Neha Patil (Editor)

Ballysax Stakes

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Race type
  
Flat / Thoroughbred

Distance
  
1m 2f (2,012 metres)

Track
  
Left-handed

Website
  
Leopardstown

Surface
  
Turf

Location
  
Leopardstown Co. Dublin, Ireland

The Ballysax Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs (2,012 metres) at Leopardstown in April.

Contents

History

The event was formerly held at the Curragh, and it used to be classed at Listed level. It was transferred to Leopardstown in 1993, and promoted to Group 3 status in 2003. The 2014 running was held at Navan as the normal Leopardstown fixture was judged to be too early in the season to serve as a trial race for the European classics.

The Ballysax Stakes is currently run in memory of Patrick W. McGrath (died 2001). McGrath served as chairman of the Racing Board (a precursor of Horse Racing Ireland), which purchased Leopardstown Racecourse in 1967. The race serves as trial race for various European classics and the most recent winner to go on to a classic victory was Harzand, winner of the Epsom Derby in 2016.

Records

Leading jockey since 1986 (6 wins):

  • Michael Kinane – Cheering News (1990), Humbel (1995), Casey Tibbs (1997), Cupid (1999), Galileo (2001), High Chaparral (2002)

    • Leading trainer since 1986 (7 wins):

  • Jim Bolger – Upward Trend (1989), Jet Ski Lady (1991), Shandon Lake (1993), Rhythm'n Roots (2006), Puncher Clynch (2010), Banimpire (2011), Light Heavy (2012)
  • Aidan O'Brien – Cupid (1999), Galileo (2001), High Chaparral (2002), Balestrini (2003), Yeats (2004), Fame and Glory (2009), Battle of Marengo (2013)
  • Dermot Weld - Cheering News (1990), Humbel (1995), Casey Tibbs (1997), Grand Finale (2000), Bobs Pride (2005), Fascinating Rock (2014), Harzand (2016)

    • Winners since 1986

    a The 2014 running took place at Navan.

    References

    Ballysax Stakes Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA