run each year in early April during the Racing Festival of the South at Oaklawn Park in
. The
, four years old and up. A premier event for distaffers in the Spring, it is run over a distance of one and one-sixteenth miles on the dirt and currently offers a purse of $500,000, though these conditions may change in 2010, as noted below.
First run in 1958, the Apple Blossom was held again in 1963 and then resumed as an annual event in 1968. Until 1973 it was run as a handicap purse but grew to become a
. Over the years it has been run at various distances:
On February 4, 2010, Oaklawn Park president Charles J. Cella announced possible major changes to the race. After negotiations with the owners of the two top females in U.S. racing in 2009,
, Cella announced that the purse would be increased to $5 million if both horses start in the 2010 edition of the race. If both stars race, the Apple Blossom will be run as a special weight invitational instead of an open handicap, with other top fillies and mares invited to race against them; all runners will carry 123 pounds (55.8 kg); and the race will increase in length to 1⅛ miles (9 furlongs). If one or both do not race, the race will be run under handicap conditions with its original purse of $500,000. The distance will not revert to 8.5 furlongs for the 2010 edition regardless of starters.
As of February 11, 2010, the owners of Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra respectively indicated their mares would run in this Handicap contingent upon their health and success in their respective prep races. However on March 14, 2010, the day after a loss in the 1st running of the 1 1/16 miles $200,000 New Orleans Ladies at Fair Grounds in New Orleans to Zardana, the connections of Rachel Alexandra announced that she would not run in the Apple Blossom saying that she's healthy but not running in top form.
Year
|
Winner
|
Age
|
Jockey
|
Trainer
|
Owner
|
Time |
| 2011 |
Havre de Grace Havre de Grace is an American Thoroughbred Filly Racehorse. She is owned by Fox Hill Farms and trained by J. Larry Jones. Her sire is the 2005 American Horse of the Year, Saint Liam. Her dam is the mare, Easter Bunnette, a daughter of Carson City...
|
4 |
Ramon A. DominguezRamon A. Dominguez is an Eclipse Award-winning champion jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing....
|
J. Larry Jones J. Larry Jones is an American Thoroughbred horse racing trainer. A former commercial farmer, he embarked on a career as a professional trainer in 1982....
|
Fox Hill Farms |
1:42.19 |
| 2010 |
Zenyatta Zenyatta is a retired American champion Thoroughbred racehorse, winner of 19 consecutive races in a 20-race career and American record-holder for consecutive victories without defeat in unrestricted races....
|
6 |
Mike E. Smith |
John ShirreffsJohn A. Shirreffs is an American Thoroughbred racehorse trainer.Based in California, Vietnam War veteran John Shirreffs began training Thoroughbreds in 1978. He has won a number of stakes races with his most important coming in the 2005 Kentucky Derby when Giacomo scored a major upset...
|
Ann & Jerry Moss Jerome S. "Jerry" Moss is an American recording executive, best known for being the co-founder of A&M Records, along with trumpeter and bandleader Herb Alpert....
|
1:50.71 |
| 2009 |
Seventh Street Seventh Street is a Chestnut filly foaled in 2005 out of the sire Street Cry from the Meadowlake dam Holiday Runner, she was bred by Godolphin Stable and is owned by same. Racing for her stables in 2009 the filly burst onto the racing scene winning the grade I Go For Wand Handicap and Apple...
|
4 |
Rajiv Maragh Rajiv Maragh is a jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing. An Indo-Jamaican, he is the son of a jockey who rode in Jamaica before relocating to Florida where he began a career as a horse trainer....
|
Kiaran McLaughlinKiaran P. McLaughlin is an American Thoroughbred racehorse trainer. He currently has a blog website, at http://kiaranmclaughlin.com where he updates what horses he has racing for that particular day...
|
Darley Stable |
1:43.13 |
| 2008 |
Zenyatta Zenyatta is a retired American champion Thoroughbred racehorse, winner of 19 consecutive races in a 20-race career and American record-holder for consecutive victories without defeat in unrestricted races....
