The Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes
FACT FILE: A BRIEF HISTORY?
Distance Five furlongs (1,000m)
Prize money £250,000
The race is named after Nunthorpe, an area of York located to the north of the racecourse. The first version, a low-grade selling race, was established in 1903 before the present version began in 1922 when it was won by Two Step.
THE AMERICAN CONNECTION? The race became part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge series in 2011 which means the winner of this year’s race earns an automatic invitation to compete in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Keeneland, Kentucky on Saturday 7th November. Star US-trained filly, Acapulco ran an eye catching second in 2015 and Lady Aurelia filled the same spot in 2017, just pipped at the post by Marsha in a thriller. A late look at the weather forecast and travel complications means Golden Pal has opted to stay staeside.
TWO-YEAR-OLDS?
Kingsgate Native
The race is one of a limited number of races in which two-year-old horses can compete against their elders. The first juvenile to win was High Treason in 1953, and the most recent was Kingsgate Native in 2007 - a record he’ll keep for now as no two-year-olds are entered today.
WHY IS IT SPECIAL?
It is one of only three Group 1 five furlong sprints in Europe - the others being the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Prix de l’Abbaye at Longchamp on Arc day.
FOREIGN RAIDERS? Ireland’s Dermot Weld won the race in 1984 with Committed. Since then Aidan O’Brien has added a musical double with Stravinsky (1999) and Mozart (2001). He won’t be improving that record today though, as he’s not represented in the race. France’s Robert Collet won the race in 1986 with Last Tycoon as did John Hammond with Nuclear Debate in 2000 despite his non-French passport. Australia chipped in when Ortensia won for Paul Messara in 2012, giving the race a full international flavour, but the current world situation has contributed to no internationally-trained runners taking their place this afternoon. 50
Ortensia
