In 1584 a race took place just 3 miles from Sarum, near Salisbury, when a Golden Bell was won by the Earl of Cumberland. Just four years later Queen Elizabeth I visited Salisbury Races on her way to wish Sir Francis Drake good luck in his tussle with the Spanish Armada. The Corporation were keen to promote racing in the area and, along with the Mayor, sponsored a Cup at the meeting held in spring 1629. The famous Bibury Club was founded at Burford in 1681 in the presence of Charles II, but did not become associated with Salisbury for another 218 years. It began its association with Cheltenham in 1827 and later with Stockbridge in 1831. The first occasion racing took place on the ‘new round course’ at Salisbury was in 1722, while in 1728 the gelding Sweepstakes, owned by the Duke of Bolton, won the first Kings Plate worth 100 guineas. There was a racecourse on Combe Down, to the south west of Salisbury, in the early part of the 19th century. The union was forged between the Bibury Club and the racecourse in 1899 which helped to make Salisbury the magnificent meeting it is today. History will show that 1970 was a famous year in Salisbury racecourses’ history, with Mill Reef winning the Salisbury Stakes and Brigadier Gerard winning the Champagne Stakes, while almost ten years later Marquee Universal prevailed under heavy conditions on Saturday 7th April 1979 to give Steve Cauthen his first winner in England. Salisbury is known for attracting large fields, but in 1980 the Marlborough Stakes at the September meeting attracted 62 runners and had to be split into 4 divisions. The principal races are the Listed Cathedral Stakes and Upavon Fillies Stakes, and the Group 3 Sovereign Stakes and Dick Poole Fillies Stakes. Currently the course hosts 16 fixtures annually.
Tuesday 4th June 1728
His Majesty’s 100 Guineas Plate over 4 miles for 6 year olds
1. Sweepstakes, a chestnut horse carrying 12 stone owned by the Duke of Bolton
2. Creeping Molly, a bay mare carrying 12 stone owned by Mr Greville
Tuesday 3rd June 1729
His Majesty’s 100 Guineas Plate over 4 miles for 6 year olds
1. Batt, bay horse carrying 12 stone owned by Mr Panton
2. Blue Cap, grey horse carrying 12 stone owned by Mr Penruddock
3. Silversides, grey horse carrying 12 stone owned by the Duke of Ancaster
4. Lady Thigh, bay mare carrying 12 stone owned by Mr Boot
Stockbridge racecourse, in Hampshire, first staged a meeting on Tuesday 28th August 1753 when Sir F Moore’s Merlin needed the minimum of two heats to defeat the Duke of Hamilton’s Figure. Two days later the meeting ended when Lord Craven’s bay mare Sophie took the 4 year old Match over 3 miles. The Bibury Club, which was founded in the 17th century, first organised races in 1801, holding them at Burford racecourse, after which they transferred to Cheltenham and eventually to Stockbridge where such races as the Bibury Stakes, the Champagne Stakes and the Stockbridge Cup Stakes were held. By 1839 a new course, close to the old one, had been developed on Danebury Hill in the parishes of Nether Wallop and Longstock. A new grandstand was constructed for the use of Bibury Club Members only, although in 1839 they were still hosting their own separate meetings. A notable visitor to Stockbridge was King Edward VII, who whilst still Prince of Wales saw his horse, Counterpane, come last in the Stockbridge Cup and then fall down dead. The final meeting took place on Thursday 7th July 1898, after which the Bibury Club forged a new partnership with Salisbury. The land on the eastern edge of the racecourse was inherited by Marianne Vaudrey and she disapproved of gambling, refusing to extend the lease. Unfortunately the Jockey Club insisted that all racecourses should have a straight mile, and Stockbridge’s would have extended into the Vaudrey land.
