Royal Whip Stakes Explained

Class:Group 3
Horse Race:Royal Whip Stakes
Location:Curragh Racecourse
County Kildare, Ireland
Inaugurated:1821
Race Type:Flat / Thoroughbred
Sponsor:Fitzdares
Website:Curragh
Distance:1m 2f (2,012 metres)
Surface:Turf
Track:Right-handed
Qualification:Three-years-old and up
Weight:8 st 13 lb (3yo);
9 st 6 lb (4yo+)
Allowances
3 lb for fillies and mares
Penalties
5 lb for G1 / G2 winners
3 lb for G3 winners *
* since 1 January
Purse:€51,700 (2022)
1st: €32,450

|}The Royal Whip Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs (2,012 metres) at the Curragh in August.

History

The event was established in 1821, and it was originally a long-distance race for horses aged four or older. It was named after its trophy, a gold-handled whip presented to the Irish Turf Club by King George IV. It was initially one of a series of races known as the Royal Plates.

The trophy was replaced by a new whip provided by King William IV in 1830.[1] The event was opened to three-year-olds in 1832. It was limited to Irish-bred horses for a period after the 1860s.

The Royal Whip Stakes was cut to miles in 1925, and to 2 miles in 1936. Its original prize fund of 100 guineas remained unchanged until 1954. From this point it was contested over miles.

The race was given Group 3 status in the early 1970s. It was shortened to miles in 1995, and promoted to Group 2 level in 1998. It was relegated back to Group 3 in 2013.[2]

With its edition in, the Royal Whip Stakes is Ireland's oldest continuously run horse race.

Records

Most successful horse (3 wins):

Leading jockey since 1950 (7 wins):

Leading trainer since 1950 (13 wins):

Winners since 1977

border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size:90%"
YearWinnerAgeJockeyTrainerTime
1977width=150px Alleged3width=160px Peadar Matthewswidth=170px Vincent O'Brien2:43.20
1978Alleged4Lester PiggottVincent O'Brien2:36.40
1979The Bart3Christy RocheTed Curtin
1980My Hollow5Declan GillespieJim Bolger
1981Last Light3Pat EdderyVincent O'Brien
1982Lords3Pat EdderyVincent O'Brien
1983Condell4Declan GillespieJim Bolger
1984Empire Glory3Pat EdderyVincent O'Brien
1985Kamakura3Michael KinaneDermot Weld
1986Dubian4Pat EdderyAlec Stewart
1987Baba Karam3Declan GillespieVincent O'Brien2:34.30
1988Heavenly Manna3Christy RochePaddy Mullins2:46.80
1989Beyond the Lake3Michael KinaneDermot Weld2:35.50
1990Splash of Colour3John ReidVincent O'Brien2:32.20
1991George Augustus3Johnny MurtaghJohn Oxx2:54.80
1992Jahafil4Willie CarsonDick Hern2:36.20
1993Rayseka3Michael KinaneJohn Oxx2:35.90
1994Dancing Sunset 3Christy RocheAidan O'Brien2:34.00
1995Shemaran3Johnny MurtaghJohn Oxx2:02.90
1996Pilsudski4Walter SwinburnMichael Stoute2:03.00
1997King Alex4Michael KinaneRoger Charlton2:04.80
1998Make No Mistake3Michael KinaneDermot Weld2:01.80
1999Zomaradah4John ReidLuca Cumani2:04.00
2000Takali3Johnny MurtaghJohn Oxx2:13.70
2001Bach4Michael KinaneAidan O'Brien2:12.20
2002Chancellor4Michael HillsBarry Hills2:11.10
2003High Chaparral4Michael KinaneAidan O'Brien2:04.80
2004Solskjaer4Jamie SpencerAidan O'Brien2:02.90
2005Tropical Lady5Kevin ManningJim Bolger2:07.60
2006Mustameet5Declan McDonoghKevin Prendergast2:07.30
2007Eagle Mountain3Kieren FallonAidan O'Brien2:15.59
2008King of Rome 3Johnny MurtaghAidan O'Brien2:12.84
2009Casual Conquest4Pat SmullenDermot Weld2:15.74
2010Fame and Glory4Johnny MurtaghAidan O'Brien2:06.62
2011Banimpire3Kevin ManningJim Bolger2:10.43
2012Famous Name7Pat SmullenDermot Weld2:19.39
2013Maputo3Joe FanningMark Johnston2:08.13
2014Hall of Mirrors4Seamie HeffernanAidan O'Brien2:11.46
2015Found3Seamie HeffernanAidan O'Brien2:09.88
2016Success Days4Shane FoleyKen Condon2:13.27
2017Shamreen4Pat SmullenDermot Weld2:11.44
2018Beautiful Morning5Colm O'DonoghueJessica Harrington2:09.63
2019Buckhurst3Donnacha O'BrienJoseph O'Brien2:13.99
2020Armory 3Seamie HeffernanAidan O'Brien2:10.84
2021Earlswood3Shane B KellyJohnny Murtagh2:09.26
2022Luxembourg3Ryan MooreAidan O'Brien2:10.84
2023Layfayette6Colin KeaneNoel Meade2:07.41
2024Continuous4Ryan MooreAidan O'Brien2:04.09

Earlier winners

See also

References

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Notes and References

  1. Web site: Irish Horse Racing connections with the Royal Family . . 9 October 2011.
  2. Web site: Eight races upgraded by European Pattern Committee . the-racehorse.com . 5 March 2013 . 1 April 2013.

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