Blue Riband Trial Stakes Explained

Class:Listed
Horse Race:Blue Riband Trial Stakes
Location:Epsom Downs
Epsom, England
Inaugurated:1937
Race Type:Flat / Thoroughbred
Sponsor:Betfred
Website:Epsom Downs
Distance:1m 2f 17y (2,027 m)
Surface:Turf
Track:Left-handed
Qualification:Three-year-olds
Weight:9 st 3 lb
Allowances
5 lb for fillies
Penalties
5 lb for Group 1 or 2 winners
3 lb for Group 3 or Listed winners
Purse:£50,000 (2024)
1st: £28,355
Bonuses:Wildcard Derby entry

|}The Blue Riband Trial Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old horses. It is run over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 17 yards (2,027 metres) at Epsom in April.

History

Established in 1937, the Blue Riband Trial Stakes replaced a previous event called the Nonsuch Plate.[1] It was originally contested over 1 mile and 110 yards.[2]

The present system of race grading was introduced in 1971, and the Blue Riband Trial Stakes was given Group 3 status. It was relegated to Listed level in 1986, and it later became an ungraded conditions race.

The Blue Riband Trial Stakes was discontinued for several years in the mid-1990s. It returned in 1997, and from this point its distance was 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 10 yards. It was cut to 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 18 yards in 1999.

The race was renamed the Investec Derby Trial in 2010, when the banking group Investec took over the sponsorship. The race reverted to its original name of Blue Riband Trial from the 2018 running.

The event can serve as a trial for The Derby (flat racing's "Blue Riband"). It was upgraded to Listed status again in 2018.[3]

The last winner of the trial to achieve victory in the Derby was Blue Peter in 1939.

Records

Leading jockey since 1970 (5 wins):

Leading trainer since 1970 (7 wins):

Winners since 1970

border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse"
YearWinnerJockeyTrainerTime
1970width=160px Decieswidth=170px Lester Piggottwidth=180px Bernard van Cutsem1:52.50
1971Spoiled LadErnie JohnsonBernard van Cutsem1:43.99
1972BaragoiWillie CarsonBernard van Cutsem1:49.50
1973Gospill HillGeoff LewisNoel Murless1:47.80
1974PitcairnRon HutchinsonJohn Dunlop1:44.60
1975RomperFrank MorbyFulke Johnson Houghton1:55.30
1976OatsPat EdderyPeter Walwyn1:46.30
1977Be My GuestLester PiggottVincent O'Brien1:46.45
1978Roland GardensFrankie DurrDuncan Sasse1:48.56
1979FoverosEdward HideClive Brittain
1980Last FandangoSteve CauthenBarry Hills
1981CenturiusWalter SwinburnMichael Stoute
1982Count PahlenGeoff BaxterBruce Hobbs
1983no race
1984Long PondGeorge DuffieldPaul Kelleway
1985Lightning DealerPat EdderyPaul Kelleway
1986Beldale StarGreville StarkeyGuy Harwood
1987LyphentoGreville StarkeyGuy Harwood
1988ShujaRichard HillsHarry Thomson Jones1:55.08
1989Shining SteelSteve CauthenHenry Cecil1:54.30
1990Eton LadPat EdderyNeville Callaghan1:44.28
1991Fair Average Chris RutterHenry Candy1:40.05
1992no race 1992–96
1997Palio SkyPat EdderyJohn Dunlop2:39.94
1998The Glow-WormMichael HillsBarry Hills2:51.44
1999DaliapourGérald MosséLuca Cumani2:13.38
2000Eternal SpringKieren FallonEd Dunlop2:20.81
2001Storming HomeMichael HillsBarry Hills2:20.79
2002Swing WingJimmy FortunePaul Cole2:11.17
2003Franklins GardensDarryll HollandMark Tompkins2:09.70
2004Bull RunJohnny MurtaghDavid Loder2:20.44
2005HallhooTed DurcanMick Channon2:14.56
2006Before You GoIan MonganTerry Mills2:14.02
2007RaincoatRichard HughesJohn Gosden2:08.35
2008Curtain Call Jamie SpencerLuca Cumani2:14.44
2009DebussyJimmy FortuneJohn Gosden2:08.92
2010DreamspeedJimmy FortuneAndrew Balding2:09.88
2011SlumberMichael HillsBarry Hills2:08.98
2012GoldoniDavid ProbertAndrew Balding2:22.00
2013MirsaaleNeil CallanJames Tate2:08.35
2014Our ChannelRyan MooreWilliam Haggas2:10.57
2015ChristophermarloweFrankie DettoriJohn Gosden2:07.92
2016So Mi DarFrankie DettoriJohn Gosden2:18.97
2017CracksmanFrankie DettoriJohn Gosden2:10.73
2018Crossed Baton Frankie DettoriJohn Gosden2:11.35
2019Cape Of Good HopeRyan MooreAidan O'Brien2:06.28
data-sort-value="2020" no race 2020
2021Wirko William BuickCharlie Appleby2:11.41
2022NahanniWilliam BuickCharlie Appleby2:10.48
2023EpictetusFrankie DettoriJohn and Thady Gosden2:20.00
2024Bellum JustumOisin MurphyAndrew Balding2:08.75

Earlier winners

See also

References

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Notes and References

  1. News: 1936 Nonsuch Plate . . 24 April 1936 . 17 February 2013.
  2. News: 1937 Blue Riband Trial Stakes . Glasgow Herald . 23 April 1937 . 17 February 2013.
  3. Web site: Progress continues on stayers’ project following further Pattern race upgrades. British Horseracing Authority. 26 April 2018.