Phoenix Sprint Stakes
Encyclopedia
The Phoenix Sprint Stakes is a Group 3
flat
horse race
in Ireland
open to thoroughbred
s aged three years or older. It is run at the Curragh
over a distance of 6 furlongs (1,207 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in August.
The event was formerly held at Phoenix Park
, and for a period it was known as the Matt Gallagher Sprint Stakes. It was staged at the Curragh in 1982, and it returned to its usual venue the following year. The race was transferred to Leopardstown
in 1991.
The Phoenix Sprint Stakes began its present spell at the Curragh in 2002. It was temporarily switched to Leopardstown in 2008, as the planned running at the Curragh was abandoned due to waterlogging.
Most successful horse since 1978 (2 wins):
----
Leading jockey
since 1978 (3 wins):
----
Leading trainer
since 1978 (2 wins):
Double Schwartz finished first in 1985, but he was disqualified.
Conditions races
Conditions races are horse races where the weights carried by the runners are laid down by the conditions attached to the race. Weights are allocated according to; the sex of the runners, with female runners carrying less weight than males; the age of the runners, with younger horses receiving...
flat
Flat racing
Flat racing is a form of Thoroughbred horse racing which is run over a level track at a predetermined distance. It differs from steeplechase racing which is run over hurdles...
horse race
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
open to thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
s aged three years or older. It is run at the Curragh
Curragh Racecourse
The Curragh Racecourse, usually abbreviated to The Curragh, is Ireland's most important Thoroughbred race track. It is situated on the Curragh plain near Newbridge, County Kildare, Ireland.- History :...
over a distance of 6 furlongs (1,207 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in August.
The event was formerly held at Phoenix Park
Phoenix Park Racecourse
Phoenix Park Racecourse is a former horse racing venue in Ireland. It was located in the north-west corner of Dublin on the northern edge of Phoenix Park. The course was founded by J. H. H. Peard, and racing began there in 1902....
, and for a period it was known as the Matt Gallagher Sprint Stakes. It was staged at the Curragh in 1982, and it returned to its usual venue the following year. The race was transferred to Leopardstown
Leopardstown Racecourse
Leopardstown Racecourse is an Irish horse-racing venue. Like the majority of Irish courses, it hosts both National Hunt and Flat racing. Located in Leopardstown, County Dublin, 8km south of the Dublin city centre. The course was built by Captain George Quin and modeled on Sandown Park Racecourse...
in 1991.
The Phoenix Sprint Stakes began its present spell at the Curragh in 2002. It was temporarily switched to Leopardstown in 2008, as the planned running at the Curragh was abandoned due to waterlogging.
Records
Most successful horse since 1978 (2 wins):
- Acushla – 1986, 1987
- Snaefell – 2008, 2010
----
Leading jockey
Jockey
A jockey is an athlete who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing.-Etymology:...
since 1978 (3 wins):
- Michael KinaneMichael KinaneMichael J. Kinane is a former flat racing jockey. He had a 34-year career, retiring on 8 December 2009....
– Jester (1983), Northern Goddess (1990), Tropical (1993)
----
Leading trainer
Horse trainer
In horse racing, a trainer prepares a horse for races, with responsibility for exercising it, getting it race-ready and determining which races it should enter...
since 1978 (2 wins):
- Vincent O'BrienVincent O'BrienDr. Michael Vincent O'Brien was an Irish race horse trainer from Churchtown, County Cork, Ireland. In 2003 he was voted the greatest influence in horse racing history, according to a worldwide vote hosted by the Racing Post newspaper...
– Acushla (1986, 1987) - Jim BolgerJim Bolger (racehorse trainer)James S. "Jim" Bolger is an Thoroughbred racehorse trainer and breeder based in Coolcullen in County Kilkenny. For many years now he has been recognised as one of the racing greats in Ireland...
– Park Dream (1992), Desert Style (1995) - Richard HannonRichard HannonRichard Hannon is a British horse trainer based in East Everleigh Stables, Marlborough, Wiltshire.Hannon's family has a tradition of horse training—his father was also a horse trainer, his son Richard is currently the assistant trainer, and his son-in-law Richard Hughes is the stable jockey. ...
