The Chester Vase is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old colts and geldings. It is run over a distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 63 yards (2,472 metres) at Chester in May.

Chester Vase
Group 3 race
LocationChester Racecourse
Chester, Cheshire, England
Inaugurated1907
Race typeFlat / Thoroughbred
SponsorBoodles
WebsiteChester
Race information
Distance1m 4f 63y (2,472m)
SurfaceTurf
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationThree-year-old
colts and geldings
Weight9 st 2 lb
Penalties
4 lb for G1 / G2 winners *
* after 31 August 2023
Purse£140,000 (2024)
1st: £78,428
Chester Vase
2024
Royal Blue Royal blue, orange disc, striped sleeves Royal blue, orange disc, striped sleeves and cap
Hidden Law Agenda Grosvenor Square
Previous years
2023
Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves Dark blue Black, white triple diamond, white and black striped sleeves, black cap, white diamond
Arrest Adelaide River Hadrianus
2022
Maroon, royal blue hoop and sleeves, quartered cap Royal blue Yellow, red star, red sleeves, yellow armlets, check cap
Changingoftheguard New London Savvy Victory
2021
White, emerald green epaulets and star on cap Dark blue Light blue and black stripes, black sleeves and cap
Youth Spirit Sandhurst Fancy Man
2020-2011
2019
Dark blue Purple, white seams, striped sleeves, purple cap White, emerald green hoops, dark blue sleeves and cap
Sir Dragonet Norway Dashing Willoughby
2018
Yellow, royal blue epaulets Silver, tassel on cap Dark blue
Young Rascal Dee Ex Bee Hunting Horn
2017
Purple, white seams, striped sleeves, purple cap Purple, white seams, striped sleeves, white cap Purple, white seams, striped sleeves, pink cap
Venice Beach Wings Of Eagles The Anvil
2016
Dark blue Royal blue, orange disc, striped sleeves and cap Royal blue, white seams, chevrons on sleeves, white cap
Us Army Ranger Port Douglas Ormito
2015
Royal blue, orange disc, striped sleeves and cap Dark blue, large yellow spots Black, white disc, quartered cap
Hans Holbein Storm The Stars Medrano
2014
Dark blue Emerald green, black chevrons on sleeves Pink, emerald green chevron, halved sleeves, quartered cap
Orchestra Romsdal Scotland
2013
Dark blue Yellow, beige seams, yellow sleeves and cap White, emerald green hoops, dark blue sleeves and cap
Ruler Of The World Mister Impatience Havana Beat
2012
Yellow, royal blue chevron, royal blue cap Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves Grey, red cross of lorraine, hooped sleeves, quartered cap
Mickdaam Model Pupil Call To Battle
2011
Purple, white seams, striped sleeves, purple cap Dark blue, yellow chevron hoop, yellow cap Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves
Treasure Beach Nathaniel Slumber
2010-2001
2010
Light blue and maroon (quartered), light blue sleeves, maroon armlets Grey, beige star, grey sleeves, beige stars and stars on cap Maroon, grey armlets, grey cap
Ted Spread Icon Dream Chink Of Light
2009
Royal blue, orange disc, striped sleeves, royal blue cap Royal blue, orange disc, striped sleeves and cap Emerald green, black chevrons on sleeves
Golden Sword Masterofthehorse Debussy
2008
Green, Pink sash and cap, White sleeves Red, White sleeves, Blue and White striped cap White, red stripe, dark blue sleeves and cap
Doctor Fremantle All The Aces Pampas Cat
2007
Dark blue Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves Red, green hoops, yellow cap, green hoop
Soldier of Fortune Arabian Gulf Celestial Halo
2006
Dark blue Dark blue, white sleeves and cap Royal blue, white epaulets, striped cap
Papal Bull Dragon Dancer Mashaahed
2005
White, red sash, red and white striped cap Dark blue Light Green and Yellow check, Yellow cap
Hattan Almighty First Row
2004
Orange, Emerald Green check sleeves and cap Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star Pink, black chevron, quartered cap
Red Lancer Privy Seal Temple Place
2003
White, light blue chevron, light blue and white striped cap Emerald green, royal blue sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves
Dutch Gold Summerland Risk Taker
2002
Yellow, light green epaulets, light green and yellow striped cap Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves Yellow, black epaulets
Fight your Corner Sparkling Water Kaysari
2001
Black and white diamonds, black cap Pale Blue, Campbell Tartan hooped sleeves, Yellow cap White, red chevron, checked sleeves, red cap
Mr Combustible Snowstorm Golden Wells
2000-1991
2000
Grey, red cross of lorraine, hooped sleeves, quartered cap Dark green Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves
Millenary Windsor Boy Tantalus
1999
Royal blue, white chevron, light blue cap Dark green, white chevron and sleeves, white cap, green star Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star
Peshtigo Lightning Arrow Iscan
1998
Chocolate, Gold braid and sleeves, quartered cap Royal blue, silver striped sleeves, red and royal blue hooped cap Emerald green, royal blue sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots
Gulland The Glow-Worm Distant Mirage
1997
Emerald green, royal blue sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots Red, white star, yellow sleeves, yellow and red hooped cap Black and White (halved), check cap, Light Blue sleeves
Panama City Ivan Luis State Fair
1996
Royal blue, orange disc, striped sleeves and cap Red, white sash, black cap, white hoop Royal Blue, White sleeves, Royal Blue stars, Royal Blue cap, White star
High Baroque St Mawes Prince Of My Heart
1995
White, red sash, red and white striped cap Emerald green, royal blue sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots Grey, dark blue chevrons, dark blue cap
Luso Court Of Honour Maralinga
1994
Red and yellow (halved), chevrons on sleeves, quartered cap Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star
Broadway Flyer Moonax Sadler's Image
1993
Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves White, red sash, red and white striped cap owned by Persian Partnership
Armiger Shrewd Idea Persian Brave
1992
Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star Dark green Light blue, pink sash
Twist And Turn Jape Mack The Knife
1991
Green, pink epaulettes, white sleeves, pink cap Beaver brown, maple leaf green cross belts and cap Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star
Toulon Luchiroverte Peking Opera
1990-1988
1990
Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves Red and white stripes, white sleeves, yellow cap
Belmez Quest For Fame Missionary Ridge
1989
Maroon, white sleeves, white cap Grey, blue stripes on body, blue cap Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star
Old Vic Golden Pheasant Warrshan
1988
Royal blue, white epaulets, striped cap Chocolate, Gold braid and sleeves, quartered cap Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star
Unfuwain Kalakate Vayrua
 

