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 (2,002 metres) at Sandown Park in late April.

Sandown Classic Trial
(Bet365 Classic Trial)
Group 3 race
LocationSandown Park
Esher, England
Inaugurated1953
Race typeFlat / Thoroughbred
SponsorBet365
WebsiteSandown Park
Race information
Distance1m 1f 209y (2,002 m)
SurfaceTurf
TrackRight-handed
QualificationThree-year-olds
Weight9 st 3 lb
Allowances
3 lb for fillies
Penalties
4 lb for Group 1 or Group 2 winners *
* since 31 August last year
Purse£85,000 (2024)
1st: £48,204
Classic Trial
2024
Royal blue Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves Yellow, black epaulets
Arabian Crown Macduff Remaadd
Previous years
2022
Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves Burgundy, yellow rising sun, burgundy cap Royal blue
Westover Cash Goldspur
2021
Light blue, light blue and black diabolo on sleeves, light blue cap, black star Royal blue, Red cap Royal blue
Alenquer Adayar Yibir
2020-2011
2020
White, emerald green hoop Emerald green, white disc and sleeves, red cap Royal blue
Berlin Tango Pyledriver Bright Melody
2019
Royal blue, white hoop, striped sleeves, white cap, royal blue star Emerald green, maroon chevron, maroon cap Navy blue, red and light blue hoop and armlets, white cap
Bangkok Technician Persian Moon
2018
Red, emerald green chevron, emerald green cap Royal blue Dark blue
Sevenna Star Ispolini Hunting Horn
2017
Orange, light blue and grey hooped sleeves Dark blue, dark blue and grey check sleeves and cap Dark green, yellow stars on sleeves
Cunco Intern Frankuus
2016
Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves White, emerald green hoops, white sleeves and cap Light green and black stripes, light green sleeves
Midterm Algometer High Grounds
2015
Brown, orange sleeves, brown stars Purple, white seams, striped sleeves, purple cap Royal blue, white epaulets, striped cap
Master Apprentice Cape Clear Island Snoano
2014
Light blue, dark blue chevrons and sleeves, dark blue and light blue quartered cap Purple, white armlets Royal blue, maroon sash and star on cap
Western Hymn Impulsive Moment Master Carpenter
2013
Grey, dark green spots on sleeves, grey cap, dark green star Royal blue, orange disc, striped sleeves and cap Yellow, red chevrons, hooped cap
Sugar Boy Eye of The Storm Galileo Rock
2012
Dark blue White, emerald green hoop Red, emerald green triple diamond, armlets and diamond on cap
Imperial Monarch Thought Worthy Rougemont
2011
Royal blue Black, yellow stripe, striped sleeves, quartered cap Dark blue, pink cross of lorraine and cap
Genius Beast Measuring Time Auld Burns
2010-2001
2010
Royal blue, royal blue cap, red star Dark blue, pink sleeves, dark blue armlets, pink cap Emerald Green, Black and Emerald Green striped sleeves, Black cap
Azmeel Simenon Bikini Babe
2009
Red, green hoops, yellow cap, green hoop Dark blue, yellow chevron hoop, yellow cap Dark blue
Above Average Big Bound Malibu Bay
2008
Yellow, red chevrons, red cap Mauve Red, Green hoops, Yellow cap, Green hoop
Centennial Whistledownwind Feared In Flight
2007
Light Blue, Dark Blue armlets, Dark Blue cap Emerald Green, White epaulets, Black sleeves, Black cap, White star White, emerald green hoop
Regime Striving Storm Asperity
2006
Light blue, dark blue armlets, dark blue cap Red, green hoops, yellow cap, green hoop Royal blue, white epaulets, striped cap
Primary The Last Drop Baan
2005
Royal blue, white sleeves, royal blue stars, dark blue cap Yellow, royal blue epaulettes, yellow cap, royal blue star White, red sash, red and white striped cap
Fracas Merger Hattan
2004
Orange, white diamonds on sleeves Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star Orange
African Dream Privy Seal Gold History
2003
Emerald Green and Royal Blue (halved horizontally), Royal Blue sleeves, Emerald Green cap Black and red diamonds, red sleeves, black cap Yellow, black diamond on cap
Shield Inch Again Strength 'n Honour
2002
Green, white and black halved sleeves, red cap Dark blue, red disc, chevrons on sleeves and spots on cap Purple, gold braid, scarlet sleeves, black velvet cap, gold fringe
Simeon Kaieteur Right Approach
2001
Yellow, Black and Yellow striped sleeves, White cap Dark blue, white sleeves and cap Mauve
Chancellor Asian Heights Gryffindor
