APPLE BLOSSOM HANDICAP · UNITED STATES
Apple Blossom Handicap prize money
The Apple Blossom Handicap is worth $1,250,000 for the 2024 running . That makes it the 63rd richest of the 997 races on this site and the 18th richest in the United States.
Every figure here is the money the race announces, in the currency it announces it in. The currency control at the top swaps the whole page.
TOTAL PRIZE MONEY $1,250,000
WORLD RANK 63rd
RUNNINGS HELD 61
FIRST RUN 1958
What the Apple Blossom Handicap is
Grade I · miles · Dirt · Oaklawn Park
- Racecourse
- Oaklawn Park
- Country
- United States
- Grade
- Grade I
- Distance
- miles
- Surface
- Dirt
- Race type
- Thoroughbred - Flat racing
- Open to
- Fillies & Mares, four-years-old and older
- Direction
- left-handed
- First run
- 1958
We hold the total fund for the Apple Blossom Handicap and no separate winner's cheque. What the winner takes is a rule the racecourse sets rather than a national one, and it varies race by race.
Run in 1:42.21 in 2026, the Apple Blossom Handicap pays $12,230 for every second of the race, which is 53rd of the 611 races in horse racing prize money per second and 23rd in the United States.
Every Apple Blossom Handicap winner
61 runnings, 1958 to 2026, newest first
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Prize money |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Claret Beret5 · 1:42.21 | Micah J. Husbands | Saffie A. Joseph Jr. | Miller Racing, LLC | $1,250,000 |
| 2025 | Thorpedo Anna4 · 1:44.27 | Brian Hernandez Jr. | Kenneth G. McPeek | Nader Alaali, Mark Edwards, Judy Hicks & Magdalena Racing | $1,250,000 |
| 2024 | Adare Manor5 · 1:42.48 | Juan J, Hernandez | Bob Baffert | Michael Lund Petersen | $1,250,000 |
| 2023 | Clairiere5 · 1:43.36 | Joel Rosario | Steven M. Asmussen | Stonestreet Stables | $1,000,000 |
| 2022 | Letruska6 · 1:42.22 | José Ortiz | Fausto Gutierrez | St George Stables | $980,000 |
| 2021 | Letruska5 · 1:43.14 | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Fausto Gutierrez | St George Stables | $1,000,000 |
| 2020 | Ce Ce4 · 1:43.14 | Victor Espinoza | Michael W. McCarthy | Bo Hirsch | $600,000 |
| 2019 | Midnight Bisou4 · 1:43.88 | Mike E. Smith | Steven M. Asmussen | Bloom Racing Stable, Madaket Stables & Allen Racing | $750,000 |
| 2018 | Unbridled Mo5 · 1:43.94 | Ricardo Santana Jr. | Todd A. Pletcher | Red Oak Stable | $700,000 |
| 2017 | Stellar Wind5 · 1:42.75 | Victor Espinoza | John W. Sadler | Hronis Racing | $600,000 |
| 2016 | Forever Unbridled4 · 1:43.08 | John R. Velazquez | Dallas Stewart | Charles E. Fipke | $600,000 |
| 2015 | Untapable4 · 1:42.96 | John R. Velazquez | Steven M. Asmussen | Winchell Thoroughbreds | $600,000 |
| 2014 | Close Hatches4 · 1:42.75 | Joel Rosario | William I. Mott | Juddmonte Farms | $588,000 |
| 2013 | On Fire Baby4 · 1:44.13 | Joe M. Johnson | Gary G. Hartlage | Anita Cauley | $500,000 |
| 2012 | Plum Pretty4 · 1:42.64 | Rafael Bejarano | Bob Baffert | Peachtree Stable | $490,000 |
