Blandford Stakes


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The Blandford Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged three years or older. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs (2,012 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.

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 (2 wins):
 * Nemain – 1985, 1986
 * Red Bloom – 2005, 2006
 * Shamreen - 2016, 2017

Leading jockey since 1950 (5 wins):
 * Liam Ward – Beau Sire (1950), Do Well (1951), Jongleur (1956), Wenona (1968), Riboprince (1970)
 * Michael Kinane – Humbel (1995), Insatiable (1999), Chiang Mai (2000), Four Sins (2007), Katiyra (2008)
 * Pat Smullen - Irrestible Jewel (2002), Chinese White (2009), Tarfasha (2014), Shamreen (2016, 2017)

Leading trainer since 1950 (15 wins):
 * Vincent O'Brien – Little Mo (1959), Silver Moon (1961), Donato (1965), Wenona (1968), Riboprince (1970), Wenceslas (1971), Manitoulin (1972), Richard Grenville (1974), King Pellinore (1975), Gonzales (1980), Magesterial [sic] (1981), Lords (1982), South Atlantic (1983), Kris Kringle (1988), Andros Bay (1992)

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

* The 1961 winner Silver Moon was later renamed Silver Dollar.