2026 First Lady S.

about this race

Race Info
History

The First Lady Stakes has been run annually at Keeneland Race Course since 1998. Contested by top turf fillies and mares at a distance of one mile, the race has been won by the likes of champions Intercontinental, Forever Together, Dayatthespa and Tepin. The race is one of Keeneland's opening weekend "Fall Stars" races. In 2017, it was designated as a "Win and You're In" qualifying race for the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf.

Other top fillies or mares to tally a First Lady victory include Owsley, Diamondrella and Tapitsfly. Never Retreat holds the speed record in the race after winning the 2011 edition in a time of 1:34.08. Bien Nicole won the race by a record 7 1/4 lengths in 2003.

No horse has won the race more than once, though jockey Julien Leparoux has five victories in the race and trainer Bobby Frankel has a pair of First Lady wins to his credit.

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Fastest Time (since 1976): 1:32:87
Greatest Winning Margin (since 1976): 7 1/4 lengths

Date	Past Winner	Trainer	Jockey	Owner
10/02/2026	Classic Q Trainer / Mark E. Casse Jockey / John R. Velazquez Owner / Barber, Gary, Blue Crevalle Racing and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners	Mark E. Casse	John R. Velazquez	Barber, Gary, Blue Crevalle Racing and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners
10/03/2025	Simply in Front Trainer / Eddie Kenneally Jockey / Ben Curtis Owner / Colebrook Farms	Eddie Kenneally	Ben Curtis	Colebrook Farms
10/04/2024	Gina Romantica Trainer / Chad C. Brown Jockey / Jose L. Ortiz Owner / Peter M. Brant	Chad C. Brown	Jose L. Ortiz	Peter M. Brant
10/06/2023	Gina Romantica Trainer / Chad C. Brown Jockey / Tyler Gaffalione Owner / Peter M. Brant	Chad C. Brown	Tyler Gaffalione	Peter M. Brant
10/07/2022	In Italian (GB) Trainer / Chad C. Brown Jockey / Joel Rosario Owner / Peter M. Brant	Chad C. Brown	Joel Rosario	Peter M. Brant
10/08/2021	Blowout (GB) Trainer / Chad C. Brown Jockey / Flavien Prat Owner / Peter M. Brant	Chad C. Brown	Flavien Prat	Peter M. Brant
10/02/2020	Uni (GB) Trainer / Chad C. Brown Jockey / Joel Rosario Owner / Dubb, M., Head of Plains Partners LLC, LaPenta, R. and Bethlehem Stables LLC	Chad C. Brown	Joel Rosario	Dubb, M., Head of Plains Partners LLC, LaPenta, R. and Bethlehem Stables LLC
10/04/2019	Uni (GB) Trainer / Chad C. Brown Jockey / Joel Rosario Owner / Dubb, M., Head of Plains Partners LLC, LaPenta, R. and Bethlehem Stables LLC	Chad C. Brown	Joel Rosario	Dubb, M., Head of Plains Partners LLC, LaPenta, R. and Bethlehem Stables LLC
10/05/2018	A Raving Beauty (GER) Trainer / Chad C. Brown Jockey / John R. Velazquez Owner / Dubb, Michael, Madaket Stables LLC and Bethlehem Stables LLC	Chad C. Brown	John R. Velazquez	Dubb, Michael, Madaket Stables LLC and Bethlehem Stables LLC
10/06/2017	Zipessa Trainer / Michael Stidham Jockey / Joe Bravo Owner / Empyrean Stables	Michael Stidham	Joe Bravo	Empyrean Stables
