LEXINGTON STAKES (KEENELAND) · UNITED STATES
Lexington Stakes (Keeneland) prize money
The Lexington Stakes (Keeneland) is worth $400,000 . That makes it the 234th richest of the 997 races on this site and the 97th 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 $400,000
WORLD RANK 234th
RUNNINGS HELD 60
FIRST RUN 1936
What the Lexington Stakes (Keeneland) is
Grade III · miles · Dirt · Keeneland Race Course
- Racecourse
- Keeneland Race Course
- Country
- United States
- Grade
- Grade III
- Distance
- miles
- Surface
- Dirt
- Race type
- Thoroughbred, Flat racing
- Open to
- Three-year-olds
- Direction
- left-handed
- First run
- 1936
We hold the total fund for the Lexington Stakes (Keeneland) 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 1:44.51 in 2026, the Lexington Stakes (Keeneland) pays $3,827 for every second of the race, which is 190th of the 611 races in horse racing prize money per second and 101st in the United States.
Every Lexington Stakes (Keeneland) winner
60 runnings, 1936 to 2026, newest first
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Prize money |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Trendsetter3 · 1:44.51 | Kazushi Kimura | Ben Colebrook | Midway Racing | $398,750 |
| 2025 | Gosger3 · 1:44.15 | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Brendan P. Walsh | Harvey A. Clarke Racing Stables | $400,000 |
| 2024 | Encino3 · 1:43.93 | Florent Geroux | Brad H. Cox | Godolphin | $365,500 |
| 2023 | First Mission3 · 1:43.74 | Luis Saez | Brad H. Cox | Godolphin | $398,750 |
| 2022 | Tawny Port3 · 1:45.24 | Florent Geroux | Brad H. Cox | Peachtree Stable | $398,750 |
| 2021 | King Fury3 · 1:43.50 | Brian Hernandez Jr. | Kenneth G. McPeek | Fern Circle Stables & Three Chimneys Farm | $200,000 |
| 2019 | Owendale3 · 1:44.14 | Florent Geroux | Brad H. Cox | Rupp Racing | $200,000 |
| 2018 | My Boy Jack3 · 1:44.22 | Kent J. Desormeaux | J. Keith Desormeaux | Don't Tell My Wife Stables & Monomoy Stables | $200,000 |
| 2017 | Senior Investment3 · 1:45.05 | Channing Hill | Kenneth G. McPeek | Fern Circle Stables | $200,000 |
| 2016 | Collected3 · 1:43.33 | Javier Castellano | Bob Baffert | Speedway Stable | $150,000 |
| 2015 | Divining Rod3 · 1:43.29 | Julien R. Leparoux | Arnaud Delacour | Lael Stables | $250,000 |
| 2014 | Mr. Speaker3 · 1:44.18 | Jose Lezcano | Claude R. McGaughey III | Phipps Stable | $200,000 |
| 2013 | Winning Cause3 · 1:43.93 | Julien R. Leparoux | Todd A. Pletcher | Alto Racing | $200,000 |
| 2012 | All Squared Away3 · 1:42.55 | Julio A. Garcia | Wesley A. Ward | Altamira Racing Stable & Wire to Wire Racing | $200,000 |
| 2011 | Derby Kitten3 · 1:42.03 | Julien R. Leparoux | Michael J. Maker | Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey | $200,000 |
| 2010 | Exhi3 · 1:44.38 | Robby Albarado | Todd A. Pletcher | Wertheimer et Frère | $300,000 |
