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.
History
The first running of the Kentucky Oaks was on May 19, 1875, when Churchill Downs was known as the Louisville Jockey Club. The race was founded by Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr. along with the Kentucky Derby, the Clark Handicap, and the Falls City Handicap.
The Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby are the oldest continuously contested sporting events in American history.
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. In 1980, attendance reached about 50,000 people and by 1989, it had increased to about 67,000. The change was considered controversial by local restaurants, as they typically received a large influx of evening dinner reservations from patrons returning from the Oaks, and believed that the later start time would discourage this. Churhcill Downs stated that it was "working closely with the Kentucky Restaurant Association to minimize impacts and create greater visibility and opportunities for Louisville's outstanding restaurants during Derby Week."
Charitable initiatives
Since 2008, Oaks Day has been used to highlight awareness for breast and ovarian cancer; the tradition was established by then-Kentucky governor Steve Beshear at the suggestion of Monika Clark, a patient of metastatic breast cancer whose husband was a law partner of Beshear. Attendees are encouraged to wear pink, while the "Survivors Parade" features nominated survivors of breast and ovarian cancer walking the track Churchill Downs partnered with the breast cancer charity Susan G. Komen for the Cure from 2009 through 2011, incorporating charity appeals into Oaks Day and donating a dollar for each spectator in attendance. In March 2012, Churchill Downs announced that it would instead partner with Stand Up to Cancer for that year's race, citing its wider scope.
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.
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.
Changes in distance
The Kentucky Oaks has been run at four different distances:
- 1875–1890, the race was miles;
- 1891–1895, it was miles;
- 1896–1919, it was miles;
- 1920–1941, changed to miles;
- 1942–1981, run at miles; and
- 1982, set at miles, and it has been that distance since.
Longest shot to win the Oaks
- 47/1 – Lemons Forever (2006)
Most wins by a jockey
- 4 – Eddie Arcaro (1951, 1952, 1953, 1958)
- 4 – Manuel Ycaza (1959, 1960, 1963, 1968)
Female jockeys to win
- Rosie Napravnik (2012, 2014)
Most wins by a trainer
- 5 – Woody Stephens (1959, 1960, 1963, 1978, 1981)
- 5 – D. Wayne Lukas (1982, 1984, 1989, 1990, 2022)
Most wins by an owner
- 6 – Calumet Farm (1943, 1949, 1952, 1953, 1956, 1979)
Only brothers to both win the Kentucky Oaks
- Carl Seay Goose "Ganz" (1913) – Roscoe Tarleton Goose (1916)
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;" 9 jockeys, 3 trainers, and 5 owners have accomplished this feat:
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Year
!Kentucky Oaks Winner
!Kentucky Derby Winner
!Jockey
!Trainer
!Owner
|-
|1884*
|Modesty
|Buchanan
|Isaac Murphy
|different
|different
|-
|1933*
|Barn Swallow
|Brokers Tip
|Don Meade
|Herbert J. Thompson
|Edward R. Bradley
|-
|1949
|Wistful
|Ponder
|different
|Ben Jones
|different
|-
|1950
|Ari's Mona
|Middleground
|Bill Boland
|different
|different
|-
|1952
|Real Delight
|Hill Gail
|Eddie Arcaro
|Ben Jones
|Calumet Farm
|-
|1966
|Native Street
|Kauai King
|Don Brumfield
|different
|different
|-
|1993
|Dispute
|Sea Hero
|Jerry Bailey
|different
|different
|-
|2009
|Rachel Alexandra
|Mine That Bird
|Calvin Borel
|different
|different
|-
|2018
|Monomoy Girl
|Justify
|different
|different
|Head of Plains Partners/Monomoy Stables
|-
|2024
|Thorpedo Anna
|Mystik Dan
|Brian Hernandez Jr.
|Kenneth G. McPeek
|different
|-
|2025
|Good Cheer
|Sovereignty
|different
|different
|Godolphin
|-
|2026
|Always a Runner
|Golden Tempo
|José Ortiz
|different
|different
|-
|}
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Until the 1950s, the Oaks was held several days or weeks after the Derby.