10/07/2016	Photo Call (IRE) Trainer / Todd A. Pletcher Jockey / Kent J. Desormeaux Owner / Teresa Viola Racing Stables	Todd A. Pletcher	Kent J. Desormeaux	Teresa Viola Racing Stables
10/02/2015	Tepin Trainer / Mark E. Casse Jockey / Julien R. Leparoux Owner / Robert E. Masterson	Mark E. Casse	Julien R. Leparoux	Robert E. Masterson
10/03/2014	Dayatthespa Trainer / Chad C. Brown Jockey / John R. Velazquez Owner / Frankel, Jerry Frankel Ronald Laymon Steve and Bradley Thoroughbreds	Chad C. Brown	John R. Velazquez	Frankel, Jerry Frankel Ronald Laymon Steve and Bradley Thoroughbreds
10/04/2013	Better Lucky Trainer / Thomas Albertrani Jockey / Julien R. Leparoux Owner / Godolphin, LLC	Thomas Albertrani	Julien R. Leparoux	Godolphin, LLC
10/05/2012	Tapitsfly Trainer / Dale L. Romans Jockey / Jose Lezcano Owner / Frank L. Jones, Jr.	Dale L. Romans	Jose Lezcano	Frank L. Jones, Jr.
10/07/2011	Never Retreat Trainer / Chris M. Block Jockey / Julien R. Leparoux Owner / Team Block	Chris M. Block	Julien R. Leparoux	Team Block
10/08/2010	Proviso (GB) Trainer / William I. Mott Jockey / Mike E. Smith Owner / Juddmonte	William I. Mott	Mike E. Smith	Juddmonte
10/09/2009	Diamondrella (GB) Trainer / Angel A. Penna, Jr. Jockey / Rajiv Maragh Owner / IEAH Stables	Angel A. Penna, Jr.	Rajiv Maragh	IEAH Stables
10/02/2008	Forever Together Trainer / Jonathan E. Sheppard Jockey / Julien R. Leparoux Owner / Augustin Stable	Jonathan E. Sheppard	Julien R. Leparoux	Augustin Stable
10/05/2007	Vacare Trainer / Christophe Clement Jockey / Corey S. Nakatani Owner / Kelly, Jon and Sarah	Christophe Clement	Corey S. Nakatani	Kelly, Jon and Sarah
10/13/2006	Gorella (FR) Trainer / Patrick L. Biancone Jockey / Julien R. Leparoux Owner / Martin S. Schwartz	Patrick L. Biancone	Julien R. Leparoux	Martin S. Schwartz
10/08/2005	Intercontinental (GB) Trainer / Robert J. Frankel Jockey / Jerry D. Bailey Owner / Juddmonte	Robert J. Frankel	Jerry D. Bailey	Juddmonte
10/09/2004	Stay Forever Trainer / Martin D. Wolfson Jockey / Eddie Castro Owner / Santa Cruz Ranch, Inc.	Martin D. Wolfson	Eddie Castro	Santa Cruz Ranch, Inc.
10/04/2003	Bien Nicole Trainer / Donnie K. Von Hemel Jockey / Donald R. Pettinger Owner / Richter, Kristine and John	Donnie K. Von Hemel	Donald R. Pettinger	Richter, Kristine and John
10/03/2002	Owsley Trainer / Randy Schulhofer Jockey / Edgar S. Prado Owner / Arthur B. Hancock III	Randy Schulhofer	Edgar S. Prado	Arthur B. Hancock III
10/04/2001	Spook Express (SAF) Trainer / Thomas J. Skiffington Jockey / Mike E. Smith Owner / Aron, Robert and Janet	Thomas J. Skiffington	Mike E. Smith	Aron, Robert and Janet
10/12/2000	Tout Charmant Trainer / Ronald L. McAnally Jockey / Chris J. McCarron Owner / Stonerside Stable	Ronald L. McAnally	Chris J. McCarron	Stonerside Stable
10/14/1999	Happyanunoit (NZ) Trainer / Robert J. Frankel Jockey / Brice Blanc Owner / Amerman Racing LLC	Robert J. Frankel	Brice Blanc	Amerman Racing LLC
10/15/1998	Witchful Thinking Trainer / Niall M. O'Callaghan Jockey / Chris J. McCarron Owner / Leslie R. Grimm	Niall M. O'Callaghan	Chris J. McCarron	Leslie R. Grimm