The Woodford Stakes is a Grade II American thoroughbred horse race for horses age three and older over a distance of furlongs on the turf held annually in early October at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky during the fall meeting.

History

The event was inaugurated as the Nureyev Stakes on 11 October 1997 and was won by the Calumet Farm owned Sesaro, sired by the champion Danzig and ridden by Shane Sellers drawing clear near the finishing line to won by length in a time of 1:02.96.

The event was named in honor of the Champion sire, Nureyev.

In 2003 the event was renamed for Woodford County, Kentucky. It was known as the Woodford County Stakes until 2006 when it became the Woodford Stakes.

Previously a Listed race, it was upgraded to Grade III status for 2009 and then Grade II in 2017 by the American Graded Stakes Committee.

In recent years the race has gained prominence as a preparatory race for the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint since it usually held about three to four weeks to the event. In 2015 the event was run off the turf due to inclement weather and was won by Amelia's Wild Ride by the event's longest winning margin to date of lengths defeating Mongolian Saturday. Mongolian Saturday proceeded to win the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint on his next start at Keeneland. The following year, 2016, Mongolian Saturday resumed after a three-month spell winning the Woodford Stakes.

Records

Speed record furlongs: 1:01.39 – Golden Pal (2022)

Margins lengths – Amelia's Wild Ride (2015)

Most wins 2 – Morluc (2000, 2001) 2 – Sgt. Bert (2005, 2006) 2 – Silver Timber (2009, 2010) 2 – Havelock (2011, 2013) 2 – Bucchero (2017, 2018) 2 – Golden Pal (2021, 2022)

Most wins by an owner 3 – Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier & Michael Tabor (2014, 2021, 2022)

Most wins by a jockey 3 – Rafael Bejarano (2004, 2005, 2006)

Most wins by a trainer 3 – Wesley A. Ward (2014, 2021, 2022)

Winners Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade RefWoodford Stakes2026Joe Shiesty5Fernando De La CruzEric N. FosterFoster Family Racing, Lonnie Reynolds, Vicki Mills and Donald Coomes furlongs1:02.58$400,000II2025Khaadem (IRE) 9Frankie DettoriCharlie HillsMrs. Fitriani Hay furlongs1:02.18$339,075 II2024Our Shot 5Luis SaezJohn P. Terranova IIGatsas Stables, Steven Schoenfeld & John P. Terranova II furlongs1:02.36$320,463II2023Arzak 5Joel RosarioMichael TrombettaSonata Stable furlongs1:01.65$337,875II2022Golden Pal4Irad Ortiz Jr.Wesley A. WardDerrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier & Michael Tabor & Westerburg furlongs1:01.39$315,175II2021Golden Pal 3John Velazquez Wesley A. WardDerrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier & Michael Tabor & Westerburg furlongs1:03.12$200,000II2020Leinster 5Luis Saez George R. Arnold II Amy E. Dunne, Brenda Miley, Westrock Stables & Jean Wilkinson furlongs1:01.59$150,000II2019Stubbins3Joel RosarioDoug F. O'NeillMcShane Racing furlongs1:01.44$200,000II2018Bucchero6Fernando De La CruzTim GlyshawIronhorse Racing Stable furlongs1:04.04$200,000II2017Bucchero5Tim GlyshawIronhorse Racing Stable furlongs1:03.06$200,000II20166Carlos MontalvoEnebish GanbatMongolian Saturday furlongs1:03:46$150,000III2015Amelia's Wild Ride4Jose LezcanoRamon PreciadoSilver Trail Stables furlongs1:02:97$150,000III2014No Nay Never3Mike E. SmithWesley A. WardIce Wine Stables, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor & Derrick Smith furlongs1:03.59$150,000III2013Havelock6Garrett K. GomezDarrin MillerSilverton Hill furlongs1:03.17$150,000III2012Bridgetown5Javier CastellanoTodd A. PletcherMelnyk Racing Stables furlongs1:02.55$150,000III2011Havelock4Robby AlbaradoDarrin MillerSilverton Hills furlongs1:01.96$150,000III2010Silver Timber7Julien R. LeparouxChad C. BrownMichael Dubb & High Grade Racing Stable furlongs1:02.30$100,000III2009Silver Timber6Julien R. LeparouxChad C. BrownMichael Dubb furlongs1:04.67$125,000III2008Chamberlain Bridge4Jamie TheriotW. Bret CalhounCarl R. Moore Management furlongs1:02.39$150,000 Listed 2007Fort Prado6René R. DouglasChris M. BlockTeam Block furlongs1:03.20$112,600 Listed 2006Sgt. Bert5Rafael BejaranoGary MontgomeryC. Gary Edelen & Fred Preuss Jr. furlongs1:01.67$114,600 Listed 2005Sgt. Bert4Rafael BejaranoGary MontgomeryC. Gary Edelen & Fred Preuss Jr. furlongs1:04.06$112,800 Listed Woodford County Stakes2004Battle Won4Rafael BejaranoCharles SimonJay Manoogian furlongs1:02.70$84,675Listed 2003Joe's Son Joey5Robby AlbaradoTimothy A. HillsJoseph R. Lunetta furlongs1:03.49$84,525 Listed Nureyev Stakes2002Manofglory5Jorge F. ChavezBenjamin W. Perkins Jr.Raymond Dweck furlongs1:03.99$84,450 Listed 2001Morluc5Robby AlbaradoRandy L. MorseMichael P. Cloonan furlongs1:02.22$83,025 Listed 2000Morluc4Shane SellersRandy L. MorseMichael P. Cloonan furlongs1:02.20$83,700 Listed 1999Howbaddouwantit4Dale BecknerLarry F. Hall furlongs1:02.00$69,875Listed 1998Soldier Field3Rick WilsonLinda L. RiceDavid Sepler furlongs1:03.00$66,250Listed 1997Sesaro5Shane SellersCharles LoPrestiCalumet Farm furlongs1:02.80$69,500Listed

Legend:

See also List of American and Canadian Graded races

References