The Vincent O'Brien National Stakes is a
Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to two-year-old
thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a list of horse breeds, horse breed developed for Thoroughbred racing, horse racing. Although the word ''thoroughbred'' is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thorough ...
colts and
fillies. It is run at the
Curragh over a distance of 7 furlongs (1,408 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.
History
The event was established in 1849, and it was originally called the National Produce Stakes and then the National Stakes. The inaugural running was won by Chatterbox.
For a period the National Stakes was classed at Group 2 level, and it was promoted to Group 1 in 1985. It was extended from 7 furlongs to a mile in 1997, but its former distance was restored in 2000.
The race became known as the Vincent O'Brien National Stakes in 2009, in memory of the successful trainer
Vincent O'Brien (1917–2009).
It reverted to its previous title in 2011 but was renamed the Vincent O'Brien Stakes in 2012. In 2014 the title reverted to the Vincent O'Brien National Stakes and it became part of the Irish Champions Weekend fixture.
The National Stakes was formerly part of the
Breeders' Cup Challenge series, with the winner earning an automatic invitation to compete in the
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. It was removed from the series in 2012.
Records
Leading
jockey
A jockey is someone who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase (horse racing), steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing. The word "jockey" originated from England and was used ...
since 1947 (4 wins):
*
Lester Piggott – ''Cellini (1973), Sir Wimborne (1975), El Prado (1991), Fatherland (1992)''
*
Michael Kinane – ''Definite Article (1994), Mus-If (1998), Hawk Wing (2001), One Cool Cat (2003)''
Leading
trainer since 1947 (15 wins):
*
Vincent O'Brien – ''Sir Ivor (1967), Roberto (1971), Chamozzle (1972), Cellini (1973), Sir Wimborne (1975), Monteverdi (1979), Storm Bird (1980), Glenstal (1982), El Gran Senor (1983), Law Society (1984), Tate Gallery (1985), Caerwent (1987), Classic Fame (1988), El Prado (1991), Fatherland (1992)''
Leading owner since 1976 (12 wins):
''(includes part ownership)''
*
Michael Tabor – ''Danehill Dancer (1995), Desert King (1996), King of Kings (1997), Beckett (2000), One Cool Cat (2003), George Washington (2005), Mastercraftsman (2008), Power (2011), Gleneagles (2014), Air Force Blue (2015), Churchill (2016), Henry Longfellow (2023)''
Winners since 1976
Earlier winners
* 1849: Chatterbox
* 1850: Third of May
* 1851: Barbarian
* 1852: The Deformed
* 1853: Knight of St George
* 1855: Citron
* 1857: Barbary
* 1858: Mount Zion
* 1859: Good Boy
* 1869: The Tyrconnell
* 1870: Maid of Athens
* 1871: Prodigal
* 1872: Queen of the Bees
* 1877: Inamorata
* 1880:
Barcaldine
* 1886: Gallinule
* 1891: Red Prince
* 1895: Chit Chat
* 1897: Sirenia
* 1900: St Helena
* 1901: Bachelor's Button
* 1906: Silver Fowl
* 1907: Americus Girl
* 1909: Kilbroney
* 1912: Royal Weaver
* 1914: Offaly
* 1915: Ayn Hali
* 1918:
Grand Parade
* 1920: Soldennis
* 1923: Vesington Star
* 1927: Athford
* 1928: Soloptic
* 1929: Ballyferis
* 1933: Cariff
* 1944: Solid Pact
* 1947: Morning Wings
* 1948: Tribal Song
* 1949: First View
* 1950: Star Wire
* 1951: Blue Butterfly
* 1952: Sea Charger
* 1953: Calvero
* 1954: Panaslipper
* 1955: Black Patch
* 1956: El Minzah
* 1957: Talmud
* 1958: Babu
* 1959: His Story
* 1960: Paris Princess
* 1961: Mystery
* 1962: Partholon
* 1963:
Santa Claus
Santa Claus (also known as Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle or Santa) is a legendary figure originating in Western Christian culture who is said to bring gifts during the late evening and overnight hours on Chris ...
* 1964: Prominer
* 1965: Reubens
* 1966: House Proud
* 1967:
Sir Ivor
* 1968: Thataboy
* 1969: Decies
* 1970: King's Company
* 1971:
Roberto
* 1972: Chamozzle
* 1973:
Cellini
* 1974: Reap the Wind
* 1975: Sir Wimborne
See also
*
Horse racing in Ireland
*
List of Irish flat horse races
*
Recurring sporting events established in 1849 '' – this race is included under its original title, National Produce Stakes.''
References
* Paris-Turf:
**, , , , , ,
*
Racing Post
''Racing Post'' is a British daily horse racing, greyhound racing, and sports betting publisher published in print and digital formats. It is printed in tabloid format from Monday to Sunday. , it has an average daily circulation of 60,629 ...
:
** , , , , , , , , ,
** , , , , , , , , ,
** , , , , , , , , ,
** , , , , , ,
----
galopp-sieger.de– ''Irish National Stakes.''
horseracingintfed.com– ''International Federation of Horseracing Authorities – National Stakes (2018).''
– ''National Stakes (Group 1).''
pedigreequery.com– ''National Stakes – Curragh.''
{{Race Meeting, Irish Champions Weekend, Turf, state=expanded
Flat races in Ireland
Curragh Racecourse
Flat horse races for two-year-olds
1849 establishments in Ireland