The Breeders' Cup Distaff is a
Weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race
Thoroughbred racing is a sport and industry involving the racing of Thoroughbred horses. It is governed by different national bodies. There are two forms of the sport – flat racing and jump racing, the latter known as National Hunt racing in ...
for
fillies and
mare
A mare is an adult female horse or other equidae, equine. In most cases, a mare is a female horse over the age of three, and a filly is a female horse three and younger. In Thoroughbred horse racing, a mare is defined as a female horse more th ...
s, three years old and up. Known as the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic between 2008 and 2012, it is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the
Breeders' Cup World Championships. It is the top ranked race for fillies and mares in North America, and often decides the title for champion three-year-old and / or champion older filly or mare.
Starting with the 2008 Breeders' Cup, the Distaff was the final race on the first day (Friday) of the two-day event. In 2018, it was returned to the Saturday card.
Distance : 1 miles (1984–1987); 1 miles (1988 to present).
Automatic berths
In 2007, the Breeders' Cup developed the
Breeders' Cup Challenge, a series of races in each division that allots automatic qualifying bids to winners of defined races. Each of the fourteen divisions has multiple qualifying races. Note though that one horse may win multiple challenge races, while other challenge winners will not be entered in the Breeders' Cup for a variety of reasons such as injury or travel considerations.
In the Distaff division, runners are limited to 14 and there are up to four automatic berths. The 2022 "Win and You're In" races were:
# Gran Premio Criadores, a Group 1 race run in May at
Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo
The Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo is a horse racing race track, course located in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and one of the most important in the country, hosting 120 days of racing and 1,400 races every year. Races are hosted three days a week, ...
in Argentina
#
Ogden Phipps Stakes, a Grade 1 race run in June at
Belmont Park
Belmont Park is a thoroughbred racing, thoroughbred horse racetrack in Elmont, New York, just east of New York City limits best known for hosting the Belmont Stakes, the final leg of the American Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing (United Stat ...
in New York
#
Clement L. Hirsch Handicap, a Grade 1 race run in August at
Del Mar Racetrack
The Del Mar Fairgrounds is an event venue in Del Mar, California. It hosts the annual San Diego County Fair. The venue sits on a property along the Pacific Ocean coastline. It includes the Del Mar Racetrack, built in 1936 by the Del Mar Thoroug ...
in California
#
Spinster Stakes, a Grade 1 race at
Keeneland Race Course
Keeneland Association, Inc. is an equine business based in Lexington, Kentucky. It includes two distinct divisions: the Keeneland Race Course, a Thoroughbred racing facility, and Keeneland Sales, a horse auction complex. It is also known for it ...
in Kentucky
Records
Most wins:
* 2 –
Bayakoa (ARG) (1989, 1990)
* 2 –
Royal Delta (2011, 2012)
* 2 –
Beholder (2013, 2016)
* 2 –
Monomoy Girl (2018, 2020)
Stakes record:
Not applicable, as the race is run at different tracks
Most wins by a
jockey
A jockey is someone who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase (horse racing), steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing. The word "jockey" originated from England and was used ...
:
* 5 –
Mike Smith (1995, 1997, 2002, 2008, 2012)
Most wins by a
trainer:
* 5 –
William I. Mott (1997, 1998, 2010, 2011, 2012)
Most wins by an owner:
* 3 –
Allen Paulson (1997, 1998, 2002)
Winners
† – 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987 races were run at 1 miles
See also
*
Breeders' Cup Distaff "top three finishers" and starters
*
American thoroughbred racing top attended events
References
External links
Official Breeders' Cup websiteTen Things You Should Know about the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic at Hello Race Fans!Three Great Moments: Breeders' Cup Distaff at Hello Race Fans!
{{BreedersCup
Distaff
Mile category horse races for fillies and mares
Grade 1 stakes races in the United States
Horse races in the United States
Horse races established in 1984
1984 establishments in California