Gladness Stakes


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The Gladness Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in Ireland open to horses aged three years or older. It is run over a distance of 7 furlongs (1,408 metres) at the Curragh in April.

History
The event is named after Gladness, a successful Irish-trained racehorse in the 1950s. It was established in 1963, and was initially contested over 1 mile and 2 furlongs. It was shortened to a mile in 1964, and cut to its present length in 1970.

The Gladness Stakes originally held Listed status. It used to be open to horses aged three or older. It was promoted to Group 3 level in 1987, and closed to three-year-olds in 2004. It was re-opened to three-year-olds from 2014. The race was downgraded to Listed status again from the 2024 running.

Records
Most successful horse (2 wins):
 * Mustameet – 2005, 2007
 * Lancaster House – 2020, 2021

Leading jockey (4 wins):
 * George McGrath – Signa Infesta (1968), Rocked (1969), Pardner (1972), Rare April (1977)

Leading trainer (8 wins):
 * Vincent O'Brien – Nijinsky (1970), Minsky (1971), Dapper (1973), Apalachee (1974), Night Alert (1980), Lomond (1983), El Gran Senor (1984), Great Lakes (1990)

Earlier winners

 * 1963: Christmas Island
 * 1964: Khalkis
 * 1965: Western Wind
 * 1966: Not So Cold
 * 1967: Sparrow Hawk
 * 1968: Signa Infesta
 * 1969: Rocked
 * 1970: Nijinsky
 * 1971: Minsky
 * 1972: Pardner
 * 1973: Dapper
 * 1974: Apalachee
 * 1975: It's Freezing
 * 1976: Sovereign Dice
 * 1977: Rare April
 * 1978: Icelandic
 * 1979: Secret of Success
 * 1980: Night Alert