The Princess Margaret Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to two‑year‑old fillies. It is contested over a distance of 6 furlongs (1,207 metres) on turf at Ascot Racecourse and is run on a straight track. The race is scheduled each year in June and forms part of the Ascot meeting that precedes the Royal Ascot festival.
History
The race was inaugurated in 1949 and named in honour of Princess Margaret, the younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II. Originally classified at Listed level, the Princess Margaret Stakes was promoted to Group 3 status in 2004, reflecting its increasing quality and importance within the British juvenile programme.
Conditions
- Qualification: Two‑year‑old fillies
- Surface: Turf
- Distance: 6 furlongs (1,207 m)
- Track: Straight (Ascot’s straight 6‑furlong course)
- Weight: Standard weight‑for‑age conditions for two‑year‑old fillies, with allowances for previous performance as stipulated by the British Horseracing Authority.
Notable Records
| Category | Record | Holder | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most wins by a jockey | 4 | Frankie Dettori | 1999, 2002, 2008, 2014 |
| Most wins by a trainer | 5 | Sir Henry Cecil | 1976, 1981, 1984, 1990, 1995 |
| Fastest time (6 furlongs) | 1:09.30 | Nocturnelle | 2022 |
(All records are based on official racing data up to 2023.)
Recent Winners
| Year | Horse | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Summer Power | William Buick | John Gosden |
| 2022 | Nocturnelle | Pat Dobbs | John Gosden |
| 2021 | Flitwick | Ryan Moore | Aidan O'Brien |
| 2020 | Night Court | Hollie Doyle | John Gosden |
| 2019 | Hummingbird | Oisin Murphy | Henry Cecil (posthumous entry) |
Significance
The Princess Margaret Stakes provides an early test of speed and precocity for juvenile fillies, and its winners often go on to contest higher‑level sprint races at three years of age, such as the 1,000 Guineas or the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup (for fillies entered against colts). The race also serves as a stepping‑stone for leading trainers and owners to showcase their upcoming talent ahead of the Royal Ascot festival.
See also
- List of British flat horse races
- Royal Ascot
- 1,000 Guineas Stakes
References
- British Horseracing Authority – Race Programme Archives (1949–2023)
- "Princess Margaret Stakes – Ascot". Racing Post. Accessed June 2024.
- "Group Races in Britain". Press Association (PA) Racing Yearbook, 2022 edition.