Gordon Richards Stakes

Flat horse race in Britain

Horse race

The Gordon Richards Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged four years or older. It is run over a distance of 1 mile, 1 furlong and 209 yards (2,002 metres) at Sandown Park in late April.

History

The event was established in 1963, and it was originally called the Westbury Stakes. It was initially held in late May or early June.^[1]

The Westbury Stakes continued to be staged in May or June until 1973. That year's edition took place at Kempton Park.^[2] Its date was switched with that of the Brigadier Gerard Stakes in 1974, and from this point it was held in April.^[3]

The race was given its present title in 1987. It was renamed in memory of Sir Gordon Richards, a famous jockey who died the previous year.^[4]

The Gordon Richards Stakes is part of a two-day meeting which features both flat and jump races. Other events at the meeting include the Bet365 Gold Cup, the Celebration Chase, the Sandown Classic Trial and the Sandown Mile.

Records

Most successful horse (2 wins):

• Chancellor – 2002, 2004
• Crystal Ocean - 2018, 2019

Leading jockey (6 wins):

• Ryan Moore – Ask (2008), Tartan Bearer (2009), Glass Harmonium (2010), Crystal Ocean (2018, 2019), Okeechobee (2024)

Leading trainer (10 wins):

• Sir Michael Stoute – Hard Fought (1981), Dolpour (1990), Singspiel (1996), Little Rock (2000), Ask (2008), Tartan Bearer (2009), Glass Harmonium (2010), Ulysses (2017), Crystal Ocean (2018, 2019)

Winners since 1978

1. The 2020 running was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom^[5]
2. The 2023 running took place at Newmarket after the original Sandown Park fixture was abandoned

Earlier winners

• 1963: Miralgo
• 1964: Tacitus
• 1965: Goupi
• 1966: Super Sam
• 1967: Chinwag
• 1968: Sidon
• 1969: Remand
• 1970: Connaught
• 1971: Arthur
• 1972: Brigadier Gerard
• 1973: Scottish Rifle ¹
• 1974: Funny Fellow / Tudor Rhythm ²
• 1975: Never Return
• 1976: Jolly Good
• 1977: Lucky Wednesday

¹ The 1973 running took place at Kempton Park.
² The 1974 race was a dead-heat and has joint winners.

See also

• Horse racing in Great Britain
• List of British flat horse races

References

1. "1963 Westbury Stakes". Glasgow Herald. 4 June 1963. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
2. "1973 Westbury Stakes". Glasgow Herald. 28 May 1973. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
3. "1974 Westbury Stakes". Glasgow Herald. 27 April 1974. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
4. "Sir Gordon Richards". Glasgow Herald. 11 November 1986. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
5. "Coronavirus: Horse racing in Great Britain suspended until end of April". BBC Sport. 17 March 2020.

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• Paris-Turf:
  • "1981"., "1983"., "1984"., "1985"., "1986"., "1987".
• Racing Post:
  • 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997
  • 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
  • 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
  • 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023

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• galopp-sieger.de – Gordon Richards Stakes (ex Westbury Stakes).
• horseracingintfed.com – International Federation of Horseracing Authorities – Gordon Richards Stakes (2018).
• pedigreequery.com – Gordon Richards Stakes – Sandown Park.
• Abelson, Edward; Tyrrel, John (1993). The Breedon Book of Horse Racing Records. Breedon Books. pp. 20–21. ISBN 1-873626-15-0.