Winners
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Kentucky Oaks winners
|-
! Year
! Winner
! Jockey
! Trainer
! width="240px" | Owner
! Distance <br />(miles)
! Time
! Grade
|-
|align=center|1875
|Vinaigrette
|J. Houston
|Not found
|A. B. Lewis & Co.
|align=center|
|align=center|2:39.75
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1876
|Neecy Hale
|W. James
|Not found
|Frank B. Harper
|align=center|
|align=center|2:42.50
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1877
|Felicia
|W. James
|Not found
|J. W. Reynolds
|align=center|
|align=center|2:39.00
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1878
|Belle of Nelson
|Booth
|Not found
|Mattingly & Co.
|align=center|
|align=center|2:39.00
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1879
|Liahtunah
|Hightower
|Not found
|James A. Grinstead
|align=center|
|align=center|2:40.25
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1880
|Longitude
|Jim McLaughlin
|Not found
|J. G. Malone
|align=center|
|align=center|2:41.75
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1881
|Lucy May
|Wolfe
|Not found
|R. F. Johnson
|align=center|
|align=center|2:41.00
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1882
|Katie Creel
|John Stoval
|C. A. Johnson
|Johnson & Co.
|align=center|
|align=center|2:39.00
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1883
|Vera
|John Stoval
|J. Pate
|Robert C. Pate
|align=center|
|align=center|2:39.75
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1884
|Modesty
|Isaac Murphy
|Edward C. Corrigan
|Edward C. Corrigan
|align=center|
|align=center|2:48.25
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1885
|Lizzie Dwyer
|Patrick Fuller
||Edward C. Corrigan
|Edward C. Corrigan
|align=center|
|align=center|2:40.75
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1886
|Pure Rye
|Edward Garrison
|Not found
|Melbourne Stable
|align=center|
|align=center|2:41.00
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1887
|Florimore
|Johnston
|D. W. Kelly
|Thomas H. Stevens
|align=center|
|align=center|2:40.75
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1888
|Tenpenny
|Andrew McCarthy Jr.
|Not found
|M. Welsh
|align=center|
|align=center|2:42.00
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1889
|Jewel Ban
|John Stoval
|W. Clay
|John T. Clay
|align=center|
|align=center|2:41.00
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1890
|English Lady
|Hollis
|Hiram J. Scoggan
|Scoggan Bros.
|align=center|
|align=center|2:42.50
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1891
|Miss Hawkins
|Tommy Britton
|T. Hart Talbot
|Talbot Bros.
|align=center|
|align=center|2:18.25
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1892
|Miss Dixie
|Harry Ray
|Michael T. Danaher
|Col. James E. Pepper
|align=center|
|align=center|2:14.50
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1893
|Monrovia
|J. Reagan
|Edward D. Brown
|Edward D. Brown
|align=center|
|align=center|2:16.00
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1894
|Selika
|Alonzo Clayton
|John H. Morris
|Bashford Manor Stable
|align=center|
|align=center|2:15.00
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1895
|Voladora
|Alonzo Clayton
|Not found
|Pastime Stable
|align=center|
|align=center|2:16.75
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1896
|Soufflé
|Charles A. Thorpe
|James W. Healy
|James M. Murphy
|align=center|
|align=center|1:54.50
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1897
|White Frost
|Tommy Burns
|L. C. Davis
|E. S. Gardner & Son
|align=center|
|align=center|1:49.00
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1898
|Crocket
|Joseph Hill
|Louis Cahn
|Julius C. Cahn
|align=center|
|align=center|1:51.50
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1899
|Rush
|Joseph Hill
|Thomas C. McDowell
|Thomas C. McDowell
|align=center|
|align=center|1:52.50
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1900
|Etta
|Monk Overton
|Edward D. Brown
|Ed Brown & Co.
|align=center|
|align=center|1:48.00
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1901
|Lady Schorr
|John Woods
|John F. Schorr
|John F. Schorr
|align=center|
|align=center|1:53.00
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1902
|Wainamoinen
|M. Coburn
|T. Hart Talbot
|Talbot Bros.
