Fleur de Lis Stakes
ClassGrade II
Horse raceFleur de Lis Stakes
LocationChurchill Downs
Louisville, Kentucky, United States
Inaugurated1975 (as Fleur de Lis Handicap)
Race typeThoroughbred – Flat racing
Distance1 1⁄8 miles (9 furlongs)
SurfaceDirt
Trackleft-handed
QualificationFillies & Mares, three-years-old and older
Weight124 lbs with allowances
PurseUS$500,000 (2024)
BonusesWinner automatic entry into Breeders' Cup Distaff

The Fleur de Lis Stakes is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares age three and older over a distance of 1 1⁄8 miles on the dirt run annually in late-June or early-July at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.

History

The event was inaugurated on 31 May 1975 as the Fleur de Lis Handicap and was won by the favorite Bundler defeating four other runners on a sloppy track in the time of 1:392⁄5 over the mile distance.[1] The event was held over the same distance for one more year before being extended to 1 1⁄16 miles.[2]

The event is named after the English translation for the French "fleur-de-lis", a flower of the lily. The lily is the symbol of the Louisville flag, the location where the event is held. The lily has traditionally been used to represent French royalty and Louisville, named for the French king Louis XVI.[3]

In 1983 the distance for the event was increased to 1 1⁄8 miles.[2]

The event's condition from 1983–85 and 1987–89 was for four-year-olds & older.[3]

The event was upgraded to Grade III in 1988 and again to Grade II in 2002.[4]

Since 2015 the event has been a Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You’re In" for the Distaff Division.[3]

The event has gained status over the recent years and has attracted some fine horses including the 2009 US Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra who easily won the race as a short favorite by the near stakes record of 10 1⁄2 lengths.[5]

In 2023 the event was moved to Ellis Park after Churchill Downs closed their spring meeting earlier due to a spate of injuries. [6]

Records

Speed record:

  • 1 1⁄8 miles: 1:48.26 – Heritage of Gold (2000)
Margins
  • 11 lengths – Lt. Lao (1988)
Most wins
  • 2 – Likely Exchange (1978, 1980)
Most wins by a jockey
Most wins by a trainer

