Race type Flat / Thoroughbred Website Newmarket Surface Turf | Sponsor Qatar Racing Distance 1m 2f (2,012 metres) | |
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Location Rowley Mile
Newmarket, England | ||
The Newmarket Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old colts and geldings. It is run over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs (2,012 metres) on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket in late April or early May.
Contents
History
The original version of the Newmarket Stakes was established in the early 19th century. It was usually held on the final day of the venue's First Spring meeting in late April or early May. It was run on the Ditch Mile course over distances slightly under a mile. It ended after a period of small fields and walkovers in the 1880s.
A new version of the race was introduced in 1889. From this point it took place at Newmarket's Second Spring meeting in mid-May. It was contested over 1¼ miles, and it became a major trial for the Epsom Derby. It continued until the early 1960s.
The present version of the race was first run in 1978. It was initially called the Heathorn Stakes. The inaugural running was won by the subsequent Derby winner Shirley Heights. It was renamed the Newmarket Stakes in 1986.
The Newmarket Stakes is currently held on the opening day of the two-day Guineas Festival meeting in late April or early May. It is run on the same day as the 2,000 Guineas.
Winners since 1978
a The 2007 winner Salford Mill was later exported to Hong Kong and renamed Helene Mascot.
b The 2009 winner Your Old Pal subsequently raced in Hong Kong as Ride with the Wind.
c The 2010 winner Gardening Leave went on to race in Hong Kong as Treasure Lands.
First Spring version
The original version of the race was held at Newmarket's First Spring Meeting in late April or early May.
* The 1858 race was a dead-heat and has joint winners.
Second Spring version
The next version was held at Newmarket's Second Spring Meeting in mid-May.
* Ard Patrick finished first in 1902, but he was disqualified for bumping and boring.