History

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The event was established in 1907, and it was originally open to horses aged three or four. The result of the first running was a dead-heat.[1]

For a period the race was contested over 1 mile, 5 furlongs and 75 yards.[2] It was restricted to three-year-olds and cut to 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 53 yards in 1959.[3] It was abandoned in 1969,[4] and extended by several yards in 1970.[5]

The Chester Vase serves as a trial for the Epsom Derby. The last participant to win the Derby was Wings of Eagles, the 2017 runner-up.

Records

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Leading jockey (8 wins):

  • Ryan Moore - Doctor Fremantle (2008), Treasure Beach (2011), Ruler Of The World (2013), Orchestra (2014), Hans Holbein (2015), US Army Ranger (2016), Venice Beach (2017), Changingoftheguard (2022)

Leading trainer (10 wins):

  • Aidan O'Brien - Soldier Of Fortune (2007), Golden Sword (2009), Treasure Beach (2011), Ruler Of The World (2013), Orchestra (2014), Hans Holbein (2015), US Army Ranger (2016), Venice Beach (2017), Sir Dragonet (2019), Changingoftheguard (2022)

Winners since 1980

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Year Winner Jockey Trainer Time
1980 Henbit Willie Carson Dick Hern 2:36.56
1981 Shergar Walter Swinburn Michael Stoute 2:40.47
1982 Super Sunrise Paul Cook Gavin Hunter 2:41.12
1983 no race [a]
1984 Kaytu Willie Carson Dick Hern
1985 Law Society Pat Eddery Vincent O'Brien 2:44:72
1986 Nomrood Richard Quinn Paul Cole 2:46.08
1987 Dry Dock Willie Carson Dick Hern 2:37.97
1988 Unfuwain Willie Carson Dick Hern 2:52.48
1989 Old Vic Steve Cauthen Henry Cecil 2:34.21
1990 Belmez Steve Cauthen Henry Cecil 2:41.42
1991 Toulon Pat Eddery André Fabre 2:45.69
1992 Twist and Turn Steve Cauthen Henry Cecil 2:37.13
1993 Armiger Pat Eddery Henry Cecil 2:35.32
1994 Broadway Flyer Michael Hills John Hills 2:36.03
1995 Luso Michael Kinane Clive Brittain 2:38.38
1996 High Baroque John Reid Peter Chapple-Hyam 2:40.16
1997 Panama City John Reid Peter Chapple-Hyam 2:46.64
1998 Gulland Michael Hills Geoff Wragg 2:38.18
1999 Peshtigo [b] Michael Hills Barry Hills 2:36.63
2000 Millenary Pat Eddery John Dunlop 2:38.11
2001 Mr Combustible Michael Hills Barry Hills 2:34.30
2002 Fight Your Corner Kevin Darley Mark Johnston 2:33.70
2003 Dutch Gold Frankie Dettori Clive Brittain 2:35.85
2004 Red Lancer Robert Miles Richard Price 2:44.33
2005 Hattan Seb Sanders Clive Brittain 2:44.91
2006 Papal Bull Kieren Fallon Sir Michael Stoute 2:35.24
2007 Soldier of Fortune Michael Kinane Aidan O'Brien 2:35.24
2008 Doctor Fremantle Ryan Moore Sir Michael Stoute 2:37.39
2009 Golden Sword Colm O'Donoghue Aidan O'Brien 2:33.86
2010 Ted Spread Darryll Holland Mark Tompkins 2:43.32
2011 Treasure Beach Ryan Moore Aidan O'Brien 2:39.10
2012 Mickdaam Tony Hamilton Richard Fahey 2:50.01
2013 Ruler of the World Ryan Moore Aidan O'Brien 2:40.29
2014 Orchestra Ryan Moore Aidan O'Brien 2:42.05
2015 Hans Holbein Ryan Moore Aidan O'Brien 2:45.53
2016 US Army Ranger Ryan Moore Aidan O'Brien 2:41.07
