National Stakes
| Group 1 race | |
| Location |
Curragh Racecourse County Kildare, Ireland |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1849 |
| Race type | Flat / Thoroughbred |
| Sponsor | Goffs |
| Website | Curragh |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 7f (1,408 metres) |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Right-hand elbow |
| Qualification | Two-year-olds excluding geldings |
| Weight | 9 st 3 lb Allowances 3 lb for fillies |
| Purse | €350,000 (2016) 1st: €210,000 |
The Vincent O'Brien National Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to two-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 7 furlongs (1,408 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.
The event was established in 1849, and it was originally called the National Produce Stakes and then the National Stakes. The inaugural running was won by Chatterbox.
For a period the National Stakes was classed at Group 2 level, and it was promoted to Group 1 in 1985. It was extended from 7 furlongs to a mile in 1997, but its former distance was restored in 2000.
The race became known as the Vincent O'Brien National Stakes in 2009, in memory of the successful trainer Vincent O'Brien (1917–2009). It reverted to its previous title in 2011 but was renamed the Vincent O'Brien Stakes in 2012. In 2014 the title reverted to the Vincent O'Brien National Stakes and it became part of the Irish Champions Weekend fixture.
The National Stakes was formerly part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge series, with the winner earning an automatic invitation to compete in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. It was removed from the series in 2012.
Leading jockey since 1947 (4 wins):
Leading trainer since 1947 (15 wins):
Leading owner since 1976 (11 wins): (includes part ownership)
...
Wikipedia