The Matron Stakes is a

Group 1 Group 1 may refer to: * Alkali metal, a chemical element classification for Alkali metal * Group 1 (racing), a historic (until 1981) classification for Touring car racing, applied to standard touring cars. Comparable to modern FIA Group N * Group ...

flat

horse race Horse racing is an equestrian performance sport, 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 basic p ...

in Ireland open to

thoroughbred The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word ''thoroughbred'' is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed. Thoroughbreds are ...

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, ...

and

mare A mare is an adult female horse or other 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 than f ...

s aged three years or older. It is run at

Leopardstown Leopardstown () is a suburb of Dublin in Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown, within the traditional County Dublin, Republic of Ireland, Ireland. Located at the foot of the Wicklow Mountains, Dublin Mountains, it is a residential suburb with institutiona ...

over a distance of 1 mile (1,609 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.

History

The event was formerly known as the Gilltown Stud Stakes, and it used to be held at the

Curragh The Curragh ( ; ga, An Currach ) is a flat open plain of almost of common land in County Kildare. This area is well known for Irish horse breeding and training. The Irish National Stud is located on the edge of Kildare town, beside the ...

. 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 Coolmore Stud, in Fethard, County Tipperary, Ireland, is headquarters of the world's largest breeding operation of thoroughbred racehorses. Through its racing arm, Ballydoyle, Coolmore also has raced many classic winners and champions. The oper ...

, 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

Most successful horse since 1980: * ''no horse has won this race more than once since 1980'' Leading jockey since 1980 (3 wins): *

Johnny Murtagh Johnny Murtagh (born 14 May 1970) is an Irish flat racing trainer and former jockey from Bohermeen, near Navan, Kells, County Meath. As a jockey he won many of the major flat races in Europe, including all the Irish Class ...

– ''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): *

Tabor Tabor may refer to: Places Czech Republic * Tábor, a town in the South Bohemian Region ** Tábor District, the surrounding district * Tábor, a village and part of Velké Heraltice in the Moravian-Silesian Region Israel * Mount Tabor, Galil ...

/ Derrick Smith / Magnier - ''Lillie Langtry (2010), Legatissimo (2015), Alice Springs (2016), Hydrangea (2017)''

Winners since 1986

Duntle finished first in 2012, but she was relegated to second place following a stewards' inquiry.

Earlier winners

* 1980: Calandra * 1981: Tumblella * 1982: Mary Mitsu * 1983: Mighty Fly * 1984: Clare Bridge * 1985: Only

References

* Paris-Turf: **, , , , , *

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

: ** , , , , , , , , , ** , , , , , , , , , ** , , , , , , , , , ** , , , , ----
galopp-sieger.de
– ''Matron Stakes.''
horseracingintfed.com
– ''International Federation of Horseracing Authorities – Matron Stakes (2018).''

– ''Matron Stakes (Group 1).''
pedigreequery.com
– ''Matron Stakes.'' {{Race Meeting, Irish Champions Weekend, Turf Flat races in Ireland Mile category horse races for fillies and mares Leopardstown Racecourse Breeders' Cup Challenge series

History

Records

Winners since 1986

Earlier winners

See also

References