The Royal Whip Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs (2,012 metres) at the Curragh in August.
| Group 3 race | |
| Location | Curragh Racecourse County Kildare, Ireland |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1821 |
| Race type | Flat / Thoroughbred |
| Sponsor | Fitzdares |
| Website | Curragh |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1m 2f (2,012 metres) |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Right-handed |
| Qualification | Three-years-old and up |
| Weight | 8 st 13 lb (3yo); 9 st 6 lb (4yo+) Allowances 3 lb for fillies and mares Penalties 5 lb for G1 / G2 winners 3 lb for G3 winners * * since 1 January |
| Purse | €51,700 (2022) 1st: €32,450 |
| 2024 | ||
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| Continuous | Trustyourinstinct | Caught U Looking |
| Previous years | ||
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| 2023 | ||
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| Layfayette | Unless | Helvic Dream |
| 2022 | ||
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| Luxembourg | Insinuendo | Realism |
| 2021 | ||
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| Earlswood | Reve De Vol | Finans Bay |
| 2020-2011 | ||
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| 2020 | ||
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| Armory | Numerian | Sinawann |
| 2019 | ||
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| Buckhurst | Leo De Fury | Guaranteed |
| 2018 | ||
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| Beautiful Morning | Deauville | Broadway |
| 2017 | ||
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| Shamreen | Massif Central | Central Square |
| 2016 | ||
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| Success Days | Fascinating Rock | Moonlight Magic |
| 2015 | ||
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| Found | Answered | Highly Toxic |
| 2014 | ||
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| Hall Of Mirrors | Kingsbarns | Parish Hall |
| 2013 | ||
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| Maputo | Caponata | Fortify |
| 2012 | ||
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| Famous Name | Born To Sea | Warwick Avenue |
| 2011 | ||
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| Banimpire | Dunboyne Express | Mutahadee |
| 2010-2001 | ||
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| 2010 | ||
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| Fame And Glory | Dixie Music | Grand Admiral |
| 2009 | ||
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| Casual Conquest | Curtain Call | Red Rock Canyon |
| 2008 | ||
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| King Of Rome | Alarazi | Zulu Chief |
| 2007 | ||
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| Eagle Mountain | Alexander Tango | Decado |
| 2006 | ||
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| Mustameet | Chelsea Rose | Soar With Eagles |
| 2005 | ||
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| Tropical Lady | Cairdeas | Latino Magic |
| 2004 | ||
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| Solskjaer | Tropical Lady | Medicinal |
| 2003 | ||
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| High Chaparral | Imperial Dancer | In Time's Eye |
| 2002 | ||
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| Chancellor | Sights On Gold | Jammaal |
| 2001 | ||
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| Bach | Jammaal | Exaltation |
| 2000-1991 | ||
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| 2000 | ||
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| Takali | Molomo | Jammaal |
| 1999 | ||
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| Zomaradah | Strategic | Polaire |
| 1998 | ||
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| Make No Mistake | Sunshine Street | Quws |
| 1997 | ||
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| King Alex | Rayouni | Oscar Schindler |
| 1996 | ||
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| Pilsudski | I'm Supposin | Predappio |
| 1995 | ||
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| Shemaran | Russian Snows | Al Mohaajir |
| 1994 | ||
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| Dancing Sunset | Blue Judge | Cajarian |
| 1993 | ||
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| Rayseka | Royal Ballerina | Arbusha |
| 1992 | ||
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| Jahafil | Mining Tycoon | In A Tiff |
| 1991 | ||
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| George Augustus | Santella Bell | Nordic Soprano |
| 1990-1988 | ||
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| 1990 | ||
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| Splash Of Colour | Ile De Nisky | Smaoineamh |
| 1989 | ||
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| Beyond The Lake | Tyrone Bridge | Elementary |
| 1988 | ||
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| Heavenly Manna | Eurobird | Lord Bud |
History
editThe event was established in 1821, and it was originally a long-distance race for horses aged four or older. It was named after its trophy, a gold-handled whip presented to the Irish Turf Club by King George IV. It was initially one of a series of races known as the Royal Plates.[citation needed]
The trophy was replaced by a new whip provided by King William IV in 1830.[1] The event was opened to three-year-olds in 1832. It was limited to Irish-bred horses for a period after the 1860s.[citation needed]
The Royal Whip Stakes was cut to 2+1⁄2 miles in 1925, and to 2 miles in 1936. Its original prize fund of 100 guineas remained unchanged until 1954. From this point it was contested over 1+1⁄2 miles.[citation needed]
The race was given Group 3 status in the early 1970s. It was shortened to 1+1⁄4 miles in 1995, and promoted to Group 2 level in 1998. It was relegated back to Group 3 in 2013.[2]
With its 204th edition in 2024, the Royal Whip Stakes is Ireland's oldest continuously run horse race.
