Juddmonte International Stakes:

Location: York

Total Prize: £600,000 (approx. US$930,000)

Official Website: http://www.yorkracecourse.co.uk

First run: 1972

Qualification: Open 3yr old and up

Distance: 1 mile 2 furlongs 88yds (2092m)

Race Record: Sea The Stars 2009 2:05.29 (note Duke of Marmalade’s 2008 time was not at this track)

Track: Turf, Left handed.

Track Bias: Big track with usually small fields (10 runners 2010) mean that every runner gets his chance the long final straight requires a fit horse able to sustain a long run under high pressure with the leaders often getting beaten in the shadows of the post.

History: The first running of the race took place in 1972 known as the Benson & Hedges Gold Cup and was won by Roberto the 1972 Derby winner. Lester Piggott rode him in the Derby but possibly because of strongly held opinion that the horse they beat, Rheingold, was the better horse Piggott opted to ride it instead in the Cup. The Connections of Roberto flew in an America jockey who had never ridden In the U. K. and shocked observers watched as he flew out of the stalls charged down the course and was never headed until the race was over. The 2^nd place, 3 lengths behind, went to Brigadier Gerard who up to that point was undefeated in 15 starts. He went to America to have a distinguished stud career. At Talaq the son of Roberto was the 1986 Melbourne Cup Winner and after a spectacular career he went to stud and left a lasting legacy to Australian Breeding.

Past Winners: Roberto ( Derby)1972, Dahlia (Canadian International Stakes) 1974, Singspiel (Dubai World Cup) 1997, Falbrav (Hong Kong Cup) 2003, Sea The Stars (Derby & Prix de L’Arc) 2009.

Lead Up Form: Epsom Derby,

Related Races: Part of the four day Ebor Festival in August, which includes featured races such as the Ebor Handicap, Yorkshire Oaks and Nunthorpe Stakes.

Top Horses, Jockeys & Trainers: Dahlia ’74, ’75, Ezzoud ’93, ’94, Halling ’95, ’96 all won the race in consecutive years. There have been six wins by females in the race but the last 12 winners have been male horses. Lester Piggott and Frankie Dettori have both won it 5 times. Sir Michael Stoute is the most successful trainer with 5 wins.

Betting on the Juddmonte International Stakes is available online at Sportsbet.com.au.