The Blandford Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged three years or older. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs (2,012 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.

Blandford Stakes
Group 2 race
LocationCurragh Racecourse
County Kildare, Ireland
Race typeFlat / Thoroughbred
SponsorMoyglare Stud
WebsiteCurragh
Race information
Distance1m 2f (2,012 metres)
SurfaceTurf
TrackRight-handed
QualificationThree-years-old and up
fillies and mares
Weight9 st 0 lb (3yo);
9 st 5 lb (4yo+)
Penalties
3 lb for Group 1 winners *
* since 1 January
Purse€188,000 (2022)
1st: €118,000
Blandford Stakes
2024
Green, red epaulettes, green cap Maroon, royal blue hoop, royal blue sleeves, quartered cap Light blue, white and pink striped sleeves, pink cap
Hanalia Wingspan Purple Lily
Previous years
2023
Yellow and red chevrons, hooped cap Pink, royal blue cap, pink spots Black, white slvs, red cap, black star
Lumiere Rock Jackie Oh Trevaunance
2022
Dark blue Dark blue, maroon panel, white cap Purple, white seams, striped sleeves, purple cap
Above The Curve Insinuendo Galleria Borghese
2021
Emerald green, red chevron, red cap, emerald green diamond Royal blue, orange disc, striped sleeves and cap Maroon, yellow stars on sleeves, maroon cap
La Petite Coco Love Thundering Nights
2020-2011
2020
Forest green, white seams on sleeves, red cap Black, white slvs, red cap, black star Maroon, yellow stars on sleeves, maroon cap
Cayenne Pepper Amma Grace Thundering Nights
2019
Green, red epaulettes, green cap Dark blue pink
Tarnawa Goddess Credenza
2018
Green, red epaulettes, green cap White, emerald green hoop, white cap Yellow, maroon hoop, white sleeves and cap
Eziyra Who's Steph I'm So Fancy
2017
Green, red epaulettes, green cap Forest green, white seams on sleeves, red cap Dark blue
Shamreen Beautiful Morning Rain Goddess
2016
Green, red epaulettes, green cap Royal blue, orange disc, striped sleeves and cap Dark blue
Shamreen Best In The World Santa Monica
2015
White, large black spots, black cap Dark blue Dark blue, light blue cross sashes, diabolo on sleeves, white cap
Ribbons Tapestry Bocca Baciata
2014
Royal Blue, White epaulets, striped cap Purple, white seams, striped sleeves, purple cap Claret, gold braid, claret sleeves and cap
Tarfasha Chicquita Roheryn
2013
Royal blue and red chevrons, red and white striped sleeves, red and white quartered cap Emerald green, pink sash, white sleeves, pink cap Dark blue
Belle de Crecy Hot Snap Magical Dream
2012
Purple, white seams, striped sleeves, purple cap Emerald green, pink sash, white sleeves, pink cap Yellow, black epaulettes, yellow cap
Up Caponata Nahrain
2011
White, one red and one green stripe, green and red quartered cap Black, white slvs, red cap, black star Dark blue
Manieree Sapphire Look At Me
2010-2001
2010
Pale blue, white and yellow check cap Purple and yellow diamonds, purple cap, yellow diamond White, black sash, black cap
Eleanora Duse She's Our Mark Choose Me
2009
Black and white hoops, royal blue cap, white star Dark blue Purple and yellow diamonds, purple cap, yellow diamond
Chinese White Roman Empress She's Our Mark
2008
GREEN, red epaulettes, green cap BLACK and WHITE HOOPS, royal blue cap, white star ROYAL BLUE, orange disc, striped sleeves and cap
Katiyra Beach Bunny Love To Dance
2007
GREEN, red epaulettes, green cap Red, white sash, royal blue cap Bronze
Four Sins Queen's Best Dalvina
2006
Red, white sash, royal blue cap FRENCH GREY, light blue hoop and cap Red, white seams, red sleeves, white cap, red stars
Red Bloom Sina Cova Paris Winds
2005
Red, white sash, royal blue cap Royal blue, white chevron, light blue cap Yellow, black hoop, black sleeves, yellow stars, yellow cap, black star
Red Bloom Pictavia Kinnaird
2004
Dark blue, yellow armlets and cap Yellow, black hoop, black sleeves, yellow stars, yellow cap, black star Royal blue, orange disc, striped sleeves and cap
Monturani Kinnaird All Too Beautiful
2003
Red, white sash, royal blue cap Emerald green, yellow chevrons, hoop on cap Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star
Chorist Place Rouge Dossier
2002
Black, white sleeves, red cap, black star Red, white sash, royal blue cap White, large pale blue spots, red cap, white spots
Irresistible Jewel Chorist Miss Honorine
2001
Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star Royal blue, red chevron, red cap, blue diamond Yellow, black epaulets
Dearly Affianced Tarfshi
2000-1991
2000
BLACK and WHITE HOOPS, emerald green cap, white star MAROON and WHITE DIABOLO, white sleeves, maroon cap White, black seams, yellow and white halved sleeves, yellow cap
Chiang Mai Chimes At Midnight Happy Change
1999
Dark blue, yellow cap Dark blue Black, white sleeves, red cap, black star
Insatiable Theatreworld Lisieux Rose
1998
Black, white sleeves, red cap, black star Yellow, red sleeves, blue cap, red star Maroon and Beige diabolo, Beige cap
Lisieux Rose Golden Rule Largesse
1997
Royal blue, white epaulets, striped cap CERISE, sky blue cap with cerise hoop Orange and purple (quartered), orange sleeves, quartered cap
Quws Spirit Of Tara Vivo
1996
Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star Royal blue, white chevron, light blue cap Royal blue, white chevron, light blue cap
Predappio Sanoosea Mohaajir
1995
YELLOW, royal blue epaulettes, yellow cap, royal blue star Maroon and blue check, white cap, blue star White, green chevron, gold cap
Humbel Ballykett Nancy Idris
1994
Red, white triple diamond, light blue sleeves, white cap Orange, black sleeves, quartered cap emerald Green, Red epaulettes
Royal Ballerina Alriffa Karikata
1993
Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star Scarlet, white sleeves, scarlet cap, white hoop emerald Green, Red epaulettes
Foresee Portrait Gallery Balawhar
1992
BLACK and WHITE HOOPS, emerald green cap, white star BROWN and YELLOW QUARTERED, yellow sleeves, check cap emerald Green, Red epaulettes
Andros Bay Arrikala Ebaziya
1991
Mauve emerald Green, Red epaulettes Emerald green, royal blue sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots
Topanoora Zafadola Favoured Nations
1990-1988
1990
Emerald Green, Black and Emerald Green striped sleeves, Black cap Mauve Light Blue, Chocolate sleeves, hooped cap
Sesame Topanoora Mr Pintips
1989
Orange, maroon hoop and armlets, black and orange quartered cap Royal blue, white epaulets, striped cap Light blue, dark blue diamond and diamond on cap
Indian Queen Tursanah Tyrone Bridge
1988
Emerald green, royal blue sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots Royal blue, white epaulets, striped cap Orange, white star on body and cap
Kris Kringle Almaarad Eurobird
 

