The Matron Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged three years or older. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of 1 mile (1,609 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.
Group 1 race | |
Location | Leopardstown County Dublin, Ireland |
---|---|
Race type | Flat / Thoroughbred |
Sponsor | Coolmore |
Website | Leopardstown |
Race information | |
Distance | 1 mile (1,609 metres) |
Surface | Turf |
Track | Left-handed |
Qualification | Three-years-old and up fillies and mares |
Weight | 9 st 0 lb (3yo); 9 st 5 lb (4yo+) |
Purse | €376,000 (2022) 1st: €236,000 |
2024 | ||
Porta Fortuna | Fallen Angel | Soprano |
Previous years | ||
---|---|---|
2023 | ||
Tahiyra | Rogue Millennium | Just Beautiful |
2022 | ||
Pearls Galore | Saffron Beach | Tenebrism |
2021 | ||
No Speak Alexander | Pearls Galore | Mother Earth |
1990-1988 | ||
---|---|---|
1990 | ||
Spring Daffodil | Sajjaya | Tafila |
1989 | ||
Upward Trend | Awayed | Llyn Gwynant |
1988 | ||
Llyn Gwynant | Trusted Partner | Bell Tower |
History
editThe event was formerly known as the Gilltown Stud Stakes, and it used to be held at the Curragh. For a period it was classed at Group 3 level. It was renamed the Matron Stakes in the mid 1980s.
The race was transferred to Leopardstown in 2002. It was promoted to Group 2 status in 2003, and to Group 1 in 2004. It is now sponsored by Coolmore Stud, and its full title includes the name of Justify, a Coolmore stallion. In 2014 it was moved back a week in September to become part of a new Irish Champions Weekend fixture.
Records
editMost successful horse since 1980:
- no horse has won this race more than once since 1980
Leading jockey since 1980 (3 wins):
- Johnny Murtagh – Timarida (1995), Soviet Song (2004), Lillie Langtry (2010)
Leading trainer since 1980 (4 wins):
- John Dunlop – Mary Mitsu (1982), Llyn Gwynant (1988), Cloud of Dust (1992), Iftiraas (2000)
Leading owner since 1986 (4 wins):
Winners since 1986
editYear | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Time |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1986 | Grey Goddess | 3 | Stephen Craine | Edward O'Grady | Mrs K. Watts | |
1987 | Pixie Erin | 3 | Michael Hills | Barry Hills | Robert Sangster | 1:43.50 |
1988 | Llyn Gwynant | 3 | Willie Carson | John Dunlop | J. Macdonald-Buchanan | 1:44.50 |
1989 | Upward Trend | 3 | Christy Roche | Jim Bolger | Paul Green | 1:39.10 |
1990 | Spring Daffodil | 3 | Declan Gillespie | Augustine Leahy | Golden Vale Syndicate | 1:38.90 |
1991 | Kooyonga | 3 | Warren O'Connor | Michael Kauntze | Mitsuo Haga | 1:41.30 |
1992 | Cloud of Dust | 3 | Michael Roberts | John Dunlop | Peggy Kwoh | 1:44.50 |
1993 | Chanzi | 3 | Michael Roberts | John Oxx | Sheikh Mohammed | 1:42.00 |
1994 | Eternal Reve | 3 | Michael Kinane | François Boutin | Sheikh Mohammed | 1:41.60 |
1995 | Timarida | 3 | Johnny Murtagh | John Oxx | HH Aga Khan IV | 1:38.10 |
1996 | Donna Viola | 4 | John Reid | Chris Wall | Kieran Scott | 1:39.90 |
