Breeders’ Cup Distaff

Introduction

The Breeders' Cup Distaff stands as one of the pinnacles of achievement for female thoroughbreds in North American horse racing. Established in 1984 as part of the inaugural Breeders' Cup World Championships, the Distaff has consistently served as a decisive arena for the year's best fillies and mares. Contested over a mile and one eighth, this Grade 1 race is often a clincher for Eclipse Awards and has been the stage for some of the sport's most unforgettable performances.

Breeders’ Cup Distaff History

From its inception, the Distaff was designed to be the year-end championship for female horses, mirroring the Breeders' Cup Classic's role for males. The race has not only stood the test of time in that regard but has also grown in stature and prestige. With a purse that has fluctuated around $2 million in recent years, it remains one of the most lucrative prizes in the sport for female horses and, aside from the Kentucky Oaks (for three-year-olds only), it has no peers.

The Distaff is open to fillies and mares aged three years and older. It is run over a distance of 1 1/8 miles on a dirt track.

2024 Breeders’ Cup Distaff Challenge Series Races

DATE	TRACK	RACE	GRADE	DISTANCE	AGE	SEX	DIVISION	AREA	WINNER
01/05/2024	Pal	Gran Premio Criadores	I	1 1/4 Miles	3 YO & UP	F & M	Distaff	Argentina	Che Evasora (ARG)
08/06/2024	Sar	Ogden Phipps Presented by Ford	I	1 1/8 Miles	4 YO & UP	F & M	Distaff	New York	Randomized
03/08/2024	Dmr	Clement L. Hirsch Stakes	I	1 1/16 Miles	3 YO & UP	F & M	Distaff	California	Adare Manor
06/10/2024	Kee	Juddmonte Spinster	I	1 1/8 Miles	3 YO & UP	F & M	Distaff	Kentucky	Idiomatic

 

Breeders’ Cup Distaff Trends

• 31/40 won by 3 or 4yo's ('19 winner 6yo, '20 winner 5yo though missed entire 4yo season, '21 winner 5yo!)
• 19/40 won by 4yo's (including 12 of the last 22)
• 39/40 finished top 3 or within 4L of winner last time out
• 25 of the last 33 winners ran 5-8 times in the year
• 30/36 1m1f Distaff winners had won at the distance already
• Layoff: 31/40 35 days or less ('20 winner off 64 days, '21 winner 86 days!)
• 28/36 1m1f Distaff winners had won a Grade 1 in same year
• The favourite is 17/40 (42.5% SR)
• 36/40 had recorded a Beyer of 100+ ('21 winner no Beyer, top RPR of just 99)

 

How The Runners Fit

To be determined

Distaff Pace Map

To be determined

Key Trials

Go to breederscup.com for race videos.

Trends Contenders

To be determined

Distaff Form Preview

To be determined

Distaff Form Contenders

To be determined

Breeders’ Cup Distaff Results

Key: PP - post position; RS - run style (lengths behind leader: 4 <½L, 3 ½L- 1½L, 2 1¾L - 3½L, 1 > 3½L); Odds - return for a 1 unit stake; SR - Equibase speed figure

