Kentucky Oaks

Longines Kentucky Oaks

Friday, May 2, 2025
The Longines Kentucky Oaks is America’s premier and most lucrative race for 3-year old fillies – female horses -- held each year on the day before the Kentucky Derby. This feature race is a $1.5 Million Grade 1 stakes race and awards the winning filly a garland of lilies, appropriately named “lilies for the fillies.” Like the Kentucky Derby, the Longines Kentucky Oaks race is one of the longest continually held sporting events in American history, and one of the only horse races to take place at the original site of its inception. The race was established on May 19th, 1875, by the same founder of the Kentucky Derby, Colonel Meriwether Lewis Clark, and is modeled after the British Epsom Oaks. View the fillies in the Longines Kentucky Oaks.

Kentucky Oaks Day at Churchill Downs is the second highest attended horse race in the United States – following the Triple Crown of racing; the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes. Aside from thunderous live horse racing, fans celebrate fashion and fundraising for critical women’s health issues.

EVENT DAY DETAILS

To be announced!

<!--Gates Open 9 a.m. | First Post 10:30 a.m.
Dining Room Guests Chef's Tables from 11 -- 5 p.m.
Concessions available from gates open to call to the post of the featured race each day on Oaks & Derby

IMPORTANT EVENT UPDATE: With the possibility of rain and thunderstorms on Oaks Day, we remind guests to check the list of items prohibited at Churchill Downs during Derby Week. Stay informed about all updates related to your race day experience by following the Kentucky Derby on social media and ensuring you have the Churchill Downs app downloaded and enable push notifications for any race day event changes. Remember, this event will proceed rain or shine. For more details, please view our ticketing policy.

-->
View Post Times & Wagering >

Where to Watch

View broadcast schedules and get the latest updates on where watch or listen to the Kentucky Oaks. Watch and Follow the Kentucky Oaks

EVENT DAY HIGHLIGHTS

To be announced!
<!--

• Fashion Contest: Elegance meets tradition on Kentucky Oaks Day, where fashion takes center stage. Embrace the spirit of the day as you don your finest, frilliest ensembles, because on Oaks Day, sophistication knows no bounds. Join us as we celebrate Oaks fashion in all its glory at the Kentucky Oaks Fashion Contest. Show off your unique style, bask in the excitement, and seize your moment to shine. It's a day of fashion, fun, and unforgettable memories.
• Survivor’s Parade and Performance: Performer to be announced
• Presentation of Colors by Culver Academies
• National Anthem: Performer to be announced

-->

KENTUCKY OAKS CHARITABLE INITIATIVE

The Kentucky Oaks Survivors Parade is a moving tradition that celebrates breast and ovarian cancer survivors and encourages those still fighting their cancer battle as they march on Churchill Downs’ historic racetrack prior to the running of the Longines Kentucky Oaks. The 16th Survivors Parade will be presented on Friday, May 2, 2025, and will honor the 150 survivors and fighters who have been selected.

Charitable Donations
This event could not happen without the help of our charitable sponsors. If you or a loved one would like to make a donation, please visit the Norton Cancer Institute Survivors or donate to Horses and Hope of the Kentucky Cancer Program.

FASHION

If you are planning to attend the Kentucky Oaks, we encourage you to artfully incorporate the color pink into your wardrobe — from hats to handkerchiefs, suits to sundresses, sunglasses to stilettos! The focus on pink both honors the Oaks official flower, the stargazer lily, and celebrates Churchill Downs’ advocacy and fundraising efforts for women’s health issues. Consider showcasing your elegant and creative ensembles in the Kentucky Oaks Fashion Contest, for an opportunity to win a exciting prize package.

PARKING INFORMATION

Entry to your specific lot is unique and directions to your lot should be followed closely. These maps and directions can be found here:

View parking maps >