International Stakes
| Location | York Racecourse York, England |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1972 |
| Race type | Flat / Thoroughbred |
| Sponsor | Juddmonte |
| Website | York |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1m 2f 88y (2,092 m) |
| Track | Turf, left-handed |
| Qualification | Three-years-old and up |
| Weight | 8 st 11 lb (3yo); 9 st 5 lb (4yo+) Allowances 3 lb for fillies and mares |
| Purse | £700,000 (2011) 1st: £396,970 |
The International Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at York over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 88 yards (2,092 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in August.
Contents |
[edit] History
The event was devised by Major Leslie Petch, a former Clerk of the Course at York. It was first run in 1972, but by this time Petch had resigned from his position due to ill health. The race was originally sponsored by Benson and Hedges and called the Benson and Hedges Gold Cup. The inaugural running was won by Roberto, that year's Derby winner. The second-placed horse was Brigadier Gerard – his only defeat in a career of eighteen races.
The sponsorship of Benson and Hedges continued until 1985, and for the following two years the event was backed by the bloodstock company Matchmaker. Its title during this period was the Matchmaker International. The present sponsor, Juddmonte Farms, started supporting the race in 1989. It is now familiarly known as the Juddmonte International.
The International Stakes is currently held on the opening day of York's four-day Ebor Festival meeting. It is the venue's richest race of the season.
[edit] Records
Most successful horse (2 wins):
Leading jockey (5 wins):
- Lester Piggott – Dahlia (1974, 1975), Hawaiian Sound (1978), Commanche Run (1985), Rodrigo de Triano (1992)
- Frankie Dettori – Halling (1996), Singspiel (1997), Sakhee (2001), Sulamani (2004), Authorized (2007)
Leading trainer (5 wins):
- Sir Michael Stoute – Shardari (1986), Ezzoud (1993, 1994), Singspiel (1997), Notnowcato (2006)
Leading owner (4 wins):
- Robert Sangster – Hawaiian Sound (1978), Assert (1982), Caerleon (1983), Rodrigo de Triano (1992)
- Godolphin – Halling (1995, 1996), Sakhee (2001), Sulamani (2004)
[edit] Winners
a Persian Heights finished first in 1988, but he was relegated to third place following a stewards' inquiry.
b The 2008 running took place at Newmarket over 1 mile and 2 furlongs.
[edit] See also
- Horseracing in Great Britain
- List of British flat horse races
- Recurring sporting events established in 1972 – this race is included under its original title, Benson and Hedges Gold Cup.
[edit] References
- galopp-sieger.de – International Stakes (ex Benson & Hedges Gold Cup).
- horseracingintfed.com – International Federation of Horseracing Authorities – International Stakes (2011).
- pedigreequery.com – International Stakes – York.
- Abelson, Edward; John Tyrrel (1993). The Breedon Book of Horse Racing Records. Breedon Books. p. 149. ISBN 1-873626-15-0.
