Sandown Classic Trial Explained

Class:Group 3
Horse Race:Sandown Classic Trial
(Bet365 Classic Trial)
Location:Sandown Park
Esher, England
Inaugurated:1953
Race Type:Flat / Thoroughbred
Sponsor:Bet365
Website:Sandown Park
Distance:1m 1f 209y (2,002 m)
Surface:Turf
Track:Right-handed
Qualification:Three-year-olds
Weight:9 st 3 lb
Allowances
3 lb for fillies
Penalties
4 lb for Group 1 or Group 2 winners *
* since 31 August last year
Purse:£85,000 (2024)
1st: £48,204

|}The Sandown Classic Trial is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old horses. It is run over a distance of 1 mile, 1 furlong and 209 yards (2189yd) at Sandown Park in late April.

History

The event was established in 1953, and it was originally called the Royal Stakes.[1] The first running was won by Mountain King.

Ladbrokes became the sponsor of the race in 1971, and from this point it was known as the Ladbroke Classic Trial.[2] It took place at Kempton Park in 1973.[3]

Subsequent sponsors have included The Guardian, Thresher and Betfred. The online gambling company Bet365 took over the sponsorship in 2008.

The Sandown Classic Trial is staged during a two-day meeting which features both flat and jump races. Other events at the meeting include the Bet365 Gold Cup, the Celebration Chase, the Gordon Richards Stakes and the Sandown Mile.

The race can serve as a trial for the Epsom Derby. The most recent participant to win the Derby is Adayar, the 2021 runner-up.

Records

Leading jockey (5 wins):

Leading trainer (9 wins):

Winners since 1974

border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse"
YearWinnerJockeyTrainerTime
1974width=160px Bustinowidth=170px Joe Mercerwidth=180px Dick Hern2:09.91
1975ConsolPat EdderyPeter Walwyn
1976RiboboyJoe MercerDick Hern
1977ArtaiusLester PiggottVincent O'Brien2:11.27
1978WhitsteadBrian TaylorRyan Price
1979TroyWillie CarsonDick Hern
1980HenbitWillie CarsonDick Hern2:11.38
1981ShergarWalter SwinburnMichael Stoute2:09.30
1982PeacetimePat EdderyJeremy Tree
1983GordianGreville StarkeyGuy Harwood
1984AlphabatimBrian RouseGuy Harwood
1985DamisterSteve CauthenJeremy Tree
1986ShahrastaniWalter SwinburnMichael Stoute2:18.77
1987Gulf KingPaul CookPaul Kelleway2:07.35
1988GalitzinRay CochraneClive Brittain2:15.47
1989Old VicSteve CauthenHenry Cecil2:20.65
1990Defensive PlayPat EdderyGuy Harwood2:05.55
1991HailshamMichael RobertsClive Brittain2:08.30
1992Pollen CountSteve CauthenJohn Gosden2:07.85
1993True HeroRay CochraneJohn Gosden2:16.54
1994Linney HeadFrankie DettoriJohn Gosden2:17.00
1995PentireMichael HillsGeoff Wragg2:07.48
1996SantillanaFrankie DettoriJohn Gosden2:06.64
1997Voyagers QuestJohn ReidPeter Chapple-Hyam2:12.54
1998CourteousRichard QuinnPaul Cole2:19.41
1999Fantastic LightDarryll HollandSir Michael Stoute2:15.73
2000SakheeRichard HillsJohn Dunlop2:23.83
2001ChancellorMichael HillsBarry Hills2:36.20
2002SimeonKevin DarleyMark Johnston2:12.98
2003ShieldEddie AhernGerard Butler2:08.32
2004African DreamJimmy QuinnPeter Chapple-Hyam2:12.93
2005FracasJamie SpencerDavid Wachman2:11.36
2006PrimaryDarryll HollandWilliam Haggas2:09.40
2007RegimeFrankie DettoriMichael Bell2:09.65
2008CentennialJimmy FortuneJohn Gosden2:09.61
2009Above AverageMichael HillsBarry Hills2:10.24
2010Azmeel William BuickJohn Gosden2:10.94
2011Genius BeastAhmed AjtebiMahmood Al Zarooni2:11.39
2012Imperial MonarchJoseph O'BrienAidan O'Brien2:27.86
2013Sugar BoyChris HayesPatrick Prendergast2:12.26
2014Western HymnWilliam BuickJohn Gosden2:19.53
2015Master ApprenticeDavid ProbertAndrew Balding2:12.91
2016MidtermRyan MooreSir Michael Stoute2:11.11
2017CuncoRobert TartJohn Gosden2:14.33
2018Sevenna StarFrankie DettoriJohn Gosden2:14.13
2019BangkokSilvestre de SousaAndrew Balding2:09.43
2020Berlin TangoDavid ProbertAndrew Balding2:06.70
2021AlenquerTom MarquandWilliam Haggas2:12.13
2022WestoverRob HornbyRalph Beckett2:13.53
data-sort-value="2023" no race 2023
2024Arabian CrownWilliam BuickCharlie Appleby2:12.61
.

Earlier winners

See also

References

Notes and References

  1. News: 1953 Royal Stakes . . 25 April 1953 . 17 February 2013.
  2. News: 1972 Ladbroke Classic Trial . Glasgow Herald . 21 April 1972 . 17 February 2013.
  3. News: 1973 Ladbroke Classic Trial . Glasgow Herald . 28 April 1973 . 17 February 2013.