Blue Riband Trial Stakes

Blue Riband Trial Stakes
Listed race
LocationEpsom Downs
Epsom, England
Inaugurated1937
Race typeFlat / Thoroughbred
SponsorBetfred
WebsiteEpsom Downs
Race information
Distance1m 2f 17y (2,027 m)
SurfaceTurf
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationThree-year-olds
Weight9 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
BonusesWildcard Derby entry
Epsom Derby Trial
2024
Royal blue, white hoop, striped sleeves, white cap, royal blue star Light blue, dark blue armlets, dark blue cap Dark blue
Bellum Justum Defiance Chief Little Rock
Previous years
2023
White, emerald green hoop Black, white triple diamond, white and black striped sleeves, black cap, white diamond White, black seams, white sleeves, black stars, white cap, black star
Epictetus Hadrianus Cite D'Or
2022
Royal blue Mauve Red, white stars and sleeves, red cap
Nahanni Grand Alliance Zain Sarinda
2021
Royal blue Pink and emerald green check, pink sleeves and cap emerald green, mauve cap
Wirko Technique Uncle Bryn
2020-2011
2019
Dark blue Dark blue, white sleeves and cap Emerald green, black chevrons on sleeves
Cape Of Good Hope Cap Francais Turgenev
2018
Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves Dark blue, mauve epaulets, dark blue sleeves, mauve stars and cap Silver, tassel on cap
Crossed Baton My Lord And Master Dee Ex Bee
2017
Black and white (halved), sleeves reversed, red cap Silver, tassel on cap Royal blue
Cracksman Permian Bay Of Poets
2016
Pink, grey sash Light blue, royal blue sleeves, white cap Light blue, orange epaulets
So Mi Dar Humphrey Bogart Viren's Army
2015
Royal blue, orange disc, orange and royal blue striped sleeves and cap Royal blue Purple, red star, red cap
Christophermarlowe Future Empire Sharp Sailor
2014
Yellow, dark blue sleeves, yellow stars, yellow cap, dark blue star Emerald green, black chevrons on sleeves Light blue, pink chevrons, light blue sleeves, light blue cap, pink star
Our Channel Marzocco Stars Over The Sea
2013
Yellow, black sash, black sleeves, yellow armlets, yellow cap, black star Purple, white diamonds on sleeves, check cap Grey, beige star, grey sleeves, beige stars and stars on cap
Mirsaale Another Cocktail Gabrial's Kaka
2012
White, emerald green hoops, dark blue sleeves and cap Yellow, white epaulets Yellow, black sash, white sleeves, black and white quartered cap
Goldoni Mister Music Cameron Highland
2011
Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves Royal blue White, red sash, red and white striped cap
Slumber Borug Planet Waves
2010-2001
2010
Purple, light blue chevron, light blue cap White, dark blue armlets and cap Mauve
Dreamspeed Prompter Togiak
2009
Emerald green, black chevrons on sleeves Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves Emerald green, white chevron, white sleeves, emerald green armlets, red cap
Debussy Midday Popmurphy
2008
Dark Blue, Pink sash, White cap Black and Orange (quartered), Yellow sleeves, Black spots, Yellow cap, Black spots Black, Yellow cap
