RACE HISTORIES & CONDITIONS
The Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1)
The Ascot Stakes (Handicap)
Founded in 1840, the Queen Anne Stakes commemorates the monarch who established racing at Ascot in 1711. Run as the Trial Stakes until 1929, the Queen Anne Stakes was first awarded Group 3 status in 1971, becoming Group 2 in 1984. The race, attracting Europe’s top older milers, achieved the highest threeyear average rating of any Group 2 race in Britain from 1999 to 2002 according to the then International Classifications and was elevated to Group 1 status accordingly in 2003. Run as the opening race of the week since 2008 it will once again get the Royal Meeting underway this year.
First run in 1839, the Ascot Stakes is run over two-and-a-half miles. Like the Gold Cup and Queen Alexandra Stakes, this race provides a thorough test of stamina. It is one of just four races at the Royal Meeting in which the field passes the winning post twice. As well as attracting some high-class horses from the Jumps sphere, the race normally features horses that will go on to run in the major staying handicaps throughout the season including the Northumberland Plate and the Ebor.
One Mile, Four Year Olds & Upwards
Two miles, four furlongs, Four Year Olds & Upwards
The Wolferton Stakes (Listed)
One mile, two furlongs, Four Year Olds & Upwards
The Coventry Stakes (Group 2)
First run in 2002 as part of the five-day Royal Ascot meeting to celebrate The Queen’s Golden Jubilee, this is a Listed race over 10 furlongs for four-year-olds and upwards, having been a Listed Handicap until 2017.
Six furlongs, Two Year Olds
First run in 1890, the race was named after the ninth Earl of Coventry, Master of the Buckhounds between 1886 and 1892. This is traditionally the first Group contest of the year for juveniles and as a result attracts some of the very best precious young horses, forming part of the high-class opening day card. Many top quality horses win this race before going on to achieve greatness including Canford Cliffs, Dawn Approach and Caravaggio since the race was promoted to Group 2 status in 2004.
The Copper Horse Stakes (Handicap) One mile, six furlongs, Four Year Olds & Upwards
Staged over a mile and three quarters, the Copper Horse Stakes was one of the six additional races to be run at Royal Ascot in 2020. Open to four-year-olds and upwards, Her Majesty The Queen graciously consented to the race’s name to be included and it now forms part of the permanently expanded programme. It is inspired by the magnificent statue of King George III – mounted on horseback – which marks the end of the Long Walk in Windsor Great Park. The inaugural running was won by Fujaira Prince who went on to win the Ebor at York and was then second in the Group 1 Irish St. Leger and third in the British Champions Long Distance Cup on QIPCO British Champions Day.
The King’s Stand Stakes (Group 1) Five furlongs, Three Year Olds & Upwards
A Stand Plate was first run on the round course in 1837, becoming the Royal Stand Plate in 1858. The race was renamed the Queen’s Stand Plate in 1860 for two-year-olds, over the sprint distance of four furlongs, finally becoming the King’s Stand Plate in 1901. Today the race remains a sprint, although now run over the minimum trip of five furlongs for three-yearolds and upwards. In 2008 it was promoted to Group 1. The 2019 renewal was officially the highest-quality sprint race in the world with a rating of 120.25 after Blue Point and Battaash fought out the finish.
The Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2) Five furlongs, Two Year Old Fillies
Named after the consort of King George V, this race was first run in 1921. The Queen Mary Stakes is the first major race of the season exclusively for two-year-old fillies. Run over the minimum distance of five furlongs and promoted to Group 2 status in 2004, it provides a useful opportunity to assess their ability and potential to perform at Group 1 level. American trainer Wesley Ward has an exceptional record in the race having saddled the winner four times since 2009, including most recently with Campanelle in 2020.
The St James’s Palace Stakes (Group 1) Old mile, Three Year Old Colts
Named after the Tudor Royal residence, the inaugural running of the St James’s Palace Stakes in 1834 was a walkover for the Derby winner Plenipotentiary. This race features the best male milers from the Classic generation, often attracting horses that have run in the British, French and Irish 2,000 Guineas. Frankel, Kingman and Circus Maximus are recent superstars to have won the race while the 2020 renewal was particularly memorable, producing the race of the week as Palace Pier defeated Pinatubo and Wichita in a thrilling finish.
The Queen’s Vase (Group 2)
One mile, six furlongs, Three Year Olds Promoted to Group Two in 2017, the race was named to honour Queen Victoria and first run in 1838. This race became the King’s
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