The Matron Stakes is a
Group 1 Group 1 may refer to:
* Alkali metal, a chemical element classification for Alkali metal
* Group 1 (racing), a historic (until 1981) classification for Touring car racing, applied to standard touring cars. Comparable to modern FIA Group N
* Group On ...
flat
Flat or flats may refer to:
Architecture
* Flat (housing), an apartment in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and other Commonwealth countries
Arts and entertainment
* Flat (music), a symbol () which denotes a lower pitch
* Flat (soldier), ...
horse race in Ireland open to
thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word ''thoroughbred'' is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed. Thoroughbreds are ...
fillies
A filly is a female horse that is too young to be called a mare. There are two specific definitions in use:
*In most cases, a ''filly'' is a female horse under four years old.
*In some nations, such as the United Kingdom and the United States, t ...
and
mare
A mare is an adult female horse or other equine. In most cases, a mare is a female horse over the age of three, and a filly is a female horse three and younger. In Thoroughbred horse racing, a mare is defined as a female horse more than fo ...
s aged three years or older. It is run at
Leopardstown
Leopardstown () is a suburb of Dublin in Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown, within the traditional County Dublin, Ireland. Located at the foot of the Dublin Mountains, it is a residential suburb with institutional lands and a large racecourse. It is ...
over a distance of 1 mile (1,609 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.
History
The event was formerly known as the Gilltown Stud Stakes, and it used to be held at the
Curragh
The Curragh ( ; ga, An Currach ) is a flat open plain of almost of common land in County Kildare. This area is well known for Irish horse breeding and training. The Irish National Stud is located on the edge of Kildare town, beside the ...
. For a period it was classed at Group 3 level. It was renamed the Matron Stakes in the mid 1980s.
The race was transferred to Leopardstown in 2002. It was promoted to Group 2 status in 2003, and to Group 1 in 2004. It is now sponsored by
Coolmore Stud
Coolmore Stud, in Fethard, County Tipperary, Ireland, is headquarters of the world's largest breeding operation of thoroughbred racehorses. Through its racing arm, Ballydoyle, Coolmore also has raced many classic winners and champions. The operat ...
, and its full title includes the name of
Justify, a Coolmore stallion. In 2014 it was moved back a week in September to become part of a new Irish Champions Weekend fixture.
Records
Most successful horse since 1980:
* ''no horse has won this race more than once since 1980''
Leading
jockey since 1980 (3 wins):
*
Johnny Murtagh
Johnny Murtagh (born 14 May 1970) is an Irish flat racing trainer and former jockey from Bohermeen, near Navan, Kells, County Meath. As a jockey he won many of the major flat races in Europe, including all the Irish Classi ...
– ''Timarida (1995), Soviet Song (2004), Lillie Langtry (2010)''
Leading
trainer since 1980 (4 wins):
*
John Dunlop – ''Mary Mitsu (1982), Llyn Gwynant (1988), Cloud of Dust (1992), Iftiraas (2000)''
Leading owner since 1986 (4 wins):
*
Tabor / Derrick Smith /
Magnier - ''Lillie Langtry (2010), Legatissimo (2015), Alice Springs (2016), Hydrangea (2017)''
Winners since 1986
Duntle finished first in 2012, but she was relegated to second place following a stewards' inquiry.
Earlier winners
* 1980: Calandra
* 1981: Tumblella
* 1982: Mary Mitsu
* 1983: Mighty Fly
* 1984: Clare Bridge
* 1985: Only
See also
*
Horse racing in Ireland
Horse racing in Ireland is intricately linked with Irish culture and society. The racing of horses has a long history on the island, being mentioned in some of the earliest texts. Domestically, racing is one of Ireland's most popular spectator ...
*
List of Irish flat horse races
A list of notable flat horse races which take place annually in Ireland, under the authority of Horse Racing Ireland, including all conditions races which currently hold Group 1, 2 or 3 status in the Europe
Europe is a large peninsula co ...
References
* Paris-Turf:
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Racing Post:
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galopp-sieger.de– ''Matron Stakes.''
horseracingintfed.com– ''International Federation of Horseracing Authorities – Matron Stakes (2018).''
– ''Matron Stakes (Group 1).''
pedigreequery.com– ''Matron Stakes.''
{{Race Meeting, Irish Champions Weekend, Turf
Flat races in Ireland
Mile category horse races for fillies and mares
Leopardstown Racecourse
Breeders' Cup Challenge series