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 1997 Group 1 1 mile
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 STARBOROUGH Frankie Dettori David Loder Sheikh Mohammed 11/2
2 AIR EXPRESS Brett Doyle Clive Brittain Mohammed Obaida 20/1
3 DAYLAMI Gerald Mosse Alain De Royer-Dupre HH Aga Khan 7/2
4 DESERT KING Christy Roche A P O'Brien Mr Michael Tabor 2/1 fav
5 POTEEN Pat Eddery Luca Cumani Lord Vesty 7/2
6 IN COMMAND Michael Hills Barry Hills Maktoum Al Maktoum 25/1
7 RUNNING STAG Kieren Fallon Philip Mitchell Mr Derek Crowson 66/1
8 MAMALIK Richard Hills John Gosden Hamdan Al Maktoum 11/1
This race took place on Tusday 17th June 1997 and was won by a 3-year-old chestnut colt by Soviet Star out of Flamenco Wave, winning a first prize of £134,680 (equivalent to £251,000 in 2020). Over round 112%
St James's Palace Stakes Group 1 1 mile 1834
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