|
4 |
Mike E. Smith |
John ShirreffsJohn A. Shirreffs is an American Thoroughbred racehorse trainer.Based in California, Vietnam War veteran John Shirreffs began training Thoroughbreds in 1978. He has won a number of stakes races with his most important coming in the 2005 Kentucky Derby when Giacomo scored a major upset...
|
Ann & Jerry Moss Jerome S. "Jerry" Moss is an American recording executive, best known for being the co-founder of A&M Records, along with trumpeter and bandleader Herb Alpert....
|
1:42.64 |
| 2007 |
Ermine |
4 |
Eddie CastroEddie Castro is a Panamanian-born jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing. He grew up on a produce farm in Panama where he learned to ride saddle horses. Influenced by the accomplishments of other local jockeys, Castro attended the Panamanian jockey school and began riding in races in...
|
Ronny W. Werner |
Oxbow Racing LLC |
1:44.02 |
| 2006 |
Spun Sugar Spun Sugar is an American thoroughbred mare racehorse. She is sired by multiple grade one stakes winner, Awesome Again who was United States Horse of the Year. He in turn was sired by another leading American sire in Deputy Minister...
|
4 |
Mike LuzziMichael Jude Luzzi is an American jockey. He grew up near Delaware Park Racetrack where his grandfather, trainer Buddy Raines, had a major role in raising him and his brother John who also became a jockey...
|
Todd A. Pletcher |
Stronach Stables Frank Stronach, CM is an Austrian-Canadian businessman. He is the founder of Magna International, an international automotive parts company based in Aurora, Ontario, Canada, and Magna Entertainment Corp., which specializes in horse-racing entertainment...
|
1:42.59 |
| 2005 |
Dream Of Summer |
6 |
Pat ValenzuelaPatrick Angel Valenzuela is an American thoroughbred horse racing jockey. Born into a racing family, his father plus three of his uncles, including Ismael Valenzuela, were jockeys. He rode his first career winner on November 10, 1978, at Sunland Park Racetrack in Sunland Park, New Mexico...
|
Juan J. Garcia |
James Weigel |
1:43.86 |
| 2004 |
Azeri Azeri is an American Hall of Fame champion thoroughbred racehorse who was 2002 US Horse of the Year and Champion Older Female from 2002 to 2004.-Breeding:...
|
6 |
Mike E. Smith |
D. Wayne Lukas Darrell Wayne Lukas is a former educator who became one of the most successful horse trainers in American Thoroughbred horse racing history and a U.S...
|
A. E. Paulson Allen Eugene Paulson was an American aviation entrepreneur, philanthropist, thoroughbred racehorse breeder and owner, and a self-made multi-millionaire.-Business career in aviation:Born in Clinton, Iowa, Allen E... L Trust |
1:41.20 |
| 2003 |
Azeri Azeri is an American Hall of Fame champion thoroughbred racehorse who was 2002 US Horse of the Year and Champion Older Female from 2002 to 2004.-Breeding:...
|
5 |
Mike E. Smith |
Laura de Seroux |
A. E. Paulson Allen Eugene Paulson was an American aviation entrepreneur, philanthropist, thoroughbred racehorse breeder and owner, and a self-made multi-millionaire.-Business career in aviation:Born in Clinton, Iowa, Allen E... L Trust |
1:43.00 |
| 2002 |
Azeri Azeri is an American Hall of Fame champion thoroughbred racehorse who was 2002 US Horse of the Year and Champion Older Female from 2002 to 2004.-Breeding:...
|
4 |
Mike E. Smith |
Laura de Seroux |
A. E. Paulson Allen Eugene Paulson was an American aviation entrepreneur, philanthropist, thoroughbred racehorse breeder and owner, and a self-made multi-millionaire.-Business career in aviation:Born in Clinton, Iowa, Allen E... L Trust |
1:42.75 |
| 2001 |
Gourmet Girl |
6 |
Calvin Borel Calvin H. Borel is an American jockey in thoroughbred horse racing and rode the victorious mount in the 2007 Kentucky Derby, the 2009 Kentucky Derby and the 2010 Kentucky Derby...
|
Pico Perdomo |
Gary A. Tanaka |
1:42.15 |
| 2000 |
Heritage Of Gold |
5 |
Shane SellersShane Jude Sellers is an American Thoroughbred horse racing jockey. At age eleven, he began working around horses and in 1983 rode his first winner at Evangeline Downs....
|
Tom Amoss |
Jack Garey |
1:42.22 |
| 1999 |
Banshee Breeze Banshee Breeze was an American Champion Thoroughbred filly racehorse. A winner of five Grade 1 races, she was voted the 1998 American Champion Three-Year-Old Filly....
|
4 |
Jerry D. Bailey |
Carl NafzgerCarl A. Nafzger is an American Hall of Fame horse trainer. Before he was involved in horseracing he was a championship Rodeo bullrider....
|
Jayeff B. & J. Tafel |
1:41.64 |
| 1998 |
Escena Escena is an American Thoroughbred filly racehorse. Bred and raced by Allen Paulson, she was out of the mare Claxton's Slew, a daughter of 1977 U.S. Triple Crown champion, Seattle Slew. Her sire was the great international runner Strawberry Road who was the 1983 Australian Champion Racehorse of...
|
5 |
Jerry D. Bailey |
William I. Mott |
Allen E. Paulson Allen Eugene Paulson was an American aviation entrepreneur, philanthropist, thoroughbred racehorse breeder and owner, and a self-made multi-millionaire.-Business career in aviation:Born in Clinton, Iowa, Allen E...
|
1:40.95 |
| 1997 |
Halo America |
7 |
Calvin Borel Calvin H. Borel is an American jockey in thoroughbred horse racing and rode the victorious mount in the 2007 Kentucky Derby, the 2009 Kentucky Derby and the 2010 Kentucky Derby...
|
Bobby C. Barnett |
John A. Franks John Franks was an American businessman and a Thoroughbred racehorse owner and breeder. A native of Haughton, Louisiana, he earned a degree in geology from Louisiana State University. In 1962, he founded the highly successful Franks Petroleum Inc. and later invested in real estate with Franks...
|
1:41.60 |
| 1996 |
Twice The Vice |
5 |
Chris McCarronChristopher John "Chris" McCarron is a retired American thoroughbred horse racing Hall of Fame jockey. He is currently working as a racing analyst for TVG Network....
|
Ronald W. Ellis Ronald W. Ellis is an American Thoroughbred horse racing trainer. A November 8, 1997 Los Angeles Times article noted that he "is known for taking his time with horses and taking special care with those prone to injury." Ron Ellis only saw his first live Thoroughbred horse race at age sixteen but...
|
Martin & Pam Wygod Martin J. Wygod is an American businessman and a prominent Thoroughbred racehorse owner/breeder. A business administration graduate from New York University, he joined a Wall Street stock brokerage firm before becoming a managing partner in a similar firm.In 1964, Wygod became involved with...
|
1:41.60 |
| 1995 |
Heavenly Prize |
4 |
Pat DayPatrick Alan "Pat" Day is an American jockey. He is a four-time winner of the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey and was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1991...
|
C. R McGaughey. III |
Ogden Phipps Ogden Phipps was an American stockbroker, court tennis champion and Hall of Fame member, thoroughbred horse racing executive and owner/breeder, and an art collector and philanthropist...
|
1:42.60 |
| 1994 |
Nine Keys |
4 |
Mike E. Smith |
Angel Penna, Jr. |
Lazy F Ranch |
1:42.00 |
| 1993 |
Paseana Paseana was an Argentine-bred Thoroughbred racemare who competed very successfully in Argentina and in the United States, where she won 10 Grade 1 races...
|
6 |
Chris McCarronChristopher John "Chris" McCarron is a retired American thoroughbred horse racing Hall of Fame jockey. He is currently working as a racing analyst for TVG Network....
