The Woodcote Stakes is a conditions 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 Great Britain 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 over a distance of 6

furlong A furlong is a measure of distance in imperial units and United States customary units equal to one-eighth of a mile, equivalent to any of 660 foot (unit), feet, 220 yards, 40 rod (unit), rods, 10 chain (unit), chains, or a ...

s and 3 yards (1,210 metres) at

Epsom Downs Epsom Downs is an area of chalk downland, chalk upland near Epsom, Surrey; in the North Downs. Part of the area is taken up by the Epsom Downs Racecourse, racecourse; the gallops are part of the land purchased by Stanly Wootton in 1925 and are ...

in late May or early June.

History

The Woodcote Stakes, initially spelled Woodcot, was first run in 1794. It was run over the last half-mile of

Epsom Downs Racecourse Epsom Downs is a Grade 1 racecourse in a hilly area near Epsom in Surrey, England which is used for thoroughbred horse racing. The "Downs" referred to in the name are part of the North Downs. The course has a crowd capacity of 130,000 including ...

. Colts carried 8 st, with

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 ...

carrying 7 st 1 lb. The race was not run between 1800 and 1806, but was re-established in 1807 and run over the last six furlongs of Epsom track. Colts carried 8 st 3 lb, with fillies carrying 8 st 0 lb. The following year the race was reduced in distance to half a mile and the weights the horses carried increased by two pounds. The weights rose by a further pound in 1812. In 1839 the race was moved to the new two-year-old course and the distance was increased to six furlongs. In 1842 the subscription fee was set at 15 sov. The weights were also changes, with horses carrying one pound less and the winner of the Two-year-old Stakes at Gorhambury carrying a five-pound penalty. In 1844 the subscription was reduced to 10 sov. In 1847 the weights were returned to what they were before 1842 and the penalty was removed. Winners of the race have included Leamington, Cremorne, Surefoot, Ladas,

Sceptre A sceptre (or scepter in American English) is a Staff of office, staff or wand held in the hand by a ruling monarch as an item of regalia, royal or imperial insignia, signifying Sovereignty, sovereign authority. Antiquity Ancient Egypt and M ...

The Tetrarch The Tetrarch (1911–1935) was an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred horse racing, racehorse. He was undefeated in a racing career of seven starts and was voted the best British-trained two-year-old of the 20th century according to the Na ...

, My Babu and My Swallow. The Woodcote Stakes held Listed status prior to 2017 when it was downgraded, and is currently sponsored by

Betfred Betfred Group Holdings Limited is a bookmaker based in the United Kingdom, founded by Fred Done.Pronounced to rhyme with "bone". It was first established as a single betting shop in Ordsall, Salford, in 1967. Its turnover in 2004 was reported ...

Winners 1794-1799

Winners 1807-1852

Winners since 1967

References

* Paris-Turf: ** , *

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 ...

: ** , , , , , , , , , ** , , , , , , , , , ** , , , , , , , , , ** , , , , , , , {{Race Meeting, Derby Festival, Turf Epsom Downs Racecourse Flat horse races for two-year-olds Flat races in Great Britain Recurring sporting events established in 1807 1807 establishments in England

History

Winners 1794-1799

Winners 1807-1852

Winners since 1967

See also

References