Sandown Classic Trial
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Sandown Classic Trial is a Group 3 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 1 mile 2 furlongs and 7 yards (2,018 m) at Sandown Park Racecourse in late April.
First run in 1953 and originally known as the Royal Stakes, it is an early-season trial race for the Epsom Derby, and successful horses here are often aimed at another trial before the big race. The most recent Derby winners to have run in the Sandown Classic Trial are Shahrastani (won trial in 1986) and Benny the Dip (runner-up in 1997), who both went on to win the Dante Stakes before victory at Epsom.
The race is currently sponsored by Bet365 under the title of the Casino at Bet365.com Classic Trial and takes place at a meeting which combines both flat and National Hunt racing. Other races at the meeting include the Bet365 Gold Cup and the Bet365 Mile.
[edit] Winners since 1986
| Year |
Winner |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Time |
| 1986 | Shahrastani | Walter Swinburn | Michael Stoute | 2:18.77 |
| 1987 | Gulf King | Paul Cook | Paul Kelleway | 2:07.35 |
| 1988 | Galitzin | Ray Cochrane | Clive Brittain | 2:15.47 |
| 1989 | Old Vic | Steve Cauthen | Henry Cecil | 2:20.65 |
| 1990 | Defensive Play | Pat Eddery | Guy Harwood | 2:05.55 |
| 1991 | Hailsham | Michael Roberts | Clive Brittain | 2:08.30 |
| 1992 | Pollen Count | Steve Cauthen | John Gosden | 2:07.85 |
| 1993 | True Hero | Ray Cochrane | John Gosden | 2:16.54 |
| 1994 | Linney Head | Frankie Dettori | John Gosden | 2:17.00 |
| 1995 | Pentire | Michael Hills | Geoff Wragg | 2:07.48 |
| 1996 | Santillana | Frankie Dettori | John Gosden | 2:06.64 |
| 1997 | Voyagers Quest | John Reid | Peter Chapple-Hyam | 2:12.54 |
| 1998 | Courteous | Richard Quinn | Paul Cole | 2:19.41 |
| 1999 | Fantastic Light | Darryll Holland | Sir Michael Stoute | 2:15.73 |
| 2000 | Sakhee | Richard Hills | John Dunlop | 2:23.83 |
| 2001 | Chancellor | Michael Hills | Barry Hills | 2:36.20 |
| 2002 | Simeon | Kevin Darley | Mark Johnston | 2:12.98 |
| 2003 | Shield | Eddie Ahern | Gerard Butler | 2:08.32 |
| 2004 | African Dream | Jimmy Quinn | Peter Chapple-Hyam | 2:12.93 |
| 2005 | Fracas | Jamie Spencer | David Wachman | 2:11.36 |
| 2006 | Primary | Darryll Holland | William Haggas | 2:09.40 |
| 2007 | Regime | Frankie Dettori | Michael Bell | 2:09.65 |
| 2008 | Centennial | Jimmy Fortune | John Gosden | 2:09.61 |