|
Ron McAnallyRonald L. McAnally is an American Hall of Fame trainer in Thoroughbred horse racing. Called "one of the most honored and respected of North American trainers" by Thoroughbred Times Co., Inc, as a child, he and his four siblings were placed in an orphanage following the death of their mother...
|
Sidney H. CraigJenny Craig is an American weight loss guru and founder of Jenny Craig, Inc. Craig was raised in New Orleans and married Sidney Harvey Craig in 1979. In 1983, she and her husband created a nutrition, fitness, and weight loss program in Australia...
|
1:41.80 |
| 1992 |
Paseana Paseana was an Argentine-bred Thoroughbred racemare who competed very successfully in Argentina and in the United States, where she won 10 Grade 1 races...
|
5 |
Chris McCarronChristopher John "Chris" McCarron is a retired American thoroughbred horse racing Hall of Fame jockey. He is currently working as a racing analyst for TVG Network....
|
Ron McAnallyRonald L. McAnally is an American Hall of Fame trainer in Thoroughbred horse racing. Called "one of the most honored and respected of North American trainers" by Thoroughbred Times Co., Inc, as a child, he and his four siblings were placed in an orphanage following the death of their mother...
|
Sidney H. CraigJenny Craig is an American weight loss guru and founder of Jenny Craig, Inc. Craig was raised in New Orleans and married Sidney Harvey Craig in 1979. In 1983, she and her husband created a nutrition, fitness, and weight loss program in Australia...
|
1:42.00 |
| 1991 |
Degenerate Gal |
6 |
Pat DayPatrick Alan "Pat" Day is an American jockey. He is a four-time winner of the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey and was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1991...
|
Burk Kessinger, Jr. |
Ronald W. McDonald |
1:41.20 |
| 1990 |
Gorgeous |
4 |
Ed DelahoussayeEdward J. Delahoussaye is a retired American Thoroughbred jockey from New Iberia, Louisiana.He began his career in 1968 and ten years later became the top American jockey with 384 wins...
|
Neil D. Drysdale |
Robert N. Clay |
1:40.40 |
| 1989 |
Bayakoa Bayakoa was a Thoroughbred Champion racehorse bred in Argentina. A descendant of the very important sire Nearco through both her sire and dam, after racing successfully in Argentina, Bayakoa was sold to Americans Janis and Frank Whitham....
|
5 |
Laffit Pincay, Jr. Laffit Alejandro Pincay, Jr. is a flat racing's all-time winningest jockey. He competed primarily in the United States.-Career:...
|
Ron McAnallyRonald L. McAnally is an American Hall of Fame trainer in Thoroughbred horse racing. Called "one of the most honored and respected of North American trainers" by Thoroughbred Times Co., Inc, as a child, he and his four siblings were placed in an orphanage following the death of their mother...
|
Janis & Frank Whitham |
1:41.60 |
| 1988 |
By Land By Sea |
4 |
Fernando Toro |
Gary F. Jones Gary F. Jones is a retired trainer of Thoroughbred racehorses whose career began in 1974 and ended with his retirement at the end of July, 1996 having earned $52,672,611 in purses and the winner of 1,465 races including 102 graded stakes.Among the outstanding horses trained by Gary Jones were Hall...
|
Jones & Jayeff B. Stable |
1:41.20 |
| 1987 |
North Sider North Sider was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who was voted an Eclipse Award as the American Champion Older Female Horse of 1987.-References:*...
|
5 |
Angel Cordero, Jr. |
D. Wayne Lukas Darrell Wayne Lukas is a former educator who became one of the most successful horse trainers in American Thoroughbred horse racing history and a U.S...
|
P. Paternostro/Lukas Darrell Wayne Lukas is a former educator who became one of the most successful horse trainers in American Thoroughbred horse racing history and a U.S...
|
1:41.20 |
| 1986 |
Love Smitten |
5 |
Chris McCarronChristopher John "Chris" McCarron is a retired American thoroughbred horse racing Hall of Fame jockey. He is currently working as a racing analyst for TVG Network....
