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First Lady Stakes

{{Infobox horseraces

| surface = Turf

| class = Grade I

| horse race = First Lady Stakes

| image =

| caption =

| location = Keeneland Race Course, Lexington, Kentucky United States

| inaugurated = 1998

| race type = Thoroughbred - Flat racing

| website = [http://www.keeneland.com 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: 124 lbs.
3-year-olds: 122 lbs.

| purse = $750,000 (2022)

| bonuses = Win and You're In Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf

| sponsor = UK HealthCare (2020)

}}

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 {{frac|1|3|16}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.pedigreequery.com/index.php?query_type=stakes&search_bar=stakes&field=view&id=3344 |title=FIRST LADY STAKES - KEENELAND, KY |work=Thoroughbred Pedigree Online |date=2020 |accessdate=14 September 2020}}

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.{{cite web|title=First Lady Stakes Profile|url=http://www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=Stakes&stkid=2186|website=Equibase |accessdate=9 October 2016}}

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:

  • {{frac|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

;Most wins by a trainer

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

Winners

class="wikitable sortable"
Year

! Winner

! Age

! Jockey

! Trainer

! Owner

! Distance

! Time

! Purse

! Grade

! Ref

style="font-size:90%; background-color:white"

|align="left" colspan=11|First Lady Stakes

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

| align="center" |2024

|Gina Romantica

| align="center" |5

|Jose L. Ortiz

|Chad C. Brown

|Peter M. Brant

| align="center" |1 mile

| align="center" |1:33.80

| align="center" |$728,750

| align="center" |I

|{{cite web|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}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

| align="center" |2023

|Gina Romantica

| align="center" |4

|Tyler Gaffalione

|Chad C. Brown

|Peter M. Brant

| align="center" |1 mile

| align="center" |1:33.70

| align="center" |$724,688

| align="center" |I

|{{cite web|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}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

| align="center" |2022

|In Italian (GB)

| align="center" |4

|Joel Rosario

|Chad C. Brown

|Peter M. Brant

| align="center" |1 mile

| align="center" |1:33.22

| align="center" |$683,837

| align="center" |I

|{{cite web|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}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

| align="center" |2021

|Blowout (GB)

| align="center" |5

|Flavien Prat

|Chad C. Brown

|Peter M. Brant

| align="center" |1 mile

| align="center" |1:34.86

| align="center" |$400,000

| align="center" |I

|{{cite web |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}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |2020

|Uni (GB)

|align=center |6

|Joel Rosario

|Chad C. Brown

|Michael Dubb, Head Of Plains Partners, Robert LaPenta & Bethlehem Stable

|align=center |1 mile

|align=center |1:34.90

|align=center |$343,000

|align=center |I

|{{cite web|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}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |2019

|Uni (GB)

|align=center |5

|Joel Rosario

|Chad C. Brown

|Michael Dubb, Head Of Plains Partners, Robert LaPenta & Bethlehem Stable

|align=center |1 mile

|align=center |1:32.87

|align=center |$400,000

|align=center |I

|{{cite web|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}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |2018

|{{nowrap|A Raving Beauty (GER)}}

|align=center |5

|John R. Velazquez

|Chad C. Brown

|Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables & Bethlehem Stables

|align=center |1 mile

|align=center |1:37.78

|align=center |$400,000

|align=center |I

|{{cite web|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}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |2017

|Zipessa

|align=center |5

|Joe Bravo

|Michael Stidham

|Empyrean Stables

|align=center |1 mile

|align=center |1:36.99

|align=center |$400,000

|align=center |I

|{{cite web|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}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |2016

|Photo Call (IRE)

|align=center |5

|{{nowrap|Kent J. Desormeaux}}

|Todd A. Pletcher

|Teresa Viola Racing

|align=center |1 mile

|align=center |1:35.62

|align=center |$400,000

|align=center |I

|{{cite web|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}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |2015

|Tepin

|align=center |4

|Julien R. Leparoux

|Mark E. Casse

|Robert E. Masterson

|align=center |1 mile

|align=center |1:37.04

|align=center |$400,000

|align=center |I

|{{cite web|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}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |2014

|Dayatthespa

|align=center |5

|John R. Velazquez

|Chad C. Brown

|Jerry & Ronald Frankel, Steve Laymon & Bradley Thoroughbreds

|align=center |1 mile

|align=center |1:35.21

|align=center |$400,000

|align=center |I

|{{cite web|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}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |2013

|Better Lucky

|align=center |4

|Julien R. Leparoux

|Thomas Albertrani

|Godolphin Racing

|align=center |1 mile

|align=center |1:39.78

|align=center |$400,000

|align=center |I

|{{cite web|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}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |2012

|Tapitsfly

|align=center |5

|Jose Lezcano

|Dale L. Romans

|Frank L. Jones Jr.

