Royal Ascot: Prince of Wales's Stakes

The Prince of Wales's Stakes, currently staged on the second day of the Royal meeting, was established in 1862, and named after the Prince of Wales at that time, the future King Edward VII. The original version was restricted to three-year-olds, and it was contested over 1 mile and 5 furlongs. The race was discontinued after World War II, when there was no Prince of Wales. It returned in 1968, a year before the investiture of Prince Charles. The distance of the new version was 1 mile and 2 furlongs, and it was now open to horses aged three or older. The present system of race grading was introduced in 1971, and for a period the Prince of Wales's Stakes was classed at Group 2 level. It was promoted to Group 1 status in 2000, and at this point the minimum age of participating horses was raised to four.
Early history:- The inaugural running of the Prince of Wales's Stakes was on Tuesday 17th June 1862 over 1 mile 5 furlongs of the New Course. It was won by Carisbrook (100/8), beating Neptunus (4/1 joint favourite) and Hurricane (20/1) by 2 lengths and a head.
Prince of Wales's Stakes 1926 Group 1 1 mile 5 furlongs
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 CAISSOT Tommy Weston Lambton Lord Derby 3/1
2 CIMIEZ Charlie Smirke R Dawson HH Aga Khan 2/1 fav
3 BASSOON Steve Donoghue Cottrill Mrs S Whitburn 100/8
4 GALLOPER KING Henri Jelliss Whalley Sir H Bird 4/1
5 ZANOBIA R Perryman Watson Mr A De Rothschild 100/12
6 MACANUDO F Lane Moreton Mr F Gretton 10/1
7 HERCULES M Beary Reg Day Sir Abe Bailey 10/1
8 BICARBONATE Elliott D Waugh Lord Howard De Walden 10/1
9 GAY LOTHARIO J Thwaites Archer Lord Glanely 100/8
This race took place on Tuesday 15th June 1926 and was won by a chestnut colt by Grey Crusader out of Keysoe who won a first prize of 1375 sovereigns (equivalent to £73,000 in 2020). Over round 133%
Prince of Wales's Stakes Group 1 1 mile 2 furlongs 1862
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1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889
1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899
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1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919
1920 1921 1923 1924 1925 1926