Winners

YearWinnerAgeJockeyTrainerOwnerDistanceTimePurseGradeRef
At Churchill Downs – Fleur de Lis Stakes
2025Thorpedo Anna4Brian Hernandez Jr.Kenneth G. McPeekNader Alaali, Mark Edwards, Judy Hicks & Magdalena Racing1 1⁄8 miles1:48.52$498,500II[7]
2024Scylla4Javier CastellanoWilliam I. MottJuddmonte Farms1 1⁄8 miles1:49.45$499,000II[8]
At Ellis Park
2023Pauline's Pearl5Joel RosarioSteven M. AsmussenStonestreet Stables1 1⁄8 miles1:49.59$367,000II[9]
At Churchill Downs
2022Shedaresthedevil5Florent GerouxBrad H. CoxWhisper Hill Farm, Qatar Racing & Flurry Racing Stables1 1⁄8 miles1:49.17$345,000II[10]
2021Letruska5Jose L. OrtizFausto GutierrezSt George Stables1 1⁄8 miles1:48.57$300,000II[11]
2020Midnight Bisou5Mike E. SmithSteven M. AsmussenBloom Racing Stable, Madaket Stables & Allen Racing1 1⁄8 miles1:48.99$200,000II[12]
Fleur de Lis Handicap
2019Elate5José L. OrtizWilliam I. MottClaiborne Farm & Adele B. Dilschneider1 1⁄8 miles1:50:33$250,000II[13]
2018Blue Prize (ARG)5José L. OrtizIgnacio Correas IVMerriebelle Stable1 1⁄8 miles1:50:02$200,000II[14]
2017Forever Unbridled5Joel RosarioDallas StewartCharles E. Fipke1 1⁄8 miles1:49.94$200,000II[15]
2016Paid Up Subscriber4Ricardo Santana Jr.Albert Stall Jr.Klaravitch Stables1 1⁄8 miles1:48.44$200,000II[16]
2015Frivolous5Jon CourtVictoria H. OliverG. Watts Humphrey Jr.1 1⁄8 miles1:49.22$200,000II[17]
2014Molly Morgan5Corey J. LanerieDale L. RomansWilliam D. Cubbedge1 1⁄8 miles1:50.11$216,200II[18]
2013Funny Proposition4Joel RosarioMark E. CasseJohn C. Oxley1 1⁄8 miles1:50.22$186,375II[19]
2012Royal Delta4Mike E. SmithWilliam I. MottBesilu Stables1 1⁄8 miles1:49.49$161,700II[20]
2011Race not held
2010Rachel Alexandra4Calvin H. BorelSteven M. AsmussenJess Jackson1 1⁄8 miles1:48.87$214,000II[5]
2009Miss Isella4Calvin H. BorelIan R. WilkesDomino Stud1 1⁄8 miles1:49.59$221,600II[21]
2008Hystericalady5Garrett K. GomezJerry HollendorferRancho San Miguel, Tom Clark, George Todaro & Jerry Hollendorfer1 1⁄8 miles1:50.88$321,900II[22]
2007Indian Vale5John R. VelazquezTodd A. PletcherMelnyk Racing1 1⁄8 miles1:49.12$327,600II[23]
2006Happy Ticket5Julien R. LeparouxAndrew Leggio Jr.Stewart Madison1 1⁄8 miles1:49.23$321,900II[24]
2005Two Trail Sioux4Pat DayWallace DollaseDon Winton & John D. Gunther1 1⁄8 miles1:48.53$330,000II[25]
2004Adoration5Victor EspinozaDavid E. HofmansAmerman Racing1 1⁄8 miles1:52.15$439,200II[26]
2003You4Jerry D. BaileyRobert J. FrankelEdmund A. Gann1 1⁄8 miles1:49.12$327,900II[27]
2002Spain5Jorge F. ChavezD. Wayne LukasThe Thoroughbred Corp.1 1⁄8 miles1:49.64$329,400II[28]
2001Saudi Poetry4Victor EspinozaBob BaffertThe Thoroughbred Corp.1 1⁄8 miles1:49.27$333,000III[29]
2000Heritage of Gold5Shane SellersThomas M. AmossJack Garey1 1⁄8 miles1:48.26$324,600III[30]
1999Banshee Breeze4Robby AlbaradoCarl A. NafzgerJayeff B. Stable & James B. Tafel1 1⁄8 miles1:50.02$309,333III[31]
1998Escena5Shane SellersWilliam I. MottAllen E. Paulson1 1⁄8 miles1:50.19$321,000III[32]
1997Gold n Delicious4Calvin H. BorelBobby C. BarnettJohn A. Franks1 1⁄8 miles1:52.87$168,900III[33]
1996Serena's Song4Gary L. StevensD. Wayne LukasRobert & Beverly Lewis1 1⁄8 miles1:50.30$168,450III[34]
1995Fit to Lead5Shane SellersRichard E. MandellaJim Colbert, Randall D. Hubbard, Connie Sczesney1 1⁄8 miles1:51.59$164,700III[35]
1994Trishyde5Chris McCarronJules VogelB. Wayne Hughes1 1⁄8 miles1:51.34$165,100III[36]
1993Quilma (CHI)6Randy RomeroClaude R. McGaughey IIITri-Honors Stable1 1⁄8 miles1:50.80$109,600III[37]
1992Bungalow5Francisco C. TorresHarvey L. VanierNancy A. Vanier1 1⁄8 miles1:50.87$115,100III[38]
1991Maskra's Lady4Joe M. JohnsonGary G. HartlageMax Wilson, Freireich & Greene1 1⁄8 miles1:50.46$113,100III[39]
1990A Penny Is a Penny5Aaron GryderSteven L. MorguelanDavid Levitch1 1⁄8 miles1:51.20$109,200III[40][3]
1989Stoneleigh's Hope4Joseph DeeganMichael H. BellLockhart Spears1 1⁄8 miles1:52.60$109,900III[41][3]
1988Lt. Lao4Don BrumfieldJames M. EakinsRobert Keller1 1⁄8 miles1:49.60$115,150III[42]
1987Infinidad (CHI)5Mickey SolomoneDewey SmithArthur Hancock III1 1⁄8 miles1:50.60$103,100[43][3]
1986Queen Alexandra4Don BrumfieldGeorge M. BakerMrs. Morton Rosenthal1 1⁄8 miles1:49.20$101,250[44][3]
1985Straight Edition5Charles R. Woods Jr.Michael B. BallDonamire Farm (Don & Mira Ball)1 1⁄8 miles1:50.80$55,550[45][3]
1984Heatherten5Sam MapleWilliam I. MottJohn A. Franks1 1⁄8 miles1:51.40$54,205[46]
1983Try Something New4Pat DayClaude R. McGaughey IIIJohn A. Bell III1 1⁄8 miles1:51.60$54,350[47][3]
1982Classic Ambition4William GavidiaClaude R. McGaughey IIILatour Farms1 1⁄16 miles1:44.80$57,950[48][3]
1981Forever Cordial4Darrell HaireJohn T. Ward Jr.John C. Oxley1 1⁄16 miles1:45.40$35,700[49][3]
1980Likely Exchange6Mark S. SellersThomas H. Stevens Sr.G. Watts Humphrey Jr. & Pamela Firman1 1⁄16 miles1:45.00$35,425[50][3]
1979Table the Rumor5David E. WhitedFrank L. BrothersAlbert M. Stall Sr.1 1⁄16 miles1:45.20$35,175[51][3]
1978Likely Exchange4James McKnightThomas H. Stevens Sr.Mrs. George Humphrey1 1⁄16 miles1:45.40$21,375[52][3]
1977Go On Dreaming5Paul NicoloJames E. MorganG. A. Zimmerman & E. J. Zweisler1 1⁄16 miles1:43.80$22,125[53][3]
1976Pago Hop4Eddie ArroyoJohn OxleyRaymond Salmen1 mile1:38.40$21,625[54][3]
1975Bundler4Jimmy NicholsAnthony L. BasileBwamazon Farm1 mile1:39.40$22,325[1]