Tuesday 28th August 1753
Stockbridge £50 Race for horses never to have won a King’s Plate
1. Merlin, a bay horse owned by Sir F Moore 1 1
2. Figure, a grey horse owned by the Duke of Hamilton 3 2
3. Trojan, a bay horse owned by Mr Bowles
1988 The Upavon Fillies Stakes (Listed) was won by Rumoosh, trained by Michael Stoute and ridden by Walter Swinburn
1988 The Dick Poole Fillies Stakes (Group 3) was won by Dancing Tribute, trained by Michael Stoute and ridden by Walter Swinburn
1989 The Upavon Fillies Stakes (Listed) was won by Flamingo Pond, trained by Jeremy Tree and ridden by Pat Eddery
1989 The Dick Poole Fillies Stakes (Group 3) was won by May Hinton, trained by John Dunlop and ridden by Willie Carson
1990 The Upavon Fillies Stakes (Listed) was won by Mill Run, trained by Luca Cumani and ridden by Frankie Dettori
1990 The Dick Poole Fillies Stakes (Group 3) was won by Lee Artiste, trained by Paul Cole and ridden by Richard Quinn
1991 The Upavon Fillies Stakes (Listed) was won by Gai Bulga, trained by Geoff Wragg and ridden by Gary Carter
1991 The Dick Poole Fillies Stakes (Group 3) was won by Basma, trained by Dick Hern and ridden by Lester Piggott
1992 The Upavon Fillies Stakes (Listed) was won by Delve, trained by John Dunlop and ridden by Richard Quinn
1992 The Dick Poole Fillies Stakes (Group 3) was won by Catherineofaragon, trained by Bill Wightman and ridden by John Williams
1993 The Upavon Fillies Stakes (Listed) was won by Dana Springs, trained by Richard Hannon Snr and ridden by Frankie Dettori
1993 The Dick Poole Fillies Stakes (Group 3) was won by Prophecy, trained by John Gosden and ridden by Pat Eddery
1994 The Upavon Fillies Stakes (Listed) was not contested as the meeting was abandoned
1994 The Dick Poole Fillies Stakes (Group 3) was won by Bajan Rose, trained by Michael Blanshard and ridden by Stephen Davies
1995 The Upavon Fillies Stakes (Listed) was won by Ellie Ardensky, trained by James Fanshawe and ridden by David Harrison
1995 The Dick Poole Fillies Stakes (Group 3) was won by Najiya, trained by John Dunlop and ridden by Willie Carson
1996 The Upavon Fillies Stakes (Listed) was won by Altamura, trained by John Gosden and ridden by Frankie Dettori
1996 The Dick Poole Fillies Stakes (Group 3) was won by Dancing Drop, trained by Richard Hannon Snr and ridden by Richard Hughes
1997 The Upavon Fillies Stakes (Listed) was won by Dust Dancer, trained by John Dunlop and ridden by Brett Doyle
1997 The Dick Poole Fillies Stakes (Group 3) was won by Regal Revolution, trained by Peter Walwyn and ridden by John Lowe
1998 The Upavon Fillies Stakes (Listed) was won by Zante, trained by Henry Cecil and ridden by Kieren Fallon
1998 The Dick Poole Fillies Stakes (Group 3) was won by Imperial Beauty, trained by Peter Makin and ridden by Richard Hughes
1999 The Upavon Fillies Stakes (Listed) was won by Ajhiba, trained by Saeed bin Suroor and ridden by Frankie Dettori
1999 The Dick Poole Fillies Stakes (Group 3) was won by Crimplene, trained by Clive Brittain and ridden by Philip Robinson
2000 The Upavon Fillies Stakes (Listed) was won by First Fantasy, trained by James Fanshawe and ridden by Ray Cochrane
2000 The Sovereign Stakes (Group 3) was won by Hopeful Light, trained by John Gosden and ridden by Dane O’Neill
2000 The Dick Poole Fillies Stakes (Group 3) was won by Tempting Fate, trained by John Hills and ridden by Michael Hills
2001 The Upavon Fillies Stakes (Listed) was won by Premier Prize, trained by David Elsworth and ridden by Richard Hughes
2001 The Sovereign Stakes (Group 3) was won by Umistim, trained by Richard Hannon Snr and ridden by Dane O’Neill
2001 The Dick Poole Fillies Stakes (Group 3) was won by Tashawak, trained by John Dunlop and ridden by Willie Supple
2002 The Upavon Fillies Stakes (Listed) was won by Chorist, trained by William Haggas and ridden by Pat Eddery
2002 The Sovereign Stakes (Group 3) was won by Priors Lodge, trained by Richard Hannon Snr and ridden by Pat Dobbs
2002 The Dick Poole Fillies Stakes (Group 3) was won by Wimple, trained by Clive Brittain and ridden by Frankie Dettori