History

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The event is named after Blandford, a successful sire in the 1930s. It was formerly open to horses of either gender, and used to be contested over 1 mile and 4 furlongs.[citation needed]

The race was held in mid-October during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Its distance was shortened by a furlong in 1994. It was relegated from Group 2 to Group 3 level in 1999, and from this point it took place in mid-September.[citation needed]

The Blandford Stakes was cut to its present length and restricted to fillies and mares in 2001. It regained Group 2 status in 2004. It is currently part of the Irish Champions Weekend meeting.[citation needed]

Records

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Most successful horse since 1947 (2 wins):

  • Nemain – 1985, 1986
  • Red Bloom – 2005, 2006
  • Shamreen - 2016, 2017

Leading jockey since 1950 (5 wins):

  • Liam WardBeau Sire (1950), Do Well (1951), Jongleur (1956), Wenona (1968), Riboprince (1970)
  • Michael KinaneHumbel (1995), Insatiable (1999), Chiang Mai (2000), Four Sins (2007), Katiyra (2008)
  • Pat Smullen - Irrestible Jewel (2002), Chinese White (2009), Tarfasha (2014), Shamreen (2016, 2017)

Leading trainer since 1950 (15 wins):

  • Vincent O'BrienLittle Mo (1959), Silver Moon (1961), Donato (1965), Wenona (1968), Riboprince (1970), Wenceslas (1971), Manitoulin (1972), Richard Grenville (1974), King Pellinore (1975), Gonzales (1980), Magesterial (1981), Lords (1982), South Atlantic (1983), Kris Kringle (1988), Andros Bay (1992)

