Sapphire Stakes (Ireland)
The Sapphire Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 5 furlongs (1,006 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in July.
| Group 2 race | |
| Location | Curragh Racecourse Co. Kildare, Ireland |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 2001 |
| Race type | Flat / Thoroughbred |
| Website | Curragh |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 5f (1,006 metres) |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Straight |
| Qualification | Three-years-old and up |
| Weight | 9 st 3 lb (3yo); 9 st 7 lb (4yo+) Allowances 3 lb for fillies and mares Penalties 3 lb for G1 * * since November 1 last year |
| Purse | €110,000 (2018) 1st: €64,900 |
| 2019 | ||
 |
 |
 |
| Soffia | El Astronaute | Garrus |
| Previous years | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | ||
 |
 |
 |
| Havana Grey | Caspian Prince | Mabs Cross |
| 2017 | ||
 |
 |
 |
| Caspian Prince | Marsha | Ardhoomey |
| 2016 | ||
 |
 |
 |
| Mecca's Angel | Brando | Gracious John |
| 2015 | ||
 |
|
 |
| Stepper Point | Mecca's Angel | Moviesta |
| 2014 | ||
 |
 |
 |
| Fountain Of Youth | Extortionist | Monsieur Joe |
| 2013 | ||
 |
 |
 |
| Slade Power | Russian Soul | Morawij |
| 2012 | ||
 |
 |
 |
| Definightly | Judge 'n Jury | Katla |
| 2011 | ||
 |
 |
 |
| Invincible Ash | Hamish McGonagall | Move In Time |
| 2010 | ||
|
 |
 |
| Glamorous Spirit | Reverence | Elnawin |
| 2009 | ||
 |
 |
 |
| Benbaun | Snaefell | Inxile |
| 2008 | ||
|
|
 |
| Tax Free | Benbaun | Desert Lord |
| 2007 | ||
|
|
 |
| Snaefell | Tax Free | Grecian Dancer |
| 2006 | ||
 |
|
 |
| Dandy Man | Benbaun | Osterhase |
| 2005 | ||
|
|
 |
| Benbaun | Osterhase | Majestic Missile |
| 2004 | ||
|
 |
 |
| Osterhase | Moon Unit | Orientor |
| 2003 | ||
 |
|
 |
| Deportivo | Osterhase | Sun Slash |
The event was established in 2001, and it was originally classed at Listed level. For several years it was registered as the Richard H. Faught Memorial Stakes. It was renamed the Sapphire Stakes and promoted to Group 3 status in 2008. It was raised to Group 2 level in 2015.
The Sapphire Stakes was originally part of the Curragh's three-day Irish Derby Festival meeting. In 2015 it was moved to the Irish Oaks meeting and it is currently held on the second day, the day after the Irish Oaks.
Records
Most successful horse (2 wins):
- Benbaun – 2005, 2009
Leading jockey (3 wins):
- Johnny Murtagh – Deportivo (2003), Snaefell (2007), Definightly (2012)
Leading trainer (2 wins):
- Michael Halford – Snaefell (2007), Invincible Ash (2011)
- Roger Charlton - Deportivo (2003), Definightly (2012)
Winners
| Year |
Winner |
Age |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Repertory | 8 | Fergus Sweeney | Malcolm Saunders | 0:59.40 |
| 2002 | Tiger Royal | 6 | Pat Shanahan | Dermot Weld | 0:59.80 |
| 2003 | Deportivo | 3 | Johnny Murtagh | Roger Charlton | 0:59.70 |
| 2004 | Osterhase | 5 | Fran Berry | John Mulhern | 0:57.30 |
| 2005 | Benbaun | 4 | Kieren Fallon | Mark Wallace | 0:57.40 |
| 2006 | Dandy Man | 3 | Pat Shanahan | Con Collins | 0:58.40 |
| 2007 | Snaefell | 3 | Johnny Murtagh | Michael Halford | 1:02.90 |
| 2008 | Tax Free | 6 | Adrian Nicholls | David Nicholls | 0:59.03 |
| 2009 | Benbaun | 8 | Pat Smullen | Kevin Ryan | 1:00.03 |
| 2010 | Glamorous Spirit | 4 | Kieren Fallon | Ron Harris | 0:57.85 |
| 2011 | Invincible Ash | 6 | Gary Carroll | Michael Halford | 1:00.13 |
| 2012 | Definightly | 6 | Johnny Murtagh | Roger Charlton | 1:02.13 |
| 2013 | Slade Power | 4 | Wayne Lordan | Edward Lynam | 0:57.51 |
| 2014 | Fountain Of Youth | 3 | Seamie Heffernan | Aidan O'Brien | 0:59.01 |
| 2015 | Stepper Point | 6 | Pat Smullen | William Muir | 0:58.75 |
| 2016 | Mecca's Angel | 5 | Paul Mulrennan | Michael Dods | 0:58.61 |
| 2017 | Caspian Prince | 8 | Declan McDonogh | Tony Coyle | 0:57.15 |
| 2018 | Havana Grey | 3 | P. J. McDonald | Karl Burke | 0:58.21 |