Curtain Call Drill Sergeant Bold Choice
2007
Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves Royal blue, White chevron, Light blue cap Royal blue, white hoops, white sleeves, royal blue diamonds, royal blue cap
Raincoat Dubai Twilight Spirit of The Mist
2006
Yellow, black diabolo and spots on sleeves Yellow, black epaulets Light Blue and Royal Blue stripes, Royal Blue sleeves, quartered cap
Before You Go Hanoona Sienna Storm
2005
Yellow, black epaulets Aquamarine, black cap Orange, Emerald Green stars
Hallhoo Elliots World Love Palace
2004
Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star Emerald green, royal blue sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots Royal blue, white epaulets, striped cap
Bull Run Bowstring Mutafanen
2003
Dark green and purple diamonds, purple sleeves, quartered cap Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves Silver, dark green sleeves
Franklins Gardens Gala Sunday Silver Gilt
2002
Yellow, royal blue cross of lorraine, armlets and cap Light blue, royal blue star, stars on sleeves, star on cap Light Green and Yellow check, Yellow cap
Swing Wing Mine Host Savannah Bay
2001
Royal blue, white chevron, light blue cap Mauve Royal Blue, Light Blue star, Light Blue and Royal Blue halved sleeves, White cap, Royal Blue star
Storming Home Tamiami Trail Black Knight
2000-1991
2000
Silver, tassel on cap Light Blue and Royal Blue stripes, Royal Blue sleeves, quartered cap Royal blue, yellow stripe, yellow sleeves, royal blue armlets and star on yellow cap
Eternal Spring Modish Galleon Beach
1999
GREEN, red epaulettes, green cap Dark green, white chevron and sleeves, white cap, green star Yellow, large black spots and spots on cap
Daliapour Lightning Arrow Helvetius
1998
Royal blue, silver striped sleeves, red and royal blue hooped cap Blue, white stars, chevrons on sleeves, star on cap Yellow, black cross-belts, quartered cap
The Glow-Worm Achilles Dashing Chief
1997
Black and white check, pink sleeves and cap Light blue and orange diamonds, light blue sleeves, light blue cap, orange star Royal blue, red star, red sleeves, white armlets, red and royal blue quartered cap
Palio Sky Papua Mister Pink
1991
Cherry, black sash, primrose and white quartered cap White, red disc and cap Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star
Fair Average Persianalli Redden Burn
1990-1988
1990
Dark green, white chevron and sleeves, white cap, green star Pink, Royal Blue armlets Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star
Eton Lad Lifewatch Vision Mutah
1989
Black, scarlet cap Dark blue, white cross-belts and armlets, striped cap Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves
Shining Steel Dawn Success Tatsfield
1988
Royal blue, white epaulets, striped cap Emerald green, royal blue sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots GREEN, red epaulettes, green cap
Shuja St Cadoc Ilishpour
 

