The Oak Tree Stakes, founded as the New Stand Stakes to mark the opening of the new grandstand opened by Queen Elizabeth II, was first staged in 1980 over 7 furlongs for fillies and mares 3-years-old and above, being classed as a Listed race. In 1981, as a one-off, it was named the Royal Wedding Day Stakes as it took place on the same day Princess Diana was married, but a year later, to celebrate the close association between Goodwood Racecourse and Oak Tree Racing in California, it became the Oak Tree Stakes. A reciprocal Goodwood Stakes was held at the Oak Tree meeting at Santa Anita Park racecourse in the USA. The Oak Tree Stakes was given Group 3 status in 2004, while between 2014 and 2018 the race became known as the L’Omarins Queen’s Plate after the sponsoring company, before reverting to the Oak Tree Stakes which is traditionally staged on the penultimate day of the Festival.
Early history:- The inaugural running of the Oak Tree Stakes, run as the New Stand Stakes, was on Tuesday 29th July 1980 when Lord McAlpine’s Trevita defeated Premier Rose and Our Home.