What is the Fleur de Lis Stakes?
The Fleur de Lis Stakes is a Grade II Thoroughbred race held annually at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Contested at 1⅛ miles on the dirt exclusively for fillies and mares three years old and older, it is the premier late-spring dirt test for older females on the Churchill Downs calendar and a key prep for summer championship races targeting the Breeders' Cup Distaff. The race is named after the English translation of the French "fleur-de-lis," a flower of the lily that serves as the symbol of the Louisville flag. Inaugurated on May 31, 1975 as the Fleur de Lis Handicap, the race was upgraded to Grade III in 1988, downgraded to Grade II in 1988 again, and has carried Grade II status since 2002. The event was elevated to Grade I briefly before returning to Grade II and has attracted some of the finest fillies and mares in training, including 2009 US Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra, who set the stakes record of 10½ lengths. The race has been a Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" for the Distaff Division since 2015.
When is the Fleur de Lis Stakes in 2027?
The 2027 Fleur de Lis Stakes is scheduled for Saturday, June 27 at Churchill Downs. Contested at 1⅛ miles on the dirt with a purse of $500,000, the race draws the top fillies and mares in training targeting the summer Breeders' Cup Distaff trail and is one of the most important Grade II dirt tests for older females on the national calendar.
Fleur de Lis Stakes History & Notable Winners
Thorpedo Anna gave trainer Kenneth G. McPeek and jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. a 2025 win in 1:48.52, continuing her campaign as one of the top older fillies in training. Scylla gave trainer William I. Mott and jockey Javier Castellano a 2024 score in 1:49.45 for Juddmonte Farms, adding a Grade II title to a career that had already included multiple graded stakes placings. Pauline's Pearl gave trainer Steven M. Asmussen and jockey Joel Rosario a 2023 victory in 1:49.59 -- the race that year moved to Ellis Park after Churchill Downs closed its spring meet early following a series of equine injuries. Shedaresthedevil gave trainer Brad H. Cox and jockey Florent Geroux a 2022 win in 1:49.17, marking the second Fleur de Lis title for one of the most decorated fillies of her generation. Letruska gave trainer Fausto Gutierrez and jockey Jose L. Ortiz a 2021 score in 1:48.57 for St George Stables, a dominant performance that cemented her status as the champion older female of that season.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Thorpedo Anna | Brian Hernandez Jr. | 1:48.52 |
| 2024 | Scylla | Javier Castellano | 1:49.45 |
| 2023 | Pauline's Pearl | Joel Rosario | 1:49.59* |
| 2022 | Shedaresthedevil | Florent Geroux | 1:49.17 |
| 2021 | Letruska | Jose L. Ortiz | 1:48.57 |
* Held at Ellis Park.
The Fleur de Lis Stakes is the premier dirt test for fillies and mares on the Churchill Downs summer calendar and one of the most important Grade II races on the Breeders' Cup Distaff trail.
