The Sandown Classic Trial is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old horses. It is run over a distance of 1 mile, 1 furlong and 209 yards (2,002 metres) at Sandown Park in late April.
| Group 3 race | |
| Location | Sandown Park Esher, England |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1953 |
| Race type | Flat / Thoroughbred |
| Sponsor | Bet365 |
| Website | Sandown Park |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1m 1f 209y (2,002 m) |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Right-handed |
| Qualification | Three-year-olds |
| Weight | 9 st 3 lb Allowances 3 lb for fillies Penalties 4 lb for Group 1 or Group 2 winners * * since 31 August last year |
| Purse | £85,000 (2024) 1st: £48,204 |
| 2024 | ||
 |  |  |
| Arabian Crown | Macduff | Remaadd |
| Previous years | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | ||
|  | |
| Westover | Cash | Goldspur |
| 2021 | ||
 |  | |
| Alenquer | Adayar | Yibir |
| 2020-2011 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | ||
 |  | |
| Berlin Tango | Pyledriver | Bright Melody |
| 2019 | ||
 |  |  |
| Bangkok | Technician | Persian Moon |
| 2018 | ||
 | |  |
| Sevenna Star | Ispolini | Hunting Horn |
| 2017 | ||
 |  |  |
| Cunco | Intern | Frankuus |
| 2016 | ||
|  |  |
| Midterm | Algometer | High Grounds |
| 2015 | ||
 |  |  |
| Master Apprentice | Cape Clear Island | Snoano |
| 2014 | ||
 |  |  |
| Western Hymn | Impulsive Moment | Master Carpenter |
| 2013 | ||
 |  |  |
| Sugar Boy | Eye of The Storm | Galileo Rock |
| 2012 | ||
| |  |
| Imperial Monarch | Thought Worthy | Rougemont |
| 2011 | ||
|  |  |
| Genius Beast | Measuring Time | Auld Burns |
| 2010-2001 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | ||
 |  |  |
| Azmeel | Simenon | Bikini Babe |
| 2009 | ||
 |  | |
| Above Average | Big Bound | Malibu Bay |
| 2008 | ||
 |  | |
| Centennial | Whistledownwind | Feared In Flight |
| 2007 | ||
 |  | |
| Regime | Striving Storm | Asperity |
| 2006 | ||
| | |
| Primary | The Last Drop | Baan |
| 2005 | ||
 |  |  |
| Fracas | Merger | Hattan |
| 2004 | ||
 |  |  |
| African Dream | Privy Seal | Gold History |
| 2003 | ||
 |  |  |
| Shield | Inch Again | Strength 'n Honour |
| 2002 | ||
 |  |  |
| Simeon | Kaieteur | Right Approach |
| 2001 | ||
 |  | |
| Chancellor | Asian Heights | Gryffindor |
| 2000-1991 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | ||
|  |  |
| Sakhee | Pawn Broker | Going Global |
| 1999 | ||
 | | |
| Fantastic Light | Dehoush | Glamis |
| 1998 | ||
 | | |
| Courteous | Eco Friendly | Muhtathir |
| 1997 | ||
 |  |  |
| Voyagers Quest | Benny The Dip | Silver Patriarch |
| 1996 | ||
|  |  |
| Santillana | Glory Of Dancer | Mons |
| 1995 | ||
 |  |  |
| Pentire | Singspiel | Balliol Boy |
| 1994 | ||
|  | |
| Linney Head | Khamaseen | Time Star |
| 1993 | ||
| | |
| True Hero | Placerville | Majority |
| 1992 | ||
|  |  |
| Pollen Count | Aljadeer | Assessor |
| 1991 | ||
|  | |
| Hailsham | Jaffa Line | Jahafil |
| 1990-1981 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | ||
| |  |
| Defensive Play | Rock Hopper | Karinga Bay |
| 1989 | ||
|  | |
| Old Vic | Spring Hay | Pride Of Araby |
| 1988 | ||
 | | |
| Galitzin | Glacial Storm | Maksud |
| 1987 | ||
 | |  |
| Gulf King | Grand Tour | Bengal Tiger |
| 1986 | ||
 | |  |
| Shahrastini | Bonhomie | Sirk |
| 1985 | ||
|  | |
| Daminster | Petoski | Gallant Archer |
| 1984 | ||
|  |  |
| Alphabatim | Trojan Fen | Flagstaff |
| 1983 | ||
| |  |
| Gordian | Neorion | Welsh Idol |
| 1982 | ||
 |  | |
| Peacetime | Be My Native | Jalmood |
| 1981 | ||
| |  |
| Shergar | Kirtling | King's General |
| 1980-1978 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | ||
 | |  |
| Henbit | Huguenot | Ginistrelli |
| 1979 | ||
 | |  |
| Troy | Two of Diamonds | Donegal Prince |
| 1978 | ||
 |  | |
| Whitshead | Shirley heights | Roscoe Blake |
| 1977 | ||
 |  | |
| Artaius | Night Before | Tamanaco |
History
The event was established in 1953, and it was originally called the Royal Stakes.[1] The first running was won by Mountain King.
Ladbrokes became the sponsor of the race in 1971, and from this point it was known as the Ladbroke Classic Trial.[2] It took place at Kempton Park in 1973.[3]
Subsequent sponsors have included The Guardian, Thresher and Betfred. The online gambling company Bet365 took over the sponsorship in 2008.
The Sandown Classic Trial is staged during a two-day meeting which features both flat and jump races. Other events at the meeting include the Bet365 Gold Cup, the Celebration Chase, the Gordon Richards Stakes and the Sandown Mile.
The race can serve as a trial for the Epsom Derby. The most recent participant to win the Derby is Adayar, the 2021 runner-up.
Records
Leading jockey (5 wins):
- Lester Piggott – Sun Charger (1957), Snow Cat (1958), Ferneley (1962), Sun Rock (1967), Artaius (1977)
Leading trainer (9 wins):
- John Gosden – Pollen Count (1992), True Hero (1993), Linney Head (1994), Santillana (1996), Centennial (2008), Azmeel (2010), Western Hymn (2014), Cunco (2017), Sevenna Star (2018)
Winners since 1974
.
Earlier winners
- 1953: Mountain King
- 1954: Taw Valley
- 1955: Peter Aegus
- 1956: Pearl Orama
- 1957: Sun Charger
- 1958: Snow Cat
- 1959: Casque
- 1960: Marengo
- 1961: Just Great
- 1962: Ferneley
- 1963: Raise You Ten
- 1964: Oncidium
- 1965: Nearside
- 1966: Mehari
- 1967: Sun Rock
- 1968: Safety Match
- 1969: Shoemaker
- 1970: Cry Baby
- 1971: L'Apache
- 1972: Pentland Firth
- 1973: Ksar[a]
See also
- Horse racing in Great Britain
- List of British flat horse races
- Recurring sporting events established in 1953 – this race is included under its original title, Royal Stakes.
References
- Paris-Turf:
- Racing Post:
- galopp-sieger.de – Sandown Classic Trial (ex Royal Stakes).
- ifhaonline.org – International Federation of Horseracing Authorities – Bet365 Classic Trial (2019).
- pedigreequery.com – Sandown Classic Trial – Sandown.
- Abelson, Edward; Tyrrel, John (1993). The Breedon Book of Horse Racing Records. Breedon Books. p. 22. ISBN 1-873626-15-0.