Matron Stakes (Ireland)

Group 1 race
Matron Stakes

Location	Leopardstown Co. Dublin, Ireland
Race type	Flat / Thoroughbred
Sponsor	Coolmore
Website	Leopardstown
Race information
Distance	1 mile (1,609 metres)
Track	Turf, left-handed
Qualification	Three-years-old and up fillies & mares
Weight	8 st 12 lb (3yo); 9 st 3 lb (4yo+)
Purse	€215,000 (2009) 1st: €139,750

The Matron Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland which is open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged three years or older. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of 1 mile (1,609 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.

The event was formerly called the Gilltown Stud Stakes, and it used to be held at the Curragh. For a period it was classed at Group 3 level. Its title was changed to the Matron Stakes in the mid 1980s.

The race was transferred to its present venue, Leopardstown, in 2002. It was promoted to Group 2 status in 2003, and to the highest level, Group 1, in 2004. Since then it has been sponsored by Coolmore Stud, and its full title now includes the name of Fusaichi Pegasus, a Coolmore stallion.

Records

Most successful horse since 1980:

• no horse has won this race more than once since 1980

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Leading jockey since 1980 (3 wins):

• Johnny Murtagh – Timarida (1995), Soviet Song (2004), Lillie Langtry (2010)

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Leading trainer since 1980 (4 wins):

• John Dunlop – Mary Mitsu (1982), Llyn Gwynant (1988), Cloud of Dust (1992), Iftiraas (2000)

Winners since 1986

Year	Winner	Age	Jockey	Trainer	Owner	Time
1986	Grey Goddess	3	Stephen Craine	Edward O'Grady
1987	Pixie Erin	3	Michael Hills	Barry Hills		1:43.50
1988	Llyn Gwynant	3	Willie Carson	John Dunlop	J. Macdonald-Buchanan	1:44.50
1989	Upward Trend	3	Christy Roche	Jim Bolger	Paul Green	1:39.10
1990	Spring Daffodil	3	Declan Gillespie	Augustine Leahy	Golden Vale Syndicate	1:38.90
1991	Kooyonga	3	Warren O'Connor	Michael Kauntze	Mitsuo Haga	1:41.30
1992	Cloud of Dust	3	Michael Roberts	John Dunlop	Peggy Kwoh	1:44.50
1993	Chanzi	3	Michael Roberts	John Oxx	Sheikh Mohammed	1:42.00
1994	Eternal Reve	3	Michael Kinane	François Boutin	Sheikh Mohammed	1:41.60
1995	Timarida	3	Johnny Murtagh	John Oxx	HH Aga Khan IV	1:38.10
1996	Donna Viola	4	John Reid	Chris Wall	Kieran D. Scott	1:39.90
1997	Clerio	3	Michael Kinane	Henri-Alex Pantall	Sheikh Mohammed	1:42.10
1998	Tadwiga	3	Richard Hughes	Richard Hannon	Stonethorn Stud	1:41.30
1999	Dazzling Park	3	Kevin Manning	Jim Bolger	Mrs Seamus Burns	1:39.00
2000	Iftiraas	3	George Duffield	John Dunlop	Kuwait Racing	1:39.60
2001	Independence	3	Frankie Dettori	Ed Dunlop	Cliveden Stud	1:39.20
2002	Dress to Thrill	3	Pat Smullen	Dermot Weld	Moyglare Stud Farm	1:40.10
2003	Favourable Terms	3	Kieren Fallon	Sir Michael Stoute	Maktoum Al Maktoum	1:39.90
2004	Soviet Song	4	Johnny Murtagh	James Fanshawe	Elite Racing Club	1:36.80
2005	Attraction	4	Kevin Darley	Mark Johnston	Duke of Roxburghe	1:38.90
2006	Red Evie	3	Jamie Spencer	Michael Bell	Neill / Bell	1:38.70
2007	Echelon	5	Ryan Moore	Sir Michael Stoute	Cheveley Park Stud	1:39.52
2008	Lush Lashes	3	Kevin Manning	Jim Bolger	Jackie Bolger	1:40.73
2009	Rainbow View	3	Jimmy Fortune	John Gosden	George Strawbridge	1:39.89
2010	Lillie Langtry	3	Johnny Murtagh	Aidan O'Brien	Michael Tabor	1:39.68
2011	Emulous	4	Pat Smullen	Dermot Weld	Khalid Abdullah	1:38.40

Earlier winners

• 1980 - Calandra
• 1981 - Tumblella

• 1982 - Mary Mitsu
• 1983 - Mighty Fly

• 1984 - Clare Bridge
• 1985 - Only

References

• Racing Post:
  • 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997
  • 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
  • 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

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• galopp-sieger.de – Matron Stakes.
• horseracingintfed.com – International Federation of Horseracing Authorities – Matron Stakes (2009).
• pedigreequery.com – Matron Stakes.

See also

• List of Irish flat horse races