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King's Stand Stakes
20 May 2013: Farhh Dominates Lockinge Stakes
5 May 2013: All Too Hard Set For Royal Ascot Festival
15 Apr 2013: Return to Ascot Possible For Black Caviar
3 Sep 2012: Danedream on track for Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
31 Jul 2012: Black Caviar Out of Spring Carnival
The King's Stand Stakes are one of no less than seven Group 1 races taking place during the Royal Ascot Festival, which is hosted annually in June. It is a sprint race, held over a distance of five furlongs on the famous Ascot Racecourse - a distance created by chance rather than careful deliberation.
In 1860, the year the King's Stand Stakes were introduced, the weather was unkind to the Ascot Festival. The track was so badly damaged by the rain it was impossible to host the Royal Stand Plate, a race over a two mile distance. The only segment of the track deemed usable was only five furlong in length. This new provisional race was first titled the Queen's Stand Stakes, in the honour of Queen Victoria. The name was changed upon her death in 1901, when the honours were transferred to the new King, Edward VII.
Today the King's Stand Stakes are open to thoroughbreds of both genders aged three and older, who compete for a purse of £300,000. As it is a truly extraordinary race is was announced as a Group 1 event two years after the rating system was established in 1971.
The race is part of the Global Sprint Challenge, which was introduced in 2005; the King's Stand Stakes are the second of three legs in this competition. It is preceded by the Lightning Stakes and followed by the Golden Jubilee Stakes.
Recent Winners of the King's Stand Stakes:
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Time |
2010 |
Equiano |
Michael Hills |
Barry Hills |
0:59.00 |
2009 |
Scenic Blast |
Steven Arnold |
Daniel Morton |
0:59.54 |
2008 |
Equiano |
Olivier Peslier |
M. Delcher Sanchez |
0:59.35 |
2007 |
Miss Andretti |
Craig Newitt |
Lee Freedman |
0:57.44 |
2006 |
Takeover Target |
Jay Ford |
Joe Janiak |
0:59.79 |
2005 |
Chineur |
Christophe Lemaire |
Mikel Delzangles |
0:57.55 |
King's Stand Stakes Odds and News
12 May 2013: International Horses Included in July Cup Entries
The 2013 July Cup is set to have a strong international flavor with a number of overseas-trained horses included in the entries for the Group 1 race that will be run at Newmarket on Saturday July 13.
The sixty-one entries for the race came from ten different countries with local talents Moohaajim, Reckless Abandon, Society Rock and Deacon Blues set to face some stiff competition.
Leading South African trainer Mike de Kock has entered three horses for the race including classy gelding Shea Shea who has won three races from three starts in Qatar this year.
“Shea Shea will run first at Royal Ascot and we will take it from there,” De Kock told The Racing Post.
“He is a low-actioned horse so I am not too sure how he would deal with the undulations and maybe some cut in the ground, but we still have every intention of running him in the July Cup.”
De Kock has also entered Soft Raining Fall and Kavanagh for the race and considers Soft Raining Fall a leading contender.
“Soft Raining Fall has the speed and he can also produce a sustained finish off a hard pace,” De Kock said.
“In winning the Godolphin Mile he showed both talent and heart, which is a rare combination.”
Australian trainer Danny O’Brien has entered 2013 Newmarket Handicap winner Shamexpress for the race but his performances during the Royal Ascot Festival will decide if he runs in the event.
“He’ll run in the King’s Stand and then if he’s over there and in good form he might stay right through, run in the July Cup and maybe a couple of other races later,” O’Brien said.
The French have a strong contingent of horses entered for the race (Moonlight Cloud, Gammarth and What A Name) while the United States (Havelock), Bahrain (Krypton Factor) and Hong Kong (Time After Time) may also be represented.
The most intriguing of the local entries came from Aidan O’Brien who nominated 2000 Guineas participants Cristoforo Colombo and George Vancouver as well as Parliament Square and Pedro the Great for the prestigious race.
When July Cup betting markets are opened you will be able to find the best odds at 
Bet365.
15 Apr 2013: Return to Ascot Possible For Black Caviar
4 Sep 2012: Ortensia Firm Favorite for Sprint Cup
16 Jun 2010: The King Returns – Equiano Reclaims King’s Stand Stakes
