The Blue Wind Stakes is a Group 3 flat

horse race Horse racing is an equestrian performance activity, typically involving two or more horses ridden by jockeys (or sometimes driven without riders) over a set distance for competition. It is one of the most ancient of all sports, as its bas ...

in Ireland open to

thoroughbred The Thoroughbred is a list of horse breeds, horse breed developed for Thoroughbred racing, horse racing. Although the word ''thoroughbred'' is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thorough ...

fillies A filly is a female horse that is too young to be called a mare. There are two specific definitions in use: *In most cases, a ''filly'' is a female horse under four years old. *In some nations, such as the United Kingdom and the United States, th ...

and

mare A mare is an adult female horse or other equidae, equine. In most cases, a mare is a female horse over the age of three, and a filly is a female horse three and younger. In Thoroughbred horse racing, a mare is defined as a female horse more th ...

s aged three years. It is run over a distance of 1 mile 2 furlongs and 84 yards (2,284 metres) at

Naas Naas ( ; or ) is the county town of County Kildare in Republic of Ireland, Ireland. In 2022, it had a population of 26,180, making it the largest town in County Kildare (ahead of Newbridge, County Kildare, Newbridge) and the List of urban ar ...

in May.

History

The event is named after

Blue Wind Blue Wind (3 May 1978 – 21 June 1996) was an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare best known for winning the classic Oaks Stakes in 1981. She showed promising form as a two-year-old in 1980 when she won two of her five races includin ...

, the Irish-trained winner of the

Epsom Oaks The Oaks Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old fillies. It is run at Epsom Downs over a distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 6 ya ...

and

Irish Oaks The Irish Oaks is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs (2,414 metres), and it ...

in 1981. It was established in 2001, and was initially staged at

Cork "Cork" or "CORK" may refer to: Materials * Cork (material), an impermeable buoyant plant product ** Stopper (plug), or "cork", a cylindrical or conical object used to seal a container *** Wine cork an item to seal or reseal wine Places Ireland * ...

. The race originally held Listed status, and was promoted to Group 3 level in 2004. It was transferred to Naas in 2005. Prior to 2020 it was also open to horses older than three years. The Blue Wind Stakes can sometimes serve as a

trial In law, a trial is a coming together of parties to a dispute, to present information (in the form of evidence) in a tribunal, a formal setting with the authority to adjudicate claims or disputes. One form of tribunal is a court. The tribunal, w ...

for the

Epsom Oaks The Oaks Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old fillies. It is run at Epsom Downs over a distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 6 ya ...

. The last participant to win the Oaks was Was, the third-placed horse in 2012.

Records

Most successful horse: * ''no horse has won this race more than once'' Leading

jockey A jockey is someone who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase (horse racing), steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing. The word "jockey" originated from England and was used ...

(6 wins): * Kevin Manning – ''Villa Carlotta (2002), Galatee (2006), Akdarena (2010), Banimpire (2011), Pleascach (2015), Turret Rocks (2017)'' Leading trainer (6 wins): *

Jim Bolger James Brendan Bolger ( ; born 31 May 1935) is a New Zealand retired politician of the National Party who was the 35th prime minister of New Zealand, serving from 1990 to 1997. Bolger was born in Ōpunake, Taranaki, to Irish immigrants. Bef ...

– ''Villa Carlotta (2002), Galatee (2006), Akdarena (2010), Banimpire (2011), Pleascach (2015), Turret Rocks (2017)''

Winners

References

Racing Post ''Racing Post'' is a British daily horse racing, greyhound racing, and sports betting publisher published in print and digital formats. It is printed in tabloid format from Monday to Sunday. , it has an average daily circulation of 60,629 ...

: ** , , , , , , , , , ** , , , , , , , , , ** , , {{Racing Post, 840219, 2023, 05, 06, 192 ----
galopp-sieger.de
– ''Blue Wind Stakes.''
ifhaonline.org
– ''International Federation of Horseracing Authorities – Blue Wind Stakes (2019).''
pedigreequery.com
– ''Blue Wind Stakes – Naas.'' ---- Middle distance horse races for fillies and mares Sport in County Kildare Flat races in Ireland 2001 establishments in Ireland Horse races established in 2001 Naas Racecourse

History

Records

Winners

See also

References