Sandown Classic Trial


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The Sandown Classic Trial is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old horses. It is run over a distance of 1 mile, 1 furlong and 209 yards (2189 yd) at Sandown Park in late April.

History
The event was established in 1953, and it was originally called the Royal Stakes. The first running was won by Mountain King.

Ladbrokes became the sponsor of the race in 1971, and from this point it was known as the Ladbroke Classic Trial. It took place at Kempton Park in 1973.

Subsequent sponsors have included The Guardian, Thresher and Betfred. The online gambling company Bet365 took over the sponsorship in 2008.

The Sandown Classic Trial is staged during a two-day meeting which features both flat and jump races. Other events at the meeting include the Bet365 Gold Cup, the Celebration Chase, the Gordon Richards Stakes and the Sandown Mile.

The race can serve as a trial for the Epsom Derby. The most recent participant to win the Derby is Adayar, the 2021 runner-up.

Records
Leading jockey (5 wins):
 * Lester Piggott – Sun Charger (1957), Snow Cat (1958), Ferneley (1962), Sun Rock (1967), Artaius (1977)

Leading trainer (9 wins):
 * John Gosden – Pollen Count (1992), True Hero (1993), Linney Head (1994), Santillana (1996), Centennial (2008), Azmeel (2010), Western Hymn (2014), Cunco (2017), Sevenna Star (2018)

Winners since 1974
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Earlier winners

 * 1953: Mountain King
 * 1954: Taw Valley
 * 1955: Peter Aegus
 * 1956: Pearl Orama
 * 1957: Sun Charger
 * 1958: Snow Cat
 * 1959: Casque
 * 1960: Marengo
 * 1961: Just Great
 * 1962: Ferneley
 * 1963: Raise You Ten
 * 1964: Oncidium
 * 1965: Nearside
 * 1966: Mehari
 * 1967: Sun Rock
 * 1968: Safety Match
 * 1969: Shoemaker
 * 1970: Cry Baby
 * 1971: L'Apache
 * 1972: Pentland Firth
 * 1973: Ksar