Fact File: The Coolmore Nunthorpe

The Coolmore Nunthorpe Distance Five furlongs (1,000m) Stakes Prize money £250,000

FACT FILE:

A BRIEF The race is named after Nunthorpe, an area of York located to the north of the racecourse. HISTORY? 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? 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. Kingsgate Native

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.

LEADING TRAINER? Ossie Bell currently holds the record with 5 victories - Highborn II (1926, 1927), Greenore (1932), Concerto (1933) & Ipsden (1937). In the modern era Aidan O’Brien, Michael Dods and Sir Mark Prescott have each won the race twice. O’Brien and Prescott aren’t represented this afternoon, so perhaps Que Amoro can make it three from the last six renewals for Dods and send him clear of the others.

LEADING RIDER? Lester Piggott holds the record with 7 victories – Right Boy (1958, 1959), Matatina twice! The David Barron-trained Dods and the North in 2016 and her

(1963), Caterina (1966), Tower Walk (1969), Swing Easy (1971) & Solinus (1978). Of the current crop, Frankie Dettori is the only multiple winner having won the race three times - Lochsong (1993), So Factual (1995) & Lochangel (1998), but his absence following self isolation protocols after a trip to Deauville last weekend leaves the door open for the once-victorious Jim Crowley to narrow the gap if Battaash can do the double.

HAT-TRICK HEAVEN Only two horses have managed to win the Coolmore Nunthorpe three times - Tag End in 1928, 1929 & 1930 and Sharpo in 1980, 1981 & 1982.

WHO ARE THE SPONSORS?

Now in it’s fourteenth year of sponsorship, Coolmore are a worldwide breeding and racing operation. With studs in Ireland, Australia and the United States they stand some of racings leading stallions including

Jim Crowley

HOW DO YORKSHIRE STABLES FIGURE?

Not too bad at all. In 1997, the White Rose county won the race Costal Bluff and the much missed David “Dandy” Nicholls-trained Ya Malak dead-heated for first place. Nicholls then won it outright with Bahamian Pirate in 2004 before our old favourite Borderlescott won back-to-back in 2008-09. Mecca’s Angel scored for the second year in a row for Michael Galileo, Camelot and Austalia.

base near Darlington saddles Que Amoro today. Tim Easterby’s Art Power, Emaraaty Ana from Kevin Ryan’s Hambleton yard, James Bethell’s Middleham Moor-trained Moss Gill and David Griffiths’ Ornate, hailing from Bawtry, form the Yorkshire cohort this afternoon.