Records
editMost successful horse (3 wins):
- Roller – 1822, 1824, 1825
- Skylark – 1830, 1831, 1832
Leading jockey since 1950 (7 wins):
- Michael Kinane – Kamakura (1985), Beyond the Lake (1989), Rayseka (1993), King Alex (1997), Make No Mistake (1998), Bach (2001), High Chaparral (2003)
Leading trainer since 1950 (13 wins):
- Vincent O'Brien – Ross Sea (1959), Bally Joy (1965), Reindeer (1970), Tantoul (1971), Manitoulin (1972), Cavo Doro (1973), Alleged (1977, 1978), Last Light (1981), Lords (1982), Empire Glory (1984), Baba Karam (1987), Splash of Colour (1990)
Winners since 1977
edit| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Alleged | 3 | Peadar Matthews | Vincent O'Brien | 2:43.20 |
| 1978 | Alleged | 4 | Lester Piggott | Vincent O'Brien | 2:36.40 |
| 1979 | The Bart | 3 | Christy Roche | Ted Curtin | |
| 1980 | My Hollow | 5 | Declan Gillespie | Jim Bolger | |
| 1981 | Last Light | 3 | Pat Eddery | Vincent O'Brien | |
| 1982 | Lords | 3 | Pat Eddery | Vincent O'Brien | |
| 1983 | Condell | 4 | Declan Gillespie | Jim Bolger | |
| 1984 | Empire Glory | 3 | Pat Eddery | Vincent O'Brien | |
| 1985 | Kamakura | 3 | Michael Kinane | Dermot Weld | |
| 1986 | Dubian | 4 | Pat Eddery | Alec Stewart | |
| 1987 | Baba Karam | 3 | Declan Gillespie | Vincent O'Brien | 2:34.30 |
| 1988 | Heavenly Manna | 3 | Christy Roche | Paddy Mullins | 2:46.80 |
| 1989 | Beyond the Lake | 3 | Michael Kinane | Dermot Weld | 2:35.50 |
| 1990 | Splash of Colour | 3 | John Reid | Vincent O'Brien | 2:32.20 |
| 1991 | George Augustus | 3 | Johnny Murtagh | John Oxx | 2:54.80 |
| 1992 | Jahafil | 4 | Willie Carson | Dick Hern | 2:36.20 |
| 1993 | Rayseka | 3 | Michael Kinane | John Oxx | 2:35.90 |
| 1994 | Dancing Sunset [a] | 3 | Christy Roche | Aidan O'Brien | 2:34.00 |
| 1995 | Shemaran | 3 | Johnny Murtagh | John Oxx | 2:02.90 |
| 1996 | Pilsudski | 4 | Walter Swinburn | Michael Stoute | 2:03.00 |
| 1997 | King Alex | 4 | Michael Kinane | Roger Charlton | 2:04.80 |
| 1998 | Make No Mistake | 3 | Michael Kinane | Dermot Weld | 2:01.80 |
| 1999 | Zomaradah | 4 | John Reid | Luca Cumani | 2:04.00 |
| 2000 | Takali | 3 | Johnny Murtagh | John Oxx | 2:13.70 |
| 2001 | Bach | 4 | Michael Kinane | Aidan O'Brien | 2:12.20 |
| 2002 | Chancellor | 4 | Michael Hills | Barry Hills | 2:11.10 |
| 2003 | High Chaparral | 4 | Michael Kinane | Aidan O'Brien | 2:04.80 |
| 2004 | Solskjaer | 4 | Jamie Spencer | Aidan O'Brien | 2:02.90 |
| 2005 | Tropical Lady | 5 | Kevin Manning | Jim Bolger | 2:07.60 |
