The Champion Stakes is a
British Grade 1 flat horse race for thoroughbred horses three-years-old
and older and is run in October each year at the historical Newmarket
Racecourse in England. Run over 1 mile 2 furlongs on Newmarket's Rowley
Mile course, the Champion Stakes has been run in the UK since 1877.
As one of Britain's most prestigious horse races, the Champion
Stakes has attracted many top thoroughbreds, jockeys and trainers over
the years. While a total of nine horses have won the Champion Stakes
twice, only one horse - Tristan - has won the turf race an impressive
three times, back in 1882, 1883 and 1884.
The inaugural Champion
Stakes was won by a horse called Springfield, who set the imaginations
of British horseracing fans alight, ensuring that the coveted race would
survive two World Wars, many changes in the Monarchy and the government
and continue to be highly regarded until today in British horseracing
circles.
Between 1984 and 2007 only one horse has succeeded in
winning the Champion Stakes twice, and that was Triptych who ran home
victorious in 1986 and 1987 under the able guidance of Champion
Thoroughbred horse racing jockey Tony Cruz. He rode Triptych for
French-born racehorse trainer Patrick Biancone.
During the same
period the fastest time yet recorded in the Champion Stakes was 2:01.04
set in 1984 by three-year-old Palace Music. He was ridden by Yves
Saint-Martin for trainer Patrick Biancone on behalf of owner Nelson
Bunker Hunt. Today the Champion Stakes carries a purse of 375,000 pounds
($668,000). |
