The Kentucky Oaks was inaugurated on May 19, 1875, two days after the first running of the Kentucky Derby. The longest continuously run stakes in the United States restricted to three-year-old fillies, the Oaks has been run exclusively at Churchill Downs and is traditionally run the day before the Derby.
Patterned after the Oaks Stakes in England, the Kentucky Oaks was originally contested at 1 1/2 miles. It was reduced to 1 1/4 miles in the late 19th century and was further reduced to 1 1/16 miles for the majority of its renewals in the 20th century. However, its present distance of 1 1/8 miles has been in place since 1982.
As the Oaks has grown in stature in recent decades, the race purse has swelled to $1 million, and crowds of more than 100,000 have become common, making it the most attended non-Triple Crown race in the country.
Now celebrating its 151st running, the Kentucky Oaks is the longest-running sporting event in U.S. history and is steeped in tradition and meaning. Oaks Day is also a celebration of breast cancer awareness, with fans embracing the ‘Pink Out’ tradition by wearing shades of pink to honor this meaningful cause.
“Kentucky Oaks History: Twinspires.” TwinSpires Horse Racing | Bet Online with TwinSpires, www.twinspires.com/kentucky-oaks/history/
“Kentucky Oaks.” Churchill Downs, 29 Apr. 2025, www.churchilldowns.com/visit/spring-meet/kentucky-oaks/
