Giant's Causeway Stakes

Giant's Causeway Stakes
Grade III race
LocationKeeneland Race Course
Lexington, Kentucky, United States
Inaugurated1998 (as the Spinning World Stakes)
Race typeThoroughbred – Flat racing
WebsiteKeeneland
Race information
Distance5+1⁄2 furlongs
SurfaceTurf
Trackleft-handed
QualificationFillies & mares, three years old & older
WeightBase weights with allowances:
4-year-olds and up: 126 lbs.
3-year-olds: 120 lbs.
PurseUS$300,000 (since 2024)

The Giant's Causeway Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares, age three and older, over a distance of 5+1⁄2 furlongs held annually in April at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky. The event currently offers a purse of $300,000.

History

In the inaugural running of the event was as the Spinning World Stakes on April 19, 1998, and the winner was the Irish-bred three-year-old filly Golden Mirage who was ridden by jockey Willie Martinez and won by three-quarters of a length in a time of 1:03.81.[1]

Spinning World was a Three-Year-Old Champion in Ireland in 1996 and Champion Older Horse in France in 1997. In 1997 Spinning World won the Breeders' Cup Mile at Hollywood Park.[2]

The second running of event was run in two divisions.[3]

For the third running of the event, the race was renamed to the Stravinsky Stakes.[4] Stravinsky was an American-bred, Irish-trained horse who won two Group 1 sprint races in England, the July Cup and the Nunthorpe Stakes.

In 2000 the winner Steal A Heart set a new track record for the 5+1⁄2 furlongs distance of 1:02.47[5] and the following year Confessional won in the same time equaling the track record.[6]

The event was renamed to the current name Giant's Causeway Stakes in 2006.[4] The event was named after Giant's Causeway, an American-bred, Irish-trained racehorse who won five Group One races in Britain and Ireland as a three-year-old in 2000. Upon retirement Giant's Causeway stood one season at Coolmore Stud in Ireland before relocating to Coolmore's United States branch Ashford Stud in Versailles, Kentucky. Giant's Causeway was a Leading sire in North America in 2009, 2010 and 2012 and a Leading broodmare sire in North America in 2018.

The running of the event in 2011 was moved off the turf.[7] In 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, Keeneland did not schedule the event in their updated and shortened summer meeting.[8]

In 2024 the event was upgraded by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to a Grade III.[9]

Records

Speed record

  • 5+1⁄2 furlongs: 1:01.74 – Twilight Gleaming (IRE) (2023)

Margins

  • 4+3⁄4 lengths – West Ocean (2010)

Most wins by a jockey

Most wins by a trainer

Most wins by an owner

Winners

Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade Ref
Giant's Causeway Stakes
2024 Roses for Debra 4 Irad Ortiz Jr. Christophe Clement Cheyenne Stable & John O'Meara 5+1⁄2 furlongs 1:02.79 $260,713 III [10]
2023 Twilight Gleaming (IRE) 4 Irad Ortiz Jr. Wesley A. Ward Stonestreet Stables 5+1⁄2 furlongs 1:01.74 $214,650 Listed [11]
2022 Campanelle (IRE) 4 Irad Ortiz Jr. Wesley A. Ward Stonestreet Stables 5+1⁄2 furlongs 1:01.98 $162,475 Listed [12]
2021 Change of Control 5 Colby Hernandez Michelle Lovell Horseshoe Racing 5+1⁄2 furlongs 1:04.48 $100,000 Listed [13]
2020 Race not held
2019 Morticia 5 Irad Ortiz Jr. George R. Arnold II G. Watts Humphrey Jr. 5+1⁄2 furlongs 1:03.18 $100,000 Listed [14]
2018 Triple Chelsea 5 Adam Beschizza Joe Sharp Brad Grady 5+1⁄2 furlongs 1:02.40 $100,000 Listed [15]
2017 Lady Aurelia 3 John R. Velazquez Wesley A. Ward Stonestreet Stables, George Bolton & Peter Leidel 5+1⁄2 furlongs 1:02.40 $100,000 Listed [16]
2016 Exaggerated 4 Julien Leparoux Arnaud Delacour Lael Stables 5+1⁄2 furlongs 1:02.81 $100,000 Listed [17]
2015 Katie's Eyes 4 Florent Geroux Michael Stidham Ike & Dawn Thrash, Janet & Sam Alley 5+1⁄2 furlongs 1:02.78 $100,000 Listed [18]
2014 Ageless 5 Julien Leparoux Arnaud Delacour Lael Stables 5+1⁄2 furlongs 1:03.18 $100,000 Listed [19]
2013 Sweet Cassiopeia 5 Joseph Rocco Jr. William Connelly Dan Considine & Steve C. Snowden 5+1⁄2 furlongs 1:03.07 $100,000 Listed [20]
2012 Flash Mash 4 Brian Hernandez Jr. Michael Stidham Prime Equestrian SARL 5+1⁄2 furlongs 1:03.19 $100,000 Listed [21]
2011 Holiday for Kitten 3 Juan Delgado Wesley A. Ward Kenneth L. and Sarah K. Ramsey 5+1⁄2 furlongs 1:02.78 $100,000 Listed Off turf[7]
2010 West Ocean 4 Javier Castellano Todd A. Pletcher Wertheimer et Frère 5+1⁄2 furlongs 1:02.23 $100,000 Listed [22]
2009 Diamondrella (GB) 5 Rajiv Maragh Angel A. Penna Jr. Castletop Stable 5+1⁄2 furlongs 1:02.71 $100,000 Listed [23]
2008 Danceroftherealm (GB) 5 Miguel Mena Malcolm Pierce Richard L. Lister 5+1⁄2 furlongs 1:03.33 $100,000 Listed [24]
2007 Forest Code 4 Garrett Gomez Todd A. Pletcher Blyar Stable 5+1⁄2 furlongs 1:02.73 $115,000 Listed [25]
2006 Gilded Gold 5 Javier Castellano Alan E. Goldberg Bobby Flay, Robert E. Masterson & Barry L. Weisbord 5+1⁄2 furlongs 1:02.81 $114,600 Listed [26]
Stravinsky Stakes
2005 Tara's Touch (SAF) 6 Mike E. Smith Niall O'Callaghan Team Valor Stables & Margaux Farm 5+1⁄2 furlongs 1:04.52 $114,700 Listed [27]
2004 Dyna Da Wyna 4 Pat Day W. Elliott Walden WinStar Farm 5+1⁄2 furlongs 1:02.63 $85,575 Listed [28]
2003 Repository 5 Jerry D. Bailey D. Wayne Lukas Rafter L Stables 5+1⁄2 furlongs 1:03.29 $84,375 Listed [29]
2002 Dianehill (IRE) 6 Pat Day W. Elliott Walden WinStar Farm 5+1⁄2 furlongs 1:03.41 $84,900 Listed [30]
2001 Confessional 5 Edgar Prado H. Graham Motion Pin Oak Stable 5+1⁄2 furlongs 1:02.47 $84,150 Listed [6]
2000 Steal A Heart 5 Robby Albarado Alice Cohn Jeffrey S. Amling 5+1⁄2 furlongs 1:02.47 $72,000 Listed [5]
Spinning World Stakes
1999 Ayrial Delight 7 Randy Romero Ronald J. Taylor Dwight M. Mentzer 5+1⁄2 furlongs 1:02.62 $58,750 Listed Division 1[31]
Storm Alert 4 Francisco Torres George R. Arnold II G. Watts Humphrey Jr. 1:02.62 $68,250 Division 2[32]
1998 Golden Mirage (IRE) 3 Willie Martinez Josie Carroll James & Alice Sapara 5+1⁄2 furlongs 1:03.81 $55,000 Listed [1]