2000-1991
2000
Royal blue, white epaulets, striped cap Grey, pink epaulets, quartered cap Orange, emerald green armlets
Sakhee Pawn Broker Going Global
1999
Royal blue, white chevron, light blue cap Yellow, black epaulets Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star
Fantastic Light Dehoush Glamis
1998
Dark green Yellow, Black and Yellow striped sleeves, White cap Royal blue, white epaulets, striped cap
Courteous Eco Friendly Muhtathir
1997
Emerald green, royal blue sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots White, yellow hoop and armlets Red and blue (quartered), white sleeves, black cap
Voyagers Quest Benny The Dip Silver Patriarch
1996
Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star White, red spots, armlets and cap Crimson, white sleeves, gold cap, crimson hoop
Santillana Glory Of Dancer Mons
1995
Chocolate, Gold braid and sleeves, quartered cap Maroon, white sleeves, white cap Dark green, white chevron and sleeves, white cap, black star
Pentire Singspiel Balliol Boy
1994
Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star Maroon, Grey epaulets, grey cap, maroon star Dark green
Linney Head Khamaseen Time Star
1993
Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star
True Hero Placerville Majority
1992
Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star White, emerald green chevrons, striped sleeves, quartered cap Black, black and yellow check cap
Pollen Count Aljadeer Assessor
1991
Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star Yellow, royal blue epaulets, royal blue sleeves, yellow armlets and star on royal blue cap Royal blue, white epaulets, striped cap
Hailsham Jaffa Line Jahafil
1990-1981
1990
Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves Royal blue, white chevron, light blue cap Blue, white cross of lorraine, red cap, white spots
Defensive Play Rock Hopper Karinga Bay
1989
Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star Grey, maroon triple diamond, white sleeves, grey cap, maroon diamonds Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves
Old Vic Spring Hay Pride Of Araby
1988
White, black spots, yellow sleeves Emerald green, royal blue sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots Royal blue, white epaulets, striped cap
Galitzin Glacial Storm Maksud
1987
Light blue, purple epaulets, quartered cap Mr L M Schott Royal blue, white braces, red sleeves, white armlets, royal blue and white striped cap Green and yellow (halved)
Gulf King Grand Tour Bengal Tiger
1986
Green, red epaulets Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star Royal blue, white hoop on body, stripe cap
Shahrastini Bonhomie Sirk
1985
Green, pink Sash and cap, white sleeves Beaver Brown, maple leaf green cross belts and cap Maroon, White sleeves, maroon cap, White Star
Daminster Petoski Gallant Archer
1984
Green, pink Sash and cap, white sleeves Dark blue, light blue cross belts, striped sleeves, white cap Mr H Keith Emerald green and White diamonds, white sleeves and cap
Alphabatim Trojan Fen Flagstaff
1983
Dark blue, light blue cross belts, striped sleeves, white cap Royal blue, white hoop on body, striped cap Yellow, red stars on body, emerald green cap
Gordian Neorion Welsh Idol
1982
Pink, black and white striped sleeves, white cap Green and red (quartered), red sleeves and cap Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star
Peacetime Be My Native Jalmood
1981
GREEN, red epaulettes, green cap Chocolate, Gold braid and sleeves, quartered cap Emerald green, brown chevron hoop, armlets and cap with green hoop
Shergar Kirtling King's General
1980-1978
1980
Light blue, scarlet spots Emerald green, royal blue sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots Black, white chevron hoop and cap
Henbit Huguenot Ginistrelli
1979
Pale Blue, White and Yellow check cap Light green and black stripes, light green sleeves Yellow, dark blue stars on body and star on cap
Troy Two of Diamonds Donegal Prince
1978
Dark blue and light bkue hoops, maroon cap Light blue, Chocolate sleeves, hoopeed cap Light grey, white sleeves, pink cap
Whitshead Shirley heights Roscoe Blake
1977
Yellow, white spots, yellow cap Emerald green, yellow chevrons, quartered cap Dark blue and light blue hoops, maroon cap
Artaius Night Before Tamanaco
 