| 2011 | Havre de Grace4 · 1:42.19 | Ramon A. Dominguez | J. Larry Jones | Fox Hill Farms | $490,000 |
| 2010 | Zenyatta6 · 1:50.71 | Mike E. Smith | John Shirreffs | Jerry & Ann Moss | $490,000 |
| 2009 | Seventh Street4 · 1:43.13 | Rajiv Maragh | Kiaran P. McLaughlin | Darley Stable | $490,000 |
| 2008 | Zenyatta4 · 1:42.64 | Mike E. Smith | John Shirreffs | Jerry & Ann Moss | $500,000 |
| 2007 | Ermine4 · 1:44.02 | Eddie Castro | Ronny W. Werner | Oxbow Racing | $500,000 |
| 2006 | Spun Sugar4 · 1:42.59 | Michael J. Luzzi | Todd A. Pletcher | Stronach Stables | $500,000 |
| 2005 | Dream of Summer6 · 1:43.86 | Pat Valenzuela | Juan J. Garcia | James Weigel | $500,000 |
| 2004 | Azeri6 · 1:41.20 | Mike E. Smith | D. Wayne Lukas | Allen E. Paulson | $500,000 |
| 2003 | Azeri5 · 1:43.00 | Mike E. Smith | Laura de Seroux | Allen E. Paulson | $500,000 |
| 2002 | Azeri4 · 1:42.75 | Mike E. Smith | Laura de Seroux | Allen E. Paulson | $500,000 |
| 2001 | § Gourmet Girl6 · 1:42.15 | Calvin H. Borel | Alcides Pico Perdomo | Gary A. Tanaka | $500,000 |
| 2000 | Heritage of Gold5 · 1:42.22 | Shane Sellers | Thomas M. Amoss | Jack Garey | $500,000 |
| 1999 | Banshee Breeze4 · 1:41.64 | Jerry D. Bailey | Carl A. Nafzger | Jayeff B. Stable & James B.Tafel | $500,000 |
| 1998 | Escena5 · 1:40.95 | Jerry D. Bailey | William I. Mott | Allen E. Paulson | $500,000 |
| 1997 | § Halo America7 · 1:41.60 | Calvin H. Borel | Bobby C. Barnett | John A. Franks | $500,000 |
| 1996 | Twice the Vice5 · 1:41.60 | Chris McCarron | Ronald W. Ellis | Martin & Pam Wygod | $500,000 |
| 1995 | Heavenly Prize4 · 1:42.60 | Pat Day | Claude R. McGaughey III | Ogden Phipps | $500,000 |
| 1994 | Nine Keys4 · 1:42.00 | Mike E. Smith | Angel A. Penna Jr. | Lazy F Ranch | $500,000 |
| 1993 | Paseana (ARG)6 · 1:41.80 | Chris McCarron | Ron McAnally | Sidney H. Craig | $500,000 |
| 1992 | Paseana (ARG)5 · 1:42.00 | Chris McCarron | Ron McAnally | Sidney H. Craig | $500,000 |
| 1991 | Degenerate Gal6 · 1:41.20 | Pat Day | Burk Kessinger Jr. | Ronald W. McDonald | $500,000 |
| 1990 | Gorgeous4 · 1:40.40 | Eddie Delahoussaye | Neil D. Drysdale | Robert N. Clay | $350,000 |
| 1989 | Bayakoa (ARG)5 · 1:41.60 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Ron McAnally | Janis & Frank Whitham | $250,000 |
| 1988 | By Land by Sea4 · 1:41.20 | Fernando Toro | Gary F. Jones | Gary F. Jones & Jayeff B. Stable | $250,000 |
| 1987 | § North Sider5 · 1:41.20 | Angel Cordero Jr. | D. Wayne Lukas | Paul Paternostro & D. Wayne Lukas | $270,500 |
| 1986 | Love Smitten5 · 1:40.40 | Chris McCarron | Edwin J. Gregson | Gail & Del Chase | $270,300 |
| 1985 | Sefa's Beauty6 · 1:42.20 | Pat Day | William I. Mott | Farid Sefa | $269,500 |
| 1984 | Heatherten5 · 1:40.20 | Sam Maple | William I. Mott | John A. Franks | $279,000 |
| 1983 | Miss Huntington6 · 1:44.80 | Jorge Velasquez | D. Wayne Lukas | Eugene V. Klein | $287,700 |
