The Breeders Cup Distaff draws together the best three-year-old and up fillies and mares going a distance of 1 1/8 miles (9 furlongs). This top-ranked race for fillies and mares was known as the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic from 2008 to 2012. The race is currently called the Longines Distaff.
In 1984, Princess Rooney became the first mare to win the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. She was also the first Breeders’ Cup champion to be inducted into the Hall of Fame (United States Racing Hall of Fame – 1991). Aside from Princess Rooney, the Distaff has been won by a number of memorable female stars over the years, including Lady’s Secret (1986), Personal Ensign (1988), Dance Smartly (2003), Paseana (1992), Inside Information (1995), Azeri (2002), Ashado (2004), and Zenyatta (2009).
Horses can qualify for the event either through the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series “Win and You’re in” or through a selection process. If there are more than 14 nominees (oversubscribed), the BC Challenge Series winners will get spots and the next seven are determined by points based on the following formula. Win, place, and show horses in Grade I stakes earn ten, six, and four points, respectively. The top three finishers in Grade II stakes earn six, four, and two points respectively, and in Grade III races the points earned are four, two, and one, respectively.
| RACE QUALITY | WIN | PLACE | SHOW |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 1 | 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Grade 2 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Grade 3 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
The horses remaining after the BC Challenge winners and 7 entries based on points will be ranked in order of preference by the Panel. The Panel will be free to establish its own criteria or ranking so that high-quality horses of demonstrated ability will have the opportunity to participate in Championship Races regardless of earlier participation in graded events.
Breeders’ Cup Distaff Win and You’re In Races
| DATE | RACE | GRADE | TRACK | DISTANCE | WINNER | VIDEO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 1st | Gran Premio Criadores | 1 | Hipodromo de Palermo | 1 1/2 Miles | La Validada (ARG) |  |
| Jun 11th | Ogden Phipps | 1 | Belmont Park | 1 1/16 Miles | Clairiere | |
| Aug 6th | Clement L. Hirsch Stakes | 1 | Del Mar | 1 1/16 Miles | Blue Stripe | |
| Oct 9th | Spinster Stakes | 1 | Keeneland | 1 1/8 Miles |
Records
Most wins:
2 – Bayakoa (ARG) (1989, 1990)
2 – Royal Delta (2011, 2012)
2 – Beholder (2013, 2016)
2 – Monomoy Girl (2018, 2020)
Most wins by a jockey:
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)
Breeders’ Cup Distaff Past Winners
| YEAR | WINNER | AGE | JOCKEY | TRAINER | OWNER |
| 2021 | Marche Lorraine (JPN) | 5 | Oisin Murphy | Yoshito Yahagi | U. Carrot Farm |
| 2020 | Monomoy Girl | 5 | Florent Geroux | Brad H. Cox | Michael Dubb, Monomoy Stables et al. |
| 2019 | Blue Prize (ARG) | 6 | Joe Bravo | Ignacio Correas IV | Merriebelle Stable |
| 2018 | Monomoy Girl | 3 | Florent Geroux | Brad H. Cox | Michael Dubb, Monomoy Stables et al. |
| 2017 | Forever Unbridled | 5 | John Velazquez | Dallas Stewart | Charles E. Fipke |
| 2016 | Beholder | 6 | Gary Stevens | Richard Mandella | Spendthrift Farm |