Track	Date	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	PP	RS	Odds	SR	Chart
Santa Anita	4/11/2023	Idiomatic	Brad H. Cox	Florent Geroux	2	3	1.80	108	Result
Keeneland	5/11/2022	Malathaat	Todd A. Pletcher	John R. Velazquez	1	1	2.88	117	Result
Del Mar	6/11/2021	Marche Lorraine (JPN)	Yoshito Yahagi	Oisin Murphy	10	1	49.90	113	Result
Keeneland	7/11/2020	Monomoy Girl	Brad H. Cox	Florent Geroux	10	2	1.00	113	Result
Santa Anita	2/11/2019	Blue Prize (ARG)	Ignacio Correas, IV	Joe Bravo	11	1	8.90	112	Result
Churchill	3/11/2018	Monomoy Girl	Brad H. Cox	Florent Geroux	11	3	1.80	116	Result
Del Mar	3/11/2017	Forever Unbridled	Dallas Stewart	John R. Velazquez	6	1	3.70	113	Result
Santa Anita	4/11/2016	Beholder	Richard E. Mandella	Gary L. Stevens	8	2	3.30	114	Result
Keeneland	10/30/2015	Stopchargingmaria	Todd A. Pletcher	Javier Castellano	4	2	7.10	105	Result
Santa Anita	10/31/2014	Untapable	Steven M. Asmussen	Rosie Napravnik	10	2	1.60	114	Result
Santa Anita	1/11/2013	Beholder	Richard E. Mandella	Gary L. Stevens	5	3	2.80	117	Result
Santa Anita	2/11/2012	Royal Delta	William I. Mott	Mike E. Smith	6	4	1.70	117	Result
Churchill	4/11/2011	Royal Delta	William I. Mott	Jose Lezcano	6	2	2.20	119	Result
Churchill	5/11/2010	Unrivaled Belle	William I. Mott	Kent J. Desormeaux	8	1	7.50	115	Result
Santa Anita	6/11/2009	Life Is Sweet	John A. Shirreffs	Garrett K. Gomez	2	1	8.10	120	Result
Santa Anita	10/24/2008	Zenyatta	John A. Shirreffs	Mike E. Smith	1	1	0.50	114	Result
Monmouth	10/27/2007	Ginger Punch	Robert J. Frankel	Rafael Bejarano	4	3	4.50	111	Result
Churchill	4/11/2006	Round Pond	Michael R. Matz	Edgar S. Prado	1	2	13.90	115	Result
Belmont	10/29/2005	Pleasant Home	Claude R. McGaughey III	Cornelio H. Velasquez	11	1	30.75	115	Result
Lone Star	10/30/2004	Ashado	Todd A. Pletcher	John R. Velazquez	1	3	2.00	115	Result
Santa Anita	10/25/2003	Adoration	David E. Hofmans	Patrick A. Valenzuela	2	4	40.70	110	Result
Arlington	10/26/2002	Azeri	Laura De Seroux	Mike E. Smith	4	4	1.80	114	Result
Belmont	10/27/2001	Unbridled Elaine	Dallas Stewart	Pat Day	5	1	12.30	108	Result
Churchill	4/11/2000	Spain	D. Wayne Lukas	Victor Espinoza	4	2	55.90	111	Result
Gulfstream	6/11/1999	Beautiful Pleasure	John T. Ward, Jr.	Jorge F. Chavez	5	4	3.00	118	Result
Churchill	7/11/1998	Escena	William I. Mott	Gary L. Stevens	7	4	3.00	119	Result
Hollywood	8/11/1997	Ajina	William I. Mott	Mike E. Smith	1	2	4.80	114	Result
Woodbine	10/26/1996	Jewel Princess	Wallace A. Dollase	Corey S. Nakatani	1	1	2.40	120	Result
Belmont	10/28/1995	Inside Information	Claude R. McGaughey III	Mike E. Smith	1	3	0.80	116	Result
Churchill	5/11/1994	One Dreamer	Thomas F. Proctor	Gary L. Stevens	4	4	47.10	107	Result
Santa Anita	6/11/1993	Hollywood Wildcat	Neil D. Drysdale	Eddie J. Delahoussaye	6	4	1.30	113	Result
Gulfstream	10/31/1992	Paseana (ARG)	Ronald L. McAnally	Chris J. McCarron	14	2	2.70	118	Result
Churchill	2/11/1991	Dance Smartly	James E. Day	Pat Day	10	1	0.50	N/A	Result
Belmont	10/27/1990	Bayakoa (ARG)	Ronald L. McAnally	Laffit A. Pincay, Jr.	4	4	1.10	N/A	Result
Gulfstream	4/11/1989	Bayakoa (ARG)	Ronald L. McAnally	Laffit A. Pincay, Jr.	1	4	0.70	N/A	Result
Churchill	5/11/1988	Personal Ensign	Claude R. McGaughey III	Randy P. Romero	6	1	0.50	N/A	Result
Hollywood	11/21/1987	Sacahuista	D. Wayne Lukas	Randy P. Romero	5	4	2.90	N/A	Result
Santa Anita	1/11/1986	Lady's Secret	D. Wayne Lukas	Pat Day	5	4	0.50	N/A	Result
Aqueduct	2/11/1985	Life's Magic	D. Wayne Lukas	Angel Cordero, Jr.	6	1	0.40	N/A	Result
Hollywood	10/11/1984	Princess Rooney	Neil D. Drysdale	Eddie J. Delahoussaye	4	4	0.70	N/A	Result

Noteworthy Breeders’ Cup Distaff Winners

Lady’s Secret (1986)

A daughter of the legendary Secretariat, Lady's Secret was a typical D. Wayne Lukas Breeders' Cup winner, setting a blazing pace to win the 1986 Distaff. She was subsequently named Horse of the Year.

Azeri (2002)

In one of the most dominant performances in Distaff history, Azeri led almost the entire way to win by five lengths, later earning Horse of the Year honors.

Zenyatta (2008)

Before she took on, and beat, the boys in the 2009 Breeders' Cup Classic, Zenyatta won the 2008 Distaff to cap an undefeated season. As well as doubling up in the Classic, she was a heartbreaking head away from a second Classic in 2010.

Beholder (2013, 2016)

Beholder's two victories in the Distaff, separated by three years, showcased her extraordinary talent and longevity in the sport. Her longevity was further underlined by the fact she'd also won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies in 2012, one of only two horses to win three Breeders' Cup races (the other is Goldikova).

Her stretch battle with the champion Songbird in the 2016 Distaff is one of the most legendary races in Breeders' Cup history:

 

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