The Futurity Stakes is a
Group 2 The term Group 2 may refer to:
* Alkaline earth metal
The alkaline earth metals are six chemical elements in group (periodic table), group 2 of the periodic table. They are beryllium (Be), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), strontium (Sr), barium (B ...
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 two-year-old
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 ...
s. It is run at the
Curragh
The Curragh ( ; ) is a flat open plain in County Kildare, Ireland. This area is well known for horse breeding and training. The Irish National Stud is on the edge of Kildare town, beside the Japanese Gardens. Pollardstown Fen, the larges ...
over a distance of 7 furlongs (1,408 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in August.
History
The event was previously known as the Ashford Castle Stakes and the Stayers Plate. It was originally contested over 7 furlongs, but it was extended to a mile in 1969. For a period it was classed at Group 3 level.
The race's current spell over 7 furlongs began in 1997. It was promoted to Group 2 status in 2001. The Futurity Stakes is now sponsored by
Coolmore Stud
Coolmore Stud, in Fethard, County Tipperary, Ireland, is the headquarters of one of the world's largest breeding operation of thoroughbred racehorses. Through its racing arm, Ballydoyle, Coolmore also has raced many classic winners and champio ...
, and its full title includes the name of
Wootton Bassett
Royal Wootton Bassett , formerly Wootton Bassett, is a market town and civil parish in Wiltshire, England, with a population of 13,570 at the 2021 Census. In the north of the county, it lies to the west of the town of Swindon and northeast of ...
, a Coolmore stallion.
Records
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 ...
since 1950 (7 wins):
*
Michael Kinane
Michael J. Kinane (born 22 June 1959) is an Irish former flat racing jockey. He had a 34-year career, retiring on 8 December 2009.
A prolific winner of the Irish, English and French Classic races over two decades, Kinane h ...
– ''Without Reserve (1983), Phantom Breeze (1988), Teach Dha Mhile (1989), Giant's Causeway (1999), Hawk Wing (2001), Van Nistelrooy (2002), Arazan (2008)''
*
Ryan Moore - '' Rostropovich (2017), Anthony Van Dyck (2018), Armory (2019), Point Lonsdale (2021), Aesop's Fables (2022), Henry Longfellow (2023), Henri Matisse (2024) ''
Leading
trainer since 1950 (17 wins):
*
Aidan O'Brien
Aidan Patrick O'Brien (born 16 October 1969 in County Wexford, Ireland)[ Aidan O'Brien bio NTRA. ...](_blank)
– ''Impressionist (1997), Giant's Causeway (1999), Hawk Wing (2001), Van Nistelrooy (2002), Oratorio (2004), Horatio Nelson (2005), Cape Blanco (2009), War Command (2013), Gleneagles (2014), Churchill (2016), Rostropovich (2017), Anthony Van Dyck (2018), Armory (2019), Point Lonsdale (2021), Aesop's Fables (2022), Henry Longfellow (2023), Henri Matisse (2024)''
Winners since 1980
Earlier winners
* 1950: Sea Prince
* 1951: Coolabah
* 1952: Chamier
* 1953: Kingsley
* 1954: Katushev
* 1955: Clelie
* 1956: Martini
* 1957: Paddy's Point
* 1958: Dusky Boy
* 1959: Say Less
* 1960: Carsage
* 1961: Sicilian Prince
* 1962: Quick Freeze
* 1963: Californian
* 1964: Baljour
* 1965: Bellis
* 1966: Zaracarn
* 1967: French Serenade
* 1968: Santamoss
* 1969: Great Life
* 1970: Tantoul
* 1971: i) Bog Road, ii) Flair Path *
* 1972: Seaford
* 1973: Sir Penfro
* 1974: Small World
* 1975: I've a Bee
* 1976: Padroug
* 1977: Octavo
* 1978: Accomplice
* 1979:
Monteverdi
Claudio Giovanni Antonio Monteverdi (baptized 15 May 1567 – 29 November 1643) was an Italian composer, choirmaster and string player. A composer of both secular and sacred music, and a pioneer in the development of opera, he is considere ...
* The race was run in two separate divisions in 1971.
See also
*
Horse racing in Ireland
Horse racing in Ireland is intricately linked with Culture of Ireland, Irish culture and society. The racing of horses has a long history on the island, being mentioned in some of the Irish mythology, earliest texts. Domestically, racing is on ...
*
List of Irish flat horse races
A list is a set of discrete items of information collected and set forth in some format for utility, entertainment, or other purposes. A list may be memorialized in any number of ways, including existing only in the mind of the list-maker, but ...
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 ...
:
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** , , , , , , {{Racing Post, 873240, 2024, 08, 24, 178
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galopp-sieger.de– ''Futurity Stakes.''
ifhaonline.org– ''International Federation of Horseracing Authorities – Futurity Stakes (2019).''
– ''Futurity Stakes (Group 2).''
pedigreequery.com– ''Futurity Stakes – Curragh.''
Flat races in Ireland
Curragh Racecourse
Flat horse races for two-year-olds