The Clement L. Hirsch Stakes is a Grade I American Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares age three years and older over a distance of one and one-sixteenth miles on the dirt track, scheduled annually in late July or early August at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. The event currently carries a purse of $400,000.
| Grade I race | |
| Location | Del Mar Racetrack Del Mar, California, United States |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1937 (as Chula Vista Handicap) |
| Race type | Thoroughbred – flat racing |
| Website | Del Mar |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1+1⁄16 miles |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Track | left-handed |
| Qualification | Fillies and mares, three-years-old and older |
| Weight | Base weights with allowances: 4-year-olds and up: 125 lbs. 3-year-olds: 121 lbs. |
| Purse | $400,000 (2022) |
History
The event was inaugurated as the Chula Vista Handicap on July 17, 1937, as a five and one-half furlong race for two-year-olds bred in California and was won by High Strike owned by singer Bing Crosby.[1] The event was held again until 1967 when it was run at a distance of one mile.
In 1973, the race was brought back permanently as a contest for horses aged three and older at a distance of 1+1⁄8 miles on the turf.[2] During the next few years there would be more distance changes.It was run at 1+1⁄8 miles in 1973, 1 mile in 1974–1975, and seven and one-half furlongs from 1976–1980, after which it was set at its current distance of 1+1⁄16 miles.[2]
In 1981 the event was moved to the dirt and the events conditions changed to the current restriction of fillies and mares that are three-years-old and older. Since then it has been run on the dirt except from 2007 to 2014 when Del Mar used a synthetic "all weather" surface.[3]
In 2000 it was renamed to honor Clement L. Hirsch (1914–2000), a Thoroughbred owner whose horse, Magical Maiden won this race in 1993.[4] A Newport Beach, California businessman, Hirsch was responsible for the creation of the Oak Tree Racing Association.
The race was run in two divisions in 1977 and again in 1980.[5]
The event was classified as Grade III in 1983, upgraded to Grade II in 1986 and a Grade I event in 2009.[3] At the same time, conditions for the event changed from a handicap to a stakes format.[3]
In the 1980s when this event became a fillies and mares race it started to attract high calibre performers that would confirm the status of the event. Starting in 1984 with the winner Princess Rooney who later that year would win the Breeders' Cup Distaff and be crowned US Champion Older Dirt Female Horse. The 1990 winner, the Argentine bred mare Bayakoa would rectify her unplaced finish from 1989[2] and would also win the Breeders' Cup Distaff for the second time and retain her position as US Champion Older Dirt Female Horse. Allen E. Paulson's two-time winner of the event, Azeri would become US Horse of the Year in 2002. Zenyatta proved her dominance in this event winning it three times and with that she continued on winning the 2009 Breeders' Cup Classic and in 2010 becoming US Horse of the Year.
Records
Speed record:
- 1+1⁄16: 1:40.00 – Matching (1982) (new stakes and track record)
Speed record:
- 7 lengths – Beholder (2015)
Most wins:
- 3 – Zenyatta (2008, 2009, 2010)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 7 – Chris McCarron (1981, 1988, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000)
Most wins by a trainer:
- 5 – John W. Sadler (2006, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019)
Most wins by an owner:
- 3 – Sidney Craig (1992, 1994, 1996)
- 3 – Jerry and Ann Moss (2008, 2009, 2010)
- 3 – Hronis Racing (2014, 2016, 2017)
Winners
| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Distance | Time | Purse | Grade | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clement L. Hirsch Stakes | ||||||||||
| 2023 | Adare Manor | 5 | Juan Hernandez | Bob Baffert | Michael Lund Petersen | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.33 | $400,000 | I | [6] |
| 2022 | Blue Stripe (ARG) | 5 | Hector I. Berrios | Marcelo Polanco | Pozo de Luna | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.97 | $400,000 | I | [7] |
| 2021 | Shedaresthedevil | 4 | Florent Geroux | Brad Cox | Flurry Racing Stables, Qatar Racing and Big Aut Farms | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:45.38 | $300,000 | I | [8] |
