King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes

Last updated

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes
ClassGroup 1
Location Ascot Racecourse
Ascot, England
Inaugurated1951;74 years ago (1951)
Race type Flat / Thoroughbred
Sponsor QIPCO
Website Ascot
Race information
Distance1m 3f 211y (2,406 metres)
SurfaceTurf
TrackRight-handed
QualificationThree-years-old and up
Weight8 st 12 lb (3yo);
9 st 9 lb (4yo+)
Allowances
3 lb for fillies and mares
4 lb for S. Hemisphere 4yo
Purse £1,250,000 (2022)
1st: £708,875
King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes
2024
Owner Baron G von Ullmann.svg Owner Mr K Abdulla.svg Owner Godolphin.svg
GoliathBluestockingRebel's Romance
Previous years
2023
Owner Mr Hamdan Al Maktoum.svg Owner Mr K Abdulla.svg Owner Amo Racing Limited.svg
HukumWestoverKing Of Steel
2022
Owner Knox and Wells Limited.svg Owner Gestut Auenquelle.svg Owner Prince A A Faisal.svg
PyledriverTorquator TassoMishriff
2021
Owner Godolphin.svg Owner Prince A A Faisal.svg Owner Michael Tabor.svg
AdayarMishriffLove
2020-2011
2020
Owner Mr K Abdulla.svg Owner Mrs John Magnier 2nd.svg Owner Mr Derrick Smith.svg
EnableSovereignJapan
2019
Owner Mr K Abdulla.svg Owner Mrs P Robeson.svg Owner Gestut Ammerland star on cap.svg
EnableCrystal OceanWaldgeist
2018
Owner Mr Saeed Suhail.svg Owner Baron Edouard De Rothschild.svg Owner Mr Faisal Salman.svg
Poet's WordCrystal OceanCoronet
2017
Owner Mr K Abdulla.svg Owner Flaxman Stables Ireland Ltd.svg Owner Michael Tabor.svg
EnableUlyssesIdaho
2016
Owner Mr Derrick Smith.svg Owner Lady Bamford.svg Owner The King.svg
Highland ReelWings of DesireDartmouth
2015
Owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum.svg Owner Lady Bamford.svg Owner Godolphin.svg
PostponedEagle TopRomsdal
2014
Owner Mr Hamdan Al Maktoum.svg Owner Highclere Thoroughbred Racing.svg Owner Mr Hamdan Al Maktoum black cap.svg
TaghroodaTelescopeMukhadram
2013
Owner Dr Christoph Berglar.svg Owner Mrs J S Bolger.svg Owner Mrs P Robeson.svg
NovellistTrading LeatherHillstar
2012
Owner Gestut Burg Eberstein and Teruya Yoshida.svg Owner Lady Rothschild.svg Owner Mr Derrick Smith.svg
DanedreamNathanielSt Nicholas Abbey
2011
Owner Lady Rothschild.svg Owner Mr K Abdulla.svg Owner Mr Derrick Smith.svg
NathanielWorkforceSt Nicholas Abbey
2010-2001
2010
Owner Highclere Thoroughbred Racing.svg Owner Mr Derrick Smith.svg Owner Mr Jaber Abdullah.svg
HarbingerCape BlancoYoumzain
2009
Owner Ballymacoll Stud.svg Owner Ballymacoll Stud quartered cap.svg Owner Mr D A Johnson red cap.svg
ConduitTartan BearerAsk
2008
Owner Mrs John Magnier.svg Owner Papal Bull Syndicate.svg Owner Mr Jaber Abdullah.svg
Duke Of MarmaladePapal BullYoumzain
2007
Owner Mrs John Magnier.svg Owner Mr Jaber Abdullah.svg Owner Mr Hamdan Al Maktoum.svg
Dylan ThomasYoumzainMaraahel
2006
Owner Michael Tabor.svg Owner Godolphin.svg Owner Shadai Race Horse Co Ltd.svg
Hurricane RunElectrocutionistHeart's Cry
2005
Owner H H Aga Khan.svg Owner Mr J C Smith.svg Owner Niarchos Family.svg
AzamourNorse DancerBago
2004
