March Stakes Explained

Horse Race:March Stakes
Location:Goodwood Racecourse
W. Sussex, England
Inaugurated:1965
Race Type:Flat
Sponsor:William Hill
Website:Goodwood
Distance:1m 6f (2,816 metres)
Surface:Turf
Track:Right-handed
Qualification:Three-years-old
Weight:9 st 4 lb
Allowances
5 lb for fillies and mares
Penalties
5 lb for Group 1 or 2 winners *
3 lb for Group 3 winners *
* after 2021
Purse:£100,000 (2022)
1st: £56,710

|}The March Stakes was a flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged three years. It was run at Goodwood over a distance of 1 mile and 6 furlongs (2,816 metres), and was scheduled to take place each year in late August.

History

The event was named after the Earldom of March, a title inherited by the eldest son of the Duke of Richmond, the owner of Goodwood Racecourse. It was established when a new fixture was introduced at the venue in 1965.

The race was originally restricted to three-year-olds, and it was formerly a leading trial for the St. Leger Stakes. The first horse to achieve victory in both events was Commanche Run in 1984, and the latest was Michelozzo in 1989.

The March Stakes was opened to older horses in 1999 and closed to them again from 2017.[1] In 2018 it was upgraded to Group 3 status as part of the European Pattern Committee's commitment to improving the race programme for stayers in Europe.[2] The race was removed from the Pattern and Listed race programme in 2023.[3]

From 2018 the race was run in memory of John Dunlop (1939-2018), a racehorse trainer who trained at Arundel, near Goodwood.

Records

Most successful horse (2 wins):

Leading jockey (4 wins):

Leading trainer (7 wins):

Winners

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YearWinnerAgeJockeyTrainerTime
1965width=150px Vivat Rex3width=160px Johnny Roewidth=170px Walter Wharton
1966Wrekin Rambler3T. StringerSir Gordon Richards
1967Dart Board3Scobie BreasleySir Gordon Richards
1968Deep Sapphire3S. SmithCecil Boyd-Rochfort
1969Ribofilio3Lester PiggottFulke Johnson Houghton
1970Hazy Idea3Lester PiggottDick Hern
1971Alderney3Geoff BaxterArthur Budgett
1972Scottish Rifle3Ron HutchinsonJohn Dunlop
1973Honey Crepe3Paul CookJack Watts
1974Crash Course3Tony KimberleyJeremy Hindley
1975Whip It Quick3Tony MurrayRyan Price
1976Marquis de Sade3Brian TaylorRyan Price
1977Sporting Yankee3Pat EdderyPeter Walwyn
1978Le Moss3Joe MercerHenry Cecil
1979Torus 3John ReidFulke Johnson Houghton
1980Water Mill3Willie CarsonDick Hern
1981Capstan3Joe MercerDick Hern
1982Santella Man3Greville StarkeyGuy Harwood
1983Band3Willie CarsonDick Hern
1984Commanche Run3Darrel McHargueLuca Cumani
1985no race 1985
1986Celestial Storm3Walter SwinburnLuca Cumani3:03.61
1987Ala Hounak3Billy NewnesFrankie Durr2:57.88
1988Zaffaran3Walter SwinburnMichael Stoute3:03.44
1989Michelozzo3Steve CauthenHenry Cecil3:00.77
1990River God3Steve CauthenHenry Cecil3:01.97
1991Jahafil3Willie CarsonDick Hern3:02.25
1992Rain Rider3Willie CarsonJohn Dunlop3:07.71
1993Shaiba3Michael RobertsMichael Stoute3:01.86
1994Midnight Legend3Frankie DettoriLuca Cumani3:04.07
1995Jellaby Askhir3Ray CochraneReg Akehurst3:03.40
1996Sharaf Kabeer3Frankie DettoriSaeed bin Suroor3:06.57
1997Pentad3Frankie DettoriRoger Charlton3:06.39
1998Ta-Lim3Richard HillsSir Michael Stoute3:09.16
1999Yavana's Pace7Richard HughesMark Johnston3:04.70
2000Alva Glen3Pat EdderySir Michael Stoute3:05.13
2001Shamaiel4Jamie SpencerGerard Butler3:01.74
2002First Charter3Kieren FallonSir Michael Stoute3:01.00
2003First Charter4Kieren FallonSir Michael Stoute3:00.43
2004Orange Touch4Johnny MurtaghAmanda Perrett3:09.47
2005Mubtaker8Richard HillsMarcus Tregoning3:02.27
2006Jadalee3Dale GibsonMarcus Tregoning3:02.37
2007Tungsten Strike6Darryll HollandAmanda Perrett3:04.47
2008Tungsten Strike7Darryll HollandAmanda Perrett3:06.28
2009Mourilyan5Ryan MooreGary L. Moore3:00.71
2010Drunken Sailor5Kieren FallonLuca Cumani3:07.34
2011Motrice4Seb SandersSir Mark Prescott3:03.42
2012Quest for Peace4Richard HughesLuca Cumani3:07.99
2013Harris Tweed6George BakerWilliam Haggas3:04.87
2014Forever Now3William BuickJohn Gosden3:02.43
2015The Twisler3Frederik TylickiJane Chapple-Hyam3:05.07
2016Platitude3Andrea AtzeniSir Michael Stoute3:00.28
2017Call To Mind3Pat CosgraveWilliam Haggas3:05.23
2018Maid Up3Rob HornbyAndrew Balding3:02.76
2019 Sir Ron Priestley3Franny NortonMark Johnston3:01.21
2020Subjectivist3Joe FanningMark Johnston3:11.09
2021Dancing King3Joe FanningMark Johnston3:01.62
2022Hoo Ya Mal3William BuickGeorge Boughey3:04.31

See also

References

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----horseracingintfed.comInternational Federation of Horseracing Authorities – March Stakes (2018).

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Qatar Goodwood Cup and Ascot's Queen's Vase upgraded as part of British Racing's long-term plan to safeguard the staying breed. BHA. 16 March 2017.
  2. Web site: Progress continues on stayers' project following further Pattern race upgrades. British Horseracing Authority. 23 August 2018.
  3. Web site: Update from the BHA's Flat Pattern Committee . British Horseracing Authority . 3 March 2023 . 18 January 2023.