The Desmond Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of 1 mile (1,609 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in August.

Desmond Stakes
Group 3 race
LocationLeopardstown
County Dublin, Ireland
Race typeFlat / Thoroughbred
SponsorClipper Logistics
WebsiteLeopardstown
Race information
Distance1 mile (1,609 metres)
SurfaceTurf
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationThree-years-old and up
Weight9 st 0 lb (3yo);
9 st 7 lb (4yo+)
Allowances
3 lb for fillies and mares
Penalties
5 lb for G1 / G2 winners *
3 lb for G3 winners *
* since 1 January this year
Purse€50,000 (2020)
1st: €29,500
Desmond Stakes
2024
Red, black cross sashes, hooped cap pink Black, yellow stars, black cap
Mutasarref Mountain Bear Lord Massusus
Previous years
2023
Black, yellow stars, black cap Maroon, royal blue hoop, royal blue sleeves, quartered cap Red, black cross sashes, hooped cap
Lord Massusus Alfred Munnings Mutasarref
2022
Light blue, dark blue epaulettes, striped sleeves, dark blue cap, light blue diamond Emerald green, pink sash, white sleeves, pink cap Red, yellow panel, yellow chevrons on sleeves, red cap
Boundless Ocean Juncture Charterhouse
2021
dark blue and yellow halved horizontally, maroon cross sashes Yellow, emerald green and yellow striped sleeves, yellow cap Emerald green, emerald green and white check sleeves, white cap
Create Belief Georgeville Real Appeal
2020-2011
2020
Royal blue, orange disc, striped sleeves and cap Emerald green, emerald green and white check sleeves, white cap Yellow, red braces, hooped sleeves, yellow cap
Royal Dornoch Ancient Spirit Bowerman
2019
Royal blue, white epaulettes, striped cap Green, red epaulettes, green cap Dark blue, red epaulettes, red cap, dark blue star
Madhmoon Zuenoon I Am Superman
2018
Forest Green, White ball, White Seams on Sleeves, Red Cap Yellow, black epaulettes, yellow cap Royal blue, dark blue seams, royal blue sleeves and cap
Pincheck Masaarr Zorion
2017
Emerald green, gold star, gold armlet, emerald green cap Royal blue, orange disc, striped sleeves and cap Light green and dark green diamonds
Alexios Komnenos Music Box Custom Cut
2016
Royal blue, dark blue seams, royal blue sleeves and cap Royal blue, orange disc, striped sleeves and cap Madonna blue, brown cross belts, blue cap
Tribal Beat Cougar Mountain Hit It A Bomb
2015
Royal blue, orange disc, striped sleeves and cap Green, red epaulettes, green cap Purple and yellow diamonds, yellow sleeves, purple cap
Cougar Mountain Raydara Convergence
2014
Red, white epaulettes, white sleeves, red stars, red cap Claret, gold braid, claret sleeves and cap Purple, red star, red cap, white diamonds
Custom Cut Brendan Brackan Sruthan
2013
Red, white maltese cross, white cap Pink, black triple diamond, black seams on sleeves, quartered cap White, purple panel, check cap
Gordon Lord Byron Ansgar Leitir Mor
2012
Dark blue, light blue cross sashes, striped sleeves, white cap Dark blue and grey check, dark blue cap Royal blue, orange disc, striped sleeves and cap
Duntle Ballybacka Lady Requisition
2011
White and royal blue halved, sleeves reversed, royal blue star on cap Green, red epaulettes, green cap Black, white seams, light green cap
Future Generation Emiyna Moran Gra
2010-2001
2010
Royal blue, orange disc, striped sleeves and cap White, pink epaulettes, quartered cap Emerald green, pink sash, white sleeves, pink cap
Beethoven Dandy Boy Emulous
2009
Emerald green, pink sash, white sleeves, pink cap White, purple panel, check cap Purple, white seams, striped sleeves, purple cap
Famous Name Three Rocks Poet
2008
PURPLE, yellow cross of Lorraine, yellow cap YELLOW, black chevron and sleeves, black and yellow hooped cap BLACK, orange cross sashes, emerald green sleeves, orange diabolo, black and orange quartered cap
Carribean Sunset Blythe Knight Deauville Vision
2007
Purple and yellow diamonds, purple cap, yellow diamond Black, white star, white sleeves, black stars, white cap, black star Royal blue, white epaulets, striped cap
She's Our Mark Eastern Appeal Haatef
2006
Black, red epauletes, yellow sleeves, yellow cap, red star RED and GREY STRIPES, grey sleeves, red cap Dark blue
King Jock Arch Rebel Arabian Prince
2005
GREEN, red epaulettes, green cap Royal Blue, White epaulets, striped cap Royal blue, white striped sleeves, white cap
Caradak Mustameet Majestic Desert
2004
Dark blue GREEN, red epaulettes, green cap Rose, black hooped cap
Ace Hamairi Grand Passion
2003
Black, white sleeves, red cap, black star WHITE, purple sash, white cap, purple spots Emerald green, royal blue sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots
Refuse To Bend Latino Magic Middlemarch
2002
Black, white sleeves, red cap, black star Straw emerald Green, Red epaulettes
Dress To Thrill Duck Row Surveyor
2001
Dark blue Royal blue, orange disc, striped sleeves and cap YELLOW, royal blue epaulettes, yellow cap, royal blue star
Hawkeye Pebble Island Maumee
2000-1991
2000
Orange, brown seams, brown sleeves, orange seams, orange cap, brown spots Straw Royal blue,white epaulettes, light blue and dark Blue striped cap
Golden Silca Duck Row Muakaad
1999
Royal blue,white epaulettes, light blue and dark Blue striped cap Purple and yellow check, yellow sleeves, purple armlet, quartered cap Dark blue
Haami Castle Quest Moiseyev
1998
Dark blue Black, red chevron, armlets and cap Scarlet, white sleeves
Second Empire Centre Stalls Burden Of Proof
1997
Emerald green, orange epaulettes and armlet, orange cap, white star Light green, red sash, yellow sleeves, red cap Dark Blue, White cross belts, checked sleeves and cap
Swift Gulliver Dangerous Diva Supercal
1996
White, green chevron, gold cap emerald Green, Red epaulettes Black, white sleeves, red cap, black star
Idris Raiyoun Peace Prize
1995
Red, yellow striped sleeves, yellow cap Royal blue and light blue diabolo, diabolo on sleeves, light blue cap emerald Green, Red epaulettes
Mr Martini Ivory Frontier Timarida
1994
Blue, yellow epaulets, striped sleeves, star on cap Royal blue, white chevron, light blue cap Yellow, green sleeves, red armlets and cap
Bin Ajwaad Soviet Line Mistle Cat
1993
White, red epaulets, blue sleeves, white stars, red cuffs, red and blue quartered cap Yellow, grey sleeves, quartered cap emerald Green, Red epaulettes
Asema Eurolink Thunder Massyar
1992
Pink, purple diamonds, purple sleeves, quartered cap White, red cross-belts, hooped sleeves and cap Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star
Via Borghese Gdansk's Honour Sure Sharp
1991
White, red cross-belts, hooped sleeves and cap Green, orange sash, white cap Red, white question mark back and front, red and white quartered cap
Star Of Gdansk Sportsworld Approach The Bench
1990-1988
1990
Emerald green, royal blue sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots Red and white stripes, white sleeves, yellow cap Royal blue, white epaulets, striped cap
Kostroma Bold Russian Thakib
1989
White, black hoop and armlets, red cap, gold tassel Light blue, dark blue diamond and diamond on cap Yellow and orange hoops, white sleeves and cap
Llyn Gwynant Upward Trend Colway Rally
1988
Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star Black, gold cross and stripe on cap Emerald green, royal blue sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots
Totem Hoy Dancing Goddess
 

The event is named after Desmond, a champion sire in 1913. It was formerly held at the Curragh, and it used to be known as the Desmond Plate.

The race was transferred to Leopardstown in 2002. It has continued at this venue with one exception, a temporary return to the Curragh in 2009.

Records

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Most successful horse since 1946 (2 wins):

  • Spring Offensive – 1946, 1947
  • White Gloves – 1966, 1967
  • Rarity – 1970, 1971

Leading jockey since 1950 (8 wins):

  • Christy RocheRarity (1971), Mistigri (1975), More So (1978), Anfield (1982), Teleprompter (1984), Totem (1988), Star of Gdansk (1991), Second Empire (1998)

Leading trainer since 1950 (12 wins):

  • Vincent O'BrienRestless Knight (1964), Reindeer (1969), Boucher (1972), Hail the Pirates (1973), Sir Penfro (1974), Niebo (1976), Be My Guest (1977), Belted Earl (1981), Sunstart (1985), Wise Counsellor (1986), Entitled (1987), Via Borghese (1992)

Winners since 1976

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Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Time
1976 Niebo 3 Lester Piggott Vincent O'Brien
1977 Be My Guest 3 Tommy Murphy Vincent O'Brien 1:40.80
1978 More So 3 Christy Roche Paddy Prendergast
1979 Spence Bay 4 Tony Murray Seamus McGrath
1980 My Hollow 5 Declan Gillespie Jim Bolger
1981 Belted Earl 3 Pat Eddery Vincent O'Brien
1982 Anfield 3 Christy Roche David O'Brien
1983 Erins Hope 4 Declan Gillespie Jim Bolger
1984 Teleprompter 4 Christy Roche Bill Watts
1985 Sunstart 3 Pat Eddery Vincent O'Brien
1986 Wise Counsellor 3 Pat Eddery Vincent O'Brien 1:40.70
1987 Entitled 3 Cash Asmussen Vincent O'Brien 1:37.30
1988 Totem 3 Christy Roche David O'Brien 1:49.00
1989 Llyn Gwynant 4 Declan Gillespie John Dunlop 1:34.30
1990 Kostroma 4 Stephen Craine Tommy Stack 1:37.30
1991 Star of Gdansk 3 Christy Roche Jim Bolger 1:36.30
1992 Via Borghese 3 Willie Carson Vincent O'Brien 1:41.00
1993 Asema 3 Michael Kinane Dermot Weld 1:46.20
1994 Bin Ajwaad [a] 4 Lester Piggott Ben Hanbury 1:36.40
1995 Mr Martini [b] 5 Brett Doyle Clive Brittain 1:37.10
1996 Idris 6 Kevin Manning Jim Bolger 1:38.40
1997 Swift Gulliver 3 Kevin Manning Jim Bolger 1:38.80
1998 Second Empire 3 Christy Roche Aidan O'Brien 1:35.60
1999 Haami 4 John Reid John Dunlop 1:40.40
2000 Golden Silca 4 Johnny Murtagh Mick Channon 1:41.70
2001 Hawkeye 3 Michael Kinane Aidan O'Brien 1:45.20
2002 Dress to Thrill 3 Pat Smullen Dermot Weld 1:38.80
2003 Refuse to Bend 3 Pat Smullen Dermot Weld 1:37.30
2004 Ace 3 Jamie Spencer Aidan O'Brien 1:37.30
2005 Caradak 4 Michael Kinane John Oxx 1:38.30
2006 King Jock 5 Pat Shanahan Robbie Osborne 1:40.80
2007 She's Our Mark 3 Danny Grant Pat Flynn 1:42.69
2008 Carribean Sunset 3 Pat Smullen Dermot Weld 1:44.32
2009 Famous Name 4 Pat Smullen Dermot Weld 1:42.79
2010 Beethoven 3 Joseph O'Brien Aidan O'Brien 1:39.52
2011 Future Generation 3 Keagan Latham Ger Lyons 1:39.91
2012 Duntle 3 Wayne Lordan David Wachman 1:46.26
2013 Gordon Lord Byron 5 Johnny Murtagh Tom Hogan 1:38.74
2014 Custom Cut 5 Daniel Tudhope David O'Meara 1:43.10
2015 Cougar Mountain 4 Joseph O'Brien Aidan O'Brien 1:41.87
2016 Tribal Beat 3 Kevin Manning Jim Bolger 1:41.90
2017 Alexios Komnenos 3 Chris Hayes Fozzy Stack 1:43.98
2018 Pincheck 4 Colm O'Donoghue Jessica Harrington 1:41.36
2019 Madhmoon 3 Chris Hayes Kevin Prendergast 1:42.01
2020 Royal Dornoch 3 Seamie Heffernan Aidan O'Brien 1:41.86
2021 Create Belief 3 Shane Kelly Johnny Murtagh 1:43.92
2022 Boundless Ocean 3 Kevin Manning Jim Bolger 1:42.14
2023 Lord Massusus 3 Garry Carroll Joseph G Murphy 1:40.61
2024 Mutasarref 6 Colin Keane Ger Lyons 1:40.48
  1. ^ Heart Lake finished first in 1994, but he was relegated to last place following a stewards' inquiry
  2. ^ Ivory Frontier and Timarida were first and second in 1995, but the race was awarded to the third-placed horse

Earlier winners

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  • 1946: Spring Offensive
  • 1947: Spring Offensive
  • 1948: Straight Flush
  • 1949: Pink Larkspur
  • 1950: Galatian
  • 1951: Fair Contract
  • 1952: Tipots
  • 1953: Clonleason
  • 1954: Zarathustra
  • 1955: Midontrial
  • 1956: Jongleur
  • 1957: Bindy
  • 1958: Ticklish
  • 1959: Light Horseman
  • 1960: Barclay
  • 1961: Baynard
  • 1962: Sicilian Prince
  • 1963: Wily Trout
  • 1964: Restless Knight
  • 1965: Khalife
  • 1966: White Gloves
  • 1967: White Gloves
  • 1968: Giolla Mear
  • 1969: Reindeer
  • 1970: Rarity
  • 1971: Rarity
  • 1972: Boucher
  • 1973: Hail the Pirates
  • 1974: Sir Penfro
  • 1975: Mistigri

See also

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References

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  • Paris-Turf:
    • "1983"., "1984"., "1985"., "1986"., "1987".
  • Racing Post:
  • galopp-sieger.deDesmond Stakes.
  • ifhaoneline.orgInternational Federation of Horseracing Authorities – Desmond Stakes (2019).
  • irishracinggreats.comDesmond Stakes (Group 3).
  • pedigreequery.comDesmond Stakes.