2002 The Cathedral Stakes (Listed) was won by Palace Affair, trained by Toby Balding and ridden by Stephen Carson
2003 The Upavon Fillies Stakes (Listed) was won by Hoh Buzzard, trained by Michael Bell and ridden by Jamie Mackay
2003 The Sovereign Stakes (Group 3) was won by Passing Glance, trained by Andrew Balding and ridden by Martin Dwyer
2003 The Dick Poole Fillies Stakes (Group 3) was won by Nyramba, trained by John Gosden and ridden by Frankie Dettori
2003 The Cathedral Stakes (Listed) was won by Avonbridge, trained by Roger Charlton and ridden by Steve Drowne
2004 The Upavon Fillies Stakes (Listed) was won by New Morning, trained by Michael Jarvis and ridden by Philip Robinson
2004 The Sovereign Stakes (Group 3) was won by Norse Dancer, trained by David Elsworth and ridden by John Egan
2004 The Dick Poole Fillies Stakes (Group 3) was won by Suez, trained by Michael Jarvis and ridden by Philip Robinson
2004 The Cathedral Stakes (Listed) was won by Moss Vale, trained by Barry Hills and ridden by Michael Hills
2005 The Upavon Fillies Stakes (Listed) was won by La Persiana, trained by William Jarvis and ridden by Alan Munro
2005 The Sovereign Stakes (Group 3) was won by Layman, trained by Saeed bin Suroor and ridden by Kerrin McEvoy
2005 The Dick Poole Fillies Stakes (Group 3) was won by Nidhaal, trained by Ed Dunlop and ridden by Richard Hills
2005 The Cathedral Stakes (Listed) was won by Leitrim House, trained by Brian Meehan and ridden by Jimmy Fortune
2006 The Upavon Fillies Stakes (Listed) was won by Pictavia, trained by Saeed bin Suroor and ridden by Frankie Dettori
2006 The Sovereign Stakes (Group 3) was won by Belenus, trained by Saeed bin Suroor and ridden by Frankie Dettori
2006 The Dick Poole Fillies Stakes (Group 3) was won by Vital Statistics, trained by David Elsworth and ridden by John Egan
2006 The Cathedral Stakes (Listed) was won by Etlaala, trained by Barry Hills and ridden by Richard Hills
2007 The Upavon Fillies Stakes (Listed) was won by Promising Lead, trained by Michael Stoute and ridden by Ryan Moore
2007 The Sovereign Stakes (Group 3) was won by Pride of Nation, trained by Luca Cumani and ridden by Jamie Spencer
2007 The Dick Poole Fillies Stakes (Group 3) was won by Fashion Rocks, trained by Brian Meehan and ridden by Jimmy Fortune
2007 The Cathedral Stakes (Listed) was won by Sakhee’s Secret, trained by Hughie Morrison and ridden by Steve Drowne
2008 The Upavon Fillies Stakes (Listed) was won by Lady Deauville, trained by Paul Blockley and ridden by Franny Norton
2008 The Sovereign Stakes (Group 3) was won by Ordnance Row, trained by Richard Hannon Snr and ridden by Ryan Moore
2008 The Dick Poole Fillies Stakes (Group 3) was won by Serious Attitude, trained by Rae Guest and ridden by Jimmy Fortune
2008 The Cathedral Stakes (Listed) was won by Edge Closer, trained by Richard Hannon Snr and ridden by Richard Hughes
2009 The Upavon Fillies Stakes (Listed) was won by Ave, trained by Michael Stoute and ridden by Ryan Moore
2009 The Sovereign Stakes (Group 3) was won by Mac Love, trained by Stef Liddiard and ridden by Michael Fenton
2009 The Dick Poole Fillies Stakes (Group 3) was won by Shamandar, trained by William Haggas and ridden by Michael Hills
2009 The Cathedral Stakes (Listed) was won by Judd Street, trained by Eve Johnson Houghton and ridden by Dane O’Neill
2010 The Upavon Fillies Stakes (Listed) was won by Alsace Lorraine, trained by James Fanshawe and ridden by Kieren Fallon
2010 The Sovereign Stakes (Group 3) was won by Sea Lord, trained by Mark Johnston and ridden by Kieren Fallon
2010 The Dick Poole Fillies Stakes (Group 3) was won by Brevity, trained by Brian Meehan and ridden by Martin Dwyer
2010 The Cathedral Stakes (Listed) was won by Sir Gerry, trained by John Best and ridden by Robert Winston
2011 The Upavon Fillies Stakes (Listed) was won by Primevere, trained by Roger Charlton and ridden by Hayley Turner
2011 The Sovereign Stakes (Group 3) was won by Side Glance, trained by Andrew Balding and ridden by Jimmy Fortune
