Sagaro Stakes
History
The event was formerly known as the Paradise Stakes, and it was originally held at Hurst Park. For a period it was contested by three-year-olds over 1¼ miles. It was later a race for older horses over 1 mile, 6 furlongs and 66 yards.The Paradise Stakes continued to be staged at Hurst Park until 1962. It was transferred to Ascot in 1963, and temporarily switched to Newbury in 1964.
The race was renamed the Sagaro Stakes in 1978. It was named after Sagaro, the winner of Ascot's Gold Cup in each of the preceding three seasons.
The Sagaro Stakes was given Group 3 status in 1983. That year's edition was abandoned due to waterlogging, so it was first run as a Group race in 1984.
Since 2019 the official title has indicated that the race should be considered as a trial for the Ascot Gold Cup, run at the Royal Meeting at the same course in June.
Several winners of the Sagaro Stakes have won the Gold Cup in the same season. The most recent was Estimate in 2013.
The title Paradise Stakes is now assigned to a different race at Ascot, a 1-mile Listed event for older horses.
Records
Most successful horse since 1978 :
- Nicholas Bill – 1979, 1981
- Teamster – 1990, 1991
- Double Trigger – 1995, 1996
- Orchestra Stall – 1997, 2000
- Alcazar – 2003, 2005
- Mizzou – 2015, 2016
- Coltrane - 2023, 2024
- Frankie Dettori – Al Mutahm, Give Notice, Colour Vision, Tac De Boistron, Stradivarius
- Sir Michael Stoute – Shangamuzo, Teamster, Cover Up, Patkai, Estimate
Winners since 1978
Paradise Stakes
- 1920: Comrade
- 1922: Blandford
- 1923: Portumna
- 1924: Frater
- 1925: Dignity
- 1926: Legatee
- 1927: Vanoc
- 1928: Lodore
- 1929: Horus
- 1930: Rear Admiral
- 1931: Hill Cat
- 1932: Robber Chief
- 1933: Town Crier
- 1934: Wychwood Abbot
- 1935: Whataday
- 1936: Noble Turk
- 1937: Lazybones
- 1938: Knole Star
- 1939: Time Step
- 1948: Mombasa
- 1949: Flush Royal
- 1951: Kelling
- 1955: Entente Cordiale
- 1956: Nucleus
- 1957: China Rock
- 1958: Sway
- 1959: Vacarme
- 1960: Parthia
- 1961: High Hat
- 1962: Pinzon
- 1963: Orchardist
- 1964: Oakville
- 1965: Anselmo
- 1966: Vivat Rex
- 1967: Mehari
- 1968: Parbury
- 1969: Fortissimo
- 1970: Precipice Wood
- 1971: Rock Roi
- 1972: Erimo Hawk
- 1973: Hakodate
- 1974: Proverb
- 1975: Night in Town
- 1976: Marco Ricci
- 1977: Centrocon