Royal Ascot: Jersey Stakes

The Jersey Stakes, a Group 3 flat race over 7 furlongs for three-year-old horses, was established when a three-year cycle of races called the Triennial Stakes was discontinued after World War I. The Triennial Stakes had comprised a race for two-year-olds over 5 furlongs, a race for three-year-olds over 7 furlongs which was first run in 1849, and a race for four-year-olds over 2 miles. Horses would return each year to compete over the increasing distances. The Jersey Stakes replaced the second leg of the Triennial Stakes in 1919. It was named after the 4th Earl of Jersey, George Bussy Villiers, who served as MP for Tamworth, Aldborough (West Yorkshire) and Dover, and also served as the Master of the Buckhounds between 1782 and 1783. The race is now run on the second day of the five-day Royal Ascot meeting.
Early history:- The forerunner of the Jersey Stakes, the second leg of the Triennial Stakes over 7 furlongs for 3-year-olds, was first run in 1849 when won by Borneo. The inaugural running of the Jersey Stakes was on Friday 20th June 1919 when Knight of the Air defeated HM The King's Viceroy and Sardis by a neck and 6 lengths.
Jersey Stakes 1956 Group 3 7 furlongs 155 yards
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 ADARE W Johnstone M V O'Brien Mr J Cosgrove 8/1
2 FOLLOWING BREEZE D Smith Bertie Mr Clifford Nicholson 100/8
3 WATER SNAKE G Littlewood H Peacock Lord Zetland 20/1
4 LUCERO E Mercer H Wragg Mr G Oldham 100/9
5 IN DESPATCHES W Carr Boyd-Rochfort Mr R Kieberg 7/4 fav
6 KNIGHT VALIANT L Piggott N Murless Prince Aly Khan 10/1
7 PIDGIN E Britt Elsey Sir J Musker 25/1
8 STANDARD BEARER W Snaith Cottrill Major L B Holliday 25/1
9 RAMPART T H Burns D Rogers Captain D Rogers 100/8
10 GENTLE TOUCH F Durr Lawson Mr R S Clark 25/1
11 MAELSTROM F Barlow Nightingall Mr C W Bell 25/1
12 DAMOCLES E Smith G Richards Mr Stavros Niarchos 25/1
13 HIS FIRE M Kennedy Blake Mr R Hall-Dare 25/1
14 MONGOL WARRIOR A Breasley G Richards Mr B Mavroleon 6/1
15 MARIEUSE J Sime Beasley Mrs W Harrison 100/7
This race took place on Wednesday 20th June 1956 and was won by a bay colt by Panorama out of Blenheim Belle, winning a first prize of £2033 (equivalent to £57,000 in 2020). Over round 129%
Jersey Stakes Group 3 7 furlongs 1919 (1849)
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