| 1982 | Track Robbery6 · 1:45.20 | Eddie Delahoussaye | Robert L. Wheeler | Summa Stable | $268,400 |
| 1981 | Bold 'n Determined4 · 1:44.20 | Eddie Delahoussaye | Neil D. Drysdale | Saron Stable | $219,700 |
| 1980 | Billy Jane4 · 1:43.60 | John Lively | Mitch Shirota | Albert A. Savill | $177,150 |
| 1979 | Miss Baja4 · 1:43.00 | Eddie Maple | Joseph B. Cantey | Lockhart Spears | $178,000 |
| 1978 | Northernette (CAN)4 · 1:42.00 | Don Brumfield | Claude R. McGaughey III | Peter M. Brant | $123,550 |
| 1977 | Hail Hilarious4 · 1:41.40 | Donald Pierce | Neil D. Drysdale | Saron Stable | $137,150 |
| 1976 | Summertime Promise4 · 1:40.60 | Darrel G. McHargue | Jack Van Berg | Kenneth Opstein | $59,600 |
| 1975 | Susan's Girl6 · 1:42.40 | James D. Nichols | James L. Newman | Fred W. Hooper | $61,200 |
| 1974 | Big Dare4 · 1:11.80 | Bobby Ussery | Joseph P. Dorignac III | Joseph P. Dorignac Jr. | $31,750 |
| 1973 | Levee Night5 · 1:11.00 | Danny Gargan | Roy T. Gillem | John T. Shouse | $20,000 |
| 1972 | Plenty Old5 · 1:09.60 | Robert. L. Baird | Dewey P. Smith | Audley Farms | $20,000 |
| 1971 | Sir Realist5 · 1:10.20 | Harlon Dalton | Olen Battles | Mrs. Herman Udouj | $20,000 |
| 1970 | ♯§ Zuke's Bad Boy4 · 1:11.00 | Robert Mundorf | Robert L. Irwin | Marion Van Berg Stable | $15,000 |
| 1969 | Jay Roam4 · 1:10.20 | Larry Snyder | Robert L. Irwin | Marion Van Berg Stable | $12,500 |
| 1968 | †Roman K4 · 1:10.80 | Hector Viera | Jean O. Brennan | Dr. Keith Knapp | $10,000 |
| 1963 | Submerge4 · 1:15.20 | Danny Weiler | Arthur W. Beuzeville | Verna Lea Farm | $2,400 |
| 1958 | Count De Blanc3 · 1:43.40 | Johnny Sellers | Charles C. Norman | Charles W. & Jake H. Riedinger | $2,600 |
61 of the 61 runnings name the rider, 61 name the trainer and 61 name the owner, who is the one of the three the prize money actually belongs to. 61 carry the total prize money for that year, converted here the same way the purse above is.
What the Apple Blossom Handicap has paid, season by season
Total prize money, 1958 to 2026
$2,600 58
$2,400 63
$10k 68
$12k 69
$15k 70
$20k 71
$20k 72
$20k 73
$32k 74
$61k 75
$60k 76
$137k 77
$124k 78
$178k 79
$177k 80
$220k 81
$268k 82
$288k 83
$279k 84
$270k 85
$270k 86
$270k 87
$250k 88
$250k 89
$350k 90
$500k 91
$500k 92
$500k 93
$500k 94
$500k 95
$500k 96
$500k 97
$500k 98
$500k 99
$500k 00
$500k 01
$500k 02
$500k 03
$500k 04
$500k 05
$500k 06
$500k 07
$500k 08
$490k 09
$490k 10
$490k 11
$490k 12
$500k 13
$588k 14
$600k 15
$600k 16
$600k 17
$700k 18
$750k 19
$600k 20
$1.0m 21
$980k 22
$1.0m 23
$1.3m 24
$1.3m 25
$1.3m 26
The total prize money went from $2,600 in 1958 to $1,250,000 in 2026, 480.8 times more. Every year is converted at today's rate, so the line is the money the race puts up rather than the money the exchange rate did.
Who wins the Apple Blossom Handicap more than once
The fact the table above holds and cannot show
Azeri has won it 3 times, which is more than any other horse.
4 horses have won it more than once across 61 runnings.
