The Ballysax Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs (2,012 metres) at Leopardstown in April.

Ballysax Stakes
Group 3 race
LocationLeopardstown
County Dublin, Ireland
Race typeFlat / Thoroughbred
WebsiteLeopardstown
Race information
Distance1m 2f (2,012 metres)
SurfaceTurf
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationThree-year-olds
Weight9 st 5 lb
Allowances
3 lb for fillies
Penalties
5 lb for G1 / G2 winners
3 lb for G3 winners
Purse€50,000 (2021)
1st: €29,500
Ballysax Stakes
2024
Purple, white cap, purple stars Dark green, light green yoke, light green armlet, dark green cap Purple, white seams, striped sleeves, purple cap
Dallas Star The Euphrates Illinois
Previous years
2023
Red, yellow panel, yellow chevrons on sleeves, red cap Navy blue, white and red hoop, white armlets, white cap Purple, white seams, striped sleeves, purple cap
White Birch Up And Under Alexandroupolis
2022
Dark blue, light blue cross sashes, diabolo on sleeves, white cap Claret, gold braid, claret sleeves, claret cap, gold tassel Beige, dark blue cross of lorraine and sleeves, dark blue cap, beige star
Piz Badile Buckaroo Duke De Sessa
2021
Dark blue White, purple panel, check cap Purple, light green star, light green stars on sleeves, light green star on cap
Bolshoi Ballet Flying Visit Taipan
2020-2011
2020
Dark blue Purple and yellow diamonds, yellow sleeves, purple cap Orange, brown seams, emerald green and yellow quartered cap
Nobel Prize Indicative Vote Dalvey
2018
Dark blue Purple, white seams, striped sleeves, white cap Purple, white seams, striped sleeves, purple cap
Nelson Delano Roosevelt The Pentagon
2017
Dark blue, white armlet, white cap Emerald green, yellow stars, black sleeves and cap Dark blue, light blue cross sashes, diabolo on sleeves, white cap
Rekindling Douglas Macarthur Yucatan
2016
Green, red epaulettes, green cap Royal blue, orange disc, striped sleeves and cap Purple, white seams, striped sleeves, white cap
Harzand Idaho Beacon Rock
2015
Purple, red star, red cap, white diamonds Green, red epaulettes, green cap Dark blue
Success Days Zafilani John F Kennedy
2014
Beige, dark blue cross of lorraine and sleeves, dark blue cap, beige star Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star Royal blue, emerald green cross sashes and armlet, striped cap
Fascinating Rock Answered All Set To Go
2013
Royal blue, orange disc, striped sleeves and cap Grey, dark green spots on sleeves, grey cap, dark green star Purple, yellow cross of lorraine, yellow cap
Battle Of Marengo Sugar Boy Imperial Concorde
2012
White, purple panel, check cap Grey, red cross of lorraine, hooped sleeves, quartered cap Royal blue, orange disc, striped sleeves and cap
Light Heavy Call To Battle Tower Rock
2011
White, purple panel, check cap Royal blue, orange disc, striped sleeves, Royal Blue cap Dark blue
Banimpire Regent Street Recital
2010-2001
2010
Purple and yellow halved, sleeves reversed, quartered cap Purple, white seams, striped sleeves, purple cap Dark blue
Puncher Clynch At First Sight Mikhail Glinka
2009
Purple, white seams, striped sleeves, purple cap Black, red seams, check sleeves, black cap Green, red epaulettes, green cap
Fame And Glory Fergus Mciver Mourayan
2008
ROYAL BLUE,white epaulettes, striped cap ORANGE, royal blue hoop and armlet, check cap BLACK, white slvs, red cap, black star
Moiqen Hebridean Unwritten Rule
2007
WHITE, emerald green star, diabolo on sleeves, orange cap Royal blue, tartan sash and sleeves, royal blue cap Purple, white seams, striped sleeves, purple cap
Mores Wells Ferneley Macarthur
2006
White, royal blue chevron, blue sleeves, white stars, blue cap, white star Purple, yellow cross of lorraine, yellow cap Dark blue
Rhythm'n Roots Golden Arrow Altius
2005
BLACK, yellow triple diamond and diamonds on sleeves, yellow cap, black diamonds EMERALD GREEN and YELLOW STRIPES, emerald green sleeves, yellow star on cap White, purple stripe, check cap
Bobs Pride Mister Hight Clash Of The Ash
2004
Dark blue GREEN, red epaulettes, green cap Scarlet, white sleeves
Yeats Dabiroun Lord Admiral
2003
Royal blue, orange disc, striped sleeves and cap GREEN, red epaulettes, green cap Dark blue
Balestrini Alamshar Alberto Giacometti
2002
Royal blue, orange disc, striped sleeves and cap Dark blue Royal blue, white epaulets, striped cap
High Chaparral Twentytwoandchange Rahn
2001
Dark Blue Royal blue, orange disc, striped sleeves and cap Blue, yellow stars, halved sleeves, yellow cap
Galileo Milan Vinnie Roe
2000-1991
2000
Black, white sleeves, red cap, black star GREEN, red epaulettes, green cap Yellow, dark blue sleeves, black cap
Grand Finale Sinndar Lammas
1999
Royal blue, orange disc, striped sleeves and cap Maroon, light blue sleeves, light blue cap, maroon diamond Red, white stars, red sleeves, striped cap
Cupid Royal Rebel Port Bayou
1998
Black and white hoops, royal blue cap, white star Light green, dark green chevron Black, white sleeves, red cap, black star
Aislo Risk Material Make No Mistake
1997
Khaki, Dark Green cap emerald Green, Red epaulettes Purple and yellow check, yellow sleeves, purple armlet, quartered cap
Casey Tibbs Zafarabad Caiseal Ros
1996
Maroon, White spots, White cap, Maroon spots emerald Green, Red epaulettes Dark blue
Key Change Harghar Peace Offering
1995
YELLOW, royal blue epaulettes, yellow cap, royal blue star emerald Green, Red epaulettes White, red hoop, striped sleeves, quartered cap
Humbel Zabadi Rawy
1994
emerald Green, Red epaulettes Dark blue White, gold fleur de lys, blue hooped sleeves
Cajarian Lake Kariba City Nights
1993
Red, black hoop and armlets, dark blue cap CERISE, sky blue cap with cerise hoop Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star
Shandon Lake Danse Royale Sinissipi
1992
emerald Green, Red epaulettes DARK BLUE and PINK HALVED, sleeves reversed, white cap, dark blue spots White, purple stripe, check cap
Ebaziya Reported Gallardini
1991
Royal blue, white chevron, light blue cap Green, orange sash, white cap Scarlet, white sleeves, scarlet cap, white hoop
Jet Ski Lady Classic Minstrel Legal Profession
1990-1988
1990
Black, white sleeves, red cap, black star Pink, white spots on body and cap Black, gold cross and stripe on cap
Cheering News Boarding School Parting Moment
1989
Light blue, dark blue diamond and diamond on cap Yellow, light blue stars on body and cap Emerald green, white diamond frame and diamonds on sleeves, quartered cap
Upward Trend Just A Millionaire Beyond The Lake
1988
Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star Emerald green, white diamond frame and diamonds on sleeves, quartered cap Emerald green, royal blue sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots
Saxon Cottage Safety Catch Esprit D'Etoile
 

History

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The event was formerly held at the Curragh, and it used to be classed at Listed level. It was transferred to Leopardstown in 1993, and promoted to Group 3 status in 2003. The 2014 running was held at Navan as the normal Leopardstown fixture was judged to be too early in the season to serve as a trial race for the European classics.[1]

The Ballysax Stakes is currently run in memory of Patrick W. McGrath (died 2001). McGrath served as chairman of the Racing Board (a precursor of Horse Racing Ireland), which purchased Leopardstown Racecourse in 1967. The race serves as trial race for various European classics and the most recent winner to go on to a classic victory was Harzand, winner of the Epsom Derby in 2016.

Records

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Leading jockey since 1986 (6 wins):

Leading trainer since 1986 (11 wins):

Winners since 1986

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Year Winner Jockey Trainer Time
1986 Imperial Falcon Pat Eddery Vincent O'Brien 2:18.30
1987 Ancient Times Cash Asmussen Vincent O'Brien 2:10.80
1988 Saxon Cottage Ron Quinton John Oxx 2:16.40
1989 Upward Trend Christy Roche Jim Bolger 2:19.10
1990 Cheering News Michael Kinane Dermot Weld 2:08.60
1991 Jet Ski Lady Christy Roche Jim Bolger 2:11.90
1992 Ebaziya Johnny Murtagh John Oxx 2:21.50
1993 Shandon Lake Kevin Manning Jim Bolger 2:12.20
1994 Cajarian Johnny Murtagh John Oxx 2:12.30
1995 Humbel Michael Kinane Dermot Weld 2:13.80
1996 Key Change Dermot Hogan John Oxx 2:14.20
1997 Casey Tibbs Michael Kinane Dermot Weld 2:06.40
1998 Aislo Fran Berry Declan Gillespie 2:24.20
1999 Cupid Michael Kinane Aidan O'Brien 2:07.50
2000 Grand Finale Pat Smullen Dermot Weld 2:19.70
2001 Galileo Michael Kinane Aidan O'Brien 2:20.10
2002 High Chaparral Michael Kinane Aidan O'Brien 2:05.90
2003 Balestrini Tom Queally Aidan O'Brien 2:05.90
2004 Yeats Jamie Spencer Aidan O'Brien 2:23.40
2005 Bobs Pride Pat Smullen Dermot Weld 2:18.50
2006 Rhythm'n Roots Kevin Manning Jim Bolger 2:05.90
2007 Mores Wells Declan McDonogh Kevin Prendergast 2:05.50
2008 Moiqen Declan McDonogh Kevin Prendergast 2:13.66
2009 Fame and Glory Johnny Murtagh Aidan O'Brien 2:07.49
2010 Puncher Clynch Kevin Manning Jim Bolger 2:08.16
2011 Banimpire Kevin Manning Jim Bolger 2:04.73
2012 Light Heavy Kevin Manning Jim Bolger 2:08.04
2013 Battle of Marengo Joseph O'Brien Aidan O'Brien 2:16.58
2014 Fascinating Rock [a] Pat Smullen Dermot Weld 2:16.89
2015 Success Days Shane Foley Ken Condon 2:23.87
2016 Harzand Pat Smullen Dermot Weld 2:19.11
2017 Rekindling Wayne Lordan Joseph O'Brien 2:08.88
2018 Nelson Donnacha O'Brien Aidan O'Brien 2:26.58
2019 Broome Ryan Moore Aidan O'Brien 2:12.61
2020 Nobel Prize[b] Killian Hennessy Aidan O'Brien 2:16.91
2021 Bolshoi Ballet Ryan Moore Aidan O'Brien 2:11.61
2022 Piz Badile Gavin Ryan Donnacha O'Brien 2:09.80
2023 White Birch Shane Foley JJ Murphy 2:19.95
2024 Dallas Star Seamie Heffernan Adrian Murray 2:23.39
  1. ^ The 2014 running took place at Navan
  2. ^ The 2020 race was run at Dundalk in July due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland

See also

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References

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  1. ^ O'Connor, Brian (8 April 2014). "Ballysax shifts to Navan for renewal". Irish Times. Retrieved 11 April 2014.