The International Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged three years or older. It is run at York over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 56 yards (2,063 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in August.
| Group 1 race | |
 | |
| Location | York Racecourse York, England |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1972 |
| Race type | Flat / Thoroughbred |
| Sponsor | Juddmonte |
| Website | York |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1m 2f 56y (2,063 m) |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Three-years-old and up |
| Weight | 9 st 1 lb (3yo); 9 st 8 lb (4yo+) Allowances 3 lb for fillies and mares |
| Purse | £1,000,000 (2023) 1st: £567,100 |
| 2023 | ||
 |  |  |
| Mostahdaf | Nashwa | Paddington |
| Previous years | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | ||
|  |  |
| Baaeed | Mishriff | Sir Busker |
| 2021 | ||
|  | |
| Mishriff | Alenquer | Love |
| 2020-2011 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | ||
 |  |  |
| Ghaiyyath | Magical | Lord North |
| 2019 | ||
|  | |
| Japan | Crystal Ocean | Elarqam |
| 2018 | ||
 |  |  |
| Roaring Lion | Poet's Word | Thundering Blue |
| 2017 | ||
 | | |
| Ulysses | Churchill | Barney Roy |
| 2016 | ||
 | | |
| Postponed | Highland Reel | Mutakayyef |
| 2015 | ||
 |  |  |
| Arabian Queen | Golden Horn | The Grey Gatsby |
| 2014 | ||
| |  |
| Australia | The Grey Gatsby | Telescope |
| 2013 | ||
 |  |  |
| Declaration Of War | Trading Leather | Al Kazeem |
| 2012 | ||
 | | |
| Frankel | Farhh | St Nicholas Abbey |
| 2011 | ||
 | | |
| Twice Over | Midday | Await The Dawn |
| 2010-2001 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | ||
| |  |
| Rip Van Winkle | Twice Over | Byword |
| 2009 | ||
 | |  |
| Sea The Stars | Mastercraftsman | Set Sail |
| 2008 | ||
| |  |
| Duke Of Marmalade | Phoenix Tower | New Approach |
| 2007 | ||
 | |  |
| Authorized | Dylan Thomas | Notnowcato |
| 2006 | ||
| |  |
| Notnowcato | Maraahel | Blue Monday |
| 2005 | ||
 |  | |
| Electrocutionist | Zenno Rob Roy | Maraahel |
| 2004 | ||
| |  |
| Sulamani | Norse Dancer | Bago |
| 2003 | ||
 | | |
| Falbrav | Magistretti | Nayef |
| 2002 | ||
|  | |
| Nayef | Golan | Noverre |
| 2001 | ||
|  |  |
| Sakhee | Grandera | Medicean |
| 2000-1991 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | ||
|  |  |
| Giant's Causeway | Kalanisi | Lear Spear |
| 1999 | ||
 | | |
| Royal Anthem | Greek Dance | Chester House |
| 1998 | ||
 | | |
| One So Wonderful | Faithful Son | Chester House |
| 1997 | ||
 | |  |
| Singspiel | Desert King | Benny The Dip |
| 1996 | ||
|  |  |
| Halling | First Island | Bijou d'Inde |
| 1995 | ||
| | |
| Halling | Bahri | Annus Mirabilis |
| 1994 | ||
 | | |
| Ezzoud | Muhtarram | King's Theatre |
| 1993 | ||
| |  |
| Ezzoud | Sabrehill | Spartan Shareef |
| 1992 | ||
 | |  |
| Rodrigo De Triano | All At Sea | Seattle Rhyme |
| 1991 | ||
 | | |
| Terimon | Quest For Fame | Stagecraft |
| 1990-1981 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | ||
 | |  |
| In The Groove | Elmaamul | Batshoof |
| 1989 | ||
 |  |  |
| Ile De Chypre | Cacoethes | Shady Heights |
| 1988 | ||
 | |  |
| Shady Heights | Indian Skimmer | Persian Heights |
| 1987 | ||
 | |  |
| Triptych | Ascot Knight | Sir Harry Lewis |
| 1986 | ||
| | |
| Shardari | Triptych | Damister |
| 1985 | ||
 | | |
| Commanche Run | Oh So Sharp | Triptych |
| 1984 | ||
 |  | |
| Cormorant Wood | Tolomeo | Chief Singer |
| 1983 | ||
| |  |
| Caerleon | Hot Touch | John French |
| 1982 | ||
|  |  |
| Assert | Norwick | Amyndas |
| 1981 | ||
 |  |  |
| Beldale Flutter | Kirtling | Master Willie |
| 1980-1978 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | ||
|  |  |
| Master Willie | Cairn Rouge | Cracaval |
| 1979 | ||
|  | |
| Troy | Crimson Beau | Lyphard's Wish |
| 1978 | ||
|  |  |
| Hawaiian Sound | Gunner B | Jellaby |
History
The event was devised by Major Leslie Petch, a former Clerk of the Course at York. It was first run in 1972, but by this time Petch had resigned from his position due to ill health. The race was originally sponsored by Benson and Hedges and called the Benson and Hedges Gold Cup. The inaugural running was won by Roberto, that year's Derby winner. The second-placed horse was Brigadier Gerard – his only defeat in a career of eighteen races.
The sponsorship of Benson and Hedges continued until 1985, and for the following two years the event was backed by the bloodstock company Matchmaker. Its title during this period was the Matchmaker International. The present sponsor, Juddmonte Farms, started supporting the race in 1989. It is now familiarly known as the Juddmonte International.
The International Stakes is currently held on the opening day of York's four-day Ebor Festival meeting. It is the venue's richest race of the season.
Records
Most successful horse (2 wins):
Leading jockey (6 wins):
- Frankie Dettori – Halling (1996), Singspiel (1997), Sakhee (2001), Sulamani (2004), Authorized (2007), Mostahdaf (2023)
Leading trainer (6 wins):
- Sir Michael Stoute – Shardari (1986), Ezzoud (1993, 1994), Singspiel (1997), Notnowcato (2006), Ulysses (2017)
- Aidan O'Brien - Giant's Causeway (2000), Duke of Marmalade (2008), Rip van Winkle (2010), Declaration of War (2013), Australia (2014), Japan (2019)
Leading owner (6 wins): (includes part ownership)
- Susan Magnier - Giant's Causeway (2000), Duke of Marmalade (2008), Rip van Winkle (2010), Declaration of War (2013), Australia (2014), Japan (2019)
- Michael Tabor - Giant's Causeway (2000), Duke of Marmalade (2008), Rip van Winkle (2010), Declaration of War (2013), Australia (2014), Japan (2019)
Winners
See also
- Horse racing in Great Britain
- List of British flat horse races
- Recurring sporting events established in 1972 – this race is included under its original title, Benson and Hedges Gold Cup.
References
- Paris-Turf:
- Racing Post:
- galopp-sieger.de – International Stakes (ex Benson & Hedges Gold Cup).
- ifhaonline.org – International Federation of Horseracing Authorities – International Stakes (2019).
- pedigreequery.com – International Stakes – York.
- Abelson, Edward; Tyrrel, John (1993). The Breedon Book of Horse Racing Records. Breedon Books. p. 149. ISBN 1-873626-15-0.
- YouTube Race Video https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfn5x2SD03q6AhRh0wAtGQlzcYiVgSM5i