|
Edwin J. Gregson |
Gail & Del Chase |
1:40.40 |
| 1985 |
Sefa's Beauty |
6 |
Pat DayPatrick Alan "Pat" Day is an American jockey. He is a four-time winner of the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey and was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1991...
|
William I. Mott |
Farid Sefa |
1:42.20 |
| 1984 |
Heatherten |
5 |
Sam Maple Samuel A. Maple was an American jockey in Thoroughbred horse racing.Born in Carrollton, Ohio, Sam Maple was one of eight brothers and sisters. His older brother, Eddie, was also a jockey...
|
William I. Mott |
John A. Franks John Franks was an American businessman and a Thoroughbred racehorse owner and breeder. A native of Haughton, Louisiana, he earned a degree in geology from Louisiana State University. In 1962, he founded the highly successful Franks Petroleum Inc. and later invested in real estate with Franks...
|
1:40.20 |
| 1983 |
Miss Huntington |
6 |
Jorge VelasquezJorge Velásquez is a thoroughbred horse racing Hall of Fame jockey.Jorge Velasquez career in thoroughbred racing began in his native Panama but as a teenager moved to the United States...
|
D. Wayne Lukas Darrell Wayne Lukas is a former educator who became one of the most successful horse trainers in American Thoroughbred horse racing history and a U.S...
|
Eugene V. Klein Eugene Victor Klein was an American businessman who was Chairman of the Board of Directors and chief stockholder of National General Corp., an insurance and entertainment company based in Los Angeles, California...
|
1:44.80 |
| 1982 |
Track Robbery Track Robbery was an American Thoroughbred Champion filly racehorse. Out of the mare Left at Home, she was sired by Wood Memorial Stakes winner No Robbery, a son of U.S...
|
6 |
Ed DelahoussayeEdward J. Delahoussaye is a retired American Thoroughbred jockey from New Iberia, Louisiana.He began his career in 1968 and ten years later became the top American jockey with 384 wins...
|
Robert L. Wheeler |
Summa StableBruce Patrick McNall is a former Thoroughbred racehorse owner, and a sports executive who once owned the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League .McNall claimed to have made his initial fortune as a coin collector, though...
|
1:45.20 |
| 1981 |
Bold 'n Determined Bold 'n Determined , was an American Thoroughbred race horse born and bred in Kentucky. Her dam was the unraced mare Pidi, by Determine. Determine won the 1954 Kentucky Derby. Her sire was Bold And Brave by the great Bold Ruler...
|
4 |
Ed DelahoussayeEdward J. Delahoussaye is a retired American Thoroughbred jockey from New Iberia, Louisiana.He began his career in 1968 and ten years later became the top American jockey with 384 wins...
|
Neil D. Drysdale |
Saron Stable |
1:44.20 |
| 1980 |
Billy Jane |
4 |
John L. Lively |
Mitch Shirota |
A. Savill |
1:43.60 |
| 1979 |
Miss Baja |
4 |
Eddie MapleEdward Retz "Eddie" Maple is a retired American thoroughbred horse racing jockey. One of eight brothers and sisters, he was an older brother to jockey Sam Maple who won more than 2,500 races. He began riding horses at age 12 and won his first race as a professional at 17...
|
Joseph B. Cantey |
Lockhart Spears |
1:43.00 |
| 1978 |
Northernette Northernette is a Canadian Thoroughbred Hall of Fame filly racehorse. The Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame says that she "was among the best Canadian-bred race fillies ever raised in this country." A full sister to Storm Bird, she was bred by E. P...
|
4 |
Don Brumfield Donald Alan Brumfield is a retired American jockey from Kentucky.During his thirty-five year career, Brumfield won 4,573 races in 33,222 rides. He retired from racing in 1989. Brumfield was the "track all-time leading rider in terms of races won " at Churchill Downs, where he won 16 riding titles...