| 2020 | Fighting Mad | 4 | Abel Cedillo | Bob Baffert | Gary L. & Mary E. West | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.46 | $250,500 | I | [9] |
| 2019 | Ollie's Candy | 4 | Kent J. Desormeaux | John W. Sadler | Paul & Karen Eggert | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:44.66 | $300,351 | I | [10] |
| 2018 | Unique Bella | 4 | Mike E. Smith | Jerry Hollendorfer | Don Alberto Stable | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:44:40 | $300,000 | I | [11] |
| 2017 | Stellar Wind | 5 | Victor Espinoza | John W. Sadler | Hronis Racing | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.92 | $300,000 | I | [12] |
| 2016 | Stellar Wind | 4 | Victor Espinoza | John W. Sadler | Hronis Racing | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.24 | $300,000 | I | [13] |
| 2015 | Beholder | 5 | Gary L. Stevens | Richard E. Mandella | Spendthrift Farm | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.81 | $300,750 | I | [14] |
| 2014 | Iotapa | 4 | Joseph Talamo | John W. Sadler | Hronis Racing | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.04 | $300,250 | I | [15] |
| 2013 | Lady of Fifty | 4 | Corey Nakatani | Jerry Hollendorfer | Jerry Hollendorfer & George Todaro | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.96 | $301,000 | I | [16] |
| 2012 | Include Me Out | 3 | Joseph Talamo | Ronald W. Ellis | Jay Em Ess Stable | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.96 | $300,000 | I | [17] |
| 2011 | Ultra Blend | 5 | Tyler Baze | Art Sherman | Nels J. Erickson | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.28 | $300,000 | I | [18] |
| 2010 | Zenyatta | 6 | Mike E. Smith | John Shirreffs | Jerry & Ann Moss | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:45.03 | $300,000 | I | [19] |
| 2009 | Zenyatta | 5 | Mike E. Smith | John Shirreffs | Jerry & Ann Moss | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.24 | $300,000 | I | [20] |
| Clement L. Hirsch Handicap | ||||||||||
| 2008 | Zenyatta | 4 | Mike E. Smith | John Shirreffs | Jerry & Ann Moss | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.48 | $300,000 | II | [21] |
| 2007 | Nashoba's Key | 4 | Joseph Talamo | Carla Gaines | Warren B. Williamson | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:48.29 | $300,000 | II | [22] |
| 2006 | Healthy Addiction | 5 | Victor Espinoza | John W. Sadler | Pamela C. Ziebarth | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.92 | $294,000 | II | [23] |
| 2005 | Tucked Away | 5 | Alex O. Solis | Patrick Gallagher | Nico Nierenberg | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.82 | $300,000 | II | [24] |
| 2004 | Miss Loren (ARG) | 6 | Jon Court | Luis E. Seglin | Llers Corporation | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.93 | $300,000 | II | [25] |
| 2003 | Azeri | 5 | Mike E. Smith | Laura de Seroux | A. E. Paulson Trust | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.12 | $300,000 | II | [26] |
| 2002 | Azeri | 4 | Mike E. Smith | Laura de Seroux | A. E. Paulson Trust | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.66 | $300,000 | II | [27] |
| 2001 | Tranquility Lake | 6 | Eddie Delahoussaye | Julio C. Canani | Pam & Martin Wygod | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.78 | $294,000 | II | [28] |
| 2000 | Riboletta (BRZ) | 5 | Chris McCarron | Eduardo Inda | Aaron U. & Marie Jones | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.06 | $300,000 | II | [29] |
| Chula Vista Handicap | ||||||||||
| 1999 | A Lady From Dixie | 4 | Chris Antley | D. Wayne Lukas | Robert D. & Marilyn Randal | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.40 | $300,000 | II | [30] |
| 1998 | Sharp Cat | 4 | Corey Nakatani | Wallace Dollase | The Thoroughbred Corp. | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.00 | $294,000 | II | [31] |
| 1997 | Radu Cool | 5 | Chris McCarron | John Shirreffs | 505 Farms | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.60 | $300,000 | II | [32] |
| 1996 | Different (ARG) | 4 | Chris McCarron | Ron McAnally | Sidney Craig | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.40 | $303,200 | II | [33] |
| 1995 | Borodislew | 5 | Chris McCarron | Eduardo Inda | 505 Farms | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.80 | $313,100 | II | [34] |
