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First Lady Stakes

Field	Value
surface	Turf
class	Grade I
horse race	First Lady Stakes
location	Keeneland Race Course, Lexington, Kentucky United States
inaugurated	1998
race type	Thoroughbred - Flat racing
website	www.keeneland.com
distance	1 mile
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

4-year-olds and up: 125 lbs. 3-year-olds: 121 lbs. 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 miles and was sponsored by Vinery Farm located in Lexington.

In 2000, WinStar Farm became the race's sponsor from then through 2005 and it was renamed the Galaxy Stakes. 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.

In 2005 the distance of the event was decreased to its present distance of one mile.

In 2006, the name of the event was reverted to its inaugural title.

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. 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:

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	url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=8&BorP=P&TID=KEE&CTRY=USA&DT=10/4/2025&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB	title=2024 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)	work=Equibase	date=4 October 2025	access-date=5 October 2025}}
2024	Gina Romantica	5	Jose L. Ortiz	Chad C. Brown	Peter M. Brant	1 mile	1:33.80	$728,750	I	url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=8&BorP=P&TID=KEE&CTRY=USA&DT=10/5/2024&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB	title=2024 First Lady S. Presented by UK HealthCare Grade 1 - (race 8)	work=Equibase	date=5 October 2024	access-date=8 October 2024}}
2023	Gina Romantica	4	Tyler Gaffalione	Chad C. Brown	Peter M. Brant	1 mile	1:33.70	$724,688	I	url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=8&BorP=P&TID=KEE&CTRY=USA&DT=10/07/2023&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB	title=2023 First Lady S. Presented by UK HealthCare Grade 1 - (race 8)	work=Equibase	date=7 October 2023	access-date=8 October 2024}}
2022	In Italian (GB)	4	Joel Rosario	Chad C. Brown	Peter M. Brant	1 mile	1:33.22	$683,837	I	url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=8&BorP=P&TID=KEE&CTRY=USA&DT=10/08/2022&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB	title=2022 First Lady S. Presented by UK HealthCare Grade 1 - (race 8)	work=Equibase	date=7 October 2023	accessdate=9 October 2022}}
2021	Blowout (GB)	5	Flavien Prat	Chad C. Brown	Peter M. Brant	1 mile	1:34.86	$400,000	I	title=2021 First Lady S. Presented by UK HealthCare Grade 1 - (race 8)	url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=KEE&raceDate=10/09/2021&cy=USA&rn=8	website=Equibase	access-date=9 October 2021}}
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	url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=8&BorP=P&TID=KEE&CTRY=USA&DT=10/03/2020&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB	title=2020 First Lady S. Presented by UK HealthCare Grade 1 - (race 8)	work=Equibase	date=3 October 2020	accessdate=5 October 2020}}
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	url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=8&BorP=P&TID=KEE&CTRY=USA&DT=10/05/2019&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB	title=2019 First Lady S. Presented by UK HealthCare Grade 1 - (race 8)	work=Equibase	date=5 October 2019	accessdate=14 September 2020}}
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	url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=8&BorP=P&TID=KEE&CTRY=USA&DT=10/06/2018&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB	title=2018 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)	work=Equibase	date=6 October 2018	accessdate=14 September 2020}}
2017	Zipessa	5	Joe Bravo	Michael Stidham	Empyrean Stables	1 mile	1:36.99	$400,000	I	url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=7&BorP=P&TID=KEE&CTRY=USA&DT=10/07/2017&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB	title=2017 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)	work=Equibase	date=7 October 2017	accessdate=14 September 2020}}
2016	Photo Call (IRE)	5	Kent J. Desormeaux	Todd A. Pletcher	Teresa Viola Racing	1 mile	1:35.62	$400,000	I	url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=7&BorP=P&TID=KEE&CTRY=USA&DT=10/08/2016&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB	title=2016 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)	work=Equibase	date=8 October 2016	accessdate=14 September 2020}}
2015	Tepin	4	Julien R. Leparoux	Mark E. Casse	Robert E. Masterson	1 mile	1:37.04	$400,000	I	url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=7&BorP=P&TID=KEE&CTRY=USA&DT=10/03/2015&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB	title=2015 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)	work=Equibase	date=3 October 2015	accessdate=14 September 2020}}
2014	Dayatthespa	5	John R. Velazquez	Chad C. Brown	Jerry & Ronald Frankel, Steve Laymon & Bradley Thoroughbreds	1 mile	1:35.21	$400,000	I	url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=7&BorP=P&TID=KEE&CTRY=USA&DT=10/04/2014&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB	title=2014 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)	work=Equibase	date=4 October 2014	accessdate=14 September 2020}}
2013	Better Lucky	4	Julien R. Leparoux	Thomas Albertrani	Godolphin Racing	1 mile	1:39.78	$400,000	I	url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=7&BorP=P&TID=KEE&CTRY=USA&DT=10/05/2013&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB	title=2013 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)	work=Equibase	date=5 October 2013	accessdate=14 September 2020}}