| 2006 | Mustameet | 5 | Declan McDonogh | Kevin Prendergast | 2:07.30 |
| 2007 | Eagle Mountain | 3 | Kieren Fallon | Aidan O'Brien | 2:15.59 |
| 2008 | King of Rome [b] | 3 | Johnny Murtagh | Aidan O'Brien | 2:12.84 |
| 2009 | Casual Conquest | 4 | Pat Smullen | Dermot Weld | 2:15.74 |
| 2010 | Fame and Glory | 4 | Johnny Murtagh | Aidan O'Brien | 2:06.62 |
| 2011 | Banimpire | 3 | Kevin Manning | Jim Bolger | 2:10.43 |
| 2012 | Famous Name | 7 | Pat Smullen | Dermot Weld | 2:19.39 |
| 2013 | Maputo | 3 | Joe Fanning | Mark Johnston | 2:08.13 |
| 2014 | Hall of Mirrors | 4 | Seamie Heffernan | Aidan O'Brien | 2:11.46 |
| 2015 | Found | 3 | Seamie Heffernan | Aidan O'Brien | 2:09.88 |
| 2016 | Success Days | 4 | Shane Foley | Ken Condon | 2:13.27 |
| 2017 | Shamreen | 4 | Pat Smullen | Dermot Weld | 2:11.44 |
| 2018 | Beautiful Morning | 5 | Colm O'Donoghue | Jessica Harrington | 2:09.63 |
| 2019 | Buckhurst | 3 | Donnacha O'Brien | Joseph O'Brien | 2:13.99 |
| 2020 | Armory | 3 | Seamie Heffernan | Aidan O'Brien | 2:10.84 |
| 2021 | Earlswood | 3 | Shane B Kelly | Johnny Murtagh | 2:09.26 |
| 2022 | Luxembourg | 3 | Ryan Moore | Aidan O'Brien | 2:10.84 |
| 2023 | Layfayette | 6 | Colin Keane | Noel Meade | 2:07.41 |
| 2024 | Continuous | 4 | Ryan Moore | Aidan O'Brien | 2:04.09 |
- ^ Blue Judge finished first in 1994, but he was relegated to second place following a stewards' inquiry
- ^ The 2008 running took place at Leopardstown
Earlier winners
edit- 1821: Langar
- 1822: Roller
- 1823: Langar
- 1824: Roller
- 1825: Roller
- 1826: Miss Foote
- 1827: Balderdash
- 1828: Paddy Whack
- 1829: Napoleon
- 1830: Skylark
- 1831: Skylark
- 1832: Skylark
- 1833: Napoleon
- 1834: Thump
- 1835: Rust
- 1836: Exchange
- 1837: Harkaway
- 1838: Cregane
- 1839: Retriever
- 1840: St Lawrence
- 1841: Great Wonder
- 1842: Bangor
- 1843: Fairy Queen
- 1844: King Dan
- 1845: The Switcher
- 1846: Burgundy
- 1847: Rat Trap
- 1848: Dough
- 1849: The Baroness
- 1850: Marchioness d'Eu
- 1851: Kick Up the Dust
- 1852: Chaseaway
- 1853: Chaseaway
- 1854: Doctor O'Toole
- 1855: The Chicken
- 1856: The Chicken
- 1857: The Tattler
- 1858: Agitation
- 1859: Hibernia
- 1860: Shamrock
- 1861: The Lawyer
- 1862: Castle Hackett
- 1863: Tourist
- 1864: Woodman
- 1865: Lord Conyngham
- 1866: Dunsany
- 1867: Columbus
- 1868: Aneroid
- 1869: The Scout
- 1870: Finesse
- 1871: Trieste
- 1872: Speculation
- 1873: Bedouin
- 1874: Christmas
- 1875: Ingomar
- 1876: Fair Alice