| 1994 | § Paseana (ARG) | 7 | Chris McCarron | Ron McAnally | Sidney Craig | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:40.40 | $202,100 | II | [35] |
| 1993 | Magical Maiden | 4 | Gary L. Stevens | Warren Stute | Clement L. Hirsch | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.60 | $213,600 | II | [4] |
| 1992 | Exchange | 4 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | William Spawr | Sidney Craig | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.00 | $213,100 | II | [36] |
| 1991 | Vieille Vigne (FR) | 4 | Martin A. Pedroza | Jude T. Feld | Fry & Gasen | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.60 | $210,300 | II | [37] |
| 1990 | Bayakoa (ARG) | 6 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Ron McAnally | Frank & Janis Whitham | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:40.60 | $156,000 | II | [38] |
| 1989 | Goodbye Halo | 4 | Corey Black | Charles E. Whittingham | Alex Campbell Jr. & Arthur B. Hancock III | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.80 | $133,400 | II | [39] |
| 1988 | Clabber Girl | 5 | Chris McCarron | D. Wayne Lukas | John A. Nerud | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.60 | $131,600 | II | [40] |
| 1987 | Infinidad (CHI) | 5 | Corey Black | Charles E. Whittingham | Arthur B. Hancock III | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.40 | $106,650 | II | [41] |
| 1986 | Fran's Valentine | 4 | Bill Shoemaker | Joseph Manzi | Green Thumb Farm | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.40 | $100,000 | II | [42] |
| 1985 | Dontstop Themusic | 5 | Darrel G. McHargue | Randy Winick | Albert R. & Dana N. Broccoli | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.80 | $79,775 | III | [43] |
| 1984 | Princess Rooney | 4 | Pat Valenzuela | Neil D. Drysdale | Paula J. Tucker | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:40.40 | $105,350 | III | [44] |
| 1983 | § Sangue (IRE) | 5 | Bill Shoemaker | Henry M. Moreno | R. Charlene Parks | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.20 | $80,350 | III | [45] |
| 1982 | Matching | 4 | Ray Sibille | Steven L. Morguelan | Glencrest Farm & Steven L. Morguelan | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:40.00 | $79,600 | [46] | |
| 1981 | Save Wild Life | 4 | Chris McCarron | Howard M. Tesher | H. Joseph Allen | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.60 | $81,400 | [47] | |
| 1980 | Wayside Station | 5 | Pat Valenzuela | Edwin J. Gregson | Harris Farms | 7+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:28.80 | $32,875 | Division 1[48] | |
| Galaxy Libra (IRE) | 4 | Bill Shoemaker | Charles E. Whittingham | L. Rowan (Lessee) | 1:29.00 | $32,875 | Division 2[49] | |||
| 1979 | He's Dewan | 4 | Darrel G. McHargue | Jerry M. Fanning | Dan J. Agnew | 7+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:29.00 | $39,600 | [50] | |
| 1978 | Nantequos | 5 | Darrel G. McHargue | Ron McAnally | Mr. & Mrs. Albert Katz | 7+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:29.40 | $33,750 | [51] | |
| 1977 | Notably Different | 5 | Chuck Baltazar | Jay M. Robbins | Arthur, Parsons & Robbins | 7+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:29.20 | $22,375 | Division 1[52] | |
| Authorization | 4 | Darrel G. McHargue | Willard L. Proctor | Glen Hill Farm | 1:29.40 | $22,175 | Division 2[53] | |||
| 1976 | Uniformity | 4 | Rudy Campas | Willard L. Proctor | Glen Hill Farm | 7+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:28.20 | $28,150 | [54] | |
| 1975 | Bahia Key | 5 | Wayne Harris | Robert K. Mitchell | Robert K. Mitchell & Gil Wiener | 1 mile | 1:34.00 | $21,750 | [55] | |
| 1974 | Bahia Key | 4 | Álvaro Pineda | Robert K. Mitchell | Robert K. Mitchell & Gil Wiener | 1 mile | 1:34.20 | $22,650 | [56] | |
| 1973 | Grotonian | 4 | Bill Shoemaker | Charlie Whittingham | Marjorie L. Everett[57] | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.60 | $21,600 | [58] | |
| 1968–1972 | Race not held | |||||||||
| 1967 | Daystar II (ARG) | 5 | Bill Hartack | Farrell W. Jones | Mr. & Mrs. Hastings Harcourt | 1 mile | 1:35.20 | $16,550 | [59] | |
| 1938–1966 | Race not held | |||||||||
| 1937 | High Strike | 2 | Tim Sena | Albert M. Johnson | Bing Crosby | 5+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:06.00 | $1,145 | † Restricted | [1] |
Legend:
Dirt All Weather Track Turf
Notes:
§ Ran as an entry
† In the 1937 the event was restricted to two year olds bred in California