Royal Ascot: St James's Palace Stakes

The event is named after St James's Palace, a royal residence during the Tudor period. It was established in 1834, and the inaugural race resulted in a walkover. The present system of race grading was introduced in 1971, and for a period the St. James's Palace Stakes was classed at Group 2 level. It was promoted to Group 1 status in 1988. It is contested on the opening day of the Royal Ascot meeting.
Early history:- The inaugural running of the St James's Palace Stakes on Tuesday 10th June 1834 was a disappointing affair when 17 of the 18 subscribers were frightened off by the Derby winner Plenipotentiary who was left to walk-over. The next year the race was held on Tuesday 16th June 1835 contested by the Derby second and third, Ascot and Pelops. Ascot once again confirmed his superiority by a length, the same distance he had beaten Pelops by in the Epsom Derby the previous month.
St James's Palace Stakes 1834 Group 1 1 mile
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 PLENIPOTENTIARY Patrick Connolly George Payne Mr Stanlake Batson walked over
This race took place on Tuesday 10th June 1834, the winner, a 3-year-old chestnut colt by Emilius out of Harriet, won a first prize of 1800 Sovereigns (equivalent to £236,000 in 2020) by walking over. Although there were 18 subscribers, each paying 100 sovereigns, none of them had the temerity to take on the Epsom Derby winner Plenipotentiary (SR 2062), despite him having to concede 7lbs to each of them. After cantering the required final furlong of the walk-over, the horse was paraded in front of the Royal Stand, with the next stop the St Leger.
I am grateful to Andy Thrower for the historic racecard shown below