The Paddy Power Yorkshire Cup
FACT FILE: WHEN DID THE RACE BEGIN?
Distance One mile, five furlongs abt 188yds (2,770 metres)
Prize money £175,000
It had been intended to launch a new two mile handicap in 1926, but racing was cancelled because of the General Strike and so it began 12 months later. After the war it became a Conditions race and in 1966 the distance was reduced to one mile and six furlongs. In 1971 it achieved Group 2 status.
WHY IS IT SPECIAL?
The Paddy Power Yorkshire Cup is the first of the major stayers’ Cup events, what you might term the “Grand Slam”. It pits the established stars against the young pretenders. The status of the race is such that it forms the opening leg of the Long Distance Championship category of the QIPCO British Champions Series.
Ardross
In this case anyway, as Ardross, winner in 1981 and 1982, was the first thoroughbred to claim two Paddy Power Yorkshire Cups. The previous winner, Stradivarius, make history and became only the second back-to-back winner of the race in 2018 and 2019.
Stradivarius
LIGHTNING STRIKES TWICE
This afternoon Stradivarius returns to try and make it a hattrick.
A POT OF GOLD? NOT SO FAST
Incredibly, given Irish success in almost every sphere of modern horse racing, this race has always eluded raiders from the Emerald Isle. Southern France pushed Stradivarius all the way in 2019, but apart from that, their best effort in the last decade was from the then Thomas Carmody-trained Royal Diamond who finished third to Glen’s Diamond in 2013. Perhaps Dermot Weld’s runner this afternoon - Search For A Song - can break the succession of British-trained winners?
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