Owner Godolphin.svg Owner Team Victory.svg Owner Godolphin white cap.svg
DoyenHard BuckSulamani
2003
Owner H H Aga Khan.svg Owner Godolphin.svg Owner Mr Saeed Suhail.svg
AlamsharSulamaniKris Kin
2002
Owner Ballymacoll Stud.svg Owner Mr Hamdan Al Maktoum.svg Owner Mr Abdulla BuHaleeba.svg
GolanNayefZindabad
2001
Owner Mrs John Magnier.svg Owner Godolphin.svg Owner Mr Gary A Tanaka.svg
GalileoFantastic LightHightori
2000-1991
2000
Owner Michael Tabor.svg Owner Godolphin.svg Owner H H Aga Khan.svg
MontjeuFantastic LightDaliapour
1999
Owner Godolphin.svg Owner Godolphin white cap.svg Owner Mr M Doyle.svg
DaylamiNedawiFruits of Love
1998
Owner Godolphin.svg Owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum.svg Owner The Thoroughbred Corporation.svg
SwainHigh-RiseRoyal Anthem
1997
Owner Godolphin white cap.svg Owner Ballymacoll Stud.svg Owner E Sarasola.svg
SwainPilsudskiHelissio
1996
Owner Mollers Racing.svg Owner Godolphin.svg Owner Mr Khalifa Dasmal.svg
PentireClassic ClicheShaamit
1995
Owner Mr Saeed Maktoum Al Maktoum.svg Owner Mollers Racing.svg Owner Sir Martyn Arbib.svg
LammtarraPentireStrategic Choice
1994
Owner Sheikh Mohammed.svg Owner Mr Teruya Yoshida.svg Owner Mr Hamdan Al Maktoum.svg
King's TheatreWhite MuzzleWagon Master
1993
Owner Sheikh Mohammed.svg Owner Mr Teruya Yoshida.svg Owner Mr K Abdulla.svg
Opera HouseWhite MuzzleCommander In Chief
1992
Owner Virginia Kraft Payson.svg Owner Ballymacoll Stud.svg Owner Sheikh Mohammed.svg
St JoviteSaddlers' HallOpera House
1991
Owner HRH Prince Fahd Salman.svg Owner Mr K Abdulla.svg Owner Maktoum Al Maktoum.svg
GenerousSanglamoreRock Hopper
1990-1981
1990
Owner Sheikh Mohammed white sash.svg Owner Sheikh Mohammed white cap.svg Owner S Harada.svg
BelmezOld VicAssatis
1989
Owner Mr Hamdan Al Maktoum.svg Owner Lady Harrison.svg Owner Capt M Lemos.svg
NashwanCacoethesTop Class
1988
Owner Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum.svg Owner Mr Hamdan Al Maktoum.svg Owner Allevamento White Star.svg
MtotoUnfuwainTony Bin
1987
Owner Cliveden Stud.svg Owner Richard L Duchossois.svg Owner a clore.svg
Reference PointCelestial StormTriptych
1986
Owner Mr K Abdulla.svg Owner H H Aga Khan hoops.svg Owner a clore.svg
Dancing BraveShardariTriptych
1985
Owner The Dowager Lady Beaverbrook.svg Owner Sheikh Mohammed.svg Owner Mr K Abdulla.svg
PetoskiOh So SharpRainbow Quest
1984
Owner Mollers Racing.svg Owner Mr B V Sangster.svg Owner c d alessio.svg
TeenosoSadler's WellsTolomeo
1983
Owner Mr R Barnett.svg Owner Kingsclere Racing Club.svg Owner Ballymacoll Stud.svg
Time CharterDiamond ShoalSun Princess
1982
Owner a ward.svg Owner Mr B V Sangster.svg Owner Kingsclere Racing Club.svg
KalaglowAssertGlint of Gold
1981
Owner H H Aga Khan.svg Owner Geoffrey Kaye.svg Owner J R Mullion.svg
ShergarMadam GayFingal's Cave
1980-1971
1980
Owner Ballymacoll Stud.svg Owner Mr E N Kronfeld.svg Owner Mr D Schwartz.svg
Ela-Mana-MouMrs PennyGregorian
1979
Owner Ballymacoll Stud.svg Owner Wertheimer and Frere.svg Owner Andry Muinos.svg
TroyGay MeceneEla-Mana-Mou
1978
Owner David McCall.svg Owner Marcel Boussac.svg Owner Mr B V Sangster.svg
Ile de BourbonAcamasHawaiian Sound
1977
Owner Mr B V Sangster.svg Owner Grundy Bloodstock Limited.svg Owner Nelson B Hunt.svg
The MinstrelOrange BayExceller
1976
Owner Ecurie Wildenstein.svg Owner Lucayan Stud.svg Owner Grundy Bloodstock Limited.svg
PawneeseBruniOrange Bay
1975
Owner Grundy Bloodstock Limited.svg Owner The Dowager Lady Beaverbrook.svg Owner Nelson B Hunt.svg
GrundyBustinoDahlia
1974
Owner Nelson B Hunt.svg Owner The King.svg Owner Marcel Boussac.svg
DahliaHighclereDankaro
1973
Owner Nelson B Hunt.svg Owner Mr H R K Zeisel.svg Owner E R More O'Ferrall.svg
DahliaRheingoldOur Mirage
1972
Owner Mrs J L Hislop.svg Owner E R More O'Ferrall.svg Owner Wertheimer and Frere.svg
Brigadier GerardParnellRiverman
1971
Owner Kingsclere Racing Club.svg Owner Grundy Bloodstock Limited.svg Owner Nelson B Hunt.svg
Mill ReefOrtisAcclimatization
1970-1961
1970
Owner Mrs Charles W Engelhard.svg Owner Mr A M Budgett.svg Owner Marcel Boussac.svg
NijinskyBlakeneyCrepellana
1969
Owner Duke of Devonshire.svg Owner Mr A D G Oldrey.svg Owner Razza Dormello Olgiata.svg
Park TopCrozierHogarth
1968
Owner Mr H J Joel.svg Owner Ecurie Wildenstein.svg Owner Mme L Volterra.svg
Royal PalaceFelicioTopyo
1967
Owner Mr S Joel.svg Owner Ga Oldham.svg Owner Mrs Charles W Engelhard.svg
BustedSalvoRibocco
1966
Owner Lt.-Col J Hornung.svg Owner Mr R J Sigtia.svg Owner J R Mullion.svg
Aunt EdithSodiumProminer
1965
Owner Mr G M Bell.svg Owner Mr L L Lawrence.svg Owner Gillian, Lady Howard de Walden.svg
Meadow CourtSoderiniOncidium
1964
Owner Mrs H E Jackson.svg Owner Mr J Ismay.svg Owner Lucayan Stud.svg
NasramSanta ClausRoyal Avenue
1963
Owner J R Mullion.svg Owner Ga Oldham.svg Owner J McGrath.svg
RagusaMiralgoTarqogan
1962
Owner F Dupre.svg Owner Mrs V Hue-Williams.svg Owner Mrs E M Carroll.svg
MatchAureliusArctic Storm
1961
Owner Mme J Couturie.svg Owner Sir Victor Sassoon.svg Owner Godolphin white cap.svg
Right RoyalSt. PaddyRockavon
1960-1951
1960
Owner Sir H Wernher.svg Owner H H Aga Khan hoops.svg Owner Mr E R More O'Ferrall.svg
AggressorPetite EtoileKythnos
1959
Owner Sir H de Trafford.svg Owner Mr J McShain.svg Owner Ecurie Wildenstein.svg
AlcideGladnessBalbo
1958
Owner Mr J McShain.svg Owner The King.svg Owner The Queen white cap.svg
BallymossAlmeriaDoutelle
1957
Owner Ralph Strassburger.svg Owner H H Aga Khan hoops.svg Owner Ballymore Thoroughbred Ltd.svg
MontavalAl MabsootTribord
1956
Owner Marchese Incisa della Rochetta.svg Owner The King.svg Owner Mme Du Bois.svg
RibotHigh VeldtTodrai
1955
Owner Wertheimer and Frere.svg Owner Alice, Lady Derby.svg Owner Sir Victor Sassoon.svg
VimyAcropolisElopement
1954
Owner The King.svg Owner Mme L Volterra.svg Owner Sir P Loraine.svg
AureoleVamosDarius
1953
Owner Sir Victor Sassoon.svg Owner The King.svg Owner Ralph Strassburger.svg
PinzaAureoleWorden
1952
Owner H H Aga Khan hoops.svg Owner Mrs James V Rank.svg Owner Ralph Strassburger.svg
TulyarGay TimeWorden
1951
Owner Mrs V Hue-Williams.svg Owner Mr G Rolls.svg Owner F Dupre.svg
Supreme CourtZuccheroTantieme
 

The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged three years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile 3 furlongs and 211 yards (2,406 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in July.

Contents

It is Britain's most prestigious open-age flat race, and its roll of honour features some of the most highly acclaimed horses of the sport's recent history. The 1975 running, which involved a hard-fought battle to the finish between Grundy and Bustino, is frequently described as the "race of the century". [1] Many of its winners subsequently compete in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, and a number go on to have a successful career at stud. The race is often informally referred to as the "King George".

History

The event was formed as the result of an amalgamation of two separate races at Ascot which were established in 1946 and 1948. [2] The first of these, named after King George VI, was a 2-mile contest for three-year-olds held in October. The second, in honour of his wife, Queen Elizabeth, was a one and a half-mile event staged in July. The idea was conceived by Major John Crocker Bulteel, the Clerk of the Course at Ascot, who wanted to create an important international race over one and a half miles for horses aged three or older. The inaugural running of the combined race took place on 21 July 1951. In its first year, to commemorate the Festival of Britain, it was titled the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Festival of Britain Stakes.

During the early part of its history the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes was not commercially sponsored. Its first period of sponsorship started in 1972, when it began a long association with the diamond company De Beers. The word "Diamond" was added to the race's title when permission for its inclusion was given by Queen Elizabeth II in 1975. It became known as the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes, and De Beers continued to back the event until 2006.

The online betting company Betfair started to sponsor the King George in 2009, [3] and its prize fund was increased from £750,000 to £1,000,000. It is now Britain's second richest horse race, with a purse exceeded only by that of The Derby.

The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes became part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge series in 2011. The winner now earns an automatic invitation to compete in the same year's Breeders' Cup Turf. [4]

Most successful horse (3 wins):

Leading jockey (7 wins):

Leading trainer (6 wins):

Leading owner (6 wins):(includes part ownership)

Winners

YearWinnerAgeJockeyTrainerOwnerTime
1951 Supreme Court 3 Charlie Elliott Evan Williams Vera Lilley2:29.40
1952 Tulyar 3 Charlie Smirke Marcus Marsh HH Aga Khan III 2:33.00
1953 Pinza 3 Sir Gordon Richards Norman Bertie Sir Victor Sassoon 2:34.00
1954 Aureole 4 Eph Smith Cecil Boyd-Rochfort Queen Elizabeth II 2:44.00
1955 Vimy 3 Roger Poincelet Alec Head Pierre Wertheimer 2:33.76
1956 Ribot 4Enrico CamiciUgo PencoMario della Rocchetta2:40.24
1957 Montaval 4 Freddie Palmer Georges Bridgland Ralph B. Strassburger 2:41.02
1958 Ballymoss 4 Scobie Breasley Vincent O'Brien John McShain 2:36.33
1959 Alcide 4 Harry Carr Cecil Boyd-Rochfort Sir Humphrey de Trafford 2:31.39
1960 Aggressor 5 Jimmy Lindley Towser Gosden Sir Harold Wernher 2:35.21
1961 Right Royal 3 Roger Poincelet Etienne PolletElisabeth Couturié2:40.34
1962 Match 4 Yves Saint-Martin François Mathet François Dupré 2:32.02
1963 Ragusa 3 Garnie Bougoure Paddy Prendergast Jim Mullion2:33.80
1964 Nasram 4Bill PyersErnie FellowsMrs Howell Jackson2:33.15
1965 Meadow Court 3 Lester Piggott Paddy Prendergast Bell / McMahon / Crosby 2:33.27
1966 Aunt Edith 4 Lester Piggott Noel Murless John Hornung2:35.06
1967 Busted 4 George Moore Noel Murless Stanhope Joel2:33.64
1968 Royal Palace 4Sandy Barclay Noel Murless Jim Joel2:33.22
1969 Park Top 5 Lester Piggott Bernard van Cutsem 11th Duke of Devonshire 2:32.46
1970 Nijinsky 3 Lester Piggott Vincent O'Brien Charles Engelhard 2:36.16
1971 Mill Reef 3 Geoff Lewis Ian Balding Paul Mellon 2:32.56
1972 Brigadier Gerard 4 Joe Mercer Dick Hern Jean Hislop2:32.91
1973 Dahlia 3Bill Pyers Maurice Zilber Nelson Bunker Hunt 2:30.43
1974 Dahlia 4 Lester Piggott Maurice Zilber Nelson Bunker Hunt 2:33.03
1975 Grundy 3 Pat Eddery Peter Walwyn Carlo Vittadini2:26.98
1976 Pawneese 3 Yves Saint-Martin Angel Penna Sr. Daniel Wildenstein 2:29.36
1977 The Minstrel 3 Lester Piggott Vincent O'Brien Robert Sangster 2:30.48
1978 Ile de Bourbon 3 John Reid Fulke Johnson Houghton David McCall2:30.53
1979 Troy 3 Willie Carson Dick Hern Sobell / Weinstock 2:33.75
1980 Ela-Mana-Mou 4 Willie Carson Dick Hern Simon Weinstock2:35.39
1981 Shergar 3 Walter Swinburn Michael Stoute HH Aga Khan IV 2:35.40
1982 Kalaglow 4 Greville Starkey Guy Harwood Tony Ward2:31.88
1983 Time Charter 4 Joe Mercer Henry Candy Robert Barnett2:30.79
1984 Teenoso 4 Lester Piggott Geoff Wragg Eric Moller2:27.95
1985 Petoski 3 Willie Carson Dick Hern Lady Beaverbrook 2:27.61
1986 Dancing Brave 3 Pat Eddery Guy Harwood Khalid Abdullah 2:29.49
1987 Reference Point 3 Steve Cauthen Henry Cecil Louis Freedman 2:34.63
1988 Mtoto 5 Michael Roberts Alec Stewart Ahmed Al Maktoum 2:37.33
1989 Nashwan 3 Willie Carson Dick Hern Hamdan Al Maktoum 2:32.27
1990 Belmez 3 Michael Kinane Henry Cecil Sheikh Mohammed 2:30.76
1991 Generous 3 Alan Munro Paul Cole Prince Fahd bin Salman 2:28.99
1992 St Jovite 3Stephen Craine Jim Bolger Virginia Kraft Payson 2:30.85
1993 Opera House 5 Michael Roberts Michael Stoute Sheikh Mohammed 2:33.94
1994 King's Theatre 3 Michael Kinane Henry Cecil Sheikh Moh'd / Poland [5] 2:28.92
1995 Lammtarra 3 Frankie Dettori Saeed bin Suroor Saeed bin M. Al Maktoum 2:31.01
1996 Pentire 4 Michael Hills Geoff Wragg Mollers Racing2:28.11
1997 Swain 5 John Reid Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin 2:36.45
1998 Swain 6 Frankie Dettori Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin 2:29.06
1999 Daylami 5 Frankie Dettori Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin 2:29.35
2000 Montjeu 4 Michael Kinane John Hammond Michael Tabor 2:29.98
2001 Galileo 3 Michael Kinane Aidan O'Brien Magnier / Tabor 2:27.71
2002 Golan 4 Kieren Fallon Sir Michael Stoute Exors of Lord Weinstock 2:29.70
2003 Alamshar 3 Johnny Murtagh John Oxx HH Aga Khan IV 2:33.26
2004 Doyen 4 Frankie Dettori Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin 2:33.18
2005 Azamour [a] 4 Michael Kinane John Oxx HH Aga Khan IV 2:28.26
2006 Hurricane Run 4 Christophe Soumillon André Fabre Michael Tabor 2:30.29
2007 Dylan Thomas 4 Johnny Murtagh Aidan O'Brien Magnier / Tabor 2:31.11
2008 Duke of Marmalade 4 Johnny Murtagh Aidan O'Brien Magnier / Tabor 2:27.91
2009 Conduit 4 Ryan Moore Sir Michael Stoute Ballymacoll Stud 2:28.73
2010 Harbinger 4 Olivier Peslier Sir Michael Stoute Highclere "Admiral Rous"2:26.78
2011 Nathaniel 3 William Buick John Gosden Lady Rothschild 2:35.07
2012 Danedream 4 Andrasch Starke Peter Schiergen Burg Eberstein / Yoshida2:31.62
2013 Novellist 4 Johnny Murtagh Andreas Wohler Christoph Berglar2:24.60
2014 Taghrooda 3 Paul Hanagan John Gosden Hamdan Al Maktoum 2:28.13
2015 Postponed 4 Andrea Atzeni Luca Cumani Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum2:31.25
2016 Highland Reel 4 Ryan Moore Aidan O'Brien Magnier / Tabor/ Smith2:28.97
2017 Enable 3 Frankie Dettori John Gosden Khalid Abdullah 2:36.22
2018 Poet's Word 5 James Doyle Sir Michael Stoute Saeed Suhail2:25.84
2019 Enable 5 Frankie Dettori John Gosden Khalid Abdullah 2:32.42
2020 Enable 6 Frankie Dettori John Gosden Khalid Abdullah 2:28.92
2021 Adayar 3 William Buick Charlie Appleby Godolphin 2:26.54
2022 Pyledriver 5 P. J. McDonald William Muir & Chris GrassickLa Pyle Partnership2:29.49
2023 Hukum 6 Jim Crowley Owen Burrows Shadwell Racing 2:33.95
2024 Goliath4 Christophe Soumillon Francis-Henri GraffardPhilip Baron Von Ullmann2:27.43
  1. The 2005 running took place at Newbury

See also

References

  1. Wood, Greg (27 July 2000). "Enduring greatness of Grundy v Bustino". The Independent . Retrieved 19 July 2009.
  2. "King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes". tbheritage.com. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
  3. Armytage, Marcus (3 December 2008). "New sponsor announced for classic". The Daily Telegraph . Retrieved 19 July 2009.
  4. "2011 Breeders' Cup Challenge Schedule" (PDF). breederscup.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 June 2012. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
  5. Montgomery, Sue (24 July 1994). "Theatre's dramatic effect". The Independent . Retrieved 18 September 2011.