The Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup
FACT FILE: RACE HISTORY?
Distance Two miles (3,200m)
Prize money £100,000
The race started life as a Listed contest and was called the Lonsdale Stakes, run over 1m7f198y. It was promoted to Group 3 level in 1998, before being renamed the Lonsdale Cup and given Group 2 status in 2004. The distance was extended by 110 yards in 2007.
LUCK OF THE IRISH Since 1980, apart from Willie Mullins who won the race with Max Dynamite in 2015, only Aidan O’Brien (2007) and Dermot Weld (2014) had won this race. O’Brien and Weld don’t send over a representative this afternoon, so it’s down to Mullins, with Stratum and heading his charge for a double.
WHY IS IT SPECIAL? The very best stayers in Europe have their season geared around “the Cup Races” of which the Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup features strongly. With Classic and Gold Cup at Royal Ascot winners amongst its roll of honour, it is a race that is right up there with the best of them.
WHO HAS BEEN THE MOST SUCCESSFUL? Opinion Poll
That honour befalls six horses who have each won the race twice - Further Flight (1992 & 1993), Double Eclipse (1995 & 1997), Celeric (1996 &1999), Persian Punch (1998 & 2001), Opinion Poll (2010 & 2011) & Stradivarius (2018 & 2019).
SALUTING THE CROWD?
Whilst he may not have been the highest rated, Sergeant Cecil was certainly a favourite with the Knavesmire crowds where he won four times from seven starts. He landed this prize in 2006 before following up in the following month’s Doncaster Cup, which was run here due to redevelopments on Town Moor. His other victories here included the Sky Bet Ebor in 2005 and the 2007 Matchbook Yorkshire Cup. 30
Sergeant Cecil
