British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes
(ex Pride Stakes / Princess Royal Stakes)
Group 1 race
LocationAscot Racecourse
Ascot, England
Inaugurated1946
Race typeFlat / Thoroughbred
SponsorQIPCO
WebsiteAscot
Race information
Distance1m 3f 211y (2,406 metres)
SurfaceTurf
TrackRight-handed
QualificationThree-years-old and up
fillies and mares
Weight8 st 13 lb (3yo);
9 st 5 lb (4yo+)
Purse£500,000 (2021)
1st £283,550
British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes
2023
Yellow, royal blue epaulets, royal blue and yellow chevrons on sleeves, red cap GREEN, PINK sash, WHITE sleeves Pink, royal blue cap, pink spots
Poptronic Bluestocking Jackie Oh
Previous years
2022
Pink, grey sash Beige, dark blue cross of lorraine and sleeves, dark blue cap, beige star Dark blue, maroon stripe, white cap
Emily Upjohn Thunder Kiss Insinuendo
2021
Royal blue, white epaulets, striped cap White, emerald green hoops, white sleeves and cap Purple, white seams, striped sleeves, purple cap
Eshaada Albaflora Snowfall
2020-2011
2020
Royal blue, yellow stripe, yellow sleeves, royal blue armlets and star on yellow cap Black and white (halved), sleeves reversed, red cap pink
Wonderful Tonight Dame Malliot Passion
2019
Black and white (halved), sleeves reversed, red cap pink Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves
Star Catcher Delphinia Sun Maiden
2018
Purple, white seams, striped sleeves, white cap Dark green, yellow hoop, yellow cap Pink, grey sash
Magical Coronet Lah Ti Dar
2017
Purple, white seams, striped sleeves, purple cap Red, black stars, red sleeves Dark green, yellow hoop, yellow cap
Hydrangea Bateel Coronet
2016
White, emerald green hoop Black, white spots, black sleeves, white cap Red, white sash, royal blue cap
Journey Speedy Boarding Queen's Trust
2015
Claret, gold braid, claret sleeves, claret cap, gold tassel White, emerald green hoop Royal blue
Simple Verse Journey Beautiful Romance
2014
White, emerald green hoops, white sleeves, emerald green cap Dark blue and white check, dark blue sleeves, emerald green cap Purple, white seams, striped sleeves, purple cap
Madame Chiang Silk Sari Chicquita
2013
Red, yellow hooped sleeves and cap Royal blue, red chevrons, white and red striped sleeves, red and white quartered cap Grey and white stripes, red cap
Seal Of Approval Belle de Crecy Talent
2012
Black, white sleeves, red cap, black star Black, white spots, black sleeves, white cap Emerald green, red epaulets, diabolo on sleeves, red cap
Sapphire Shirocco Star Dancing Rain
2011
Emerald green, red epaulets, diabolo on sleeves, red cap Yellow, red epaulets and sleeves Dark blue, white sash and sleeves, quartered cap
Dancing Rain Bible Belt Gertrude Bell
2010-2001
2010
Dark blue, yellow cap Royal blue, yellow epaulets, hooped sleeves, red cap Purple and yellow diamonds, purple cap, yellow diamond
Crystal Capella Myplacelater She's Our Mark
2009
Green, red epaulets Dark blue, yellow cap White, light green stars, light green sleeves, white stars and stars on cap
Ashalanda Crystal Capella Saphira's Fire
2008
Dark blue, yellow cap Royal blue, yellow star, light blue sleeves, yellow stars, light blue cap, yellow star White, light green stars, light green sleeves, white stars and stars on cap
Crystal Capella Unsung Heroine Saphira's Fire
2007
Royal blue, white chevron, diamonds on sleeves, check cap Red, white sash, royal blue cap Royal blue, white striped sleeves, white cap
Trick Or Treat Queen's Best Samira Gold
2006
Maroon, Grey epaulets Royal blue, emerald green sleeves Royal blue, white epaulets, striped cap
Acts of Grace Gower Song Bunood
2005
Black, White cap Dark blue, light green seams, light green cap Royal blue, white epaulets, striped cap
Ouija Board Briolette Asawer
2004
White, red sash, red and white striped cap CERISE, sky blue cap with cerise hoop Yellow, Turquoise cap
Mazuna My Renee Hidden Hope
2003
Royal blue, white epaulets, striped cap White, black stars, halved sleeves, black cap, white stars Red, white sash, royal blue cap
Itnab Summitville Chorist
2002
Grey, royal blue seams, sleeves and cap Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves Pink, grey sash
Love Everlasting Bright And Clear Glam Rock
2001
Grey, red cross of lorraine, hooped sleeves, quartered cap Grey, royal blue seams, sleeves and cap Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star
Head In The Clouds Love Everlasting Lilium
2000-1991
2000
Dark blue, light blue cross belts, striped sleeves, white cap Light blue, light blue and white check sleeves, white cap Royal blue
Sacred Song Littlepacepaddocks Inaaq
1999
Blue, white triple diamond, diamonds on sleeves, diamond on cap Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves Red, white sash, royal blue cap
Signorina Cattiva New Abbey Tipsy
1998
Dark blue and pink stripes, pink sleeves and cap Light blue, dark blue armlets, dark blue cap Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves
Silver Rhapsody Delilah Bristol Channel
1997
Light blue, dark blue armlets, dark blue cap Pale Blue, White and Yellow check cap Yellow, black epaulets
Delilah Snow Princess Saafeya
1996
Cherry, black sash, primrose and white quartered cap Dark blue, yellow chevron hoop, yellow cap White, emerald green hoops, white sleeves and cap
Time Allowed Spout Ninotchka
1995
Royal blue, white epaulets, striped cap Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star Dark blue, yellow chevron hoop, yellow cap
Labibeh Saxon Maid Spout
1994
Pale Blue, White and Yellow check cap Royal blue, yellow cap Yellow, black spots, yellow sleeves and cap
Dancing Bloom Lille Hammer Milly Ha Ha
1992
Beige, royal blue sleeves and cap Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star Purple, pink cross-belts, hooped sleeves, pink cap
Cunning Anna Of Saxony Anne Bonny
1991
Dark green Dark blue, light blue disc, hooped sleeves and cap Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves
Always Friendly Finance Dancer Peplum
1990-1988
1990
GREEN, red epaulettes, green cap Dark blue, white cross-belts and sleeves, white cap, dark blue spots Brown, beige chevrons, brown sleeves and cap
Narwala Applecross Ahead
1989
Light green, white chevron, striped sleeves Henderson tartan, lime green sleeves and cap Pink and emerald green check, pink sleeves and cap
Snow Bride Princess Sobieska Lady Shipley
1988
Light Blue, Chocolate sleeves, hooped cap Grey, red cap Brown, beige chevrons, brown sleeves and cap
Banket Upend Casey
 

