The Demoiselle Stakes is a stakes race for thoroughbred horses open to two-year-old fillies who are willing to race the one and one-eighth miles on dirt. The Grade II event is run at Aqueduct Racetrack every November for a current purse of $250,000.
The Demoiselle is part of the Road to the Kentucky Oaks, a points system developed by Churchill Downs to determine eligibility for the Kentucky Oaks. The Demoiselle is one of the most important races for juvenile fillies, rivalling the Spinaway Stakes, the Oak Leaf Stakes and the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies in establishing the early favorite for the Oaks.
The Demoiselle, named for the French word for young woman, was run at Empire City Race Track at its inauguration in 1908, then in 1910, 1914, and from 1917 to 1942. It then moved to Jamaica Racetrack from 1943 to 1953 and from there to Aqueduct. Since inception, the Demoiselle Stakes has been contested at various distances: 5.5 furlongs: 1908–1936 5.75 furlongs: 1936–1942 6 furlongs: 1943–1947 7 furlongs: 1958–1959 8.5 furlongs: 1948–1953 8 furlongs: 1963–1974 9 furlongs: 1975–present
Records Speed record: (at current distance of miles) 1:49.84 - Muhimma
Most wins by a jockey: 5 – Ángel Cordero Jr. (1970, 1980, 1981, 1987, 1988)
Most wins by a trainer: 10 – Todd A. Pletcher (2001, 2003, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025)
Most wins by an owner: 4 – Harry Payne Whitney (1919, 1922, 1924, 1926) 4 – Cornelius V. Whitney (1932, 1941, 1947, 1970) 4 – Wheatley Stable (1942, 1944, 1959, 1964)
Winners Year Winner Jockey Trainer Owner Time2025ZanyIrad Ortiz Jr.Todd A. PletcherRepole Stable1:50.552024MuhimmaFlorent GerouxBrad H. CoxShadwell Stable1:49.842023Life TalkIrad Ortiz Jr.Todd A. PletcherRepole Stable1:51.102022Julia ShiningLuis SaezTodd A. PletcherStonestreet Stables1:53.052021NestIrad Ortiz Jr.Todd A. PletcherMichael House, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Repole Stable1:55.072020MalathaatJohn R. VelazquezTodd A. PletcherShadwell Racing1:52.362019Lake Avenue Junior AlvaradoWilliam I. MottGodolphin, LLC1:54.55 2018Positive SpiritManny FrancoRodolphe BrissetMichael J. Ryan 1:56.012017Wonder GadotJohn VelazquezMark E. CasseGary Barber1:53.912016Miss Sky WarriorPaco LopezKelly J. BreenArlene's Sun Star Stable1:53.342015Lewis BayIrad Ortiz Jr.Chad C. BrownAlpha Delta Stables1:53.412014Condo CommandoJoel RosarioRudy R. RodriguezMichael Dubb, Bethlehem Stables & Elkstone Group1:50.402013StopchargingmariaJavier CastellanoTodd A. PletcherRepole Stable1:52.622012Unlimited BudgetJohn VelazquezTodd A. PletcherRepole Stable1:52.162011DisposablepleasureRamon DomínguezTodd A. PletcherGlencrest Farm1:53.102010Dixie CityJose LezcanoAnthony W. DutrowEdward P. Evans1:52.842009TizahitEdgar PradoGeorge WeaverJim & Susan Hill 1:53.092008Springside Garrett GomezJosie CarrollJames & Alice Sapara1:51.712007MushkaJohn VelazquezWilliam I. MottZayat Stables LLC1:51.612006Boca GrandeMike E. SmithC. R. McGaughey IIIPhipps Stable1:50.172005Wonder