2012	Tapitsfly	5	Jose Lezcano	Dale L. Romans	Frank L. Jones Jr.	1 mile	1:35.44	$350,000	I	url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=7&BorP=P&TID=KEE&CTRY=USA&DT=10/06/2012&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB	title=2012 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)	work=Equibase	date=6 October 2012	accessdate=14 September 2020}}
2011	Never Retreat	6	Julien R. Leparoux	Chris M. Block	Team Block	1 mile	1:34.08	$350,000	I	url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=7&BorP=P&TID=KEE&CTRY=USA&DT=10/08/2011&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB	title=2011 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)	work=Equibase	date=8 October 2011	accessdate=14 September 2020}}
2010	Proviso (GB)	5	Mike E. Smith	William I. Mott	Juddmonte Farms	1 mile	1:34.81	$400,000	I	url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=8&BorP=P&TID=KEE&CTRY=USA&DT=10/09/2010&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB	title=2010 Abu Dhabi First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)	work=Equibase	date=8 October 2011	accessdate=14 September 2020}}
2009	Diamondrella (GB)	5	Rajiv Maragh	Angel A. Penna Jr.	IEAH Stables	1 mile	1:38.66	$400,000	I	url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=7&BorP=P&TID=KEE&CTRY=USA&DT=10/10/2009&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB	title=2009 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)	work=Equibase	date=10 October 2009	accessdate=14 September 2020}}
2008	Forever Together	4	Julien R. Leparoux	Jonathan E. Sheppard	Augustin Stable	1 mile	1:35.00	$400,000	I	url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=8&BorP=P&TID=KEE&CTRY=USA&DT=10/03/2008&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB	title=2008 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)	work=Equibase	date=3 October 2008	accessdate=14 September 2020}}
2007	Vacare	4	Corey Nakatani	Christophe Clement	Sarah & Jon Kelly	1 mile	1:35.85	$432,000	II	url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=7&BorP=P&TID=KEE&CTRY=USA&DT=10/06/2007&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB	title=2007 First Lady Stakes Grade 2 - (race 7)	work=Equibase	date=6 October 2007	accessdate=14 September 2020}}
2006	Gorella (FR)	4	Julien R. Leparoux	Patrick L. Biancone	Martin S. Schwartz	1 mile	1:34.14	$400,000	II	url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=8&BorP=P&TID=KEE&CTRY=USA&DT=10/14/2006&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB	title=2006 First Lady Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)	work=Equibase	date=14 October 2006	accessdate=14 September 2020}}
Galaxy Stakes
2005	Intercontinental (GB)	5	Jerry D. Bailey	Robert J. Frankel	Juddmonte Farms	1 mile	1:37.40	$400,000	II	url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=6&BorP=P&TID=KEE&CTRY=USA&DT=10/09/2005&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB	title=2005 WinStar Galaxy Stakes Grade 2 - (race 6)	work=Equibase	date=9 October 2005	accessdate=14 September 2020}}
2004	Stay Forever	7	Eddie Castro	Martin D. Wolfson	Santa Cruz Ranch	miles	1:57.08	$500,000	II	url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=6&BorP=P&TID=KEE&CTRY=USA&DT=10/10/2004&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB	title=2004 WinStar Galaxy Stakes Grade 2 - (race 6)	work=Equibase	date=10 October 2004	accessdate=14 September 2020}}
2003	Bien Nicole	5	Donald R. Pettinger	Donnie K. Von Hemel	Kristine & John Richter	miles	1:55.87	$500,000	II	url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=6&BorP=P&TID=KEE&CTRY=USA&DT=10/05/2003&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB	title=2003 WinStar Galaxy Stakes Grade 2 - (race 6)	work=Equibase	date=5 October 2003	accessdate=14 September 2020}}
2002	Owsley	4	Edgar S. Prado	Randy Schulhofer	Arthur B. Hancock III	miles	1:56.72	$544,500	II	url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=8&BorP=P&TID=KEE&CTRY=USA&DT=10/04/2002&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB	title=2002 WinStar Galaxy Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)	work=Equibase	date=4 October 2002	accessdate=14 September 2020}}
2001	Spook Express (SAF)	7	Mike E. Smith	Thomas J. Skiffington	Robert & Janet Aron	miles	1:54.24	$563,500	II	url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=8&BorP=P&TID=KEE&CTRY=USA&DT=10/05/2001&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB	title=2001 WinStar Galaxy Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)	work=Equibase	date=5 October 2001	accessdate=14 September 2020}}
2000	Tout Charmant	4	Chris McCarron	Ron McAnally	Stonerside Stable	miles	1:54.60	$554,000	III	url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=8&BorP=P&TID=KEE&CTRY=USA&DT=10/13/2000&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB	title=2000 WinStar Galaxy Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)	work=Equibase	date=13 October 2000	accessdate=14 September 2020}}
First Lady Stakes
1999	Happyanunoit (NZ)	4	Brice Blanc	Robert J. Frankel	Amerman Racing Stables	miles	1:53.80	$558,500	Listed	url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=8&BorP=P&TID=KEE&CTRY=USA&DT=10/15/1999&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB	title=1999 Vinery First Lady Stakes Listed - (race 8)	work=Equibase	date=15 October 1999	accessdate=14 September 2020}}
1998	Witchful Thinking	4	Chris McCarron	Niall M. O'Callaghan	Leslie R. Grimm	miles	1:54.20	$273,250	Listed	url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=8&BorP=P&TID=KEE&CTRY=USA&DT=10/16/1998&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB	title=1998 Vinery First Lady Stakes Listed - (race 8)	work=Equibase	date=16 October 1998	accessdate=14 September 2020}}

