Lemons Forever

Lemons Forever (foaled May 24, 2003 in Kentucky) is an American Thoroughbred racehorse best known for winning the Grade 1 132nd Kentucky Oaks horse race on May 5, 2006. Her win was the biggest upset in the history of the Oaks.^[1]

The Kentucky Oaks had a full field of fourteen fillies, with Lemons Forever posting the highest odds, at 47-1. She trailed throughout the race, only to rally late and win by 1½ lengths.

A $2 bet on Lemons Forever paid $96.20, and a $2 trifecta paid $12,186.60.^[2]

Lemons Forever did not make a run for the Triple Tiara of Thoroughbred Racing, the filly equivalent of the Triple Crown, as she did not compete in the second leg of the competition, the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, on May 19.

After winning the Oaks, Lemons Forever raced ten more times (eight in Grade 1 and Grade 2 races), only winning once in an optional claimer and running 3rd in the Grade 1 Alabama Stakes at Saratoga. She was retired in 2007.

Retirement

Lemons Forever sold for $2.5 million at the 2007 Keeneland broodmare sale to geologist Charles Fipke.^[3] As of 2017, she has produced five named foals, four of them winners:^[4]

Lemons Forever was named 2017 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year for her foals Forever Unbridled and Unbridled Forever.^[5]

• Forever Unbridled: Bay filly by Unbridled's Song foaled in 2012, by Unbridled's Song, multiple graded stakes winner including Grade I wins in the 2017 Breeders' Cup Distaff, Apple Blossom Handicap, Beldame Stakes and Personal Ensign Stakes - earnings of over $2 million. 2017 American Champion Older Dirt Female Horse.
• Unbridled Forever: Bay filly foaled in 2011 by sire Unbridled's Song, ran 3rd in the 2014 Kentucky Oaks and as a 4-year-old won the Gr.1 Ballerina Stakes, earning over $800,000 in her career.
• Perfect Forever: Chestnut filly foaled in 2009 by sire Perfect Soul, winless in twelve starts
• Forever Perfect: Chestnut colt foaled in 2009 by sire Perfect Soul, two wins in eighteen starts. Stallion in Houston, Ohio.
• Forever d'Oro: Bay colt foaled in 2013 by top sire Medaglia d'Oro, one win from six starts (as of November 2017). Stakes placed. Competed in 2016 Belmont Stakes.
• Lemons Medaglia: Bay filly foaled in 2016 by Medaglia d'Oro.

References