Lady Anne L.Cornelio VelásquezRichard E. Dutrow Jr.IEAH Stables, Sanford H. Robbins, Orchard Kids Stable, & Steve B. Simon1:52.852004Sis CityJohn VelazquezRichard E. Dutrow Jr.Joe Torre, Michael Dubb, Ira Davis, & Sanford Goldfarb1:50.392003AshadoJerry BaileyTodd A. PletcherStarlight Stables1:52.882002Roar EmotionJohn VelazquezJose A. MartinH. Joseph Allen1:51.432001Smok'n FrolicJohn VelazquezTodd A. PletcherDogwood Stable1:50.572000Two Item LimitRichard MiglioreStephen L. DiMauroJoseph F. Graffeo1:52.251999JostleStewart ElliottJohn ServisFox Hill Farms Inc.1:51.511998†Better Than Honour Richard MiglioreJohn C. KimmelRobert K. Waxman1:52.701997Clark StreetMike E. SmithWilliam Badgett Jr.Shortleaf Stable1:53.981996AjinaPat DayWilliam I. MottAllen E. Paulson1:53.741995La RosaJulie KroneNick ZitoMichael G. Rutherford1:50.921994Minister WifeJerry BaileyD. Wayne LukasFares Farms1:53.481993Strategic ManeuverJerry BaileyFlint S. SchulhoferPhillip Teinowitz1:53.621992Fortunate FaithArt Madrid Jr.Lisa L. LewisPenny Lewis Whitney1:53.591991Stolen BeautyChris AntleyRichard A. DeStasioAlbert Fried Jr.1:52.081990Debutant's HaloCraig PerretGuadalupe PreciadoJack G. Mondel1:53.801989RootentootenwootenJerry BaileyGeorge R. Arnold IIIAlex G. Campbell1:51.601988Open MindÁngel Cordero Jr.D. Wayne LukasEugene V. Klein1:52.001987Goodbye HaloÁngel Cordero Jr.Jose A. MartinLone Star Stable1:53.001986TappianoJean CruguetFlint S. SchulhoferFrances A. Genter1:53.201985I'm SweetsEddie MapleWoody StephensMrs. Elizabeth Moran1:50.201984DiplometteRuben HernandezJose A. MartinKenneth Brausen1:54.601983QualiqueMichael VeneziaHarold B. Brice Jr.Marc Keller1:51.201982Only QueensMiguel A. RiveraJoseph A. TrovatoBarry K. Schwartz1:52.001981Snow PlowÁngel Cordero Jr.Leon BlusiewiczStephen D. Peskoff1:53.001980Rainbow ConnectionÁngel Cordero Jr.Gerry BelangerR. Cameron Edgar1:50.801979Genuine RiskLaffit Pincay Jr.LeRoy JolleyDiana M. Firestone1:51.201978PlanktonRuben HernandezRoger LaurinMrs. Roger Laurin 1:50.001977Caesar's WishDanny Ray WrightRichard W. SmallSally Gibson1:50.601976Bring Out The BandDonald BrumfieldJohn W. Murphy Hickory Tree Stable1:50.801975Free JourneyLaffit Pincay Jr.John P. CampoElmendorf Farm1:50.201974Land GirlJacinto VásquezJohn A. NerudTartan Stable1:36.201973Chris EvertLaffit Pincay Jr.Joseph A. TrovatoCarl Rosen1:36.401972ProtestAngel SantiagoJohn P. CampoElmendorf Farm1:37.601971Dresden DollGene St. LeonFrank CatroneAda L. Rice1:35.801970Inca QueenÁngel Cordero Jr.Ivor G. BaldingCornelius V. Whitney1:36.401969Native FernJohn RuaneWilliam BolandHardly Able Stable1:38.801968Queen's DoubleBraulio BaezaJ. Homer HayesMeadow Stable1:39.201967Allie's SerenadeJohn L. RotzMax HirschMereworth Farm1:40.401966WoozemKenny KnappWillard L. ProctorJ. Graham Brown1:35.601965Indian SunliteWilliam BolandSherrill W. WardGeorge M. Humphrey1:38.201964DisciplineIsmael ValenzuelaWilliam C. WinfreyWheatley Stable1:39.201963Windsor LadyBill HartackWarren J. PascumaRaymond Karlinsky1:37.401960 – 1962 