Balanchine Stakes
Encyclopedia
The Balanchine Stakes, also known as the Grangecon Stud Stakes, is a Group 3
flat
horse race
in Ireland
open to two-year-old thoroughbred
fillies
. It is run at the Curragh
over a distance of 6 furlongs (1,207 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in June.
The event's registered title honours Balanchine
, a successful filly whose victories included the Irish Derby in 1994. The race was established in 2005, and it was originally classed at Listed level. The first two runnings were contested over 7 furlongs.
The race's distance was cut to 6 furlongs in 2007, and for a period it was known as the Saoire Stakes. It reverted to its former name in 2009, and from this point its sponsored title was the Ballygallon Stud Stakes.
The Balanchine Stakes was promoted to Group 3 status in 2011. It is now sponsored by Grangecon Stud, and it is held on the second day of the Curragh's three-day Irish Derby Festival meeting.
Leading jockey
(2 wins):
----
Leading trainer
(2 wins):
Conditions races
Conditions races are horse races where the weights carried by the runners are laid down by the conditions attached to the race. Weights are allocated according to; the sex of the runners, with female runners carrying less weight than males; the age of the runners, with younger horses receiving...
flat
Flat racing
Flat racing is a form of Thoroughbred horse racing which is run over a level track at a predetermined distance. It differs from steeplechase racing which is run over hurdles...
horse race
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
open to two-year-old thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
fillies
Filly
A filly is a young female horse too young to be called a mare. There are several specific definitions in use.*In most cases filly is a female horse under the age of four years old....
. It is run at the Curragh
Curragh Racecourse
The Curragh Racecourse, usually abbreviated to The Curragh, is Ireland's most important Thoroughbred race track. It is situated on the Curragh plain near Newbridge, County Kildare, Ireland.- History :...
over a distance of 6 furlongs (1,207 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in June.
The event's registered title honours Balanchine
Balanchine (horse)
Balanchine is a retired Thoroughbred racehorse, bred in the United States and trained in the United Kingdom and Dubai. She is best known for defeating male opposition in the 1994 Irish Derby and for being one of the first successes for Godolphin Racing....
, a successful filly whose victories included the Irish Derby in 1994. The race was established in 2005, and it was originally classed at Listed level. The first two runnings were contested over 7 furlongs.
The race's distance was cut to 6 furlongs in 2007, and for a period it was known as the Saoire Stakes. It reverted to its former name in 2009, and from this point its sponsored title was the Ballygallon Stud Stakes.
The Balanchine Stakes was promoted to Group 3 status in 2011. It is now sponsored by Grangecon Stud, and it is held on the second day of the Curragh's three-day Irish Derby Festival meeting.
Records
Leading jockey
Jockey
A jockey is an athlete who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing.-Etymology:...
(2 wins):
- Declan McDonogh – Shimah (2008), Seeharn (2010)
----
Leading trainer
Horse trainer
In horse racing, a trainer prepares a horse for races, with responsibility for exercising it, getting it race-ready and determining which races it should enter...
(2 wins):
- Jessica Harrington – Sahara Princess (2005), Long Lashes (2009)
- Kevin Prendergast – Shimah (2008), Seeharn (2010)
Winners
| Year |
Winner |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Time |
| 2005 | Sahara Princess | Johnny Murtagh Johnny Murtagh Johnny Murtagh is a Irish flat racing jockey from Bohermeen, Navan, County Meath.He excels on the big stage, having won many Group 1 races around the world... |
Jessica Harrington | 1:25.60 |
| 2006 | Gaudeamus | Kevin Manning | Jim Bolger Jim Bolger (racehorse trainer) James S. "Jim" Bolger is an Thoroughbred racehorse trainer and breeder based in Coolcullen in County Kilkenny. For many years now he has been recognised as one of the racing greats in Ireland... |
1:27.70 |
| 2007 | Listen | Kieren Fallon Kieren Fallon Kieren Francis Fallon is a professional flat racing jockey and has been British Champion Jockey six times.... |
Aidan O'Brien Aidan O'Brien Aidan Patrick O'Brien is an Irish horse racing trainer. Since 1996, he has been the private trainer at Ballydoyle Stables near Cashel in County Tipperary for John Magnier and his Coolmore Stud associates.... |
1:15.40 |
| 2008 | Shimah | Declan McDonogh | Kevin Prendergast | 1:12.97 |
| 2009 | Long Lashes | Fran Berry | Jessica Harrington | 1:15.24 |
| 2010 | Seeharn | Declan McDonogh | Kevin Prendergast | 1:12.66 |
| 2011 | Experience | Wayne Lordan | David Wachman | 1:12.36 |