The Coronation Stakes

ASCOT, ENGLAND - JUNE 22: Richard Hughes and Indian Ink lead the field home to land The Coronation Stakes Race at Ascot Racecourse during the Fourth day of The Royal Meeting held at the Berkshire track on June 22, 2007, in Ascot, England. (Photo by Julian Herbert/Getty Images)

The Group 1 Coronation Stakes is the highlight of day four of the Royal Ascot meeting. The 2008 Coronation Stakes will be run at 3:45pm on Friday the 23rd of June.

The Coronation Stakes was first run in 1840 to commemorate the coronation of Queen Victoria. The race attained Group 1 status in 1988, and is contested by some of the same horses that compete in the 1,000 Guineas and the Irish 1,000 Guineas. The race is regarded by pundits as one of the world's most prestigious races for three-year-old fillies.

The Coronation Stakes is only open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies, and is run over a distance of one mile on the Ascot mile course. The event carries a £250,000 prize fund.

Coronation Stakes Winners

The Coronation Stakes sees the world's top thoroughbred fillies in action. Perhaps the finest racehorse ever to have won the Coronation Stakes title was Pretty Polly in 1904. Pretty Polly won the Coronation Stakes along with several other prestigious races, including the 1,000 Guineas and the Epsom Oaks. In 24 career races the Coronation Stakes winner only missed out on first place on two occasions.

Retired jockey Walter Swinburn is the Coronation Stakes' top jockey, having claimed four Coronation Stakes winners' titles during his career, with his final win on Exclusive coming in 1998. The fact that no other jockey has claimed more than a single Coronation Stakes winners' title since Swinburn's retirement indicates just how tough and competitive this prestigious Group 1 race is.

Sir Michael Stoute is the most successful trainer in the modern history of the Coronation Stakes, having trained four Coronation Stakes winners. His record is in no danger of being broken, with a new trainer having won the race in every year since Stoute's last won with Russian Rhythm.

Coronation Stakes Betting

The 1,000 Guineas and Irish 1,000 Guineas provide the best guide for Coronation Stakes betting. Form in either of these two races is a reliable indication of Coronation Stakes prospects. Favourites tend to fare well in the race, having finished placed twice in the last two years - however, it's also worth backing an outsider with a small bet as long-odds contenders regularly finishing placed.

William Hill, established for 70 years, provides reputable live horse race betting.