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International Stakes
10 Aug 2011: Dunlop Rolls Stars Out Of The 2011 Betfred Ebor
23 Aug 2010: Sole Power Wins Nunthorpe Stakes 2010
20 Aug 2010: York Ebor Festival 2010 Race Card & Betting – Day 4
20 Aug 2010: York Ebor Festival 2010 Results – Day 3
The International Stakes is the most anticipated event of the Ebor Festival, held annually at York Racecourse. The Ebor Festival is held in August, making the most of the last days of the gorgeous Yorkshire Summer. The International Stakes, which is the richest race to be run at York Racecourse, is open to thoroughbred horses aged three and over and runs over a distance of one miles, two furlongs and eighty-eight yards. The purse for the International Stakes is currently valued at £600,000, which is by far the most valuable prize money available at any race held at York Racecourse.
The event is relatively new, compared to the races on the British horse racing calendar which date back for centuries, having been established in 1972. The concept for the International Stakes was developed by Major Leslie Petch, who worked as a Clerk of Course at York Racecourse. In 1972, when the race finally premiered, Petch was no longer working in the position. The first series of the International Cup was sponsored by Benson and Hedges, causing the race to be widely known as the Benson and Hedges Gold Cup. The first running of the International Stakes immediately produced a historic event when Roberto raced to victory, leaving Brigadier Gerard to scramble to second place - this was the only defeat Brigadier Gerard suffered in his entire career.
After a brief period, from 1985 to 1989 the International Stakes were known as the Matchmaker International, after the bloodstock company Matchmaker took over sponsorship. In 1989 the sponsorship changed again, to the current sponsor Juddmonte Farms, turning the International Stakes into the Juddmonte International.
Recent Winners of the International Stakes:
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Time |
2010 |
Rip Van Winkle |
Johnny Murtagh |
Aidan O'Brien |
2:08.58 |
2009 |
Sea The Stars |
Michael Kinane |
John Oxx |
2:05.29 |
2008 |
Duke Of Marmalade |
Johnny Murtagh |
Aidan O'Brien |
2:01.53 |
2007 |
Authorized |
Frankie Dettori |
Peter Chapple-Hyam |
2:11.82 |
2006 |
Notnowcato |
Ryan Moore |
Sir Michael Stoute |
2:12.32 |
2005 |
Electrocutionist |
Michael Kinane |
Valfredo Valiani |
2:07.47 |
International Stakes Odds and News
17 Aug 2010: International Stakes 2010 Results
Race favourite Rip Van Winkle is the winner of the Juddmonte International Stakes 2010, proving that he is truly back to form. Bookmakers Betfair, William Hill and Bet365 all tipped Rip Van Winkle as the colt most likely to be first home – and are now celebrating along with Rip Van Winkle’s connections and an army of lucky punters. The Juddmonte International Stakes, as the feature race of Day 1 at the York Ebor Festival, rose to the challenge and delivered racing action of the highest order; including a cliffhanger showdown on the home stretch.
| Place | Margin | Odds | Horse | Age | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | / | 15-8 | Rip Van Winkle | 4 | J P Murtagh | A P O’Brien |
| 2 | ½ | 11-2 | Twice Over | 5 | T P Queally | H R A Cecil |
| 3 | ¾ | 10-3 | Byword | 4 | M Guyon | A Fabre |
| 4 | 4 | 17-1 | Cavalryman | 4 | L Dettori | S Bin Suroor |
| 5 | 2 ½ | 11-2 | Dick Turpin | 3 | R Hughes | R Hannon |
| 6 | 3 | 23-1 | Jakkalberry | 4 | O Peslier | E Botti |
| 7 | 2 ¼ | 47-1 | Cutlass Bay | 4 | K Fallon | S Bin Suroor |
| 8 | ¾ | 209-1 | Stimulation | 5 | D Holland | H Morrison |
| 9 | 9 | 79-1 | Bushman | 6 | W Buick | D Simcock |
For the first mile of the International Stakes, outsider Stimulation was confidently heading the field, setting a decent pace for his competitor under jockey D. Holland. Stimulation was trailed by Byword, ridden by Matt Guyon, and Kieren Fallon on Cutlass Bay. Rip Van Winkle was held up at the back of the field, third last runner on the track, biding his time under Johnny Murtagh.
The runners held their positions until they hit the final two furlongs. It was Twice Over, coming along the rail and taking the lead alongside Byword, leaving Stimulation behind as he crumbled under the pressure. For a few chilling moments it seemed like the International Stakes would be a duel between Henry Cecil-trained Twice over and Andre Fabre’s Byword. It was then that Murtagh unleashed Rip Van Winkle and came along the far side joining the front runners. The trio of champions dove for the finish line in dramatic unison, with Rip Van Winkle surging home first – although the top three finished within a length of one another.
An ecstatic O’Brien announced the next stop for Rip Van Winkle is likely to be the Celebration Mile at Goodwood on 28th August. Although no antepost odds are yet published for this great fixture, we advise you check Betfair or Bet365 closer to the race date for excellent starting prices and convenient online betting. Horse Racing UK congratulates Rip Van Winkle and the Ballydoyle team to their fantastic victory!
17 Aug 2010: York Ebor Festival 2010 – Day 1 Race Card & Preview
17 Aug 2010: International Stakes 2010 Odds & Final Update
16 Aug 2010: International Stakes 2010 Odds & Runners Update