|align=center|
|align=center|1:51.25
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1903
|Lemco
|John Reiff
|Frank Kelly
|Edward Corrigan
|align=center|
|align=center|1:49.75
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1904
|Audience
|Almer Helgesen
|Kimball Patterson
|Samuel S. Brown
|align=center|
|align=center|1:51.00
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1905
|Janeta
|Dale Austin
|R. L. Rogers
|Cassin & Rogers
|align=center|
|align=center|1:49.75
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1906
|King's Daughter
|E. Robinson
|Thomas C. McDowell
|Thomas C. McDowell
|align=center|
|align=center|1:47.80
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1907
|Wing Ting
|James Lee
|Joseph S. Hawkins
|Joseph S. Hawkins
|align=center|
|align=center|1:50.20
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1908
|Ellen-a-Dale
|Vincent Powers
|George Denny
|Thomas C. McDowell
|align=center|
|align=center|1:46.60
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1909
|Floreal
|Sam Heidel
|William H. Fizer
|William H. Fizer
|align=center|
|align=center|1:49.20
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1910
|Samaria
|Richard Scoville
|William McDaniel
|J. P. Ross & Co.
|align=center|
|align=center|1:50.20
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1911
|Bettie Sue
|Ted Rice
|D. Huestis
|A. Brown
|align=center|
|align=center|1:48.00
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1912
|Flamma
|James Butwell
|J. Duffy
|E. F. Condran
|align=center|
|align=center|1:51.20
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1913
|Cream
|Carl Ganz
|Auval John Baker
|Charles C. Van Meter
|align=center|
|align=center|1:47.60
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1914
|Bronzewing
|William Obert
|Daniel Lehan
|Alex P. Humphrey Jr.
|align=center|
|align=center|1:45.60
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1915
|Waterblossom
|Eddie Martin
|George Denny
|Thomas C. McDowell
|align=center|
|align=center|1:46.60
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1916
|Kathleen
|Roscoe Goose
|Peter Coyne
|George J. Long
|align=center|
|align=center|1:47.40
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1917
|Sunbonnet
|Johnny Loftus
|Walter B. Jennings
|A. Kingsley Macomber
|align=center|
|align=center|1:46.80
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1918
|Viva America
|W. Warrington
|W. N. Potts
|C. T. Worthington
|align=center|
|align=center|1:46.80
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1919
|Lillian Shaw
|T. Murray
|John H. McCormack
|J. R. Livingston
|align=center|
|align=center|1:45.00
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1920
|Lorraine
|Danny Connelly
|J. Cal Milam
|Johnson N. Camden Jr.
|align=center|
|align=center|1:58.40
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1921
|Nancy Lee
|Linus McAtee
|John H. McCormack
|Philip Allen Clark
|align=center|
|align=center|1:50.40
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1922
|Startle
|Danny Connelly
|John I. Smith
|Herbert H. Hewitt
|align=center|
|align=center|1:52.60
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1923
|Untidy
|John Corcoran
|James G. Rowe Jr.
|Helen Hay Whitney
|align=center|
|align=center|1:53.00
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1924
|Princess Doreen
|Harry Stutts
|S. Miller Henderson
|Audley Farm Stable
|align=center|
|align=center|1:51.80
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1925
|Deeming
|James McCoy
|C. B. Dailey
|C. B. Dailey
|align=center|
|align=center|1:54.00
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1926
|Black Maria
|Arthur Mortensen
|William H. Karrick
|William R. Coe
|align=center|
|align=center|1:55.40
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1927
|Mary Jane
|Danny Connelly
|S. Sewell Combs
|Gallaher & Combs
|align=center|
|align=center|1:53.40
|align=center|N/A
|-
| align=center|1928
| Easter Stockings
| Willie Crump
| Kay Spence
| Audley Farm Stable
| align=center|
| align=center|1:51.60
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1929
|Rose of Sharon
|Willie Crump
|Daniel E. Stewart
|Johnson N. Camden Jr.
|align=center|
|align=center|1:51.00
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1930
|Alcibiades
|Robert Finnerty
|Walter W. Taylor
|Hal Price Headley
|align=center|
|align=center|1:52.60
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1931
|Cousin Jo
|Eugene James
|William Reed
|Charles Nuckols Sr.
|align=center|
|align=center|1:53.00
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1932
|Suntica
|Anthony Pascuma
|Jack Whyte
|Willis Sharpe Kilmer
|align=center|
|align=center|1:52.20
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1933
|Barn Swallow
|Don Meade
|Herbert J. Thompson
|Edward R. Bradley
|align=center|
|align=center|1:51.20
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1934
|Fiji
|Gilbert Elston
|Thomas B. Young
|Young Bros.
