Blue Riband Trial Stakes
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The Blue Riband Trial Stakes is a flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old thoroughbreds run over a distance of 1 mile 2 furlongs and 18 yards (2,028 metres) at Epsom Racecourse in late April.
It is the first of the nine recognised trial races for the Epsom Derby to take place in the season, and although the 1939 winner Blue Peter went on to capture the Derby, it has produced a limited number of contenders for the big race. Of recent winners, only Daliapour has finished placed in the Derby, finishing runner-up to Oath in 1999. Most winners will compete in another trial afterwards, and if they make it back to Epsom for the Derby they will at least have experience of the course, unlike many of the other runners.
In 1997 and 1998 the race took place over the full distance of the Epsom Derby course - 1 mile 4 furlongs and 10 yards (2,423 metres).
[edit] Winners since 1997
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Time |
| 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 |
