Blandford Stakes
History
The event is named after Blandford, a successful sire in the 1930s. It was formerly open to horses of either gender, and used to be contested over 1 mile and 4 furlongs.The race was held in mid-October during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Its distance was shortened by a furlong in 1994. It was relegated from Group 2 to Group 3 level in 1999, and from this point it took place in mid-September.
The Blandford Stakes was cut to its present length and restricted to fillies and mares in 2001. It regained Group 2 status in 2004. It is currently part of the Irish Champions Weekend meeting.
Records
Most successful horse since 1947 :
Leading jockey since 1950 :
- Liam Ward – Beau Sire, Do Well, Jongleur, Wenona, Riboprince
- Michael Kinane – Humbel, Insatiable, Chiang Mai, Four Sins, Katiyra
- Pat Smullen - Irrestible Jewel, Chinese White, Tarfasha, Shamreen
- Vincent O'Brien – Little Mo, Silver Moon, Donato, Wenona, Riboprince, Wenceslas, Manitoulin, Richard Grenville, King Pellinore, Gonzales,, Lords, South Atlantic, Kris Kringle, Andros Bay
Earlier winners
- 1947: Esprit de France
- 1948: Wild Johnnie
- 1949: Pink Larkspur
- 1950: Beau Sire
- 1951: Do Well
- 1952: Thirteen of Diamonds
- 1953: Ardent Lover
- 1954: Northern Gleam
- 1955: Nile Bird
- 1956: Jongleur
- 1957: Roistar
- 1958: Royal Highway
- 1959: Little Mo
- 1960: Hunch
- 1961: Silver Moon *
- 1962: Sicilian Prince
- 1963: Feemoss
- 1964: Biscayne
- 1965: Donato
- 1966: Royal Display
- 1967: Dominion Day
- 1968: Wenona
- 1969: Barrons Court
- 1970: Riboprince
- 1971: Wenceslas
- 1972: Manitoulin
- 1973: Miss Therese
- 1974: Richard Grenville
- 1975: King Pellinore
- 1976: Northern Treasure
- 1977: Panamint
- 1978: Valley Forge
- 1979: Bohemian Grove