|align=center|
|align=center|1:51.60
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1935
|Paradisical
|Glenn Fowler
|Al Miller
|Isaac J. Collins
|align=center|
|align=center|1:51.20
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1936
|Two Bob
|Raymond Workman
|James W. Healy
|Cornelius V. Whitney
|align=center|
|align=center|1:52.60
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1937
|Mars Shield
|Alfred Robertson
|Robert V. McGarvey
|Ethel V. Mars
|align=center|
|align=center|1:53.40
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1938
|Flying Lee
|Leon Haas
|Duval A. Headley
|Hal Price Headley
|align=center|
|align=center|1:52.80
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1939
|Flying Lill
|Carroll Bierman
|Clifford Porter
|Mrs. C. H. Cleary
|align=center|
|align=center|1:51.00
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1940
|Inscolassie
|Bobby Vedder
|Ross O. Higdon
|Woolford Farm
|align=center|
|align=center|1:54.40
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1941
|Valdina Myth
|George King
|John J. Flanigan
|Valdina Farms
|align=center|
|align=center|1:52.60
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1942
|Miss Dogwood
|John H. Adams
|John M. Goode
|Brownell Combs
|align=center|
|align=center|1:47.00
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1943
|Nellie L.
|Wendell Eads
|Ben A. Jones
|Calumet Farm
|align=center|
|align=center|1:48.60
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1944
|Canina
|John H. Adams
|Frank E. Childs
|Abe Hirschberg
|align=center|
|align=center|1:48.60
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1945
|Come and Go
|Charles L. Martin
|J. Price Sallee
|Thomas Piatt
|align=center|
|align=center|1:49.80
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1946
|First Page
|James R. Layton
|C. A. Bidencope
|H. G. Jones
|align=center|
|align=center|1:51.40
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1947
|Blue Grass
|Johnny Longden
|Willie Crump
|Arthur B. Hancock Jr.
|align=center|
|align=center|1:51.60
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1948
|Challe Anne
|Willie Garner
|Walter U. Ridenour
|F. L. Flanders
|align=center|
|align=center|1:48.60
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1949
|Wistful
|Gordon Glisson
|Ben A. Jones
|Calumet Farm
|align=center|
|align=center|1:47.40
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1950
|Ari's Mona
|William Boland
|John C. Hauer
|John C. Hauer
|align=center|
|align=center|1:43.60
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1951
|How
|Eddie Arcaro
|Horatio Luro
|Herman B. Delman
|align=center|
|align=center|1:45.60
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1952
|Real Delight
|Eddie Arcaro
|Horace A. Jones
|Calumet Farm
|align=center|
|align=center|1:45.40
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1953
|Bubbley
|Eddie Arcaro
|Horace A. Jones
|Calumet Farm
|align=center|
|align=center|1:45.60
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1954
|Fascinator
|Anthony DeSpirito
|Edward A. Neloy
|Maine Chance Farm
|align=center|
|align=center|1:45.00
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1955
|Lalun
|Henry E. Moreno
|Loyd Gentry Jr.
|Cain Hoy Stable
|align=center|
|align=center|1:46.00
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1956
|Princess Turia
|Bill Hartack
|Horace A. Jones
|Calumet Farm
|align=center|
|align=center|1:44.80
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1957
|Lori-El
|Lois C. Cook
|Mike R. Soto
|Al Berke & Mike R. Soto
|align=center|
|align=center|1:44.80
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1958
|Bug Brush
|Eddie Arcaro
|Sylvester Veitch
|Cornelius V. Whitney
|align=center|
|align=center|1:44.80
|align=center|N/A
|-
|rowspan="2" align=center|1959
|Wedlock
|John L. Rotz
|Paul Shawhan
|Paul Shawhan
|align=center|
|align=center|1:45.00
|align=center|N/A
|-
|Hidden Talent
|Manuel Ycaza
|Woody Stephens
|Cain Hoy Stable
|align=center|
|align=center|1:44.40
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1960
|Make Sail
|Manuel Ycaza
|Woody Stephens
|Cain Hoy Stable
|align=center|
|align=center|1:44.20
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1961
|My Portrait
|Braulio Baeza
|Charles R. Parke
|Fred W. Hooper
|align=center|
|align=center|1:47.00
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1962
|Cicada
|Bill Shoemaker
|Casey Hayes
|Meadow Stable
|align=center|
|align=center|1:44.60
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1963
|Sally Ship
|Manuel Ycaza
|Woody Stephens
|Cain Hoy Stable
|align=center|
|align=center|1:44.80
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1964
|Blue Norther
|Bill Shoemaker
|Wally Dunn
|Mrs. William R. Hawn
|align=center|
|align=center|1:44.20
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1965
|Amerivan
|Ron Turcotte
|Mary D. Keim
|Mary D. Keim
|align=center|
|align=center|1:44.40
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1966
|Native Street
|Don Brumfield
|Les Lear
|Aisco Stable
|align=center|
|align=center|1:44.80
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1967
|Nancy Jr.