– Surprise Offer (1994), Bonus (2003) - David Nicholls – Bahamian Pirate (2001), Moss Vale (2006)
- Michael Halford – Snaefell (2008, 2010)
Winners since 1978
Year |
Winner |
Age |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Time |
1978 | Ballad Rock | 4 | George McGrath | Seamus McGrath | 1:09.10 |
1979 | Miami Springs | 3 | Tony Murray | Mick O'Toole | 1:07.80 |
1980 | God's Mark | 4 | Dermot Hogan | Christy Grassick | 1:10.50 |
1981 | Runnett | 4 | Wally Swinburn | John Dunlop John L. Dunlop John L. Dunlop is a successful race horse trainer based in Arundel, Sussex, with over 3000 winners between 1966 and 2002.He was the British flat racing Champion Trainer in 1995.... |
1:10.90 |
1982 | Bruckner | 3 | Pat Shanahan | Con Collins | 1:13.10 |
1983 | Jester | 4 | Michael Kinane Michael Kinane Michael J. Kinane is a former flat racing jockey. He had a 34-year career, retiring on 8 December 2009.... |
Tony Redmond | 1:11.50 |
1984 | Princess Tracy | 3 | Raymond Carroll | Michael Cunningham | 1:07.50 |
1985 | Rangoon Ruby | 3 | Kevin Moses | Noel Meade Noel Meade Noel Meade is a famous horse trainer from Ireland. He established Tu Va Stables in Co. Meath, Ireland as a place to train his horses.Meade began his career as a horse trainer in 1971, but it was not until 1978 that Meade started to become well recognized. Sweet Mint, winner of the Cork and Orrery... |
1:10.10 |
1986 | Acushla | 3 | Cash Asmussen Cash Asmussen Cash Asmussen is an American thoroughbred horse racing jockey. Born Brian Keith Asmussen, in 1977 he legally changed his name to "Cash". From a Texas horse racing family, his parents, Keith and Marilyn "Sis" Asmussen, operate a ranch in Laredo, Texas... |
Vincent O'Brien Vincent O'Brien Dr. Michael Vincent O'Brien was an Irish race horse trainer from Churchtown, County Cork, Ireland. In 2003 he was voted the greatest influence in horse racing history, according to a worldwide vote hosted by the Racing Post newspaper... |
1:09.20 |
1987 | Acushla | 4 | Cash Asmussen Cash Asmussen Cash Asmussen is an American thoroughbred horse racing jockey. Born Brian Keith Asmussen, in 1977 he legally changed his name to "Cash". From a Texas horse racing family, his parents, Keith and Marilyn "Sis" Asmussen, operate a ranch in Laredo, Texas... |
Vincent O'Brien Vincent O'Brien Dr. Michael Vincent O'Brien was an Irish race horse trainer from Churchtown, County Cork, Ireland. In 2003 he was voted the greatest influence in horse racing history, according to a worldwide vote hosted by the Racing Post newspaper... |
1:11.30 |
1988 | Ingabelle | 4 | Donal Manning | Tom Lacy | 1:11.30 |
1989 | Point of Light | 4 | John Reid John A. Reid John Andrew Reid John Andrew Reid John Andrew Reid (born August 6, 1955 in Banbridge County Down, Northern Ireland is a retired flat race jockey.Reid served as an apprentice in his native Ireland to Leslie Crawford, before moving to England and joining Verley Bewicke. His first Classic victory came... |
Geoff Lewis Geoff Lewis Geoff Lewis is a Welsh retired jockey who was born in Talgarth, .He moved to London with his family in 1946. He came from a large family and started his career with Ron Smyth, who was a trainer in Epsom. He will be best remembered as the jockey that won the 1,000 Guineas, 2,000 Guineas, Oaks ,... |
1:11.10 |
1990 | Northern Goddess | 3 | Michael Kinane Michael Kinane Michael J. Kinane is a former flat racing jockey. He had a 34-year career, retiring on 8 December 2009.... |
Ian Balding Ian Balding Ian Balding emigrated with his family to England in 1945. He is the son of the polo player and racehorse trainer Gerald Barnard Balding, Sr. and the younger brother of trainer Toby Balding. Kingsclere became his home at the age of 26 and it is here that earned his reputation as an internationally... |
1:10.10 |
1991 | Amigo Menor | 5 | Chris Rutter | David Murray Smith | 1:13.20 |
1992 | Park Dream | 3 | Christy Roche Christy Roche Christy Roche is a retired champion Irish flat racing jockey.Over his thirty year career between 1968 and 1998 he won the Budweiser Irish Derby 3 times which he won in 1982, 1992 and 1997. His 1997 victory was on Desert King.-External links:*... |
Jim Bolger Jim Bolger (racehorse trainer) James S. "Jim" Bolger is an Thoroughbred racehorse trainer and breeder based in Coolcullen in County Kilkenny. For many years now he has been recognised as one of the racing greats in Ireland... |
1:13.30 |
1993 | Tropical | 3 | Michael Kinane Michael Kinane Michael J. Kinane is a former flat racing jockey. He had a 34-year career, retiring on 8 December 2009.... |
Dermot Weld Dermot Weld Dermot K. Weld is one of Ireland's most successful racehorse trainers. He holds the record for the most winners trained in Ireland .... |
1:12.80 |
1994 | Surprise Offer | 4 | Walter Swinburn Walter Swinburn Walter R. Swinburn is a retired flat racing jockey who competed in Great Britain and Ireland as well as internationally.Swinburn was born in Oxford... |
