The Matron Stakes is a
Group 1 Group 1 may refer to:
* Alkali metal, a chemical element classification for Alkali metal
* Group 1 (motorsport), a regulation set of the FIA for series-production touring cars used in motorsport.
* Group One Thoroughbred horse races, the leading e ...
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 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 or older. It is run at
Leopardstown
Leopardstown (), historically called Ballinlore, is a suburb of Dublin, Republic of Ireland, Ireland, at the foot of the Wicklow Mountains. With institutional lands and a large racecourse, it is divided by the M50 motorway (Ireland), M50 motorw ...
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 ( ; ) 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 ...
. 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 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
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
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 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):
*
Tabor / 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
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
References
* Paris-Turf:
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*
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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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