- 1877: Piersfield
- 1878: Matilda
- 1879: Sisyphus
- 1880: Miriam
- 1881: Miriam
- 1882: Buckshot
- 1883: Peace
- 1884: Xema
- 1885: Sylvan Queen
- 1886: Sylvan Queen
- 1887: Campanula
- 1888: Little John
- 1889: Little John
- 1890: Golden Crescent
- 1891: Chatterbox
- 1892: Red Prince
- 1893: Golden Ring
- 1894: Starlight
- 1895: The Jew
- 1896: Aline
- 1897: Gustaloga
- 1898: The Falloch
- 1899: Lillian Noel
- 1900: The Falloch
- 1901: Glenmalur
- 1902: Driftwood
- 1903: Sylvan Park
- 1904: Sylvan Park
- 1905: Claret Lass
- 1906: Claret Lass
- 1907: Mrs Lyons
- 1908: Bouncing Bess
- 1909: Octocide
- 1910: Lorello
- 1911: Castle Jewel
- 1912: Master of Light
- 1913: Laoghaire
- 1914: Bachelor's Fiasco
- 1915: Garrus
- 1916: Scarlet Rambler
- 1917: Noham
- 1918: King Frusquin
- 1919: Earn's Glen
- 1920: Red Flag
- 1921: Coup d'Essai
- 1922: Carthage
- 1923: Mullagher-a-Boo
- 1924: Blue Fish
- 1925: Jillsome
- 1926: Philanderer
- 1927: Lomond's Lake
- 1928: Tan Girl
- 1929: Swift Agnes
- 1930: Nice Token
- 1931: Sahabelle
- 1932: Cloverdale
- 1933: Song of the Hills
- 1934: Theorosa
- 1935: Sol Erin
- 1936: Harvest Star
- 1937: Kildonan's Hope
- 1938: Corofin
- 1939: Dennison
- 1940: Antrim
- 1941: Etoile de Lyons
- 1942: Anniversary
- 1943: Blue Speck
- 1944: Rhodes
- 1945: Golden Spur
- 1946: Spring Offensive
- 1947: Lorimer
- 1948: Signal Service
- 1949: Eastern Gem
- 1950: L'Horizon
- 1951: Storm Beacon
- 1952: Beau Sire
- 1953: Sunny Streak
- 1954: Hidalgo
- 1955: Zarathustra
- 1956: Jongleur
- 1957: Solartickle
- 1958: Irish Penny
- 1959: Ross Sea
- 1960: Avril Sprite
- 1961: Azurine
- 1962: Gay Challenger
- 1963: Nos Royalistes
- 1964: Cassim
- 1965: Bally Joy
- 1966: Wedding Present
- 1967: Vendor
- 1968: Stitch
- 1969: Candy Cane
- 1970: Reindeer
- 1971: Tantoul
- 1972: Manitoulin
- 1973: Cavo Doro
- 1974: Klairvimy
- 1975: Consol
- 1976: Yankee Gold
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Irish Horse Racing connections with the Royal Family". Horse Racing Ireland. Retrieved 9 October 2011.
- ^ "Eight races upgraded by European Pattern Committee". the-racehorse.com. 5 March 2013. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
- Paris-Turf:
- Racing Post:
- galopp-sieger.de – Royal Whip Stakes.
- ifhaonline.org – International Federation of Horseracing Authorities – Royal Whip Stakes (2019).
- irishracinggreats.com – Royal Whip Stakes.
- pedigreequery.com – Royal Whip Stakes – Curragh.
- tbheritage.com – Royal Whip Stakes.