| 2009 | Advice3 · 1:43.33 | Garrett K. Gomez | Todd A. Pletcher | WinStar Farm | $300,000 |
| 2008 | Behindatthebar3 · 1:42.14 | David R. Flores | Todd A. Pletcher | Padua Stables, Michael Shustek & W. Don Stanley | $325,000 |
| 2007 | Slew's Tizzy3 · 1:43.20 | Robby Albarado | Gregory Fox | Joseph LaCombe Stable | $325,000 |
| 2006 | Showing Up3 · 1:46.42 | Cornelio Velasquez | Barclay Tagg | Lael Stables | $325,000 |
| 2005 | Coin Silver3 · 1:45.76 | Javier Castellano | Todd A. Pletcher | Peachtree Stable | $325,000 |
| 2004 | Quintons Gold Rush3 · 1:43.82 | Jerry D. Bailey | Steven M. Asmussen | Padua Stables & Jay Manoogian | $325,000 |
| 2003 | Scrimshaw3 · 1:45.47 | Edgar S. Prado | D. Wayne Lukas | Bob Lewis & Beverly Lewis | $363,675 |
| 2002 | Proud Citizen3 · 1:44.58 | Mike E. Smith | D. Wayne Lukas | Robert C. Baker, David Cornstein & William L. Mack | $364,650 |
| 2001 | Keats3 · 1:43.54 | Larry Melancon | Niall M. O'Callaghan | Henry E. Pabst | $371,475 |
| 2000 | Unshaded3 · 1:43.60 | Shane Sellers | Carl A. Nafzger | James Tafel | $357,400 |
| 1999 | Charismatic3 · 1:41.00 | Jerry D. Bailey | D. Wayne Lukas | Robert Lewis & Beverly Lewis | $378,700 |
| 1998 | Classic Cat3 · 1:42.80 | Robby Albarado | David C. Cross Jr. | Gary M. Garber | $368,225 |
| 1997 | Touch Gold3 · 1:43.20 | Gary L. Stevens | David E. Hofmans | Frank Stronach & Stonerside Stable | $188,650 |
| 1996 | City by Night3 · 1:42.20 | Shane Sellers | Patrick B. Byrne | Nancy & Richard Kaster | $199,150 |
| 1995 | Star Standard3 · 1:45.00 | Pat Day | Nicholas P. Zito | William J. Condren & Joseph Cornacchia | $161,100 |
| 1994 | Southern Rhythm3 · 1:45.60 | Garrett K. Gomez | James O. Keefer | William Heiligbrodt, et al. | $137,250 |
| 1993 | Grand Jewel3 · 1:43.60 | Jerry D. Bailey | Neil J. Howard | William S. Farish III & William S. Kilroy | $140,675 |
| 1992 | My Luck Runs North3 · 1:44.00 | Ricardo D. Lopez | Angel M. Medina | Melvin A. Benitez | $137,050 |
| 1991 | Hansel3 · 1:42.60 | Jerry D. Bailey | Frank L. Brothers | Lazy Lane Farms | $133,450 |
| 1990 | Home At Last3 · 1:43.40 | Jerry D. Bailey | Carl A. Nafzger | Russell L. Reineman Stable | $112,900 |
| 1989 | Notation3 · 1:44.40 | Pat Day | James W. Murphy | Joan C. Johnson | $110,250 |
| 1988 | Risen Star3 · 1:42.80 | Jacinto Vasquez | Louie J. Roussel III | Louie J. Roussel III & Ronnie Lamarque | $105,600 |
| 1987 | War3 · 1:44.40 | Herb McCauley | D. Wayne Lukas | Tom Gentry | $147,950 |
| 1986 | § Wise Times3 · 1:44.80 | K. Keith Allen | Philip A. Gleaves | Russell L. Reineman Stable | $110,450 |
| 1985 | Stephan's Odyssey3 · 1:42.60 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Woodford C. Stephens | Henryk de Kwiatkowski | $53,500 |
| 1984 | He Is A Great Deal3 · 1:45.40 | Julio C. Espinoza | Bernard S. Flint | Bernard S. Flint & Michael Palmisano | $53,000 |
| 1983 | Highland Park3 · 1:44.80 | Jacinto Vasquez | Anthony L. Basile | Bwamazon Farm & Brereton C. Jones | $27,400 |
