Doncaster_Cup

Doncaster Cup

Doncaster Cup

Flat horse race in Britain

The Doncaster Cup is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged three years or older. It is run at Doncaster over a distance of 2 miles 1 furlong and 197 yards (3,600 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.

Quick Facts Location, Inaugurated ...
Doncaster Cup
2023
Yellow, royal blue cross belts, royal blue and yellow chevrons on sleeves, royal blue cap Pink, white sleeves Grey and white check, striped sleeves, white cap
Trueshan Sweet William Broome
More information Previous years ...
More information 2020-2011 ...
More information 2010-2001 ...
More information 2000-1991 ...
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History

The event was established in 1766, and it was originally called the Doncaster Gold Cup. It pre-dates Doncaster's St. Leger Stakes by ten years, and is the venue's oldest surviving race.[1] It was initially held at Cantley Common, and moved to its present location in 1776.

During the early part of its history the race was contested over 4 miles. It was shortened to 2 miles and 5 furlongs in 1825, and reduced to 2 miles and 2 furlongs in 1891. It was cut by another furlong in 1908, and restored to its previous length in 1927.

The present system of race grading was introduced in 1971, and for a period the Doncaster Cup was classed at Group 3 level. It was promoted to Group 2 in 2003.

The Doncaster Cup is one of Britain's leading events for "stayers" – horses which specialise in racing over long distances. It is the final leg of the Stayers' Triple Crown, preceded by the Gold Cup and the Goodwood Cup. The Doncaster Cup is the only British race where the winner has ballot-exempt entry to the Melbourne Cup.[2]

The race is currently held on the third day of Doncaster's four-day St. Leger Festival.

Records

Most successful horse (4 wins):

Leading jockey (8 wins):

  • Joe Mercer – Nick La Rocca (1953, dead-heat), Grey of Falloden (1964), The Accuser (1968), Biskrah (1972), Sea Anchor (1976), Buckskin (1978), Le Moss (1979, 1980)
(note: the jockeys of some of the early winners are unknown)

Leading trainer (7 wins):

  • Cecil Boyd-Rochfort – Alcazar (1934), Black Devil (1935), Osborne (1954), Atlas (1956), Agreement (1958, 1959), Raise You Ten (1963)
  • Henry Cecil – Buckskin (1978), Le Moss (1979, 1980), Ardross (1982), Kneller (1988), Great Marquess (1991), Canon Can (1997)
(note: the trainers of some of the early winners are unknown)

Winners since 1801

More information Year, Winner ...
  1. Petrizzo finished first in 1986, but he was relegated to second place following a stewards' inquiry
  2. The 2006 running took place at York

Earlier winners

  • 1766: Charlotte
  • 1767: Meaburn
  • 1768: Laura
  • 1769: Tantrum
  • 1770: Liberty
  • 1771: Mark
  • 1772: Mark
  • 1773: Forester
  • 1774: Juniper
  • 1775: Juniper
  • 1776: Tuberose
  • 1777: Pilot
  • 1778: Phocion
  • 1779: Magnum Bonum
  • 1780: Duchess
  • 1781: Crookshanks
  • 1782: Crookshanks
  • 1783: Faith
  • 1784: Phoenomenon
  • 1785: Alexander
  • 1786: Fairy
  • 1787: Stargazer
  • 1788: Bustler
  • 1789: Tot
  • 1790: Abba Thulle
  • 1791: Young Traveller
  • 1792: Overton
  • 1793: Oberon
  • 1794: Beningbrough
  • 1795: Hambletonian
  • 1796: Hambletonian
  • 1797: Stamford
  • 1798: Stamford
  • 1799: Cockfighter
  • 1800: Dion

* The 1901 and 1953 races were dead-heats and have joint winners.

See also

References

  1. [1]
    "Race Courses of Great Britain and Ireland". tbheritage.com. Retrieved 4 September 2009.
  2. [2]
    Melbourne Cup ballot-exempt races
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