Ben Ali Stakes

The Ben Ali Stakes is an American race for thoroughbred horses run in the Spring of each year at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky. For 4-year-olds and up, it is a Grade III event set at a distance of one mile and one eighth mile on the dirt.

According to the official history at Keeneland racetrack, the Ben Ali (pronounced Ah-Lie) is named for James Ben Ali Haggin (1822-1914), a lawyer who made a fortune during the California Gold Rush and who used much of that money to create the biggest horse breeding farm in the world: the Rancho Del Paso near Sacramento, California. He also owned Elmendorf Farm in Lexington, Kentucky with its thousands of acres of prime Kentucky bluegrass. Haggin became a noteworthy breeder of great racehorses and a fervent supporter of the sport. Haggin owned the Hall of Famers, Salvator and the filly, Firenzi.

The first running of the Ben Ali took place in 1917 at the Kentucky Association track in Lexington, and stayed there until 1922. It did not run again until it was revived at Keeneland in 1937. Decidedly, the winner of the 1962 Kentucky Derby, won this race in 1963, and Pistols and Roses in 1994.

Keeneland Race Course Graded Stakes Races

Stakes Race Grade Purse
Transylvania Stakes III $100,000
Ashland Stakes I $400,000
Madison Stakes I $300,000
Maker's Mark Mile Stakes I $300,000
Shakertown Stakes III $100,000
Jenny Wiley Stakes II $200,000
Commonwealth Stakes II $175,000
Blue Grass Stakes I $750,000
Beaumont Stakes II $150,000
Appalachian Stakes III $100,000
Doubledogdare Stakes III $100,000
Ben Ali Stakes III $150,000
Lexington Stakes III $200,000
Bewitch Stakes III $150,000
Elkhorn Stakes II $150,000
Phoenix Stakes III $175,000
Darley Alcibiades Stakes I $400,000
Woodford Stakes III $100,000
Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes II $200,000
First Lady Stakes I $350,000
Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes I $600,000
Dixiana Breeders' Futurity Stakes I $400,000
Bourbon Stakes III $100,000
Juddmonte Spinster Stakes I $500,000
Jessamine Stakes III $150,000
Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes I $400,000
Sycamore Stakes III $100,000
Valley View Stakes III $150,000
Raven Run Stakes II $250,000
Fayette Stakes II $150,000
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