Balanchine Stakes
The Balanchine Stakes, also known as the Airlie Stud Stakes, is a Group 2 flat horse race in Ireland open to two-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 6 furlongs (1,207 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in late June or early July.
| Group 2 race | |
| Location | Curragh Racecourse Co. Kildare, Ireland |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 2005 |
| Race type | Flat / Thoroughbred |
| Sponsor | Grangecon Stud |
| Website | Curragh |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 6f (1,207 metres) |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Straight |
| Qualification | Two-year-old fillies |
| Weight | 9 st 0 lb Penalties 3 lb for Group winners |
| Purse | €65,000 (2018) 1st: €383,50 |
| 2019 | ||
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| Albigna | Precious Moments | Peace Charter |
| Previous years | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | ||
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| So Perfect | Skitter Scatter | Cava |
| 2017 | ||
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| Clemmie | Butterscotch | Mamba Noire |
| 2016 | ||
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| Roly Poly | Seafront | Elusive Beauty |
| 2015 | ||
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| Most Beautiful | Only Mine | Miss Elizabeth |
| 2014 | ||
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| I Am Beautiful | Jeanne Girl | Quinta Verde |
| 2013 | ||
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| Bye Bye Birdie | Heart Focus | Clenor |
| 2012 | ||
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| Sendmylovetorose | True Verdict | Slope |
| 2011 | ||
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| Experience | Somasach | Naseem Sea |
| 2010 | ||
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| Seeharn | Gatamalata | Moonlit Garden |
| 2009 | ||
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| Long Lashes | Elusive Galaxy | Gold Bubbles |
| 2008 | ||
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| Shimah | Chintz | What's Up Pussycat |
| 2007 | ||
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| Listen | Tuscan Evening | Charlotte Bronte |
| 2006 | ||
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| Gaudeamus | The Real Thing | Simonetta |
| 2005 | ||
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| Sahara Princess | Sandie | Ugo Fire |
The event's registered title honours Balanchine, a successful filly whose victories included the Irish Derby in 1994. The race was established in 2005, and it was originally classed at Listed level. The first two runnings were contested over 7 furlongs.[1]
The race's distance was cut to 6 furlongs in 2007, and for a period it was known as the Saoire Stakes. It reverted to its former name in 2009, and from this point its sponsored title was the Ballygallon Stud Stakes.
The Balanchine Stakes was promoted to Group 3 status in 2011. In 2019 the race received a further boost when it was one of 3 Group 3 race's across Europe promoted to Group 2 status following the European Pattern Committee's review for 2019. It is now sponsored by Airlie Stud, and it is held on the second day of the Curragh's three-day Irish Derby Festival meeting, as part of the supporting card to the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes.
Records
Leading jockey (4 wins):
- Ryan Moore - Most Beautiful (2015), Roly Poly (2016), Clemmie (2017), So Perfect (2018)
Leading trainer (6 wins):
- Aidan O'Brien - Listen (2007), Bye Bye Birdie (2013), I Am Beautiful (2014), Roly Poly (2016), Clemmie (2017), So Perfect (2018)
Winners
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Sahara Princess | Johnny Murtagh | Jessica Harrington | 1:25.60 |
| 2006 | Gaudeamus | Kevin Manning | Jim Bolger | 1:27.70 |
| 2007 | Listen | Kieren Fallon | Aidan O'Brien | 1:15.40 |
| 2008 | Shimah | Declan McDonogh | Kevin Prendergast | 1:12.97 |
| 2009 | Long Lashes | Fran Berry | Jessica Harrington | 1:15.24 |
| 2010 | Seeharn | Declan McDonogh | Kevin Prendergast | 1:12.66 |
| 2011 | Experience | Wayne Lordan | David Wachman | 1:12.36 |
| 2012 | Sendmylovetorose | Colm O'Donoghue | Andrew Oliver | 1:16.92 |
| 2013 | Bye Bye Birdie | Joseph O'Brien | Aidan O'Brien | 1:10.94 |
| 2014 | I Am Beautiful | Seamie Heffernan | Aidan O'Brien | 1:12.56 |
| 2015 | Most Beautiful | Ryan Moore | David Wachman | 1:11.91 |
| 2016 | Roly Poly | Ryan Moore | Aidan O'Brien | 1:15.32 |
| 2017 | Clemmie | Ryan Moore | Aidan O'Brien | 1:11.87 |
| 2018 | So Perfect | Ryan Moore | Aidan O'Brien | 1:12.34 |
| 2019 | Albigna | Shane Foley | Jessica Harrington | 1:12.90 |
References
- "New sponsor for Derby Friday". RTÉ Sport. 28 February 2005. Retrieved 25 June 2011.