History
The Sun Chariot Stakes was established in 1966 and commemorates the outstanding filly Sun Chariot. Bred by The National Stud and owned by King George VI, Sun Chariot won the Fillies’ Triple Crown (1000 Guineas, Oaks and St Leger) in 1942. Due to World War II, all of her Classic victories came on the July Course at Newmarket. She was trained by Fred Darling and partnered by Sir Gordon Richards for all her Classic triumphs.
Initially the Sun Chariot Stakes was a Group Two race staged over 10 furlongs and restricted to three year old fillies. It was opened up to older fillies and mares in 1974 and was reduced in distance to a mile in 2000. In 2004 it was upgraded to Group One status and currently forms part of the QIPCO British Champions Series.
Multiple Winners
Three-time scorer Sahpresa (2009, 2010, 2011) is the only multiple winner since 2000.
Leading jockey
Ryan Moore is the leading jockey since 2000 with three victories – Integral (2014), Alice Springs (2016) and Roly Poly (2017).
Leading trainer
Aidan O’Brien and Rod Collet are the leading trainers since 2000 with three wins each. Collet was responsible for triple winner Sahpresa (2009, 2010, 2011) while O’Brien was successful with Halfway To Heaven (2008), Alice Springs (2016) and Roly Poly (2017).
Leading owner
Coolmore syndicates involving Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith are the leading owner since 2000 courtesy of Halfway To Heaven (2008), Alice Springs (2016) and Roly Poly (2017).
Betting
Majestic Roi (2007), Sahpresa (2009) and Billesdon Brook (2019) were all returned at 16-1 and are the longest-priced winners since 2000.
Dress To Thrill (2002) and Esoterique (2015) are the two shortest-priced winners since 2000 at 11-8.
Overseas-trained winners
IRELAND (4): Dress To Thrill (2002), Halfway To Heaven (2008), Alice Springs (2016), Roly Poly (2017)
FRANCE (5): Sahpresa (2009, 2010, 2011), Siyouma (2012), Esoterique (2015)
Fastest winner
Sahpresa (2009) - 1m 34.40s
Sun Chariot/1000 Guineas Double
Since 2000, two fillies have won the 1000 Guineas and followed up on the Rowley Mile in the Sun Chariot Stakes. Attraction won both contests in 2004 while 2018 1000 Guineas heroine Billesdon Brook followed up in the Sun Chariot Stakes the following season.
Roll of Honour (Since 2000)
YEAR WINNER AGE OWNER TRAINER JOCKEY SP RAN
2021 Saffron Beach 3 Lucy Sangster, James Wigan, Ollie Sangster Jane Chapple-Hyam William Buick 5-1 12
2020 Nazeef 4 Hamdan Al Maktoum John Gosden Jim Crowley 17-2 12
2019 Billesdon Brook 4 Pall Mall / McCreery Richard Hannon Sean Levey 16-1 9
2018 Laurens 3 John Dance Karl Burke Daniel Tudhope 11-4F 9
2017 Roly Poly 3 Tabor / Smith / Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE Ryan Moore 4-1 13
2016 Alice Springs 3 Tabor / Smith / Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE Ryan Moore 13-8F 8
2015 Esoterique 5 Édouard de Rothschild André Fabre FR Pierre-Charles Boudot 11-8F 9
2014 Integral 4 Cheveley Park Stud Sir Michael Stoute Ryan Moore 7-2CF 7
2013 Sky Lantern 3 Brian Keswick Richard Hannon Sr Richard Hughes 7-4F 7
2012 Siyouma 4 Robert Jeffcock François Doumen FR Gérald Mossé 12-1 8
2011 Sahpresa 6 Teruya Yoshida Rod Collet FR Christophe Lemaire 13-8F 8
2010 Sahpresa 5 Douglas McIntyre Rod Collet FR Christophe Soumillon 9-2 11
2009 Sahpresa 4 Douglas McIntyre Rod Collet FR Ted Durcan 16-1 8
2008 Halfway to Heaven 3 Tabor / Smith / Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE Seamie Heffernan 8-1 10
2007 Majestic Roi 3 Jaber Abdullah Mick Channon Darryll Holland 16-1 9
2006 Spinning Queen 3 Marston / Cavendish Barry Hills Michael Hills 12-1 5
2005 Peeress 4 Cheveley Park Stud Sir Michael Stoute Kevin Darley 7-1 10
2004 Attraction 3 10th Duke of Roxburghe Mark Johnston Kevin Darley 11-4 5
2003 Echoes in Eternity 3 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor Jamie Spencer 9-1 10
2002 Dress to Thrill 3 Moyglare Stud Farm Dermot Weld IRE Pat Smullen 11-8F 10
2001 Independence 3 Cliveden Stud Ed Dunlop Kieren Fallon 5-2F 16
2000 Danceabout 3 Bloomsbury Stud Geoff Wragg Darryll Holland 9-2 9
