Balanchine Stakes
| Balanchine Stakes (Grangecon Stud Stakes) | |
|---|---|
| Group 3 race | |
| Location |
Curragh Racecourse Co. Kildare, Ireland |
| Inaugurated | 2005 |
| Race type | Flat / Thoroughbred |
| Sponsor | Grangecon Stud |
| Website | Curragh |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 6f (1,207 metres) |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Straight |
| Qualification | Two-year-old fillies |
| Weight |
9 st 0 lb Penalties 3 lb for Group winners |
| Purse |
€65,000 (2014) 1st: €42,250 |
| 2014 | ||
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 |
 |
| I Am Beautiful | Jeanne Girl | Quinta Verde |
| Previous years | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | ||
| |
 |
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| Bye Bye Birdie | Heart Focus | Clenor |
| 2012 | ||
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 |
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| Sendmylovetorose | True Verdict | Slope |
| 2011 | ||
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|
 |
| Experience | Somasach | Naseem Sea |
| 2010 | ||
 |
 |
 |
| Seeharn | Gatamalata | Moonlit Garden |
| 2009 | ||
 |
 |
 |
| Long Lashes | Elusive Galaxy | Gold Bubbles |
| 2008 | ||
 |
 |
 |
| Shimah | Chintz | What's Up Pussycat |
| 2007 | ||
| |
 |
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| Listen | Tuscan Evening | Charlotte Bronte |
| 2006 | ||
| |
 |
 |
| Gaudeamus | The Real Thing | Simonetta |
| 2005 | ||
 |
 |
|
| Sahara Princess | Sandie | Ugo Fire |
The Balanchine Stakes, also known as the Grangecon Stud Stakes, is a Group 3 flat horse race in Ireland open to two-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 6 furlongs (1,207 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in late June or early July.
The event's registered title honours Balanchine, a successful filly whose victories included the Irish Derby in 1994. The race was established in 2005, and it was originally classed at Listed level. The first two runnings were contested over 7 furlongs.[1]
The race's distance was cut to 6 furlongs in 2007, and for a period it was known as the Saoire Stakes. It reverted to its former name in 2009, and from this point its sponsored title was the Ballygallon Stud Stakes.
The Balanchine Stakes was promoted to Group 3 status in 2011. It is now sponsored by Grangecon Stud, and it is held on the final day of the Curragh's three-day Irish Derby Festival meeting.
Records
Leading jockey (2 wins):
- Declan McDonogh – Shimah (2008), Seeharn (2010)
Leading trainer (3 wins):
- Aidan O'Brien - Listen (2007), Bye Bye Birdie (2013), I Am Beautiful (2014)
Winners
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Sahara Princess | Johnny Murtagh | Jessica Harrington | 1:25.60 |
| 2006 | Gaudeamus | Kevin Manning | Jim Bolger | 1:27.70 |
| 2007 | Listen | Kieren Fallon | Aidan O'Brien | 1:15.40 |
| 2008 | Shimah | Declan McDonogh | Kevin Prendergast | 1:12.97 |
| 2009 | Long Lashes | Fran Berry | Jessica Harrington | 1:15.24 |
| 2010 | Seeharn | Declan McDonogh | Kevin Prendergast | 1:12.66 |
| 2011 | Experience | Wayne Lordan | David Wachman | 1:12.36 |
| 2012 | Sendmylovetorose | Colm O'Donoghue | Andrew Oliver | 1:16.92 |
| 2013 | Bye Bye Birdie | Joseph O'Brien | Aidan O'Brien | 1:10.94 |
| 2014 | I Am Beautiful | Seamie Heffernan | Aidan O'Brien | 1:12.56 |
See also
References
- ↑ "New sponsor for Derby Friday". RTÉ Sport. 28 February 2005. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
- horseracingintfed.com – International Federation of Horseracing Authorities – Balanchine Stakes (2011).
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