The British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to fillies and mares aged three years or older. It is run over a distance of 1 mile 3  furlongs and 211 yards (2,406 metres) as part of British Champions Day at Ascot in October.

History

The event was established in 1946 and was originally called the Princess Royal Stakes. It was named after the Princess Royal at that time, Princess Mary. For a period it took place in September,[1] and it later moved to October.

The current system of race grading was introduced in 1971, and the Princess Royal Stakes subsequently held Group 3 status.

The race was run at Newmarket in 2000, after being called off at Ascot due to a security alert.[2] It was switched to Ascot's late September fixture in 2004. It took place at Newmarket again in 2005, as its usual home was closed for redevelopment. It reverted to October in 2007.

The event was promoted to Group 2 level, transferred to Newmarket and renamed the Pride Stakes in 2008.[3] It was named after Pride, a recent winner of the Champion Stakes. From this point it was staged during the venue's Champions' Meeting in mid-October. The title "Princess Royal Stakes" was assigned to a different race at Ascot, an event previously called the Harvest Stakes. The Pride Stakes had a purse of £100,000 in 2010.[4]

The race returned to Ascot and was given its present name in 2011. Its prize fund was now £250,000. Part of the newly created British Champions Day, it became the final race in the fillies & mares division of the British Champions Series.

The British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes was upgraded to Group 1 in 2013.[5] Its total prize money was doubled to £500,000. The title Pride Stakes was given to a Listed race at Newmarket formerly known as the Severals Stakes.

Records

Most successful horse (2 wins):

Leading jockey (8 wins):

Leading trainer (9 wins):

Leading owner (4 wins):

