Royal Ascot: St James's Palace Stakes

The event is named after St James's Palace, a royal residence during the Tudor period. It was established in 1834, and the inaugural race resulted in a walkover. The present system of race grading was introduced in 1971, and for a period the St. James's Palace Stakes was classed at Group 2 level. It was promoted to Group 1 status in 1988. It is contested on the opening day of the Royal Ascot meeting.
Early history:- The inaugural running of the St James's Palace Stakes on Tuesday 10th June 1834 was a disappointing affair when 17 of the 18 subscribers were frightened off by the Derby winner Plenipotentiary who was left to walk-over. The next year the race was held on Tuesday 16th June 1835 contested by the Derby second and third, Ascot and Pelops. Ascot once again confirmed his superiority by a length, the same distance he had beaten Pelops by in the Epsom Derby the previous month.

St James's Palace Stakes 1980 Group 1 1 mile
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 POSSE P Eddery J Dunlop Mr O Phipps 11/2
2 FINAL STRAW G Starkey M Stoute Mr J Wigan 8/1
3 LAST FANDANGO S Cauthen B Hills Mr A Shead 4/1
4 DALSAAN L Piggott M Stoute HH Aga Khan 4/5 fav
5 LAFONTAINE W Carson C Brittain Mrs J Elliot 25/1
6 MARATHON GOLD J Mercer H Cecil Mr L Freedman 16/1
7 CRAGADOR B Taylor H Wragg Sir P Oppenheimer 33/1
8 BRAUGHING P Cook C Brittain Mr W Gredley 66/1
This race took place on Tusday 17th June 1980 and was won by a 3-year-old chestnut colt by Forli out of In Hot Pursuit, winning a first prize of £22,358 (equivalent to £98,000 in 2020). Over round 115%
St James's Palace Stakes Group 1 1 mile 1834
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1980