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The Blandford Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged three years or older. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs (2,012 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.
History
The event is named after Blandford, a successful sire in the 1930s. It was formerly open to horses of either gender, and used to be contested over 1 mile and 4 furlongs.
The race was held in mid-October during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Its distance was shortened by a furlong in 1994. It was relegated from Group 2 to Group 3 level in 1999, and from this point it took place in mid-September.
The Blandford Stakes was cut to its present length and restricted to fillies and mares in 2001. It regained Group 2 status in 2004. It is currently part of the Irish Champions Weekend meeting.
Records
Most successful horse since 1947 (2 wins): Nemain – 1985, 1986 Red Bloom – 2005, 2006 Shamreen - 2016, 2017
Leading jockey since 1950 (5 wins): Liam Ward – Beau Sire (1950), Do Well (1951), Jongleur (1956), Wenona (1968), Riboprince (1970) Michael Kinane – Humbel (1995), Insatiable (1999), Chiang Mai (2000), Four Sins (2007), Katiyra (2008) Pat Smullen - Irrestible Jewel (2002), Chinese White (2009), Tarfasha (2014), Shamreen (2016, 2017)
Leading trainer since 1950 (15 wins): Vincent O'Brien – Little Mo (1959), Silver Moon (1961), Donato (1965), Wenona (1968), Riboprince (1970), Wenceslas (1971), Manitoulin (1972), Richard Grenville (1974), King Pellinore (1975), Gonzales (1980), (1981), Lords (1982), South Atlantic (1983), Kris Kringle (1988), Andros Bay (1992)
Winners since 1980
Earlier winners
1947: Esprit de France
1948: Wild Johnnie
1949: Pink Larkspur
1950: Beau Sire
1951: Do Well
1952: Thirteen of Diamonds
1953: Ardent Lover
1954: Northern Gleam
1955: Nile Bird
1956: Jongleur
1957: Roistar
1958: Royal Highway
1959: Little Mo
1960: Hunch
1961: Silver Moon *
1962: Sicilian Prince
1963: Feemoss
1964: Biscayne
1965: Donato
1966: Royal Display
1967: Dominion Day
1968: Wenona
1969: Barrons Court
1970: Riboprince
1971: Wenceslas
1972: Manitoulin
1973: Miss Therese
1974: Richard Grenville
1975: King Pellinore
1976: Northern Treasure
1977: Panamint
1978: Valley Forge
1979: Bohemian Grove
* The 1961 winner Silver Moon was later renamed Silver Dollar.
See also
Horse racing in Ireland
List of Irish flat horse races
References
Paris-Turf: , , , , , Racing Post: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
galopp-sieger.de – Blandford Stakes. horseracingintfed.com – International Federation of Horseracing Authorities – Blandford Stakes (2018). irishracinggreats.com – Blandford Stakes (Group 2). pedigreequery.com – Blandford Stakes – Curragh.