| 2015 | Stopchargingmaria | 4 | Javier Castellano | Todd Pletcher | Town And Country Farms |
| 2014 | Untapable | 3 | Rosie Napravnik | Steve Asmussen | Winchell Thoroughbreds |
| 2013 | Beholder | 3 | Gary Stevens | Richard Mandella | Spendthrift Farm |
| 2012 | Royal Delta | 4 | Mike E. Smith | William I. Mott | Besilu Stables |
| 2011 | Royal Delta | 3 | Jose Lezcano | William I. Mott | Palides Investments |
| 2010 | Unrivaled Belle | 4 | Kent Desormeaux | William I. Mott | Gary Seidler & Pete Vegso |
| 2009 | Life Is Sweet | 4 | Garrett K. Gomez | John Shirreffs | Pam & Martin Wygod |
| 2008 | Zenyatta | 4 | Mike E. Smith | John Shirreffs | Ann & Jerry Moss |
| 2007 | Ginger Punch | 4 | Rafael Bejarano | Robert J. Frankel | Stronach Stables |
| 2006 | Round Pond | 4 | Edgar Prado | Michael R. Matz | Fox Hill Farm |
| 2005 | Pleasant Home | 4 | Cornelio Velásquez | David Hofmans | Ogden Mills Phipps |
| 2004 | Ashado | 3 | John Velazquez | Todd Pletcher | Starlight Stables et al. |
| 2003 | Adoration | 4 | Pat Valenzuela | David Hofmans | Amerman Racing |
| 2002 | Azeri | 4 | Mike E. Smith | Laura de Seroux | Allen E. Paulson |
| 2001 | Unbridled Elaine | 3 | Pat Day | Dallas Stewart | Roger J. Devenport |
| 2000 | Spain | 3 | Victor Espinoza | D. Wayne Lukas | The Thoroughbred Corp. |
| 1999 | Beautiful Pleasure | 4 | Jorge F. Chavez | John T. Ward Jr. | John C. Oxley |
| 1998 | Escena | 5 | Gary Stevens | William I. Mott | Allen E. Paulson |
| 1997 | Ajina | 3 | Mike E. Smith | William I. Mott | Allen E. Paulson |
| 1996 | Jewel Princess | 4 | Corey Nakatani | Wallace Dollase | M & R Stephen/TTC |
| 1995 | Inside Information | 4 | Mike E. Smith | C. R. McGaughey III | Ogden Mills Phipps |
| 1994 | One Dreamer | 6 | Gary Stevens | Thomas F. Proctor | Glen Hill Farm |
| 1993 | Hollywood Wildcat | 3 | Ed Delahoussaye | Neil Drysdale | Irving & Marjorie Cowan |
| 1992 | Paseana (ARG) | 5 | Chris McCarron | Ron McAnally | Sidney H. Craig |
| 1991 | Dance Smartly | 3 | Pat Day | James E. Day | Sam-Son Farm |
| 1990 | Bayakoa (ARG) | 6 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Ron McAnally | Frank & Janis Whitham |
| 1989 | Bayakoa (ARG) | 5 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Ron McAnally | Frank & Janis Whitham |
| 1988 | Personal Ensign | 4 | Randy Romero | C. R. McGaughey III | Ogden Phipps |
| 1987 | Sacahuista | 3 | Randy Romero | D. Wayne Lukas | B. A. Beal & L. R. French |
| 1986 | Lady’s Secret | 4 | Pat Day | D. Wayne Lukas | Gene Klein |
| 1985 | Life’s Magic | 4 | Ángel Cordero Jr. | D. Wayne Lukas | Mel Hatley/Gene Klein |
| 1984 | Princess Rooney | 4 | Ed Delahoussaye | Neil Drysdale | Paula J. Tucker |
| 1988 | Personal Ensign | 4 | Randy Romero | C. R. McGaughey III | Ogden Phipps |
| 1987 | Sacahuista | 3 | Randy Romero | D. Wayne Lukas | B. A. Beal & L. R. French |
| 1986 | Lady’s Secret | 4 | Pat Day | D. Wayne Lukas | Gene Klein |
| 1985 | Life’s Magic | 4 | Ángel Cordero Jr. | D. Wayne Lukas | Mel Hatley/Gene Klein |
| 1984 | Princess Rooney | 4 | Ed Delahoussaye | Neil Drysdale | Paula J. Tucker |
Make sure to check our Breeders’ Cup Odds. Find Racetrack entries, horse racing results and our Betting Promos. Don’t forget to Sign-up and get up to a 10% horse rebate. We have the biggest rebate!
Follow us on Social Media for instant Breeders Cup Distaff Odds & News updates!