Richard Hannon Richard Hannon Richard Hannon is a British horse trainer based in East Everleigh Stables, Marlborough, Wiltshire.Hannon's family has a tradition of horse training—his father was also a horse trainer, his son Richard is currently the assistant trainer, and his son-in-law Richard Hughes is the stable jockey. ... |
1:13.00 |
1995 | Desert Style | 3 | Kevin Manning | Jim Bolger Jim Bolger (racehorse trainer) James S. "Jim" Bolger is an Thoroughbred racehorse trainer and breeder based in Coolcullen in County Kilkenny. For many years now he has been recognised as one of the racing greats in Ireland... |
1:14.00 |
1996 | Daring Destiny | 5 | Richard Hughes Richard Hughes (jockey) Richard Hughes is an Irish flat jockey who most commonly rides in Great Britain. Born in Dublin, he is the son of successful National Hunt trainer, Dessie Hughes. His main provider of rides has been trainer Richard Hannon who is also his father in law andfrom 2001 to 2007 he was also retained by... |
Karl Burke | 1:13.50 |
1997 | Cretan Gift | 6 | Jason Weaver Jason Weaver (jockey) Jason Weaver is a former British flat racing jockey who had much of his major success in the mid 1990s. In total, Weaver rode more than 1,000 winners in a career which spanned fourteen years.-Biography:... |
Nick Littmoden | 1:12.20 |
1998 | March Star | 4 | Pat Eddery Pat Eddery Patrick James John "Pat" Eddery is a former flat racing jockey. Pat's father Jimmy Eddery was a jockey, as is his brother Paul Eddery.-Career:... |
James Toller | 1:10.20 |
1999 | Gorse | 4 | Gary Carter | Henry Candy | 1:15.20 |
2000 | Eastern Purple | 5 | Basil Marcus | Kevin Ryan | 1:12.50 |
2001 | Bahamian Pirate | 6 | Johnny Murtagh Johnny Murtagh Johnny Murtagh is a Irish flat racing jockey from Bohermeen, Navan, County Meath.He excels on the big stage, having won many Group 1 races around the world... |
David Nicholls | 1:13.50 |
2002 | One Won One | 8 | Seamus Heffernan | Joanna Morgan | 1:14.80 |
2003 | Bonus | 3 | Richard Hughes Richard Hughes (jockey) Richard Hughes is an Irish flat jockey who most commonly rides in Great Britain. Born in Dublin, he is the son of successful National Hunt trainer, Dessie Hughes. His main provider of rides has been trainer Richard Hannon who is also his father in law andfrom 2001 to 2007 he was also retained by... |
Richard Hannon Richard Hannon Richard Hannon is a British horse trainer based in East Everleigh Stables, Marlborough, Wiltshire.Hannon's family has a tradition of horse training—his father was also a horse trainer, his son Richard is currently the assistant trainer, and his son-in-law Richard Hughes is the stable jockey. ... |
1:12.40 |
2004 | One Cool Cat One Cool Cat One Cool Cat, foaled on March 26, 2001 in Kentucky, is a Thoroughbred racehorse who competed in England and Ireland. Bred by Winstar Farm, he was purchased by Demi O'Byrne on behalf of Sue Magnier and Michael Tabor for $3.1-million at the 2002 Keeneland July yearling sale. Sired by Storm Cat and... |
3 | Jamie Spencer Jamie Spencer Jamie Spencer is an Irish flat racing jockey currently riding in the UK. He has been champion jockey in both Ireland and Britain and has won four classics, two in each country. Spencer is widely regarded as one of the best, and most naturally talented, UK-based jockeys - despite not having a... |
Aidan O'Brien Aidan O'Brien Aidan Patrick O'Brien is an Irish horse racing trainer. Since 1996, he has been the private trainer at Ballydoyle Stables near Cashel in County Tipperary for John Magnier and his Coolmore Stud associates.... |
1:12.70 |
2005 | Osterhase | 6 | Fran Berry | John Mulhern | 1:13.20 |
2006 | Moss Vale | 5 | Kieren Fallon Kieren Fallon Kieren Francis Fallon is a professional flat racing jockey and has been British Champion Jockey six times.... |
David Nicholls | 1:11.00 |
2007 | Al Qasi | 4 | Kerrin McEvoy | Peter Chapple-Hyam Peter Chapple-Hyam Peter Chapple-Hyam is a Thoroughbred racehorse trainer. He trained Dr Devious to win the Epsom Derby in 1992 and repeated the feat with Authorized in 2007. He managed two Group One wins in his first season as a trainer in 1991... |
1:17.39 |
2008 | Snaefell | 4 | Rory Cleary | Michael Halford | 1:18.25 |
2009 | Girouette | 4 | Pat Shanahan | Tracey Collins | 1:15.28 |
2010 | Snaefell | 6 | Shane Foley | Michael Halford | 1:10.80 |
2011 | Deacon Blues | 4 | Johnny Murtagh Johnny Murtagh Johnny Murtagh is a Irish flat racing jockey from Bohermeen, Navan, County Meath.He excels on the big stage, having won many Group 1 races around the world... |
James Fanshawe James Fanshawe James Fanshawe is a British racehorse trainer.He principally trains flat horses such as multiple Group 1 winner Soviet Song. However, he has twice won the Champion Hurdle in 1992 with Royal Gait James Fanshawe is a British racehorse trainer.He principally trains flat horses such as multiple Group... |
1:10.60 |
Double Schwartz finished first in 1985, but he was disqualified.