2011 The Dick Poole Fillies Stakes (Group 3) was won by Sajwah, trained by Charles Hills and ridden by Richard Hills
2011 The Cathedral Stakes (Listed) was won by Elnawin, trained by Richard Hannon Snr and ridden by Richard Hughes
2012 The Upavon Fillies Stakes (Listed) was won by Opera Gal, trained by Andrew Balding and ridden by Jimmy Fortune
2012 The Sovereign Stakes (Group 3) was won by Tullius, trained by Andrew Balding and ridden by Jimmy Fortune
2012 The Dick Poole Fillies Stakes (Group 3) was won by Winning Express, trained by Ed McMahon and ridden by Richard Hughes
2012 The Cathedral Stakes (Listed) was won by Libranno, trained by Richard Hannon Snr and ridden by Richard Hughes
2013 The Upavon Fillies Stakes (Listed) was won by Mango Diva, trained by Michael Stoute and ridden by Franny Norton
2013 The Sovereign Stakes (Group 3) was won by Afsare, trained by Luca Cumani and ridden by Andrea Atzeni
2013 The Dick Poole Fillies Stakes (Group 3) was won by Joyeuse, trained by Lady Cecil and ridden by Tom Queally
2013 The Cathedral Stakes (Listed) was won by Professor, trained by Richard Hannon Snr and ridden by Richard Hughes
2014 The Upavon Fillies Stakes (Listed) was won by Lady Pimpernel, trained by Henry Candy and ridden by Dane O’Neill
2014 The Sovereign Stakes (Group 3) was won by Captain Cat, trained by Roger Charlton and ridden by James Doyle
2014 The Dick Poole Fillies Stakes (Group 3) was won by New Providence, trained by Hugo Palmer and ridden by Jim Crowley
2014 The Cathedral Stakes (Listed) was won by Indignant, trained by Richard Hannon Jnr and ridden by Pat Dobbs
2015 The Upavon Fillies Stakes (Listed) was won by Journey, trained by John Gosden and ridden by Robert Havlin
2015 The Sovereign Stakes (Group 3) was won by Kodi Bear, trained by Clive Cox and ridden by Gerald Mosse
2015 The Dick Poole Fillies Stakes (Group 3) was won by La Rioja, trained by Henry Candy and ridden by Andrea Atzeni
2015 The Cathedral Stakes (Listed) was won by Absolutely So, trained by Andrew Balding and ridden by David Probert
2016 The Upavon Fillies Stakes (Listed) was won by Chain of Daisies, trained by Henry Candy and ridden by Fergus Sweeney
2016 The Sovereign Stakes (Group 3) was won by Zonderland, trained by Clive Cox and ridden by Oisin Murphy
2016 The Dick Poole Fillies Stakes (Group 3) was won by Madam Dancealot, trained by Joseph Tuite and ridden by Tom Queally
2016 The Cathedral Stakes (Listed) was won by Don’t Touch, trained by Richard Fahey and ridden by Tony Hamilton
2017 The Upavon Fillies Stakes (Listed) was won by Billesdon Bess, trained by Richard Hannon and ridden by Hollie Doyle
2017 The Sovereign Stakes (Group 3) was won by Ballet Concerto, trained by Sir Michael Stoute and ridden by Ryan Moore
2017 The Dick Poole Fillies Stakes (Group 3) was won by Anna Nerium, trained by Richard Hannon and ridden by Tom Marquand
2017 The Cathedral Stakes (Listed) was won by Eqtriaan, trained by Richard Hannon and ridden by Jim Crowley
2018 The Upavon Fillies Stakes (Listed) was won by Chain of Daisies, trained by Henry Candy and ridden by Harry Bentley
2018 The Sovereign Stakes (Group 3) was won by Plumatic, trained by Andre Fabre and ridden by Maxime Guyon
2018 The Dick Poole Fillies Stakes (Group 3) was won by Yourtimeisnow, trained by Roger Varian and ridden by Andrea Atzeni
2018 The Cathedral Stakes (Listed) was won by Cardsharp, trained by Mark Johnston and ridden by Silvestre de Sousa
2019 The Upavon Fillies Stakes (Listed) was won by Fanny Logan, trained by John Gosden and ridden by Robert Havlin
2019 The Sovereign Stakes (Group 3) was won by Kick On, trained by John Gosden and ridden by Oisin Murphy
2019 The Dick Poole Fillies Stakes (Group 3) was won by Dark Lady, trained by Richard Hannon junior and ridden by Pat Dobbs
2019 The Cathedral Stakes (Listed) resulted in a dead-heat between Snazzy Jazzy, trained by Clive Cox and ridden by Adam Kirby, and Archer's Dream, trained by James Fanshawe and ridden by George Wood