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

Leading jockey since 1970 (5 wins):

  • Frankie Dettori - Christophermarlowe (2015), So Mi Dar (2016), Cracksman (2017), Crossed Baton (2018), Epictetus (2023)

Leading trainer since 1970 (7 wins):

  • John Gosden - Raincoat (2007), Debussy (2009), Christophermarlowe (2015), So Mi Dar (2016), Cracksman (2017), Crossed Baton (2018), Epictetus (2023)

Winners since 1970

[edit]
Year Winner Jockey Trainer Time
1970 Decies Lester Piggott Bernard van Cutsem 1:52.50
1971 Spoiled Lad Ernie Johnson Bernard van Cutsem 1:43.99
1972 Baragoi Willie Carson Bernard van Cutsem 1:49.50
1973 Gospill Hill Geoff Lewis Noel Murless 1:47.80
1974 Pitcairn Ron Hutchinson John Dunlop 1:44.60
1975 Romper Frank Morby Fulke Johnson Houghton 1:55.30
1976 Oats Pat Eddery Peter Walwyn 1:46.30
1977 Be My Guest Lester Piggott Vincent O'Brien 1:46.45
1978 Roland Gardens Frankie Durr Duncan Sasse 1:48.56
1979 Foveros Edward Hide Clive Brittain
1980 Last Fandango Steve Cauthen Barry Hills
1981 Centurius Walter Swinburn Michael Stoute
1982 Count Pahlen Geoff Baxter Bruce Hobbs
1983 no race [a]
1984 Long Pond George Duffield Paul Kelleway
1985 Lightning Dealer Pat Eddery Paul Kelleway
1986 Beldale Star Greville Starkey Guy Harwood
1987 Lyphento Greville Starkey Guy Harwood
1988 Shuja Richard Hills Harry Thomson Jones 1:55.08
1989 Shining Steel Steve Cauthen Henry Cecil 1:54.30
1990 Eton Lad Pat Eddery Neville Callaghan 1:44.28
1991 Fair Average [b] Chris Rutter Henry Candy 1:40.05
1992 no race 1992–96
1997 Palio Sky Pat Eddery John Dunlop 2:39.94
1998 The Glow-Worm Michael Hills Barry Hills 2:51.44
1999 Daliapour Gérald Mossé Luca Cumani 2:13.38
2000 Eternal Spring Kieren Fallon Ed Dunlop 2:20.81
2001 Storming Home Michael Hills Barry Hills 2:20.79
2002 Swing Wing Jimmy Fortune Paul Cole 2:11.17
2003 Franklins Gardens Darryll Holland Mark Tompkins 2:09.70
2004 Bull Run Johnny Murtagh David Loder 2:20.44
2005 Hallhoo Ted Durcan Mick Channon 2:14.56
2006 Before You Go Ian Mongan Terry Mills 2:14.02
2007 Raincoat Richard Hughes John Gosden 2:08.35
2008 Curtain Call [c] Jamie Spencer Luca Cumani 2:14.44
2009 Debussy Jimmy Fortune John Gosden 2:08.92
2010 Dreamspeed Jimmy Fortune Andrew Balding 2:09.88
2011 Slumber Michael Hills Barry Hills 2:08.98
2012 Goldoni David Probert Andrew Balding 2:22.00
2013 Mirsaale Neil Callan James Tate 2:08.35
2014 Our Channel Ryan Moore William Haggas 2:10.57
2015 Christophermarlowe Frankie Dettori John Gosden 2:07.92
2016 So Mi Dar Frankie Dettori John Gosden 2:18.97
2017 Cracksman Frankie Dettori John Gosden 2:10.73
2018 Crossed Baton Frankie Dettori John Gosden 2:11.35
2019 Cape Of Good Hope Ryan Moore Aidan O'Brien 2:06.28
no race 2020 [d]
2021 Wirko William Buick Charlie Appleby 2:11.41
2022 Nahanni William Buick Charlie Appleby 2:10.48
2023 Epictetus Frankie Dettori John and Thady Gosden 2:20.00
2024 Bellum Justum Oisin Murphy Andrew Balding 2:08.75
  1. ^ The 1983 race was abandoned due to waterlogging
  2. ^ The 1991 running took place at Kempton Park over a distance of 1 mile
  3. ^ The 2008 edition was run at Nottingham over 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 50 yards
  4. ^ The 2020 running was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom[4]

Earlier winners

[edit]
  • 1937: Printer
  • 1938: Chatsworth
  • 1939: Blue Peter
  • 1940–46: no race
  • 1947: Combat
  • 1948: King's Counsel
  • 1949: Grani
  • 1950: Port o'Light
  • 1951: Zucchero
  • 1952: Castleton
  • 1953: Premonition
  • 1954: Ambler II
  • 1955: Sierra Nevada
  • 1956: Monterey
  • 1957: Tempest
  • 1958: Miner's Lamp
  • 1959: My Aladdin
  • 1960: Vienna
  • 1961: No Fiddling
  • 1962: Cyrus
  • 1963: The Bo'sun
  • 1964: Minor Portion
  • 1965: Cambridge
  • 1966: Pretendre
  • 1967: Starry Halo
  • 1968: Society
  • 1969: Caliban

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "1936 Nonsuch Plate". Glasgow Herald. 24 April 1936. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  2. ^ "1937 Blue Riband Trial Stakes". Glasgow Herald. 23 April 1937. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  3. ^ "Progress continues on stayers' project following further Pattern race upgrades". British Horseracing Authority. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  4. ^ "Coronavirus: Horse racing in Great Britain suspended until end of April". BBC Sport. 17 March 2020.
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