Duke of York Stakes
| Group 2 race | |
| Location | York Racecourse York, England |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1968 |
| Race type | Flat / Thoroughbred |
| Sponsor | Blue Square |
| Website | York |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 6f (1,207 metres) |
| Track | Turf, straight |
| Qualification | Three-years-old and up |
| Weight | 8 st 11 lb (3yo); 9 st 7 lb (4yo+) Allowances 3 lb for fillies and mares Penalties 5 lb for Group 1 winners * 3 lb for Group 2 winners * * since August 31 last year |
| Purse | £100,000 (2009) 1st: £60,545 |
The Duke of York Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at York over a distance of 6 furlongs (1,207 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in May.
The present Duke of York Stakes was established at York in 1968. At the time of its launch, however, there was no Duke of York (a title usually given to the second son of the British monarch). The leading horses from the race often go on to compete in the following month's Golden Jubilee Stakes.
A different event with the same name was formerly held at Kempton Park. It was a handicap race, and it was run over a distance of 1¼ miles. Winners included Sceptre (1903), Papyrus (1923) and Pharos (1924, 1925). This version of the Duke of York Stakes was discontinued in the late 1950s.
Records
Most successful horse (2 wins):
- Handsome Sailor – 1987, 1988
Leading jockey (4 wins):
- Lester Piggott – The Brianstan (1971), Steel Heart (1975), Thatching (1979), Vorvados (1983)
- Steve Cauthen – Flash n' Thunder (1980), Jester (1982), Indian Ridge (1989), Lugana Beach (1990)
- Michael Hills – Handsome Sailor (1988), Owington (1994), Royal Applause (1997), Steenberg (2006)
Leading trainer (6 wins):
- Barry Hills – Noble Mark (1974), Flash n' Thunder (1980), Jester (1982), Handsome Sailor (1987, 1988), Royal Applause (1997)
Winners since 1980
Earlier winners
- 1968 - Hard Water
- 1969 - Great Bear
- 1970 - Fluke
- 1971 - The Brianstan
- 1972 - Stilvi
- 1973 - Abwah
- 1974 - Noble Mark
- 1975 - Steel Heart
References
- galopp-sieger.de – Duke of York Stakes.
- horseracingintfed.com – International Federation of Horseracing Authorities – Duke of York Stakes (2009).
- pedigreequery.com – Duke of York Stakes – York.
- The Breedon Book of Horse Racing Records. Breedon Books. 1993. p. 44. ISBN 1-873626-15-0.