See also

List of American and Canadian Graded races

References

  1. ^ Inaugural 1975 Fleur de Lis Handicap – Race 8: held 31 May 1975
    Gay Jr., Marvin N. (1 June 1975). "Bundler Takes Down Feature". Danville Advocate-Messenger. Associated Press. p. 11. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  2. ^ "FLEUR DE LIS HANDICAP - CHURCHILL DOWNS, KY". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2020. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  3. ^ Churchill Downs (2019). "$250,000 Fleur de Lis Presented by Budweiser (Grade II)". KentuckyDerby.com. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  4. ^ Equibase.com (2020). "Fleur de Lis Stakes (Gr. 2)". www.equibase.com. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  5. ^ "2010 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 2 – (race 6)". Equibase. 12 June 2010. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  6. ^ King, Byron (2 June 2023). "Churchill Downs Suspends Meet; Dates to Shift to Ellis The ongoing meet at Churchill Downs had been scheduled to run through July 3.". Bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  7. ^ "Fleur de Lis Stakes Grade 2 – (race 7)". Equibase. 28 June 2025. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
  8. ^ "Fleur de Lis Stakes Grade 2 – (race 7)". Equibase. 29 June 2024. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  9. ^ "Fleur de Lis Stakes Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 1 July 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
  10. ^ "2022 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 26 June 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  11. ^ "2021 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 2 – (race 5)". Equibase. 26 June 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  12. ^ "2020 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 27 June 2019. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  13. ^ "2019 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 2 – (race 7)". Equibase. 15 June 2019. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  14. ^ "2018 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 2 – (race 7)". Equibase. 16 June 2018. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  15. ^ "2017 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 2 – (race 7)". Equibase. 17 June 2017. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  16. ^ "2016 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 2 – (race 6)". Equibase. 18 June 2016. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  17. ^ "2015 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 2 – (race 7)". Equibase. 13 June 2015. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  18. ^ "2014 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 2 – (race 7)". Equibase. 14 June 2014. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  19. ^ "2013 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 2 – (race 6)". Equibase. 15 June 2013. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  20. ^ "2012 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 2 – (race 7)". Equibase. 16 June 2012. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  21. ^ "2009 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 13 June 2009. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  22. ^ "2008 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 2 – (race 6)". Equibase. 14 June 2008. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  23. ^ "2007 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 16 June 2007. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  24. ^ "2006 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 17 June 2006. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  25. ^ "2005 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 18 June 2005. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  26. ^ "2004 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 12 June 2004. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  27. ^ "2003 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 14 June 2003. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  28. ^ "2002 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 15 June 2002. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  29. ^ "2001 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 16 June 2001. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  30. ^ "2000 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 3 June 2000. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  31. ^ "1999 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 3 – (race 10)". Equibase. 5 June 1999. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  32. ^ "1998 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 3 – (race 10)". Equibase. 6 June 1998. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  33. ^ "1997 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 7 June 1997. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  34. ^ "1996 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 3 – (race 10)". Equibase. 1 June 1996. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  35. ^ "1995 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 3 June 1995. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  36. ^ "1994 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 4 June 1994. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  37. ^ "1993 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 5 June 1993. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  38. ^ "1992 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 3 – (race 11)". Equibase. 6 June 1992. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  39. ^ "1991 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 8 June 1991. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  40. ^ 1990 Fleur de Lis Handicap – Race 10: held 9 June 1990
  41. ^ 1989 Fleur de Lis Handicap – Race 9: held 3 June 1989
  42. ^ Rees, Jennie (5 June 1988). "Lt. Lao shows only her tail to rivals in winning Fleur de Lis 'Cap by 11 (1988 Fleur de Lis Handicap – race 10: held 4 June 1988)". The Courier-Journal. p. 46. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  43. ^ 1987 Fleur de Lis Handicap – Race 9: held 14 June 1987
  44. ^ 1986 Fleur de Lis Handicap – Race 9: held 21 June 1986
  45. ^ 1985 Fleur de Lis Handicap – Race 9: held 8 June 1985
  46. ^ Rees, Jennie (1 July 1984). "Heatherten makes Fleur de Lis Race forever (1984 Fleur de Lis Handicap – race 8: held 30 June 1984)". The Courier-Journal. p. 12. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  47. ^ 1983 Fleur de Lis Handicap – Race 9: held 2 July 1983
  48. ^ 1982 Fleur de Lis Handicap – Race 8: held 26 June 1982
  49. ^ 1981 Fleur de Lis Handicap – Race 8: held 13 June 1981
  50. ^ 1980 Fleur de Lis Handicap – Race 8: held 14 June 1980
  51. ^ 1979 Fleur de Lis Handicap – Race 8: held 16 June 1979
  52. ^ 1978 Fleur de Lis Handicap – Race 8: held 17 June 1978
  53. ^ 1977 Fleur de Lis Handicap – Race 8: held 18 June 1977
  54. ^ 1976 Fleur de Lis Handicap – Race 8: held 29 May 1977