Race not held1959Irish JayEddie ArcaroJames E. FitzsimmonsWheatley Stable1:23.601958KhalitaEddie ArcaroMalcolm Anderson W. N. Modglin1:25.601954 – 1957 Race not held1953O'AlisonJimmy NicholsPhilip GodfreyPhilip Godfrey1:46.401952Grecian QueenEric GuerinJames P. ConwayFlorence Whitaker1:46.601951Rose JetHedley WoodhouseRichard E. HandlenFoxcatcher Farm1:46.201950Aunt JinnyNick WallDuval A. HeadleyDuval A. Headley1:45.801949Bed o'RosesEric GuerinWilliam C. WinfreyAlfred G. Vanderbilt II1:45.801948LitheWillie GarnerFrank S. BarnettHal Price Headley1:48.201947Ghost RunRuperto DonosoSylvester VeitchCornelius V. Whitney1:13.601946Carolyn A.Eddie ArcaroJames P. ConwayFlorence Whitaker1:12.601945War KiltArnold KirklandTom SmithMaine Chance Farm1:12.401944DrumuirRobert PermaneJames E. FitzsimmonsWheatley Stable1:13.001943Thread o'GoldJames StoutJames E. FitzsimmonsBelair Stud1:13.801942OptimismJohnny LongdenJames E. FitzsimmonsWheatley Stable1:09.401941Pig TailsJack SkellySylvester VeitchCornelius V. Whitney1:10.201940Level BestBasil JamesJohn P. (Doc) JonesCrispin Oglebay1:09.201939Now WhatRaymond WorkmanBud StotlerAlfred G. Vanderbilt II1:09.001938Donita M.Wayne D. WrightPhil ReuterLongchamps Farm1:11.401937InhaleJohn GilbertThomas J. HealeyJohn Hay Whitney1:11.201936Broad RippleJohn GilbertJohn P. (Doc) Jones Mrs. Raymond A. Van Clief1:10.601933 – 1935 Race not held1932DisdainfulAlfred RobertsonThomas J. HealeyCornelius V. Whitney1:07.001931StraightlaceEdgar BarnesA. Jack Joyner George D. Widener Jr.1:08.401930StrayingLinus McAteeGeorge M. OdomRobert L. Gerry Sr.1:06.601929The BeaselWillie KelsayHenry McDanielGifford A. Cochran1:07.001928TokiLinus McAteeMax Hirsch George W. Loft1:07.601927Fair MistCharles CraigmileHenry McDanielWillis Sharpe Kilmer1:07.001926PanderaLinus McAteeJames G. Rowe Sr. Harry Payne Whitney1:06.001925EtherealFrank ColtilettiThomas J. HealeyRichard T. Wilson Jr.1:07.001924Maud MullerLinus McAteeJames G. Rowe Sr. Harry Payne Whitney1:06.601923FluvannaGeorge BabinMax HirschSalubria Stable1:06.401922CrestaLeslie PenmanJames G. Rowe Sr. Harry Payne Whitney1:07.601921My ReverieClarence KummerD. R. McDanielR. J. Brown1:07.601920Nancy LeeLawrence LykeJames H. McCormickP. A. Clark1:07.801919PanoplyWillie KnappJames G. Rowe Sr. Harry Payne Whitney1:09.201918Lady RosebudJ. CollinsRody PattersonRobert L. Gerry Sr.1:07.601917WawbeekMerritt C. BuxtonHollie HughesJohn Sanford1:09.001916TragedyT. DavisWilliam H. KarrickOneck Stable1:07.001915CelandriaMerritt C. BuxtonJames A. McLaughlinElkwood Park Stable1:07.001914CoquetteMerritt C. BuxtonGeorge M. OdomBrookside Stable1:07.001913 Race not held 1912 No races held due to the Hart–Agnew Law. 19111910Round the WorldFrederick HerbertJ. H. ArmstrongWilliam G. Yanke1:08.601909no race1908MelisandeJoe NotterJames G. Rowe Sr.James R. Keene1:06.40 † In 1998, Tutorial finished first but was disqualified and placed fifth.
See also Road to the Kentucky Oaks
References Demoiselle Stakes at the NYRA The 2008 Demoiselle Stakes at the NTRA