Cocked Hat Stakes

The Cocked Hat Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run at Goodwood over a distance of 1 mile and 3 furlongs (2,213 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in May.

History

The event was established in 1970, and it was originally called the Predominate Stakes. It was named after Predominate, a three-time winner of the Goodwood Stakes from 1958 to 1960, and the winner of the Goodwood Cup in 1961.

For a period the Predominate Stakes was contested over 1 mile and 4 furlongs. It was cut to 1 mile, 1 furlong and 192 yards in 1988. A new distance of 1 mile and 3 furlongs was introduced in 2001.

The event was renamed the Cocked Hat Stakes in 2007. Its title recalls a light-hearted race staged at Goodwood in the 19th century, in which each rider had to wear a military hat.^[1]

The race sometimes serves as a trial for the Epsom Derby. The only horse to have won both events is Troy in 1979.

Records

Leading jockey (5 wins):

• Willie Carson – English Harbour (1978), Troy (1979), Prince Bee (1980), Morcon (1983), Minster Son (1988)

Leading trainer (6 wins):

• Dick Hern – Charlton (1970), Buoy (1973), Troy (1979), Prince Bee (1980), Morcon (1983), Minster Son (1988)
• Sir Henry Cecil - General Ironside (1976), Royal Blend (1977), Lanfranco (1985), Razeen (1990), Opera Score (1994), Disclaimer (2013)

Winners

^a The 1980 running took place at Kempton Park.
^b The 1981 edition was abandoned because of a waterlogged course.

See also

• Horseracing in Great Britain
• List of British flat horse races
• Recurring sporting events established in 1970 – this race is included under its original title, Predominate Stakes.

References

• Racing Post:
  • 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997
  • 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
  • 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013

• pedigreequery.com – Predominate Stakes – Goodwood.
• pedigreequery.com – Cocked Hat Stakes – Goodwood.