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 2009 Group 1 1 mile
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 MASTERCRAFTSMAN Johnny Murtagh A P O'Brien Smith/Magnier/Tabor 5/6 fav
2 DELEGATOR Jimmy Fortune Brian Meehan Mrs P Good 4/1
3 LORD SHANAKILL Jim Crowley Karl Burke Mark Gittins/Mageely Stud 20/1
4 EVASIVE Ryan Moore Sir Michael Stoute Cheveley Park Stud 11/2
5 INTENSE FOCUS Kevin Manning Jim Bolger Mrs J Bolger/J Corcoran 12/1
6 CHEERFUL DELIGHTS Dane O'Neill Richard Hannon Mrs J Wood 40/1
7 ORIZABA Frankie Dettori Saeed Bin Suroor Godolphin 33/1
8 SOUL CITY Richard Hughes Richard Hannon Mr Patrick Fahey 16/1
9 BORN TO BE KING Colm O'Donoghue A P O'Brien Mrs J Magnier/Mrs R Henry 200/1
10 CORNISH Seamie Heffernan A P O'Brien Mr Derrick Smith 100/1
This race took place on Tusday 16th June 2009 and was won by a 3-year-old grey colt by Danehill Dancer out of Starlight Dreams, winning a first prize of £141,925 (equivalent to £195,000 in 2020). Over round 116%
St James's Palace Stakes Group 1 1 mile 1834
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