1997 | Clerio | 3 | Michael Kinane | Henri-Alex Pantall | Sheikh Mohammed | 1:42.10 |
1998 | Tadwiga | 3 | Richard Hughes | Richard Hannon Sr. | Stonethorn Stud Farms | 1:41.30 |
1999 | Dazzling Park | 3 | Kevin Manning | Jim Bolger | Mrs Seamus Burns | 1:39.00 |
2000 | Iftiraas | 3 | George Duffield | John Dunlop | Kuwait Racing Syndicate | 1:39.60 |
2001 | Independence | 3 | Frankie Dettori | Ed Dunlop | Cliveden Stud | 1:39.20 |
2002 | Dress to Thrill | 3 | Pat Smullen | Dermot Weld | Moyglare Stud Farm | 1:40.10 |
2003 | Favourable Terms | 3 | Kieren Fallon | Sir Michael Stoute | Maktoum Al Maktoum | 1:39.90 |
2004 | Soviet Song | 4 | Johnny Murtagh | James Fanshawe | Elite Racing Club | 1:36.80 |
2005 | Attraction | 4 | Kevin Darley | Mark Johnston | 10th Duke of Roxburghe | 1:38.90 |
2006 | Red Evie | 3 | Jamie Spencer | Michael Bell | Neill / Bell | 1:38.70 |
2007 | Echelon | 5 | Ryan Moore | Sir Michael Stoute | Cheveley Park Stud | 1:39.52 |
2008 | Lush Lashes | 3 | Kevin Manning | Jim Bolger | Jackie Bolger | 1:40.73 |
2009 | Rainbow View | 3 | Jimmy Fortune | John Gosden | George Strawbridge | 1:39.89 |
2010 | Lillie Langtry | 3 | Johnny Murtagh | Aidan O'Brien | Tabor / Smith / Magnier | 1:39.68 |
2011 | Emulous | 4 | Pat Smullen | Dermot Weld | Khalid Abdullah | 1:38.47 |
2012 | Chachamaidee [a] | 5 | Tom Queally | Henry Cecil | R. A. H. Evans | 1:37.58 |
2013 | La Collina | 4 | Chris Hayes | Kevin Prendergast | Joerg Vasicek | 1:39.00 |
2014 | Fiesolana | 5 | Billy Lee | Willie McCreery | Flaxman Stables | 1:38.16 |
2015 | Legatissimo | 3 | Wayne Lordan | David Wachman | Tabor / Smith / Magnier | 1:39.95 |
2016 | Alice Springs | 3 | Ryan Moore | Aidan O'Brien | Tabor / Smith / Magnier | 1:42.08 |
2017 | Hydrangea | 3 | Wayne Lordan | Aidan O'Brien | Tabor / Smith / Magnier | 1:41.89 |
2018 | Laurens | 3 | Daniel Tudhope | Karl Burke | John Dance | 1:39.23 |
2019 | Iridessa | 3 | Wayne Lordan | Joseph Patrick O'Brien | Mrs C Regaldo Onzalez | 1:38.31 |
2020 | Champers Elysees | 3 | Colin Keane | Johnny Murtagh | Fitzwilliam Racing | 1:39.77 |
2021 | No Speak Alexander | 3 | Shane Foley | Jessica Harrington | Charles O'Callaghan | 1:41.98 |
2022 | Pearls Galore | 5 | Billy Lee | Paddy Twomey | Haras de Saint Pair du Mont | 1:44.36 |
2023 | Tahiyra | 3 | Chris Hayes | Dermot Weld | Aga Khan IV | 1:37.50 |
2024 | Porta Fortuna | 3 | Tom Marquand | Donnacha O'Brien | Medallion/S Weston/B Fowler/Reeves T'Bs | 1:40.67 |
a Duntle finished first in 2012, but she was relegated to second place following a stewards' inquiry.
Earlier winners
edit- 1980: Calandra
- 1981: Tumblella
- 1982: Mary Mitsu
- 1983: Mighty Fly
- 1984: Clare Bridge
- 1985: Only
See also
editReferences
edit- Paris-Turf:
- Racing Post:
- galopp-sieger.de – Matron Stakes.
- horseracingintfed.com – International Federation of Horseracing Authorities – Matron Stakes (2018).
- irishracinggreats.com – Matron Stakes (Group 1).
- pedigreequery.com – Matron Stakes.