Royal Ascot: Duke of Edinburgh Stakes

The Duke of Edinburgh Stakes is a flat handicap over 1 mile 3 furlongs and 211 yards open to horses of three-year-old and up. The race was previously known as the Bessborough Stakes and was named after John George Brabazon Ponsonby, 5th Earl of Bessborough, who was Master of the Buckhounds on three occasions between 1848 and 1858 under Lord John Russell, Lord Aberdeen and Lord Palmerston. The first race under the original name of the Bessborough Stakes, was a five-furlong race for two-year-olds run on Tuesday 16th June 1914. The title was later bestowed on a mile and a half handicap race at the same meeting. In 1999 the race was renamed in honour of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, although the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes had previously been used for a two-year-old race at Ascot, with Sea Pigeon a former winner who later landed the Champion Hurdle.
Early history:- The inaugural running of the Bessborough Stakes, a forerunner of the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes, was over 5 furlongs on Tuesday 16th June 1914 when Mr W Astor's Good and Gay (100/8) defeated Rossendale (10/1), Scotch Rose (100/6) and 13 others by a head and 2 lengths.

Duke of Edinburgh Stakes 2009 Handicap 1 mile 4 furlongs
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 DRILL SEARGEANT Joe Fanning Mark Johnston J Barson 14/1
2 RECORD BREAKER Royston Ffrench Mark Johnston Triplin Racing 14/1
3 MARTYR Richard Hughes Richard Hannon Highclere Thoroughbreds 14/1
4 YOUNG MICK Tom Queally George Margarson M F Kentish 8/1
5 PIRES Seamie Heffernan A J Martin Mrs E A Lawlor 7/1
6 DANSILI DANCER Philip Robinson Clive Cox The Loyal Troupers 10/1
7 NIGHT CRESCENDO Jim Crowley Amanda Perrett John Connolly 20/1
8 GHIMAAR Pat Smullen Dermot Weld Hamdan Al Maktoum 18/1
9 CRACKENTORP Seb Sanders Ralph Beckett R A Pegum 5/1 fav
10 SIBERIAN TIGER Ryan Moore A J Martin G Swan 11/1
11 BOZ Dane O'Neill Luca Cumani Aston House Stud 14/1
12 YELLOWSTONE Martin Dwyer Paul Cole Mrs Fitri Hay 25/1
13 HERON BAY George Baker Chris Wall Mollers Racing 10/1
14 ROAD TO LOVE Richard Hills Mark Johnston Grant Mercer 20/1
15 INTERNATIONALDEBUT Adam Kirby S Parr W McKay & J Barton 50/1
16 STRATEGIC MOUNT Frankie Dettori Paul Cole Ben & Sir Maryn Arbib 25/1
UR HATTON FLIGHT William Buick Andrew Balding David Brownlow 15/2
The Duke of Edinburgh Stakes took place on Saturday 20th June 2009 and the winner was a brown horse by Rock of Gibraltar out of Dolydillie, won a first prize of £31,155 (equivalent to £43,000 in 2020).. Over round 130%
Duke of Edinburgh Stakes Handicap 1 mile 4 furlongs 1914
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