|
C. R McGaughey III |
Peter M. Brant Peter M. Brant is an American industrialist, businessman and entrepreneur, worth an estimated $2.4 billion. He is also a major art collector, movie producer, and avid horseman...
|
1:42.00 |
| 1977 |
Hail Hilarious |
4 |
Don PierceDonald R. Pierce is a retired U.S. Racing Hall of Fame jockey in thoroughbred horse racing.Based in California, Pierce earned his first win in 1954 and went on to become a leading jockey in the 1960s and 1970s...
|
Neil D. Drysdale |
Saron Stable |
1:41.40 |
| 1976 |
Summertime Promise |
4 |
Darrel McHargue Darrel G. McHargue is a retired American Champion jockey in Thoroughbred horse racing. One of five children from a family not connected to horse racing, he was first introduced to riding as a teeneage boy when he rode a neighbor's Quarter Horse...
|
Jack Van Berg John Charles "Jack" Van Berg is an American Hall of Fame horse trainer. Born into a horse racing family, his father is Hall of Fame trainer, Marion Van Berg....
|
Kenneth Opstein |
1:40.60 |
| 1975 |
Susan's Girl Susan’s Girl was an American Thoroughbred racehorse bred and owned by Fred W. Hooper. Hooper was born poor on a southern farm and eventually became rich enough to buy, breed, and run some of the best Thoroughbred horses of his day. His first purchase was Hoop Jr., named after his son, and winner...
|
6 |
Jimmy Nichols |
J. L. Newman |
Fred W. HooperFred William Hooper was an American Thoroughbred racehorse owner and breeder. He was a member of The Jockey Club, an honorary director of the Breeders' Cup, and one of the founders of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association and one of its first presidents.Born in Cleveland, Georgia, ...
|
1:42.40 |
| 1974 |
Big Dare |
4 |
Bobby UsseryRobert Nelson "Bobby" Ussery is a retired American thoroughbred horse racing Hall of Fame jockey. His first race as a professional jockey came at Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans on November 22, 1951 where he rode Reticule to victory in the Thanksgiving Handicap. By the end of the decade...
|
Joseph P. Dorignac III |
Joseph P. Dorignac, Jr. |
1:11.80 |
| 1973 |
Levee Night |
5 |
Danny Gargan |
R. Gillem |
C. F. Shouse Catherine Filene Shouse was a researcher and philanthropist. She graduated in 1918 from Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts. She worked for the Women's Division of the U.S. Employment Service of the Department of Labor, and the Democratic National Committee...
|
1:11.00 |
| 1972 |
Plenty Old |
5 |
Robert. L. Baird |
D. Smith |
Audley Farms |
1:09.60 |
| 1971 |
Sir Realist |
5 |
Harlon Dalton |
O. Battles |
Irene Udouj |
1:10.20 |
| 1970 |
Zuke's Bad Boy |
4 |
Robert Mundorf |
Robert L. Irwin |
M. Van Berg Stable |
1:11.00 |
| 1969 |
Jay Roam |
4 |
Larry Snyder Larry Lloyd Snyder is a retired American Thoroughbred horse racing jockey whose career spanned thirty-five years from 1960 to 1994. In the early 1960s he began competing at Oaklawn Park Race Track in Hot Springs, Arkansas where he would win eight riding titles...
|
Robert L. Irwin |
M. Van Berg Stable |
1:10.20 |
| 1968 |
Roman K |
4 |
Hector Viera |
J. Brennan |
K. Knapp |
1:10.80 |
| 1963 |
Submerge |
nf |
Danny Weiler |
L. C. Bauzeville |
Verna Lea Farm |
1:15.20 |
| 1958 |
Count DeBlanc |
3 |
Johnny SellersJohnny Sellers was an American jockey. Born in Los Angeles, but raised in Oklahoma, he began his professional career in 1955 and between 1959 and 1968 rode in six Kentucky Derbys. He won the prestigious race aboard Carry Back in 1961 then riding the colt to victory in the Preakness Stakes...
|
C. Norman |
C.& J. Riedinger |
1:43.40 |