Legend:

References

(2020). "FIRST LADY STAKES - KEENELAND, KY". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online.
"First Lady Stakes Profile".
(4 October 2025). "2024 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase.
(5 October 2024). "2024 First Lady S. Presented by UK HealthCare Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase.
(7 October 2023). "2023 First Lady S. Presented by UK HealthCare Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase.
(7 October 2023). "2022 First Lady S. Presented by UK HealthCare Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase.
"2021 First Lady S. Presented by UK HealthCare Grade 1 - (race 8)".
(3 October 2020). "2020 First Lady S. Presented by UK HealthCare Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase.
(5 October 2019). "2019 First Lady S. Presented by UK HealthCare Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase.
(6 October 2018). "2018 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase.
(7 October 2017). "2017 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase.
(8 October 2016). "2016 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase.
(3 October 2015). "2015 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase.
(4 October 2014). "2014 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase.
(5 October 2013). "2013 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase.
(6 October 2012). "2012 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase.
(8 October 2011). "2011 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase.
(8 October 2011). "2010 Abu Dhabi First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase.
(10 October 2009). "2009 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase.
(3 October 2008). "2008 First Lady Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase.
(6 October 2007). "2007 First Lady Stakes Grade 2 - (race 7)". Equibase.
(14 October 2006). "2006 First Lady Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase.
(9 October 2005). "2005 WinStar Galaxy Stakes Grade 2 - (race 6)". Equibase.
(10 October 2004). "2004 WinStar Galaxy Stakes Grade 2 - (race 6)". Equibase.
(5 October 2003). "2003 WinStar Galaxy Stakes Grade 2 - (race 6)". Equibase.
(4 October 2002). "2002 WinStar Galaxy Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase.
(5 October 2001). "2001 WinStar Galaxy Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase.
(13 October 2000). "2000 WinStar Galaxy Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase.
(15 October 1999). "1999 Vinery First Lady Stakes Listed - (race 8)". Equibase.
(16 October 1998). "1998 Vinery First Lady Stakes Listed - (race 8)". Equibase.

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This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.

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