History

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The event was established in 1953, and it was originally called the Royal Stakes.[1] 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.[2] It took place at Kempton Park in 1973.[3]

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

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Leading jockey (5 wins):

  • Lester PiggottSun Charger (1957), Snow Cat (1958), Ferneley (1962), Sun Rock (1967), Artaius (1977)

Leading trainer (9 wins):

  • John GosdenPollen 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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Year Winner Jockey Trainer Time
1974 Bustino Joe Mercer Dick Hern 2:09.91
1975 Consol Pat Eddery Peter Walwyn
1976 Riboboy Joe Mercer Dick Hern
1977 Artaius Lester Piggott Vincent O'Brien 2:11.27
1978 Whitstead Brian Taylor Ryan Price
1979 Troy Willie Carson Dick Hern
1980 Henbit Willie Carson Dick Hern 2:11.38
1981 Shergar Walter Swinburn Michael Stoute 2:09.30
1982 Peacetime Pat Eddery Jeremy Tree
1983 Gordian Greville Starkey Guy Harwood
1984 Alphabatim Brian Rouse Guy Harwood
1985 Damister Steve Cauthen Jeremy Tree
1986 Shahrastani Walter Swinburn Michael Stoute 2:18.77
1987 Gulf King Paul Cook Paul Kelleway 2:07.35
1988 Galitzin Ray Cochrane Clive Brittain 2:15.47
1989 Old Vic Steve Cauthen Henry Cecil 2:20.65
1990 Defensive Play Pat Eddery Guy Harwood 2:05.55
1991 Hailsham Michael Roberts Clive Brittain 2:08.30
1992 Pollen Count Steve Cauthen John Gosden 2:07.85
1993 True Hero Ray Cochrane John Gosden 2:16.54
1994 Linney Head Frankie Dettori John Gosden 2:17.00
1995 Pentire Michael Hills Geoff Wragg 2:07.48
1996 Santillana Frankie Dettori John Gosden 2:06.64
1997 Voyagers Quest John Reid Peter Chapple-Hyam 2:12.54
1998 Courteous Richard Quinn Paul Cole 2:19.41
1999 Fantastic Light Darryll Holland Sir Michael Stoute 2:15.73
2000 Sakhee Richard Hills John Dunlop 2:23.83
2001 Chancellor Michael Hills Barry Hills 2:36.20
2002 Simeon Kevin Darley Mark Johnston 2:12.98
2003 Shield Eddie Ahern Gerard Butler 2:08.32
2004 African Dream Jimmy Quinn Peter Chapple-Hyam 2:12.93
2005 Fracas Jamie Spencer David Wachman 2:11.36
2006 Primary Darryll Holland William Haggas 2:09.40
2007 Regime Frankie Dettori Michael Bell 2:09.65
2008 Centennial Jimmy Fortune John Gosden 2:09.61
2009 Above Average Michael Hills Barry Hills 2:10.24
2010 Azmeel [a] William Buick John Gosden 2:10.94
2011 Genius Beast Ahmed Ajtebi Mahmood Al Zarooni 2:11.39
2012 Imperial Monarch Joseph O'Brien Aidan O'Brien 2:27.86
2013 Sugar Boy Chris Hayes Patrick Prendergast 2:12.26
2014 Western Hymn William Buick John Gosden 2:19.53
2015 Master Apprentice David Probert Andrew Balding 2:12.91
2016 Midterm Ryan Moore Sir Michael Stoute 2:11.11
2017 Cunco Robert Tart John Gosden 2:14.33
2018 Sevenna Star Frankie Dettori John Gosden 2:14.13
2019 Bangkok Silvestre de Sousa Andrew Balding 2:09.43
2020 Berlin Tango[b] David Probert Andrew Balding 2:06.70
2021 Alenquer Tom Marquand William Haggas 2:12.13
2022 Westover Rob Hornby Ralph Beckett 2:13.53
no race 2023 [c]
2024 Arabian Crown William Buick Charlie Appleby 2:12.61
  1. ^ Chabal finished first in 2010, but he was subsequently disqualified after testing positive for a banned substance
  2. ^ The 2020 race was run at Kempton Park in June, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
  3. ^ The 2023 running was abandoned due to unsafe ground[4]

.

Earlier winners

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  • 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[a]
  1. ^ The 1973 running took place at Kempton Park

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "1953 Royal Stakes". Glasgow Herald. 25 April 1953. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  2. ^ "1972 Ladbroke Classic Trial". Glasgow Herald. 21 April 1972. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  3. ^ "1973 Ladbroke Classic Trial". Glasgow Herald. 28 April 1973. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  4. ^ "Sandown's Flat card on Friday abandoned due to unsafe ground but no problems expected on Saturday". BBC Sport. 28 April 2023.
  • galopp-sieger.deSandown Classic Trial (ex Royal Stakes).
  • ifhaonline.orgInternational Federation of Horseracing Authorities – Bet365 Classic Trial (2019).
  • pedigreequery.comSandown Classic Trial – Sandown.
  • Abelson, Edward; Tyrrel, John (1993). The Breedon Book of Horse Racing Records. Breedon Books. p. 22. ISBN 1-873626-15-0.