- Diamond Stakes
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The Diamond Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Ireland which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Dundalk over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 150 yards (2,149 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in late September or early October.
The event was formerly classed at Listed level, and it used to be contested on turf over 1 mile and 2 furlongs. For a period it was held at Phoenix Park, and it was transferred to the Curragh in 1991. The race was formerly restricted to fillies and mares, but it was opened to male horses in 2001. It was staged at Fairyhouse in 2006 and 2007.
The Diamond Stakes moved to its present home, Dundalk, in 2008. It is now run on a Polytrack surface, and its distance has been extended by 150 yards. The race was promoted to Group 3 status in 2009. It is the first non-turf event in Ireland to be classed at this level.
The Diamond Stakes is currently part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge series. The winner of the race now earns an automatic invitation to compete in the same year's Breeders' Cup Marathon. [1]
Winners since 1988
Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Time Turf before 2008 1988 Karaferya 3 John Reid Sir Michael Stoute 2:02.40 1989 Bex 3 Willie Carson Robert Armstrong 2:04.60 1990 Santella Bell 3 Warren O'Connor Michael O'Brien 2:07.20 1991 Elfaslah 3 Richard Hills Harry Thomson Jones 2:16.10 1992 Misako-Togo 3 Michael Kinane Dermot Weld 2:11.10 1993 Eurostorm 3 Pat Gilson Con Collins 2:18.30 1994 Ballykett Nancy 3 Kevin Manning Jim Bolger 2:20.40 1995 Viaticum 3 Joanna Morgan Noel Meade 2:09.60 1996 French Ballerina 3 Michael Kinane Pat Flynn 2:14.20 1997 Red Affair 3 Pat Shanahan John Oxx 2:07.80 1998 Darina 3 Kevin Manning Jim Bolger 2:18.40 1999 Remuria 3 Niall McCullagh John Oxx 2:23.90 2000 Dolydille 4 Kevin Manning Jim Bolger 2:18.10 2001 Jammaal 4 Pat Smullen Dermot Weld 2:13.90 2002 Miss Honorine 3 Johnny Murtagh John Oxx 2:08.10 2003 Napper Tandy 3 Kevin Manning Jim Bolger 2:04.00 2004 Mikado 3 Colm O'Donoghue Aidan O'Brien 2:11.40 2005 The Carbon Unit 3 Wayne Lordan Con Collins 2:13.90 2006 Mountain 3 Kieren Fallon Aidan O'Brien 2:15.00 2007 Arch Rebel 6 Fran Berry Noel Meade 2:04.86 Polytrack after 2007 2008 Muhannak 4 Pat Smullen Ralph Beckett 2:11.63 2009 Mastercraftsman 3 Johnny Murtagh Aidan O'Brien 2:12.18 2010 Gitano Hernando 4 Kieren Fallon Marco Botti 2:12.94 2011 Freedom 3 Seamus Heffernan Aidan O'Brien 2:10.92 References
- ^ "Breeders' Cup Challenge". breederscup.com. http://www.breederscup.com/challenge.aspx. Retrieved 2009-10-02.
- horseracingintfed.com – International Federation of Horseracing Authorities – Diamond Stakes (2009).
- rte.ie/sport – Two Group 3 events added to schedule.
See also
Categories:- Flat races in Ireland
- Open middle distance horse races
- Breeders' Cup Challenge series
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