2017 Venice Beach Ryan Moore Aidan O'Brien 2:35.84
2018 Young Rascal James Doyle William Haggas 2:39.55
2019 Sir Dragonet Donnacha O'Brien Aidan O'Brien 2:42.91
no race 2020 [c]
2021 Youth Spirit Tom Marquand Andrew Balding 2:45.83
2022 Changingoftheguard Ryan Moore Aidan O'Brien 2:43.36
2023 Arrest Frankie Dettori John and Thady Gosden 2:52.31
2024 Hidden Law [d] William Buick Charlie Appleby 2:38.89
  1. ^ The 1983 running was abandoned because of a waterlogged course
  2. ^ Housemaster finished first in 1999, but he was relegated to fourth place following a stewards' inquiry
  3. ^ The 2020 running was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom[6]
  4. ^ Hidden Law was fatally injured after the finish of the race[7]

Earlier winners

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  • 1907: Earlston / Sancy [a]
  • 1908: Galvani
  • 1909: St Ninian
  • 1910: Bayardo
  • 1911: Maaz
  • 1912: Lycaon
  • 1913: Cylba
  • 1914: Dan Russel
  • 1915: Esplandian
  • 1916–18: no race
  • 1919: Air Raid
  • 1920: Buchan
  • 1921: no race
  • 1922: Fodder
  • 1923: Papyrus
  • 1924: Inkerman
  • 1925: Vermilion Pencil
  • 1926: Swift and Sure
  • 1927: Lone Knight
  • 1928: Hectare
  • 1929: En Garde
  • 1930: Pinxit
  • 1931: Sandwich
  • 1932: Bulandshar
  • 1933: Hyperion
  • 1934: Windsor Lad
  • 1935: Valerius
  • 1936: Taj Akbar
  • 1937: Merry Mathew
  • 1938: Cave Man
  • 1939: Heliopolis
  • 1940–45: no race
  • 1946: Sky High
  • 1947: Edward Tudor
  • 1948: Valognes
  • 1949: Swallow Tail
  • 1950: Castle Rock
  • 1951: Supreme Court
  • 1952: Summer Rain
  • 1953: Empire Honey
  • 1954: Blue Rod
  • 1955: Daemon
  • 1956: Articulate
  • 1957: King Babar
  • 1958: Alcide
  • 1959: Fidalgo
  • 1960: Mr Higgins
  • 1961: Sovrango
  • 1962: Silver Cloud
  • 1963: Christmas Island
  • 1964: Indiana
  • 1965: Gulf Pearl
  • 1966: General Gordon
  • 1967: Great Host
  • 1968: Remand
  • 1969: no race
  • 1970: Politico
  • 1971: Linden Tree
  • 1972: Ormindo
  • 1973: Proverb
  • 1974: Jupiter Pluvius
  • 1975: Shantallah
  • 1976: Old Bill
  • 1977: Hot Grove
  • 1978: Icelandic
  • 1979: Cracaval
  1. ^ The 1907 race was a dead-heat and has joint winners

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "1907 Chester Vase". Glasgow Herald. 8 May 1907. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
  2. ^ "1958 Chester Vase". Glasgow Herald. 6 May 1958. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
  3. ^ "1959 Chester Vase". Glasgow Herald. 5 May 1959. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
  4. ^ "Chester programmes abandoned". Glasgow Herald. 7 May 1969. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
  5. ^ "1970 Chester Vase". Glasgow Herald. 5 May 1970. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
  6. ^ "Coronavirus: Horse racing in Great Britain suspension extended". BBC Sport. 15 April 2020.
  7. ^ "Charlie Appleby devastated after impressive Chester Vase winner Hidden Law dies in 'freak accident' after crossing line". racingpost.com. Archived from the original on 8 May 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2024.