|align=center |1 mile

|align=center |1:35.44

|align=center |$350,000

|align=center |I

|{{cite web|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}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |2011

|Never Retreat

|align=center |6

|Julien R. Leparoux

|Chris M. Block

|Team Block

|align=center |1 mile

|align=center |1:34.08

|align=center |$350,000

|align=center |I

|{{cite web|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}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |2010

|Proviso (GB)

|align=center |5

|Mike E. Smith

|William I. Mott

|Juddmonte Farms

|align=center |1 mile

|align=center |1:34.81

|align=center |$400,000

|align=center |I

|{{cite web|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}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |2009

|Diamondrella (GB)

|align=center |5

|Rajiv Maragh

|Angel A. Penna Jr.

|IEAH Stables

|align=center |1 mile

|align=center |1:38.66

|align=center |$400,000

|align=center |I

|{{cite web|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}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |2008

|Forever Together

|align=center |4

|Julien R. Leparoux

|{{nowrap|Jonathan E. Sheppard}}

|Augustin Stable

|align=center |1 mile

|align=center |1:35.00

|align=center |$400,000

|align=center |I

|{{cite web|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}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |2007

|Vacare

|align=center |4

|Corey Nakatani

|Christophe Clement

|Sarah & Jon Kelly

|align=center |1 mile

|align=center |1:35.85

|align=center |$432,000

|align=center |II

|{{cite web|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}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |2006

|Gorella (FR)

|align=center |4

|Julien R. Leparoux

|Patrick L. Biancone

|Martin S. Schwartz

|align=center |1 mile

|align=center |1:34.14

|align=center |$400,000

|align=center |II

|{{cite web|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}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:white"

|align="left" colspan=11|Galaxy Stakes

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |2005

|Intercontinental (GB)

|align=center |5

|Jerry D. Bailey

|Robert J. Frankel

|Juddmonte Farms

|align=center |1 mile

|align=center |1:37.40

|align=center |$400,000

|align=center |II

|{{cite web|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}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |2004

|Stay Forever

|align=center |7

|Eddie Castro

|Martin D. Wolfson

|Santa Cruz Ranch

|align=center |{{frac|1|3|16}} miles

|align=center |1:57.08

|align=center |$500,000

|align=center |II

|{{cite web|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}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |2003

|Bien Nicole

|align=center |5

|Donald R. Pettinger

|Donnie K. Von Hemel

|Kristine & John Richter

|align=center |{{frac|1|3|16}} miles

|align=center |1:55.87

|align=center |$500,000

|align=center |II

|{{cite web|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}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |2002

|Owsley

|align=center |4

|Edgar S. Prado

|Randy Schulhofer

|Arthur B. Hancock III

|align=center |{{frac|1|3|16}} miles

|align=center |1:56.72

|align=center |$544,500

|align=center |II

|{{cite web|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}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |2001

|Spook Express (SAF)

|align=center |7

|Mike E. Smith

|Thomas J. Skiffington

|Robert & Janet Aron

|align=center |{{frac|1|3|16}} miles

|align=center |1:54.24

|align=center |$563,500

|align=center |II

|{{cite web|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}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |2000

|Tout Charmant

|align=center |4

|Chris McCarron

|Ron McAnally

|Stonerside Stable

|align=center |{{frac|1|3|16}} miles

|align=center |1:54.60

|align=center |$554,000

|align=center |III

|{{cite web|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}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:white"

|align="left" colspan=11|First Lady Stakes

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |1999

|Happyanunoit (NZ)

|align=center |4

|Brice Blanc

|Robert J. Frankel

|Amerman Racing Stables

|align=center |{{frac|1|3|16}} miles

|align=center |1:53.80

|align=center |$558,500

|align=center | Listed

|{{cite web|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}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |1998

|Witchful Thinking

|align=center |4

|Chris McCarron

|Niall M. O'Callaghan

|Leslie R. Grimm

|align=center |{{frac|1|3|16}} miles

|align=center |1:54.20

|align=center |$273,250

|align=center | Listed

|{{cite web|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}}

{{refbegin}}

Legend:


{{Legend inline|LightCyan|Turf}}

{{refend}}

See also

References

{{reflist|2}}

Category:Graded stakes races in the United States

Category:Grade 1 stakes races in the United States

Category:Grade 1 turf stakes races in the United States

Category:Mile category horse races for fillies and mares

Category:Horse races established in 1998

Category:Keeneland horse races

Category:1998 establishments in Kentucky

Category:Breeders' Cup Challenge series