|Johnny Sellers
|Stanley M. Rieser
|Hidden Valley Farm
|align=center|
|align=center|1:44.00
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1968
|Dark Mirage
|Manuel Ycaza
|Everett W. King
|Lloyd I. Miller
|align=center|
|align=center|1:44.60
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1969
|Hail to Patsy
|David Kassen
|Loyd Gentry Jr.
|Walter Kitchen
|align=center|
|align=center|1:44.40
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1970
|Lady Vi-E
|David Whited
|John C. Oxley
|A. H. & Albert M. Stall
|align=center|
|align=center|1:44.80
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1971
|Silent Beauty
|Kenny Knapp
|Richard J. Fischer
|Leslie Combs II
|align=center|
|align=center|1:44.20
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1972
|Susan's Girl
|Victor Tejada
|John W. Russell
|Fred W. Hooper
|align=center|
|align=center|1:44.20
|align=center|N/A
|-
|align=center|1973
|Bag of Tunes
|Danny Gargan
|George T. Poole
|Cornelius V. Whitney
|align=center|
|align=center|1:44.20
|align=center|II
|-
|align=center|1974
|Quaze Quilt
|William Gavidia
|Thomas W. Kelley
|Fred W. Hooper
|align=center|
|align=center|1:46.60
|align=center|II
|-
|align=center|1975
|Sun and Snow
|Garth Patterson
|George T. Poole
|Cornelius V. Whitney
|align=center|
|align=center|1:44.60
|align=center|II
|-
|align=center|1976
|Optimistic Gal
|Braulio Baeza
|LeRoy Jolley
|Diana M. Firestone
|align=center|
|align=center|1:44.60
|align=center|II
|-
|align=center|1977
|Sweet Alliance
|Chris McCarron
|Bud Delp
|Windfields Farm
|align=center|
|align=center|1:43.60
|align=center|II
|-
| align=center|1978
| White Star Line
|Eddie Maple
|Woody Stephens
|Newstead Farm
|align=center|
|align=center|1:45.20
|align=center|I
|-
|align=center|1979
|Davona Dale
|Jorge Velásquez
|John M. Veitch
|Calumet Farm
|align=center|
|align=center|1:47.20
|align=center|I
|-
| align=center|1980
| Bold 'n Determined
|Ed Delahoussaye
|Neil Drysdale
|Saron Stable
|align=center|
|align=center|1:44.80
|align=center|I
|-
|-
|align=center|1981
|Heavenly Cause
|Laffit Pincay Jr.
|Woody Stephens
|Ryehill Farm
|align=center|
|align=center|1:43.80
|align=center|I
|-
|align=center|1982
|Blush With Pride
|Bill Shoemaker
|D. Wayne Lukas
|Stonereath Farms
|align=center|
|align=center|1:50.20
|align=center|I
|-
|align=center|1983
|Princess Rooney
|Jacinto Vásquez
|Frank Gomez
|Paula J. Tucker
|align=center|
|align=center|1:50.80
|align=center|I
|-
|align=center|1984
|Lucky Lucky Lucky
|Ángel Cordero Jr.
|D. Wayne Lukas
|Leslie Combs II & Equites St.
|align=center|
|align=center|1:51.80
|align=center|I
|-
|align=center|1985
|Fran's Valentine
|Pat Valenzuela
|Joseph Manzi
|Earl Scheib
|align=center|
|align=center|1:50.00
|align=center|I
|-
|align=center|1986
|Tiffany Lass
|Gary Stevens
|Laz Barrera
|Aaron U. Jones
|align=center|
|align=center|1:50.60
|align=center|I
|-
|align=center|1987
|Buryyourbelief
|José A. Santos
|Laz Barrera
|Dana S. Bray Jr.
