Rockfel Stakes

Last updated

Rockfel Stakes
Group 2 race
Location Rowley Mile
Newmarket, England
Inaugurated1981
Race type Flat / Thoroughbred
Sponsor Shadwell Racing
Website Newmarket
Race information
Distance7f (1,408 metres)
SurfaceTurf
TrackStraight
QualificationTwo-year-old fillies
Weight9 st 0 lb
Penalties
3 lb for G1 / G2 Group 2 winners
Purse£90,000 (2021)
1st: £51,039
Rockfel Stakes
2024
Owner Michael Tabor blue cap.svg Owner H H SH Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa.svg Owner Victorious Racing Limited.svg
BubblingServing With StyleDuty First
Previous years
2023
Owner Shaikh Duaij Al Khalifa and Khk Racing.svg Owner Mrs B V Sangster.svg Owner Mrs John Magnier.svg
Carla's WayShuwariYlang Ylang
2022
Owner Isa Salman Al Khalifa.svg Owner Clipper Logistics.svg Owner Hot To Trot Racing Club.svg
CommissioningElectric EyesRage Of Bamby
2021
Owner Amo Racing Limited.svg Owner Highclere Thoroughbred Racing.svg Owner Nick Bradley Racing.svg
Hello YouCachetOscula
2020-2011
2020
Owner Mr and Mrs Paul Rooney.svg Owner Mrs H Varian.svg Owner Dr J Walker.svg
Isabella GilesNazunaAlba Rose
2019
Owner H H SH Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa.svg Owner Miss Yvonne Jacques.svg Owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum.svg
DaahyehStylistiqueCloak Of Spirits
2018
Owner Michael Tabor.svg Owner Mrs Anne Coughlan.svg Owner Mr Saif Ali.svg
Just WonderfulDandhuMain Edition
2017
Owner Cheveley Park Stud.svg Owner Mr C M Batterham.svg Owner Mr K Abdulla.svg
Juliet CapuletNyaletiGavota
2016
Owner Mr Roberto Cocheteux Tierno.svg Owner Mr K Abdulla.svg Owner Mrs Jane Newett.svg
Spain BurgFair EvaMiss Infinity
2015
Owner Godolphin.svg Owner Ballymacoll Stud.svg Owner Mr Chris Humber.svg
Promising RunThetisHawksmoor
2014
Owner Godolphin.svg Owner Mr Hamdan Al Maktoum.svg Owner Mr Chris Humber.svg
LucidaFadhayyilNew Providence
2013
Owner HE Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani.svg Owner Mr Saeed Manana.svg Owner Qatar Racing Limited.svg
Al ThakhiraBlockadeValonia
2012
Owner Qatar Racing Limited.svg Owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum.svg Owner Godolphin.svg
Just The JudgeNargysDesert Blossom
2011
Owner Mrs John Magnier.svg Owner Godolphin.svg Owner Mr H R Mould.svg
WadingPimpernelGray Pearl
2010-2001
2010
Owner Mr Saeed Suhail.svg Owner The Rat Racers.svg Owner Mr N Botica.svg
Cape DollarCochabambaI Love Me
2009
Owner Mr Jaber Abdullah.svg Owner Mrs J S Bolger.svg Owner Mr Hamdan Al Maktoum.svg
Music ShowAtasariTabassum
2008
Owner Mr M J Al-Qatami.svg Owner Indian Haven Syndicate.svg Owner Mr P D Merritt.svg
LahaleebAspen DarlinSouter's Sister
2007
Owner Mrs David Nagle and Mrs John Magnier.svg Owner Mr Tim Corby.svg Owner Mr D M James.svg
Kitty MatchamMissitRoyal Confidence
2006
Owner Mr M A Ryan.svg Owner HE Sheikh R Al Maktoum.svg Owner Investment AB Rustningen.svg
Finsceal BeoRahiyahPuggy
2005
Owner Michael H Sly.svg Owner Mr C G Rowles Nicholson.svg Owner Mrs June Judd and Mrs J S Bolger.svg
SpeciosaVioletteAbigail Pett
2004
Owner M Schwartz.svg Owner Mrs H M Chamberlain.svg Owner Wyck Hall Stud.svg
Maids CausewayPenkenna PrincessFavourita
2003
Owner Sheikh Mohammed.svg Owner Sir T Pilkington.svg Owner Mr B Scanlon.svg
CairnsSnow GooseKelucia
2002
Owner Team Valor International.svg Owner Mr W S Farish III.svg Owner Mrs John Magnier.svg
Luvah GirlCasual LookYesterday
2001
Owner J R Shannon.svg Owner Mrs E M Stockwell.svg Owner Mr Hamdan Al Maktoum.svg
Distant ValleyLahinchMisterah
2000-1991
2000
Owner Mr Hamdan Al Maktoum.svg Owner Mrs John Magnier.svg Owner Miss P F O'Kelly.svg
SayedahImagineKatherine Seymour
1999
Owner Mr Hamdan Al Maktoum.svg Owner Mr K Abdulla.svg Owner J M Brown.svg
LahanClog DanceTotal Love
1998
Owner J R Fleming.svg Owner Kirby Maher Syndicate.svg Owner Mr W J Gredley.svg
Hula AngelValentine WaltzHasty Words
1997
Owner William Fox.svg Owner Stonethorn Stud Farms Limited.svg Owner Skyline Racing Ltd.svg
Name Of LoveTadwigaStatua
1996
Owner Godolphin.svg Owner Cheveley Park Stud.svg Owner Dr Catherine Wills.svg
Moonlight ParadiseDazzleSerenity
1995
Owner Mr Hamdan Al Maktoum.svg Owner Prince Sultan Al Kabeer.svg Owner Mr Wafic Said.svg
Bint SalsabilParrot JungleMy Branch
1994
Owner Mr E D Kessly.svg Owner Prince A A Faisal.svg Owner Mrs A V Ferguson.svg
GermaneSubyaFleet Hill
1993
Owner Helena Springfield Ltd.svg Owner J H Pickard.svg Owner Mrs D Joly.svg
Relatively SpecialBallard RingReason To Dance
1992
Owner Mr M H Dixon.svg Owner Sheikh Mohammed.svg Owner Cheveley Park Stud.svg
YawlQueen's ViewMystic Goddess
1991
Owner Mr B V Sangster.svg Owner Sheikh Mohammed.svg Owner Sheikh Mohammed.svg
MusicaleMystery PlaySnow Forest
1990-1988
1990
Owner Leydens Farm Stud.svg Owner E P Jameson.svg Owner Ecurie Fustok.svg
Crystal GazingLee ArtisteCrystal Path
1989
Owner The Hon. Mrs J. M. Corbett.svg Owner Cheveley Park Stud.svg Owner L Westbury.svg
NegligentFearless RevivalVa Toujours
1988
Owner Sheikh Mohammed.svg Owner Mr W J Gredley.svg Owner Mr B V Sangster.svg
Musical BlissJaljuliOrange Grove
 

The Rockfel Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to two-year-old fillies. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 7 furlongs (1,408 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.

Contents

History

The event is named after Rockfel, a successful filly whose victories included two Classics in 1938. It was established in 1981, and its first winner was Top Hope.

The Rockfel Stakes attained Listed status in 1985, and it was promoted to Group 3 level in 1986. It was upgraded to Group 2 in 1998.

The race was formerly staged during Newmarket's Champions' Day meeting in mid-October. It became part of a new fixture called Future Champions Day in 2011 and was moved to a September date from 2014, switching places in the calendar with the Fillies' Mile. [1] The race is currently part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge and the winner earns an automatic place in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf race.

The leading horses from the Rockfel Stakes sometimes go on to compete in the following season's 1000 Guineas. Four fillies have won both events, the most recent being Finsceal Beo (2006–07).

Records

Leading jockey (4 wins):

Leading trainer (4 wins):

Winners

YearWinnerJockeyTrainerTime
1981Top Hope Walter Swinburn Michael Stoute 1:28.56
1982Saving Mercy Brian Taylor Jeremy Hindley 1:29.45
1983Mahogany Joe Mercer Charlie Nelson1:26.89
1984Kashi LagoonBruce RaymondBen Hanbury1:28.71
1985Tralthee Lester Piggott Luca Cumani 1:27.30
1986At Risk Steve Cauthen Henry Cecil 1:29.47
1987no race [a]
1988 Musical Bliss Walter Swinburn Michael Stoute 1:28.64
1989Negligent Michael Hills Barry Hills 1:24.42
1990Crystal Gazing Frankie Dettori Luca Cumani 1:29.80
1991Musicale Pat Eddery Henry Cecil 1:23.92
1992Yawl Darryll Holland Barry Hills 1:23.81
1993Relatively Special Ray Cochrane Luca Cumani 1:27.82
1994Germane Micky Fenton Michael Bell 1:25.76
1995Bint Salsabil Willie Carson John Dunlop 1:26.05
1996Moonlight Paradise Frankie Dettori Saeed bin Suroor 1:26.26
1997Name of Love Kieren Fallon David Loder 1:26.42
1998 Hula Angel Michael Hills Barry Hills 1:25.84
1999 [b] Lahan Richard Hills John Gosden 1:26.79
2000Sayedah Richard Hills Marcus Tregoning 1:27.96
2001Distant Valley Dane O'Neill Richard Hannon Sr. 1:28.53
2002Luvah Girl Kevin Darley Roger Charlton 1:24.98
2003Cairns Ted Durcan Mick Channon 1:25.88
2004 Maids Causeway Michael Hills Barry Hills 1:28.93
2005 Speciosa Micky Fenton Pam Sly1:27.01
2006 Finsceal Beo Kevin Manning Jim Bolger 1:27.12
2007Kitty Matcham Johnny Murtagh Aidan O'Brien 1:27.01
2008Lahaleeb Darryll Holland Mick Channon 1:23.95
2009 Music Show Kieren Fallon Mick Channon 1:23.83
2010Cape Dollar Ryan Moore Sir Michael Stoute 1:26.91
2011Wading Ryan Moore Aidan O'Brien 1:23.75
2012 Just The Judge Michael Hills Charles Hills1:25.15
2013Al Thakhira Martin Harley Marco Botti 1:25.54
2014Lucida Kevin Manning Jim Bolger 1:22.82
2015Promising Run James Doyle Saeed bin Suroor 1:23.55
2016Spain Burg Frankie Dettori Xavier Thomas-Demeaulte1:24.92
2017Juliet Capulet Frankie Dettori John Gosden 1:27.23
2018Just Wonderful Ryan Moore Aidan O'Brien 1:25.30
2019Daahyeh William Buick Roger Varian 1:24.14
2020Isabella Giles Adam Kirby Clive Cox1:22.55
2021Hello You Rossa Ryan David Loughnanne1:23.12
2022CommissioningRobert Havlin John and Thady Gosden 1:24.40
2023Carla's Way James Doyle Simon & Ed Crisford1:23.01
2024Bubbling Ryan Moore Aidan O'Brien 1:27.20
  1. The 1987 running was abandoned because of high winds and structural damage
  2. The 1999 race was run on the July Course at Newmarket

See also

Related Research Articles

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Rockfel was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare, best known for winning two Classics in 1938. In a career which lasted from July 1937 until May 1939 she ran thirteen times and won eight races. Rockfel began her career at the lowest level, being beaten in a selling race, but improved to become recognised as one of the best British racemares of the 20th century. In 1938 she was the dominant three-year-old in England, winning the 1000 Guineas over one mile at Newmarket and the Oaks over one and a half miles at Epsom. In the autumn she defeated colts in the Champion Stakes and the Aintree Derby and was retired after winning her only race as a four-year-old. She produced one foal before dying in November 1941.

Ma Biche was an American-bred, French-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare who won the classic 1000 Guineas at Newmarket Racecourse in 1983. The filly was the best racehorse of her age and sex in Europe in 1982 when she won two Group One races: the Prix Robert Papin in France and the Cheveley Park Stakes in England. In the following year she defeated a strong field to win the 1000 Guineas, but then suffered from a series of training problems before returning to form in autumn to win the Prix de la Forêt.

Chriselliam was an Irish-bred British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. In 2013 she won two of her five races in Europe, establishing herself as one of the leading British-trained fillies of her generation by winning the Fillies' Mile. She was then sent to the United States in November where she recorded a decisive win in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. She was awarded the title of Cartier Champion Two-year-old Filly and was officially rated the best two-year-old filly in Europe. She died in February 2014 after contracting a bacterial infection.

Maids Causeway is an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. As a two-year-old in 2004 she won three of her seven races including the Sweet Solera Stakes and Rockfel Stakes as well as being placed in both the May Hill Stakes and the Fillies' Mile. As a three-year-old she finished second in the classic 1000 Guineas and then recorded her biggest win in the Coronation Stakes. At the end of the year she was bought by Sheikh Mohammed and retired from racing to become a broodmare. Her name has always been rendered without an apostrophe, consistently with the street of that name alongside Midsummer Common in Cambridge.

The 1999 1000 Guineas Stakes was a horse race held at Newmarket Racecourse on Sunday 2 May 1999. It was the 186th running of the 1000 Guineas. As the traditional Rowley Mile course was being redeveloped the race was run on Newmarket's July Course.

Hula Angel was an American-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare best known for winning the Irish 1,000 Guineas in 1999. As a two-year-old she showed steady improvement in six races, winning a maiden on her third appearance and finishing third in the Oh So Sharp Stakes before winning the Group Two Rockfel Stakes. In the following spring she finished sixth in the 1000 Guineas before recording her biggest win in the Irish equivalent at the Curragh. She was well beaten in two subsequent races and was retired from racing at the end of the year. Hula Angel finished ahead of the 1,000 Guineas winner Wince in three of their four racecourse meetings. She has had some success a dam of winners.

References

  1. "Weekend of Champions". britishchampionsseries.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2014.