Nunthorpe Stakes 2022 date: TBD
Racecourse: York
Type: group 1 weight for age stakes flat race
Age of the horses: 2 years old and older
Distance: 5 furlongs
As the last of three Group 1 races held during the Ebor Festival, the Nunthorpe Stakes sees some of the best sprinters descend on York to scorch the turf of the Knavesmire. A number of streets in the city bear the name Nunthorpe, but the race as we know it now was first run in 1922. That means there is a century of history surrounding this famous sprint. To win the Nunthorpe Stakes, Flat thoroughbreds must have lightning speed as the track at York is level on part of the River Ouse’s floodplain.
The Nunthorpe allows two-year-olds to take on their elders. Race terms give juveniles on the Flat every incentive as they are allotted just over 8st to carry. Three-year-olds only get 2lb weight for age from older sprinters who are burdened with top weight of 9st 11lb. As with all black type stakes Flat races in Britain, fillies and mares receive a 3lb sex allowance. That has proven very useful in recent years. There was a dead heat in the Nunthorpe Stakes of 1997.
Among the sprinting greats to have won the race are Abernant, Sharpo, Dayjur, Pivotal, Kyllachy, Oasis Dream, Sole Power and Mecca’s Angel. There are plenty of multiple Nunthorpe winners too. It is currently sponsored by Coolmore Stud, one of the biggest thoroughbred racehorse breeding operations in the world. The Nunthorpe Stakes sits between the July Cup at Newmarket and Sprint Cup at Haydock in September, but is a furlong shorter in distance than either of its fellow Group 1 races.
Ante post betting on the Nunthorpe Stakes is usually available following the July Cup at Newmarket the previous month. As an early closing race like all Group 1s, entries are made well in advance. Please be aware that owners can supplement sprinters for this event at the penultimate declaration stage. If you do place a bet in the ante post market, remember that you are taking the risk of not getting a run for your money. You won’t get your stake back if the horse doesn’t line-up in the Nunthorpe.
As a bettor, you have to balance that risk against the positive of likely better odds. It lies at the heart of all gambling on this particular sport. You won’t know which horses are running for sure until final decs take place some 48 hours or so before the day on which the Nunthorpe Stakes takes place. Therefore, make sure to take advantage of Non Runner No Bet and Best Odds Guaranteed promotions designed specifically for ante post betting.
Studying statistics cannot guarantee that you will find the winner of the Nunthorpe, but knowing what the prevailing trends are can help to give you a better idea of which horses you should bet on. There are some notable trends for this prestigious sprint contest you need to know. Read on as we reveal key Nunthorpe Stakes stats to you:
The Nunthorpe Stakes is a feature during the Ebor Festival, and that means bookies are sure to have promotions relating to it. A large final field will mean extra places, but make sure that you check back nearer to or on the day of the race to see what betting offers are available.
Meanwhile, check out our Horse Racing Betting Offers page.
Did you know that three of the past five winners of the Nunthorpe were fillies or mares? That additional stat is on us, but here are the past 10 victors of the premier York sprint:
Battaash made it third time lucky in the Nunthorpe Stakes with a decisive victory. Sent off the 7/4 second-favourite, he led at the two-furlong marker and quickened clear under owner Hamdan Al Maktoum’s retained rider Jim Crowley to win in impressive style. This dispelled all doubts about Battaash with naysayers claiming that he couldn’t handle the Knavesmire and occasion.
Archie Watson trained three-year-old Soldier’s Call chased Battaash home at 20/1, but was almost four lengths behind with 25/1 Irish raider So Perfect back in third for Aidan O’Brien. The disappointment of the race was Ballydoyle stable companion Ten Sovereigns. The winner of the July Cup was returned the 13/8 favourite but he could only finish sixth, adrift of locally trained pair Mabs Cross and Copper Knight.
Local trainers fought out a thrilling finish of the Nunthorpe with 40/1 outsider Alpha Delphini springing a huge shock to prevail over 14/1 chance Mabs Cross in a photo by a nose. This monumental upset came courtesy of Hambleton Hills handler Bryan Smart, whose veteran sprinter raced close up with the pace in the centre of the Kanvesmire straight.
Alpha Delphini was driven to lead in the final 100 yards and held on in really game fashion under Graham Lee, but it took the judge to separate him from Michael Dods’ filly Mabs Cross. The front two pulled 2¼ lengths clear of King’s Stand Stakes scorer Blue Point in third. Godolphin’s 13/2 chance still confirmed that previous form with odds-on favourite Battaash who was a further neck behind in fourth.
Local trainers fought out a thrilling finish of the Nunthorpe with 40/1 outsider Alpha Delphini springing a huge shock to prevail over 14/1 chance Mabs Cross in a photo by a nose. This monumental upset came courtesy of Hambleton Hills handler Bryan Smart, whose veteran sprinter raced close up with the pace in the centre of the Kanvesmire straight.
Alpha Delphini was driven to lead in the final 100 yards and held on in really game fashion under Graham Lee, but it took the judge to separate him from Michael Dods’ filly Mabs Cross. The front two pulled 2¼ lengths clear of King’s Stand Stakes scorer Blue Point in third. Godolphin’s 13/2 chance still confirmed that previous form with odds-on favourite Battaash who was a further neck behind in fourth.
As with any Group 1 race, there are trials en route to the Nunthorpe. Discover who has won some of the key sprints over five and six furlongs over the summer before the Ebor Festival: