Duchess of Cambridge Stakes
History
The event was established in 1947 as the Cherry Hinton Stakes, and the inaugural running was won by Great Fun.The present system of race grading was introduced in 1971, and for a period the Cherry Hinton Stakes was classed at Group 3 level. It was promoted to Group 2 status in 1996.
The Duchess of Cambridge Stakes is currently held on the second day of Newmarket's three-day July Festival meeting. The equivalent race for male horses is the July Stakes.
Several winners have gone on to achieve victory in the following season's 1,000 Guineas Stakes. The first was Sweet Solera in 1961, and the most recent was Mawj in 2023.
In 2013 the race was renamed the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes in honour of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. In the same year the Windsor Forest Stakes at Royal Ascot was renamed the Duke of [Cambridge Stakes].
Records
Leading jockey :
- Walter Swinburn – Top Socialite, Kerrera, Chicarica, Red Carnival, Wannabe Grand
- Frankie Dettori - Asfurah, Silent Honor, Sander Camillo, Gamilati, Raffle Prize
- Sir Henry Cecil – Roussalka, Diminuendo, Chimes of Freedom, Musicale
- Sir Michael Stoute – Top Socialite, Kerrera, Red Carnival, Dazzle
Earlier winners
- 1947: Great Fun
- 1948: Ballisland
- 1949: Diableretta
- 1950: Marteline
- 1951: Tikva
- 1952: Omelia / Pirouette *
- 1953: Eastern Glamour
- 1954: Lucy Lufton
- 1955: no race
- 1956: Colonel's Lady
- 1957: Munch
- 1958: Fan Light
- 1959: Panga