Thoroughbred Surplice Stakes
The Thoroughbred Surplice Stakes, initially known as the Surplice Stakes, was first staged in 1970 over a mile and 2 furlongs for 3-year-old horses. The race was named after Surplice who won the Ham Stakes at Goodwood in 1847 as a 2-year-old, before landing the Epsom Derby and St Leger Stakes (SR 2044) the next year. However, between those 2 Classic successes he contested the Gratwicke Stakes and Racing Stakes at the Goodwood Summer meeting, suffering defeat in both. In 1849 he was made the 6/4 favourite for the Chesterfield Cup, but could only finish sixth. In 1993 the Surplice Stakes, now over a mile, became a sponsored race, in the first instance by Vodafone, but in 1998 it was awarded Listed status and became the Thoroughbred Stakes. A further promotion to Group 3 level took pace in 2012. The race is traditionally staged on the penultimate day of the Festival. |
| Surplice Stakes 2003 | Listed | 1 mile | ||
| Pos. | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Owner |
| 1 | COURT MASTERPIECE | Johnny Murtagh | Ed Dunlop 3-8st 13lbs | Maktoum Al Maktoum 5/1 |
| 2 | HURRICANE ALAN | Jimmy Fortune | Richard Hannon | Mrs D M Wright 100/30 jt fav |
| 3 | EXCELSIUS | Pat Eddery | John Dunlop | V Schirone 50/1 |
| 4 | BABODANA | George Duffield | Mark Tompkins | M P Bowring 40/1 |
| 5 | LAIDLOW | Kieren Fallon | Sir Michael Stoute | Sir Evelyn De Rothschild 100/30 jt fav |
| 6 | COMMISSION | Eddie Ahern | Geard Butler | Highclere Thoroughbred Racing 12/1 |
| 7 | GIOCOSO | John Egan | Bryn Palling | W Devine & P Morgan 33/1 |
| 8 | AL TURF | Michael Hills | Richard Hannon | Fieldspring Racing 9/1 |
| 9 | OUR TEDDY | Martin Dwyer | George Margarson | The Beare Family 25/1 |
| 10 | ALWAYS ESTEEMED | Darryll Holland | Geoff Wragg | Mollers Racing 16/1 |
| 11 | ROYAL DIGNITARY | Frankie Dettori | David Loder | Sheikh Mohammed 16/1 |
| 12 | BLAZING THUNDER | Richard Hughes | John Gosden | Prince Khaled Abdullah 7/1 |
| This race took place on Saturday 2nd August 2003 and was for 3-y-o over a mile. It was valued at £20,300 (equivalent to £30,000 in 2021). | Over round 116% | |||