Winners since 1979

Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Time
1979 Alia 3 Steve Raymont Jeremy Tree Khalid Abdullah
1980 Karamita 3 Lester Piggott Michael Stoute HH Aga Khan IV
1981 Flighting 3 Brian Rouse John Dunlop Sandy Struthers
1982 Believer 3 Brian Rouse John Dunlop Arthur Budgett
1983 Sylph 3 Tony Ives Jeremy Tree Khalid Abdullah
1984 One Way Street 3 Lester Piggott Henry Cecil Louis Freedman
1985 Free Guest 4 Rae Guest Luca Cumani Fittocks Stud
1986 Tashtiya 3 Walter Swinburn Michael Stoute HH Aga Khan IV
1987 no race [a]
1988 Banket 3 Brian Rouse John Dunlop 3rd Earl of Halifax 2:40.66
1989 Snow Bride 3 Steve Cauthen Henry Cecil Saeed bin M. Al Maktoum 2:30.73
1990 Narwala 3 Pat Eddery Luca Cumani HH Aga Khan IV 2:30.36
1991 Always Friendly 3 Alan Munro Henry Candy Fahd Salman 2:38.78
1992 Cunning 3 Frankie Dettori Luca Cumani Fittocks Stud 2:36.19
1993 no race [a]
1994 Dancing Bloom 4 Walter Swinburn Michael Stoute Lord Weinstock 2:34.15
1995 Labibeh 3 Willie Carson John Dunlop Hamdan Al Maktoum 2:41.86
1996 Time Allowed 3 John Reid Michael Stoute Robert Barnett 2:33.44
1997 Delilah 3 Olivier Peslier Michael Stoute Highclere Racing Ltd 2:45.33
1998 Silver Rhapsody 3 Kieren Fallon Henry Cecil Lordship Stud 2:43.68
1999 Signorina Cattiva 3 Frankie Dettori John Dunlop Maria Mai Goransson 2:35.40
2000 Sacred Song 3 Richard Quinn Henry Cecil Niarchos Family 2:31.86
2001 Head in the Clouds 3 Pat Eddery John Dunlop Neil Jones 2:35.73
2002 Love Everlasting 4 Kevin Darley Mark Johnston G. & L. Middlebrook 2:33.55
2003 Itnab 3 Richard Hills Ben Hanbury Hamdan Al Maktoum 2:34.16
2004 Mazuna 3 Ryan Moore Clive Brittain Saeed Manana 2:30.24
2005 Ouija Board 4 Frankie Dettori Ed Dunlop 19th Earl of Derby 2:32.45
2006 Acts of Grace 3 Kerrin McEvoy John Dunlop Prince A. A. Faisal 2:35.64
2007 Trick or Treat 4 Tom Queally James Given Onslow / Henderson 2:36.93
2008 Crystal Capella 3 Ryan Moore Sir Michael Stoute Sir Evelyn de Rothschild 2:31.48
2009 Ashalanda 3 Christophe Lemaire Alain de Royer-Dupré HH Aga Khan IV 2:31.55
2010 Crystal Capella 5 Ryan Moore Sir Michael Stoute Sir Evelyn de Rothschild 2:34.73
2011 Dancing Rain 3 Johnny Murtagh William Haggas Martin and Lee Taylor 2:27.29
2012 Sapphire 4 Pat Smullen Dermot Weld Moyglare Stud Farm 2:37.32
2013 Seal of Approval 4 George Baker James Fanshawe T R G Vestey 2:39.09
2014 Madame Chiang 3 Jim Crowley David Simcock Kirsten Rausing 2:38.76
2015 Simple Verse 3 Andrea Atzeni Ralph Beckett QRL / Al Thani / Al Kubaisi 2:32.01
2016 Journey 4 Frankie Dettori John Gosden George Strawbridge 2:28.41
2017 Hydrangea 3 Ryan Moore Aidan O'Brien Smith / Magnier / Tabor 2:40.82
2018 Magical 3 Ryan Moore Aidan O'Brien Smith / Magnier / Tabor 2:33.28
2019[b] Star Catcher 3 Frankie Dettori John Gosden Anthony Oppenheimer 2:28.48
2020 Wonderful Tonight 3 William Buick David Menuisier Christopher Wright 2:37.84
2021 Eshaada 3 Jim Crowley Roger Varian Shadwell Estate 2:34.05
2022 Emily Upjohn 3 Frankie Dettori John and Thady Gosden Lloyd Webber, Tactful Finance & S Roden 2:33.76
2023[b] Poptronic 4 Sam James Kevin Burke David & Yvonne Blunt 2:28.29
  1. ^ a b The 1987 and 1993 runnings were abandoned because of a waterlogged course
  2. ^ a b The 2019 and 2023 editions were held on Ascot's inner course over 1 mile, 3 furlongs and 133 yards

Earlier winners

  1. ^ a b The 1960 and 1963 runnings took place at Newbury

See also

References

  1. ^ "First Day at Ascot". Glasgow Herald. 26 September 1947. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
  2. ^ Armytage, Marcus (9 October 2000). "Lost Ascot races may be run elsewhere". Telegraph. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
  3. ^ "Britain's flat Pattern boosted by upgrades". British Horseracing Authority. 14 January 2008. Retrieved 15 October 2009.
  4. ^ "2010 Pride Stakes". International Federation of Horseracing Authorities. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
  5. ^ "Eight races upgraded by European Pattern Committee". the-racehorse.com. 5 March 2013. Archived from the original on 2 May 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
  • galopp-sieger.de – Pride Stakes (ex Princess Royal Stakes).
  • horseracingintfed.com – International Federation of Horseracing Authorities – British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (2018).
  • pedigreequery.com – Princess Royal Stakes – Ascot.
  • Abelson, Edward; Tyrrel, John (1993). The Breedon Book of Horse Racing Records. Breedon Books. pp. 205–206. ISBN 1-873626-15-0.
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