Sandown Classic Trial

Group 3 race
Sandown Classic Trial
Location Sandown Park
Esher, England
Inaugurated 1953
Race type Flat / Thoroughbred
Sponsor Bet365
Website Sandown Park
Race information
Distance 1m 2f 7y (2,018 m)
Track Turf, right-handed
Qualification Three-year-olds
Weight 9 st 0 lb
Allowances
3 lb for fillies
Penalties
6 lb for Group 1 winners *
4 lb for Group 2 winners *
2 lb for Group 3 winners *
* at 7 furlongs or over
Purse £50,000 (2011)
1st: £28,385

The Sandown Classic Trial is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to three-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at Sandown Park over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 7 yards (2,018 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in late April.

The event was established in 1953, and it was originally known as the Royal Stakes. It was renamed in 1971, and since then its sponsors have included The Guardian, Thresher and Betfred. Its current sponsor, Bet365, began supporting the race in 2008.

The Sandown Classic Trial serves as an early-season trial for the Epsom Derby, and it has been contested by several subsequent winners of the latter race. The most recent was Benny the Dip, the runner-up in 1997.

Contents

Records

Leading jockey (5 wins):

Leading trainer (6 wins):

Winners since 1974

Year
 Winner
 Jockey
 Trainer
 Time
1974 Bustino Joe Mercer Dick Hern 2:09.91
1975 Consol Pat Eddery Peter Walwyn
1976 Riboboy Joe Mercer Dick Hern
1977 Artaius Lester Piggott Vincent O'Brien 2:11.27
1978 Whitstead Brian Taylor Ryan Price
1979 Troy Willie Carson Dick Hern
1980 Henbit Willie Carson Dick Hern 2:11.38
1981 Shergar Walter Swinburn Michael Stoute 2:09.30
1982 Peacetime Pat Eddery Jeremy Tree
1983 Gordian Greville Starkey Guy Harwood
1984 Alphabatim Brian Rouse Guy Harwood
1985 Damister Steve Cauthen Jeremy Tree
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
2009 Above Average Michael Hills Barry Hills 2:10.24
2010 Azmeel [a] William Buick John Gosden 2:10.94
2011 Genius Beast Ahmed Ajtebi Mahmood Al Zarooni 2:11.39

a Chabal finished first in 2010, but he was subsequently disqualified after testing positive for a banned substance.

Earlier winners

  • 1953: Mountain King
  • 1954: Taw Valley
  • 1955: Peter Aegus
  • 1956: Pearl Orama
  • 1957: Sun Charger
  • 1958: Snow Cat
  • 1959: Casque
  • 1960: Marengo
  • 1961: Just Great
  • 1962: Ferneley
  • 1963: Raise You Ten
  • 1964: Oncidium
  • 1965: Nearside
  • 1966: Mehari
  • 1967: Sun Rock
  • 1968: Safety Match
  • 1969: Shoemaker
  • 1970: Cry Baby
  • 1971: L'Apache
  • 1972: Pentland Firth
  • 1973: Ksar

See also

References