| 1982 | Stage Reviewer3 · 1:44.20 | Jerry D. Bailey | Lucien Laurin | Mrs. Lucien Laurin | $30,200 |
| 1981 | Swinging Light3 · 1:44.20 | Dan Delahoussaye | James P. Conway | Edgar Zantker | $25,000 |
| 1980 | Rockhill Native3 · 1:43.40 | John Oldham | Herbert K. Stevens | Harry A. Oak | $24,500 |
| 1979 | Pianist3 · 1:43.00 | Michael Morgan | Peter M. Howe | Pillar Farm | $23,600 |
| 1978 | Sensitive Prince3 · 1:44.80 | Mickey Solomone | H. Allen Jerkens | Joseph Taub | $15,000 |
| 1977 | Giboulee3 · 1:42.80 | Jeffrey Fell | Jacques Dumas | Jean-Louis Levesque | $15,000 |
| 1976 | No Link3 · 1:43.20 | Darrel McHargue | Douglas Davis Jr. | Fred Selz & Gus Blass | $15,000 |
| 1975 | Master Derby3 · 1:42.60 | Darrel McHargue | Smiley Adams | Golden Chance Farm | $15,000 |
| 1974 | Satan's Hills3 · 1:43.00 | David E. Whited | Peter W. Salmen Jr. | Crimson King Farm | $12,500 |
| 1973 | † Our Native3 · 1:42.80 | Don Brumfield | William Resseguet Jr. | Mrs. Elizabeth Prichard, Edward W. Thomas & William Resseguet Jr. | $12,500 |
| 1942 | Technician6 · 1:46.80 | Ovie Scurlock | Ross O. Higdon | Woolford Farm | $2,500 |
| 1941 | Steel Heels5 · 2:03.40 | Jimmy George | Frank P. Letellier | Junius W. Bell | $2,500 |
| 1940 | Steel Heels4 · 2:04.20 | Albert Snider | Frank P. Letellier | Junius W. Bell | $2,500 |
| 1939 | Chief Onaway3 · 1:50.40 | Eddie Arcaro | Richard T. Watts | Lawrence Barker | $2,000 |
| 1938 | Tunica3 · 1:49.40 | George South | Charles C. Norman | Joe DeSopo | $1,975 |
| 1937 | Co-Sport2 · 1:12.80 | Porter Roberts | Richard T. Runnels | Benjamin Friend | $4,050 |
| 1936 | § White Tie2 · 1:12.00 | Joseph Cowley | John M. Gaver Sr. | Manhasset Stable | $3,675 |
60 of the 60 runnings name the rider, 60 name the trainer and 60 name the owner, who is the one of the three the prize money actually belongs to. 60 carry the total prize money for that year, converted here the same way the purse above is.
What the Lexington Stakes (Keeneland) has paid, season by season
Total prize money, 1936 to 2026
$3,675 36
$4,050 37
$1,975 38
$2,000 39
$2,500 40
$2,500 41
$2,500 42
$12k 73
$12k 74
$15k 75
$15k 76
$15k 77
$15k 78
$24k 79
$24k 80
$25k 81
$30k 82
$27k 83
$53k 84
$54k 85
$110k 86
$148k 87
$106k 88
$110k 89
$113k 90
$133k 91
$137k 92
$141k 93
$137k 94
$161k 95
$199k 96
$189k 97
$368k 98
$379k 99
$357k 00
$371k 01
$365k 02
$364k 03
$325k 04
$325k 05
$325k 06
$325k 07
$325k 08
$300k 09
$300k 10
$200k 11
$200k 12
$200k 13
$200k 14
$250k 15
$150k 16
$200k 17
$200k 18
$200k 19
$200k 21
$399k 22
$399k 23
$365k 24
$400k 25
$399k 26
The total prize money went from $3,675 in 1936 to $398,750 in 2026, 108.5 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 Lexington Stakes (Keeneland) more than once
The fact the table above holds and cannot show
Steel Heels has won it 2 times, which is more than any other horse.
