Royal Whip Stakes
| Group 3 race | |
| Location |
Curragh Racecourse Co. Kildare, Ireland |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1821 |
| Race type | Flat / Thoroughbred |
| Sponsor | Kilfrush Stud |
| Website | Curragh |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1m 2f (2,012 metres) |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Right-handed |
| Qualification | Three-years-old and up |
| Weight | 9 st 1 lb (3yo); 9 st 9 lb (4yo+) Allowances 3 lb for fillies and mares Penalties 5 lb for G1 / G2 winners 3 lb for G3 winners * * since January 1 |
| Purse | €65,000 (2015) 1st: €42,250 |
The Royal Whip Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs (2,012 metres) at the Curragh in August.
The event was established in 1821, and it was originally a long-distance race for horses aged four or older. It was named after its trophy, a gold-handled whip presented to the Irish Turf Club by King George IV. It was initially one of a series of races known as the Royal Plates.
The trophy was replaced by a new whip provided by King William IV in 1830. The event was opened to three-year-olds in 1832. It was limited to Irish-bred horses for a period after the 1860s.
The Royal Whip Stakes was cut to 2½ miles in 1925, and to 2 miles in 1936. Its original prize fund of 100 guineas remained unchanged until 1954. From this point it was contested over 1½ miles.
The race was given Group 3 status in the early 1970s. It was shortened to 1¼ miles in 1995, and promoted to Group 2 level in 1998. It was relegated back to Group 3 in 2013.
With its 197th edition in 2017, the Royal Whip Stakes is Ireland's oldest continuously run horse race.
Most successful horse (3 wins):
Leading jockey since 1950 (7 wins):
Leading trainer since 1950 (13 wins):
a Blue Judge finished first in 1994, but he was relegated to second place following a stewards' inquiry.
b The 2008 running took place at Leopardstown.
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