The Eclipse Stakes

Eclipse Stakes Overview

The Coral-Eclipse, sponsored by bookmakers Coral, is a Group 1 Flat race open to three-year-olds and upwards, run at Sandown, usually on the first Saturday in July. It is one of Europe’s most important middle-distance races and traditionally heralds the season’s first significant clash between that year’s crop of three-year-olds and older horses.

Eclipse Stakes History

The Eclipse Stakes is named after the chestnut of the same name, who was foaled in 1764 and is still recognised as one of the greatest horses in British racing history, having been unbeaten and unextended on the racecourse before going on to a highly successful career at stud.

First run in 1886, when a prize fund of £10,000 made it Britain’s richest-ever race, it has been run as the Coral-Eclipse since 1986, following two years under the Benson & Hedges banner.

The post-war roll of honour features many Classic winners and some of the sport’s all-time greats, among them Mill Reef (1971), Brigadier Gerard (1972), Dancing Brave (1986), Nashwan (1989) and Sea The Stars (2009). The great stallion Sadler’s Wells (1984) put up one of his finest performances here and other outstanding winners include the filly Pebbles (1985) and the grey Godolphin flagbearer Daylami (1998).

Sandown Racecourse

Sandown Park in Esher, Surrey, England is one of the premier racecourses in the London area.
Sandown was the first racecourse in the UK which was enclosed and the viewing of races is generally very good as its a natural amphitheatre.

The racecourse hosted its first race meeting in 1875 and currently features both racing on the Flat and jump horse racing. Its most famous flat horse race is the Eclipse Stakes and amongst its most well-known jumps races is the Tingle Creek Chase.

Eclipse Stakes Trainers

Alec Taylor junior is the most successful trainer, with six wins between 1909 and 1923.
In the post-war era three of the sport’s greatest trainers have won five times: Noel Murless with Arctic Explorer (1957), St Paddy (1961), Busted (1967), Royal Palace (1968) and Connaught (1970). Vincent O’Brien with Ballymoss (1958), Pieces Of Eight (1966), Artaius (1977), Solford (1983) and Sadler’s Wells (1984) and Michael Stoute with Opera House (1993), Ezzoud (1994), Pilsudski (1997), Medicean (2001) and Notnowcato (2007).

Aidan O’Brien is only one behind following wins from Giant’s Causeway (2000), Hawk Wing (2002), Oratorio (2005) and Mount Nelson (2008).

Eclipse Stakes Jockeys

Lester Piggott won the Eclipse seven times, on Mystery XI (1951), Darius (1955), Artcic Exporer (1957), St Paddy (1961), Pieces Of Eight (1966), Wolver Hollow (1969) and Artaius (1977). More recently Mick Kinane won four times, on Opera House (1993), Pilsudski (1997), Hawk Wing (2002) and Sea The Stars (2009).

2009 Coral Eclipse Stakes Video

Sea the Stars winning the 2009 Eclipse Stakes ahead of Rip van Winkle. You can find horse racing cards for the 2010 running of the race at the Racing Post.

Eclipse Stakes Trivia

• The longest-priced winner was Coup De Feu (1974) at 33-1.

• The shortest-priced winner was St Paddy (1961) at 2-13.

• Five horses have won the Eclipse twice, most recently Mtoto (1987 & 1988) and Halling (1995 & 1996)

• Sea The Stars (2009) set a new race record of 2m 3.40s when winning the third of six successive Group 1 races in 2009.

• Frankie Dettori, successful on Daylami (1998) and Refuse To Bend (2004), was following in the footsteps of his father Gianfranco Dettori, who won on Wollow (1976).

• Trepan was first past the post in 1976 but was later disqualified on a technicality.

• The Eclipse was run at Ascot in 1945 and at Kempton in 1973.

Further Reading:

1. Eclipse Stakes – Wikipedia – Features a brief overview and complete list of past winners.
2. Turf Hallmarks – Offers a list of winners with details on thoroughbred heritage.
3. Coral-Eclipse Day – Sandown Park’s official site has a blurb on the race.
4. Bloodstock News – a good news source on thoroughbred race horses.
5. Bet365 Gold Cup- read my post on the Gold Cup handicap chase which is also run at Sandown.
6. Imperial Cup – another well-known race at Sandown racecourse run in March.