Henry II Stakes
| Group 3 race | |
| Location |
Sandown Park Esher, England |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1963 |
| Race type | Flat / Thoroughbred |
| Sponsor | BetVictor |
| Website | Sandown Park |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 2m 78y (3,290 metres) |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Right-handed |
| Qualification | Four-years-old and up |
| Weight | 9 st 0 lb (4yo); 9 st 2 lb (5yo+) Allowances 3 lb for fillies and mares Penalties 6 lb for Group 1 winners * 4 lb for Group 2 winners * 2 lb for Group 3 winners * * since August 31 last year |
| Purse | £65,000 (2016) 1st: £36,862 |
The Henry II Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Sandown Park over a distance of 2 miles and 78 yards (3,290 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in late May.
The event is named after Henry II, who founded a priory on the site of Sandown Park in the 12th century. It was established in 1963, and the inaugural running was won by Gaul.
The present system of race grading was introduced in 1971, and for a period the Henry II Stakes held Group 3 status. It was promoted to Group 2 in 2002, and relegated back to Group 3 in 2012.
The leading horses from the Henry II Stakes often go on to compete in the following month's Gold Cup at Ascot. The last to win both in the same year was Papineau in 2004.
Most successful horse (3 wins):
Leading jockey (5 wins):
Leading trainer (6 wins):
a The 1981 running was abandoned because of a waterlogged course.
* Bruni finished first in 1977, but he was disqualified for bumping Grey Baron.
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