas C. McDowell Thomas C. McDowell 1:52.50 1898 Crocket J. Hill Louis Cahn Julius C. Cahn 1:51.50 1897 White Frost Tommy Burns L. C. Davis E. S. Gardner & Son 1:49.00 1896 Soufflé Charlie Thorpe James W. Healy J. M. Murphy 1:54.50 1895 Voladora Alonzo Clayton Not found Pastime Stable 2:16.75 1894 Selika Alonzo Clayton John H. Morris Bashford Manor Stable 2:15.00 1893 Monrovia J. Reagan Edward D. Brown Edward D. Brown 2:16.00 1892 Miss Dixie Harry Ray Michael T. Danaher Col. James E. Pepper 2:14.50 1891 Miss Hawkins Tommy Britton T. Hart Talbot Talbot Bros. 2:18.25 1890 English Lady Hollis Hiram J. Scoggan Scoggan Bros. 2:42.50 1889 Jewel Ban John Stoval W. Clay John T. Clay 2:41.00 1888 Tenpenny Andrew McCarthy Jr. Not found M. Welsh 2:42.00 1887 Florimore Johnston D. W. Kelly Thomas H. Stevens 2:40.75 1886 Pure Rye Edward Garrison Not found Melbourne Stable 2:41.00 1885 Lizzie Dwyer Patrick Fuller Edward C. CorriganEdward C. Corrigan
2:40.75 1884 Modesty Isaac Murphy Edward C. Corrigan Edward C. Corrigan 2:48.25 1883 Vera John Stoval J. Pate Robert C. Pate 2:39.75 1882 Katie Creel John Stoval C. A. Johnson Johnson & Co. 2:39.00 1881 Lucy May Wolfe Not found R. F. Johnson 2:41.00 1880 Longitude Jim McLaughlin Not found J. G. Malone 2:41.75 1879 Liahtunah Hightower Not found James A. Grinstead 2:40.25 1878 Belle of Nelson Booth Not found Mattingly & Co. 2:39.00 1877 Felicia W. James Not found J. W. Reynolds 2:39.00 1876 Neecy Hale W. James Not found Frank B. Harper 2:42.50 1875 Vinaigrette J. Houston Not found A. B. Lewis & Co. 2:39.75
Notes
See also
External links
Categories: Derby-week-events : Kentucky-oaks : Official Website, Grade 1 Stakes Races In The United States, Flat Horse Races For Three-year-old Fillies, Horse Races Established In 1875, Churchill Downs Horse Races, Kentucky Derby, Sports Competitions In Louisville, Kentucky, 1875 Establishments In Kentucky
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