1 horse has won it more than once across 60 runnings.
Most wins by a jockey
| Horse | Wins | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Steel Heels | 2 | 1940, 1941 |
Races worth about the same
Either side of the Lexington Stakes (Keeneland) in the world money order
| # | Race | Country | Prize money | As published |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 224 | New Zealand 2000 GuineasRiccarton Park | New Zealand | $410,478 | NZ$700,000 |
| 225 | Railway StakesEllerslie Racecourse | New Zealand | $410,478 | NZ$700,000 |
| 226 | Bing Crosby StakesDel Mar Racetrack | United States | $400,000 | $400,000 |
| 227 | Clement L. Hirsch StakesDel Mar Racetrack | United States | $400,000 | $400,000 |
| 228 | Fountain of Youth StakesGulfstream Park | United States | $400,000 | $400,000 |
| 229 | Frizette StakesBelmont Park | United States | $400,000 | $400,000 |
| 230 | Gallant Bob StakesParx Casino and Racing | United States | $400,000 | $400,000 |
| 231 | Gamely StakesSanta Anita Park | United States | $400,000 | $400,000 |
| 232 | Hollywood DerbyDel Mar racetrack | United States | $400,000 | $400,000 |
| 233 | Lafayette StakesKeeneland Race Course | United States | $400,000 | $400,000 |
| 235 | Matt Winn StakesChurchill Downs | United States | $400,000 | $400,000 |
| 236 | National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame StakesSaratoga Race Course | United States | $400,000 | $400,000 |
| 237 | Oklahoma DerbyRemington Park | United States | $400,000 | $400,000 |
| 238 | Penn Mile StakesPenn National Race Course | United States | $400,000 | $400,000 |
| 239 | San Felipe StakesSanta Anita Park | United States | $400,000 | $400,000 |
| 240 | Tampa Bay DerbyTampa Bay Downs | United States | $400,000 | $400,000 |
| 241 | West Virginia DerbyMountaineer Park | United States | $400,000 | $400,000 |
| 243 | Grande Course de Haies d'AuteuilAuteuil Racecourse | France | $397,863 | €350,000 |
| 244 | Prix de l'Abbaye de LongchampLongchamp Racecourse | France | $397,863 | €350,000 |
| 245 | Prix de la ForêtLongchamp Racecourse | France | $397,863 | €350,000 |
The 20 races closest to the Lexington Stakes (Keeneland) 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, 97th of them is this one
| Race | Racecourse | Grade | Prize money |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gallant Bob Stakes | Parx Casino and Racing | Grade II | $400,000 |
| Gamely Stakes | Santa Anita Park | Grade 1 | $400,000 |
| Hollywood Derby | Del Mar racetrack | Grade I | $400,000 |
| Lafayette Stakes | Keeneland Race Course | Non-graded Stakes | $400,000 |
| Matt Winn Stakes | Churchill Downs | Grade III Stakes | $400,000 |
| National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes | Saratoga Race Course | Grade II | $400,000 |
| Oklahoma Derby | Remington Park | Grade III | $400,000 |
| Penn Mile Stakes | Penn National Race Course | Grade III | $400,000 |
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 Lexington Stakes (Keeneland) prize money?
$400,000.
Where does the Lexington Stakes (Keeneland) rank among the richest races in the world?
234th of 997. 233 races pay more, the nearest of them New Zealand 2000 Guineas. In the United States it is 97th of 196.
Which horse has won the Lexington Stakes (Keeneland) most often?
Steel Heels, 2 times, in 1940, 1941.
Which jockey has won the Lexington Stakes (Keeneland) most often?
Jerry D. Bailey, with 6 wins between 1982 and 2004.
When was the Lexington Stakes (Keeneland) first run?
1936. This page holds 60 runnings, from 1936 to 2026.
How far is the Lexington Stakes (Keeneland)?
miles, on dirt, at Keeneland Race Course.
Where to next
The rest of the racing money