The Kentucky Oaks: Race History & Key Facts

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A Brief History of the Kentucky Oaks

The Kentucky Oaks race is hosted annually in Louisville, Kentucky at Churchill Downs. The race dates back to 1875 when it was founded by Meriwether Lewis Clark, Jr., who also founded the Kentucky Derby, the Clark Handicap and the Falls City Handicap. The Kentucky Oaks is considered to be one of the most popular Thoroughbred horse races in the United States, behind only to the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes. Spectator attendance on "Oaks Day" is approximately 100,000 surpassing that of the Belmont Stakes and the Breeders' Cup.

Both the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby have been held at Churchill Downs since they were established and remain the oldest continuously run sporting events in American history. Each year, the Kentucky Oaks takes place the Friday before the Kentucky Derby.

Originally the Grade 1 stakes race was run at 1 & 1/2 miles. It maintained this distance until 1891 when it was changed to 1 & 1/4 miles. From 1896 on-words the race experienced a number of changes from 1 & 1/16 miles, to 1 & 1/8 miles and back again. In 1982 the race was set at 1 & 1/8 miles and has remained that distance since.

The Kentucky Oaks is a counterpart to the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, alongside the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes and the Acorn Stakes.

Notable entries of The Kentucky Oaks include Rachel Alexandra, Silverbulletday, Davona Dale and Dark Mirage.

 

 

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Kentucky Oaks – Race Records

Scroll over any box below to view the historical records for the Kentucky Oaks:

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