|align=center|
|align=center|1:50.40
|align=center|I
|-
|align=center|1988
|Goodbye Halo
|Pat Day
|Charlie Whittingham
|Arthur B. Hancock III & Alex Campbell Jr.
|align=center|
|align=center|1:50.40
|align=center|I
|-
|align=center|1989
|Open Mind
|Ángel Cordero Jr.
|D. Wayne Lukas
|Eugene V. Klein
|align=center|
|align=center|1:50.60
|align=center|I
|-
|align=center|1990
|Seaside Attraction
|Chris McCarron
|D. Wayne Lukas
|Overbrook Farm
|align=center|
|align=center|1:52.80
|align=center|I
|-
|align=center|1991
|Lite Light
|Corey Nakatani
|Jerry Hollendorfer
|Oaktown Stable
|align=center|
|align=center|1:48.80
|align=center|I
|-
|align=center|1992
|Luv Me Luv Me Not
|Fabio Arguello Jr.
|Glenn Wismer
|Philip Maas
|align=center|
|align=center|1:51.41
|align=center|I
|-
|align=center|1993
|Dispute
|Jerry Bailey
|Claude R. McGaughey III
|Ogden Mills Phipps
|align=center|
|align=center|1:52.47
|align=center|I
|-
|align=center|1994
|Sardula
|Ed Delahoussaye
|Brian A. Mayberry
|Ann & Jerry Moss
|align=center|
|align=center|1:51.16
|align=center|I
|-
|align=center|1995
|Gal In A Ruckus
|Herb McCauley
|John T. Ward Jr.
|John C. Oxley
|align=center|
|align=center|1:50.09
|align=center|I
|-
|align=center|1996
|Pike Place Dancer
|Corey Nakatani
|Jerry Hollendorfer
|Jerry Hollendorfer & George Todaro
|align=center|
|align=center|1:49.88
|align=center|I
|-
|align=center|1997
|Blushing K.D.
|Lonnie Meche
|Sam David Jr.
|James & Sue Burns
|align=center|
|align=center|1:50.29
|align=center|I
|-
|align=center|1998
|Keeper Hill
|David R. Flores
|Robert J. Frankel
|John A. Chandler
|align=center|
|align=center|1:52.06
|align=center|I
|-
|align=center|1999
|Silverbulletday
|Gary Stevens
|Bob Baffert
|Michael E. Pegram
|align=center|
|align=center|1:49.92
|align=center|I
|-
|align=center|2000
|Secret Status
|Pat Day
|Neil J. Howard
|William S. Farish, James A.Elkins Jr., W. Temple Webber Jr.
|align=center|
|align=center|1:50.30
|align=center|I
|-
| align=center|2001
|Flute
|Jerry Bailey
|Robert J. Frankel
|Juddmonte Farms
|align=center|
|align=center|1:48.85
|align=center|I
|-
|align=center|2002
|Farda Amiga
|Chris McCarron
|Paulo Lobo
|Jose De Camargo, Old Friends Inc. & Winner Silk Inc.