Most wins by a trainer
| Horse | Wins | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Azeri | 3 | 2002, 2003, 2004 |
| Letruska | 2 | 2021, 2022 |
| Zenyatta | 2 | 2008, 2010 |
| Paseana | 2 | 1992, 1993 |
Races worth about the same
Either side of the Apple Blossom Handicap in the world money order
| # | Race | Country | Prize money | As published |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52 | Turf Classic StakesChurchill Downs | United States | $1,500,000$1.5m | $1,500,000 |
| 53 | Australian DerbyRandwick Racecourse | Australia | $1,407,407$1.4m | AU$2,000,000 |
| 54 | Blue Diamond StakesCaulfield Racecourse | Australia | $1,407,407$1.4m | AU$2,000,000 |
| 55 | Coolmore Stud StakesFlemington Racecourse | Australia | $1,407,407$1.4m | AU$2,000,000 |
| 56 | Hill StakesRandwick Racecourse, | Australia | $1,407,407$1.4m | AU$2,000,000 |
| 57 | Newmarket HandicapFlemington Racecourse | Australia | $1,407,407$1.4m | AU$2,000,000 |
| 58 | Spring Champion StakesRandwick Racecourse, | Australia | $1,407,407$1.4m | AU$2,000,000 |
| 59 | Sydney StakesRandwick Racecourse, Sydney, Australia | Australia | $1,407,407$1.4m | AU$2,000,000 |
| 60 | Victoria DerbyFlemington Racecourse | Australia | $1,407,407$1.4m | AU$2,000,000 |
| 62 | Grand NationalAintree Racecourse | Great Britain | $1,330,000$1.3m | £1,000,000 |
| 64 | Arkansas DerbyOaklawn Park Race Track, | United States | $1,250,000 | $1,250,000 |
| 65 | Blue Grass StakesKeeneland Race Course, Lexington, Kentucky, USA | United States | $1,250,000 | $1,250,000 |
| 66 | Coolmore Turf Mile StakesKeeneland Race Course | United States | $1,250,000 | $1,250,000 |
| 67 | Japan Breeding Farms' Cup ClassicChanges yearly | Japan | $1,139,544 | ¥170,000,000 |
| 68 | Tokyo DerbyOhi Racecourse | Japan | $1,139,544 | ¥170,000,000 |
| 69 | Arabian World CupLongchamp Racecourse | France | $1,136,752 | €1,000,000 |
| 70 | Irish DerbyCurragh Racecourse | Ireland | $1,136,752 | €1,000,000 |
| 71 | Prix de DianeChantilly Racecourse | France | $1,136,752 | €1,000,000 |
| 72 | Prix Jacques Le MaroisDeauville Racecourse | France | $1,136,752 | €1,000,000 |
| 73 | All Aged StakesRandwick Racecourse | Australia | $1,055,556 | AU$1,500,000 |
The 20 races closest to the Apple Blossom Handicap in what they pay, above and below it. Follow the ranking all the way up on the richest races in the world.
The rest of the money in the United States
196 races, 18th of them is this one
| Race | Racecourse | Grade | Prize money |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stephen Foster Stakes | Churchill Downs | Grade I | $2,000,000$2.0m |
| Kentucky Downs Ladies Sprint Stakes | Kentucky Downs | Grade I | $1,750,000$1.7m |
| Kentucky Oaks | Churchill Downs | Grade I | $1,500,000$1.5m |
| Turf Classic Stakes | Churchill Downs | Grade I | $1,500,000$1.5m |
| Arkansas Derby | Oaklawn Park Race Track, | Grade I | $1,250,000 |
| Blue Grass Stakes | Keeneland Race Course, Lexington, Kentucky, USA | Grade I | $1,250,000 |
| Coolmore Turf Mile Stakes | Keeneland Race Course | Grade I | $1,250,000 |
| American Turf Stakes | Churchill Downs | Grade I | $1,000,000 |
Every race in the United States we hold a purse for is on the United States prize money list.
Frequently asked questions
What is the total Apple Blossom Handicap prize money?
$1,250,000, for the 2024 running.
Where does the Apple Blossom Handicap rank among the richest races in the world?
63rd of 997. 62 races pay more, the nearest of them Turf Classic Stakes. In the United States it is 18th of 196.
Which horse has won the Apple Blossom Handicap most often?
Azeri, 3 times, in 2002, 2003, 2004.
Which jockey has won the Apple Blossom Handicap most often?
Mike E. Smith, with 7 wins between 1994 and 2019.
When was the Apple Blossom Handicap first run?
1958. This page holds 61 runnings, from 1958 to 2026.
How far is the Apple Blossom Handicap?
miles, on dirt, at Oaklawn Park.
Where to next
The rest of the racing money