Legend:
  All Weather Track   Turf

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "1998 Spinning World Stakes Listed – (race 5)". Equibase. 19 April 1998. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  2. ^ "Horse Profile – Spinning World (KY)". equibase.com. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  3. ^ "SPINNING WORLD STAKES DIV 2 – KEENELAND, KY". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  4. ^ a b "GIANTS CAUSEWAY STAKES – MULTIPLE TRACKS". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2024. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  5. ^ a b "2000 Stravinsky Stakes Listed – (race 5)". Equibase. 20 April 2000. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  6. ^ a b "2001 Stravinsky Stakes Listed – (race 7)". Equibase. 21 April 2001. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  7. ^ a b "2011 Giant's Causeway Stakes Listed – (race 8)". Equibase. 23 April 2011. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  8. ^ "Spectacular Racing Generates Total Handle of $63 Million as Historic Keeneland Summer Meet Concludes". keeneland.com. July 12, 2020. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  9. ^ "TOBA Announces U.S. Graded and Listed Stakes for 2024". Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. 16 December 2023. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  10. ^ "2024 Giant's Causeway Stakes Grade III – (race 7)". Equibase. 13 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  11. ^ "2023 Giant's Causeway Stakes Listed – (race 8)". Equibase. 15 April 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  12. ^ "2022 Giant's Causeway Stakes Listed – (race 8)". Equibase. 16 April 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  13. ^ "2021 Giant's Causeway Stakes Listed – (race 8)". Equibase. 10 April 2021. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  14. ^ "2019 Giant's Causeway Stakes Listed – (race 8)". Equibase. 13 April 2019. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  15. ^ "2018 Giant's Causeway Stakes Listed – (race 8)". Equibase. 14 April 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  16. ^ "2017 Giant's Causeway Stakes Listed – (race 8)". Equibase. 15 April 2017. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  17. ^ "2016 Giant's Causeway Stakes Listed – (race 8)". Equibase. 16 April 2016. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  18. ^ "2015 Giant's Causeway Stakes Listed – (race 7)". Equibase. 11 April 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  19. ^ "2014 Giant's Causeway Stakes Listed – (race 7)". Equibase. 19 April 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  20. ^ "2013 Giant's Causeway Stakes Listed – (race 8)". Equibase. 20 April 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  21. ^ "2012 Giant's Causeway Stakes Listed – (race 8)". Equibase. 21 April 2012. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  22. ^ "2010 Giant's Causeway Stakes Listed – (race 8)". Equibase. 17 April 2010. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  23. ^ "2009 Giant's Causeway Stakes Listed – (race 8)". Equibase. 18 April 2009. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  24. ^ "2008 Giant's Causeway Stakes Listed – (race 8)". Equibase. 19 April 2008. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  25. ^ "2007 Giant's Causeway Stakes Listed – (race 7)". Equibase. 21 April 2007. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  26. ^ "2006 Giant's Causeway Stakes Listed – (race 7)". Equibase. 22 April 2006. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  27. ^ "2005 Stravinsky Stakes Listed – (race 7)". Equibase. 23 April 2005. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  28. ^ "2004 Stravinsky Stakes Listed – (race 7)". Equibase. 17 April 2004. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  29. ^ "2003 Stravinsky Stakes Listed – (race 6)". Equibase. 19 April 2003. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  30. ^ "2002 Stravinsky Stakes Listed – (race 6)". Equibase. 20 April 2002. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  31. ^ "1999 Spinning World Stakes Division 1 Listed – (race 3)". Equibase. 18 April 1999. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  32. ^ "1999 Spinning World Stakes Division 2 Listed – (race 7)". Equibase. 18 April 1999. Retrieved 23 February 2024.