Winners since 1980

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Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Time
1980 Gonzales 3 Tommy Murphy Vincent O'Brien 2:40.30
1981 Magesterial 4 Pat Eddery Vincent O'Brien 2:34.50
1982 Lords 3 Pat Eddery Vincent O'Brien 2:32.00
1983 South Atlantic 3 Pat Eddery Vincent O'Brien 2:31.30
1984 Arctic Lord 4 Christy Roche David O'Brien 2:38.40
1985 Nemain 3 Christy Roche David O'Brien 2:42.80
1986 Nemain 4 Christy Roche David O'Brien 2:41.30
1987 Eurobird 3 Cash Asmussen John Oxx 2:46.90
1988 Kris Kringle 3 John Reid Vincent O'Brien 2:45.60
1989 Indian Queen 4 Declan Gillespie William Hastings-Bass 2:40.70
1990 Sesame 5 Gary Hind David Morley 2:37.30
1991 Topanoora 4 Christy Roche Jim Bolger 2:41.40
1992 Andros Bay 3 Lester Piggott Vincent O'Brien 2:37.50
1993 Foresee 3 Johnny Murtagh John Oxx 2:45.70
1994 Royal Ballerina 4 Warren O'Connor Michael Kauntze 2:25.50
1995 Humbel 3 Michael Kinane Dermot Weld 2:25.60
1996 Predappio 3 Pat Shanahan John Oxx 2:30.30
1997 Quws 3 Stephen Craine Kevin Prendergast 2:32.90
1998 Lisieux Rose 3 Pat Shanahan Dermot Weld 2:31.90
1999 Insatiable 6 Michael Kinane Sir Michael Stoute 2:31.50
2000 Chiang Mai 3 Michael Kinane Aidan O'Brien 2:27.20
2001 Dearly 3 Fran Berry John Oxx 2:11.20
2002 Irresistible Jewel 3 Pat Smullen Dermot Weld 2:08.70
2003 Chorist 4 Darryll Holland William Haggas 2:02.60
2004 Monturani 5 Ted Durcan Geoff Wragg 2:05.40
2005 Red Bloom 4 Kieren Fallon Sir Michael Stoute 2:05.10
2006 Red Bloom 5 Jamie Spencer Sir Michael Stoute 2:05.70
2007 Four Sins 3 Michael Kinane John Oxx 2:09.34
2008 Katiyra 3 Michael Kinane John Oxx 2:14.30
2009 Chinese White 4 Pat Smullen Dermot Weld 2:17.35
2010 Eleanora Duse 3 Ryan Moore Sir Michael Stoute 2:10.69
2011 Manieree 3 Niall McCullagh John Oxx 2:12.00
2012 Up 3 Joseph O'Brien Aidan O'Brien 2:03.00
2013 Belle de Crecy 4 Johnny Murtagh Johnny Murtagh 2:04.75
2014 Tarfasha 3 Pat Smullen Dermot Weld 2:04.67
2015 Ribbons 5 Tom Queally James Fanshawe 2:10.14
2016 Shamreen 3 Pat Smullen Dermot Weld 2:12.52
2017 Shamreen 4 Pat Smullen Dermot Weld 2:12.84
2018 Eziyra 4 Declan McDonogh Dermot Weld 2:07.50
2019 Tarnawa 3 Chris Hayes Dermot Weld 2:09.41
2020 Cayenne Pepper 3 Shane Foley Jessica Harrington 2:09.18
2021 La Petite Coco 3 Billy Lee Paddy Twomey 2:08.39
2022 Above The Curve 3 Ryan Moore Joseph O'Brien 2:12.29
2023 Lumiere Rock 3 Dylan Browne McMonagle Joseph O'Brien 2:07.89
2024 Hanalia 3 Shane Foley Johnny Murtagh 2:05.38

Earlier winners

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  • 1947: Esprit de France
  • 1948: Wild Johnnie
  • 1949: Pink Larkspur
  • 1950: Beau Sire
  • 1951: Do Well
  • 1952: Thirteen of Diamonds
  • 1953: Ardent Lover
  • 1954: Northern Gleam
  • 1955: Nile Bird
  • 1956: Jongleur
  • 1957: Roistar
  • 1958: Royal Highway
  • 1959: Little Mo
  • 1960: Hunch
  • 1961: Silver Moon *
  • 1962: Sicilian Prince
  • 1963: Feemoss
  • 1964: Biscayne
  • 1965: Donato
  • 1966: Royal Display
  • 1967: Dominion Day
  • 1968: Wenona
  • 1969: Barrons Court
  • 1970: Riboprince
  • 1971: Wenceslas
  • 1972: Manitoulin
  • 1973: Miss Therese
  • 1974: Richard Grenville
  • 1975: King Pellinore
  • 1976: Northern Treasure
  • 1977: Panamint
  • 1978: Valley Forge
  • 1979: Bohemian Grove

* The 1961 winner Silver Moon was later renamed Silver Dollar.

See also

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References

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  • Paris-Turf:
    • "1980"., "1983"., "1984"., "1985"., "1986"., "1987".
  • Racing Post: