| Class | Group 2 |
|---|---|
| Location | Ayr Racecourse Ayr, Scotland |
| Inaugurated | 1979 |
| Final run | 18 July 2005 |
| Race type | Flat / Thoroughbred |
| Website | Ayr |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1m 2f (2,012 metres) |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Three-years-old and up |
| Weight | 8 st 6 lb (3yo); 9 st 2 lb (4yo+) Allowances 3 lb for fillies and mares Penalties 6 lb for Group 1 winners * 3 lb for Group 2 winners * * since 1 September last year (2yo wins not penalised) |
| Purse | £100,000 (2005) 1st: £58,000 |
The Scottish Derby was a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It was run at Ayr over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs (2,012 metres), and it was scheduled to take place each year in July.
The event was established in 1979, and it was initially restricted to three-year-olds. [1] The first edition was contested over 1 mile and 5 furlongs. It was shortened by two furlongs in 1980. It was cut by another furlong and opened to older horses in 1987.
The race was originally known as the Scottish Derby, but it was renamed the Scottish Classic in 1988. For a period it held Group 3 status. It reverted to its former title and was promoted to Group 2 level in 2003.
The Scottish Derby was last run in 2005. It was replaced the following year by a similar race, the York Stakes at York.
Over the course of twenty-seven runnings the event had several different sponsors. These included Mecca Bookmakers, Tennent's and the Daily Record.
Most successful horse:
Leading jockey (4 wins):
Leading trainer (6 wins):
| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Serge Lifar | 3 | Brian Taylor | Ryan Price | 2:53.41 |
| 1980 | Prince Roland | 3 | Steve Cauthen | Barry Hills | 2:22.67 |
| 1981 | Little Wolf | 3 | Graham Sexton | Dick Hern | 2:23.02 |
| 1982 | Jalmood | 3 | Steve Cauthen | John Dunlop | 2:20.54 |
| 1983 | Dazari | 3 | Walter Swinburn | Michael Stoute | 2:18.61 |
| 1984 | Raami | 3 | Tony Ives | Bill O'Gorman | 2:18.40 |
| 1985 | Eagling | 3 | Paul Eddery | Henry Cecil | 2:23.76 |
| 1986 | Moon Madness | 3 | Tony Ives | John Dunlop | 2:19.67 |
| 1987 | Ascot Knight | 3 | Walter Swinburn | Michael Stoute | 2:08.62 |
| 1988 | Kefaah | 3 | Ray Cochrane | Luca Cumani | 2:06.71 |
| 1989 | Scenic | 3 | Michael Hills | Barry Hills | 2:07.88 |
| 1990 | Husyan | 4 | Willie Carson | Peter Walwyn | 2:08.01 |
| 1991 | Zoman | 4 | Alan Munro | Paul Cole | 2:07.18 |
| 1992 | Sharpitor | 3 | John Reid | William Jarvis | 2:06.03 |
| 1993 | River North | 3 | Kevin Darley | Lady Herries | 2:08.12 |
| 1994 | Beneficial | 4 | Michael Hills | Geoff Wragg | 2:05.66 |
| 1995 | Baron Ferdinand | 5 | Kevin Darley | Roger Charlton | 2:08.28 |
| 1996 | Montjoy | 4 | Richard Quinn | Paul Cole | 2:10.07 |
| 1997 | Crystal Hearted | 3 | Tony McGlone | Henry Candy | 2:09.26 |
| 1998 | Winter Romance | 5 | Kieren Fallon | Ed Dunlop | 2:12.79 |
| 1999 | Prolix | 4 | Richard Hughes | Barry Hills | 2:13.01 |
| 2000 | Endless Hall | 4 | Jamie Spencer | Luca Cumani | 2:04.02 |
| 2001 | Carnival Dancer | 3 | Kieren Fallon | Sir Michael Stoute | 2:10.61 |
| 2002 | Imperial Dancer | 4 | Chris Catlin | Mick Channon | 2:09.91 |
| 2003 | Princely Venture | 4 | Kieren Fallon | Sir Michael Stoute | 2:07.46 |
| 2004 | Kalaman [a] | 4 | Kieren Fallon | Sir Michael Stoute | 2:04.90 |
| 2005 | Imperial Stride | 4 | Richard Hills | Sir Michael Stoute | 2:06.08 |
a The 2004 winner Kalaman was later exported to Hong Kong and renamed Oriental Magic.