|align=center|
|align=center|1:50.41
|align=center|I
|-
|align=center|2003
|Bird Town
|Edgar Prado
|Nick Zito
|Marylou Whitney Stables
|align=center|
|align=center|1:48.64
|align=center|I
|-
|align=center|2004
|Ashado
|John Velazquez
|Todd A. Pletcher
|Starlight Stables
|align=center|
|align=center|1:50.81
|align=center|I
|-
|align=center|2005
|Summerly
|Jerry Bailey
|Steven M. Asmussen
|Winchell Thoroughbreds
|align=center|
|align=center|1:50.23
|align=center|I
|-
|align=center|2006
|Lemons Forever
|Mark Guidry
|Dallas Stewart
|Leon Willis, Terry Horton & Dallas Stewart
|align=center|
|align=center|1:50.07
|align=center|I
|-
|align=center|2007
|Rags to Riches
|Garrett Gomez
|Todd A. Pletcher
|Derrick Smith & Michael Tabor
|align=center|
|align=center|1:49.99
|align=center|I
|-
|align=center|2008
|Proud Spell
|Gabriel Saez
|J. Larry Jones
|Brereton C. Jones
|align=center|
|align=center|1:50.01
|align=center|I
|-
|align=center|2009
|Rachel Alexandra
|Calvin Borel
|Hal R. Wiggins
|Dolphus C. Morrison & Michael Lauffer
|align=center|
|align=center|1:48.87
|align=center|I
|-
|align=center|2010
|Blind Luck
| Rafael Bejarano
|Jerry Hollendorfer
|Mark DeDomenico, John Carver, Peter Abruzzo & Jerry Hollendorfer
|align=center|
|align=center|1:50.70
|align=center|I
|-
|align=center|2011
|Plum Pretty
|Martin Garcia
|Bob Baffert
|Peachtree Stable
|align=center|
|align=center|1:49.50
|align=center|I
|-
|align=center|2012
|Believe You Can
|Rosie Napravnik
|J. Larry Jones
|Brereton C. Jones
|align=center|
|align=center|1:49.50
|align=center|I
|-
|align=center|2013
|Princess of Sylmar
|Mike E. Smith
|Todd A. Pletcher
| King of Prussia Stables
|align=center|
|align=center|1:49.17
|align=center|I
|-
|align=center|2014
|Untapable
|Rosie Napravnik
|Steven M. Asmussen
|Winchell Thoroughbreds
|align=center|
|align=center|1:48.68
|align=center|I
|-
|align=center|2015
|Lovely Maria
|Kerwin Clark
|J. Larry Jones
|Brereton Jones
|align=center|
|align=center|1:50.45
|align=center|I
|-
|align=center|2016
|Cathryn Sophia
|Javier Castellano
|John Servis
|Cash Is King Stable
|align=center|
|align=center|1:50.53
|align=center|I
|-
|align=center|2017
|Abel Tasman
|Mike E. Smith
|Bob Baffert
|China Horse Club
|align=center|
|align=center|1:51.62
|align=center|I
|-
|align=center|2018
|Monomoy Girl
|Florent Geroux
|Brad H. Cox
|Michael Dubb, Monomoy Stables (Sol Kumin), Elkstone Group, Bethlehem Stables (Michael Caruso)
|align=center|
|align=center|1:49.13
|align=center|I
|-
|align=center|2019
|Serengeti Empress
|José Ortiz
|Tom Amoss
|Joel Politi
|align=center|
|align=center|1:50.17
|align=center|I
|-
|align=center|2020
|Shedaresthedevil
|Florent Geroux
|Brad H. Cox
|Flurry Racing Stables LLC, Qatar Racing Limited, Big Aut Farms
|align=center|
|align=center|1:48.28
|align=center|I
|-
|align=center|2021
|Malathaat
|John R. Velazquez
|Todd A. Pletcher
|Shadwell Stable
|align=center|
|align=center|1:48.99
|align=center|I
|-
|align=center|2022
|Secret Oath
|Luis Saez
|D. Wayne Lukas
|Briland Farm
|align=center|
|align=center|1:49.44
|align=center|I
|-
|align=center|2023
|Pretty Mischievous
|Tyler Gaffalione
|Brendan Walsh
|Godolphin
|align=center|
|align=center|1:49.77
|align=center|I
|-
|align=center|2024
|Thorpedo Anna
|Brian Hernandez Jr.
|Kenny McPeek
|Brookdale Racing, Mark Edwards, Judy B. Hicks and Magdalena Racing (Sherri McPeek)
|align=center|
|align=center|1:50.83
|align=center|I
|-
|align=center|2025
|Good Cheer
|Luis Saez
|Brad H. Cox
|Godolphin
|align=center|
|align=center|1:50.15
|align=center|I
|-
| align="center" |2026
|Always a Runner
|José Ortiz
| Chad C. Brown
| Douglas Scharbauer and Three Chimneys Farm, LLC (Goncalo B. Torrealba)
| align="center" |
| align="center" |1:48.82
| align="center" |I
|}
Notes
See also
- Kentucky Oaks top three finishers
- Road to the Kentucky Oaks
- American thoroughbred racing top attended events
- List of graded stakes at Churchill Downs
- List of attractions and events in the Louisville metropolitan area
- Pink ribbon