The Hardwicke Stakes

ASCOT, ENGLAND - JUNE 23: Richard Hills and Maraahel (L) get the better of the Mick Kinane ridden Scorpion to land The Hardwicke Stakes Race run at Ascot Racecourse during the Fith day of The Royal Meeting held at the Berkshire track on June 23, 2007, in Ascot, England. (Photo by Julian Herbert/Getty Images)

The Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes is the second race on the final day of racing at the Royal Ascot meeting. The 2008 Hardwicke Stakes will be run at 3:05pm on Saturday the 24th of June.

The Hardwicke Stakes was first run in 1879, and won by Chippendale. The race was named after Charles Phillip Yorke, the 5th Earl of Hardwicke. Today this historic race is one of the medium distance highlights of the Royal Ascot meeting, carrying a prize fund of £150,000.

The Hardwicke Stakes is run over a distance of one mile and four furlongs on the Ascot flat racing track. Entry to the race is restricted to four-year-old and above thoroughbreds

Hardwicke Stakes Winners

A number of thoroughbreds have managed to achieve multiple Hardwicke Stakes wins during the history of the race, with the record of three titles set between 1882 and 1884 by the legendary Tristan. A number of other racehorses have taken two Hardwicke Stakes winners’ titles, including the race’s most recent winner Mahaarel, who won consecutively in 2006 and 2007 to set himself up for an assault on Tristan’s record in the 2008 Hardwicke Stakes.

Pat Eddery is easily the most successful jockey in the history of the Hardwicke Stakes, having won five of the 13 Hardwicke Stakes races from 1986 through to 1998. With Eddery now retired, veteran Richard Hills has been making up lost ground and partnered Mahaarel to both his victories in 2006 and 2007.

Sir Michael Stoute, nine times British Champion Trainer, has an excellent record in the Hardwicke Stakes. Five of Stoute’s horses have been victorious in the Hardwicke Stakes over the past 20 years. Stoute’s wins with Mahaarel in 2006 and 2007 edged the great trainer two races ahead of his closest Hardwicke Stakes rival, Mark Johnston.

Hardwicke Stakes Betting

The Hardwicke Stakes is a stayer’s race, which means a good look at the form book is essential before doing any Hardwicke Stakes betting. The race usually features a very small field of less than two horses, which makes placed Hardwicke Stakes betting an excellent option.

Although race results don’t always mirror the odds, a good horse racing betting tip is that the Hardwicke Stakes odds should give you a fairly reliable guide to a horse’s chances of finishing the race placed.

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