Run over 1m2f at Sandown Park racecourse in early July the Coral-Eclipse Stakes is open to horses aged 3 or older and with 14 of the last 18 winners having already landed a Group One contest in their careers then it often attracts some of the best horses from around the world.
In recent years, we’ve seen 2 of the last 11 Epsom Derby winners from that season go onto land the Coral-Eclipse, while favourites have a decent record – winning 9 of the last 18 and being placed in 13 of the last 17.
Here at RACING AHEAD we look back at recent winners and highlights the key stats to be looking out for ahead of the 2020 renewal – this year run on Sunday 5th July.
Coral-Eclipse Stakes Past Winners
2019 – Enable (4/6 fav)
2018 – Roaring Lion (7/4 fav)
2017 – Ulysses (8/1)
2016 – Hawkbill (6/1)
2015 – Golden Horn (4/9 fav)
2014 – Mukhadram (14/1)
2013 – Al Kazeem (15/8 fav)
2012 – Nathaniel (7/2)
2011 – So You Think (4/11 fav)
2010 – Twice Over (13/8 fav)
2009 – Sea The Stars (4/7 fav)
2008 – Mount Nelson (7/2)
2007 – Notnowcato (7/1)
2006 –David Junior (9/4)
2005 –Oratorio (12/1)
2004 –Refuse To Bend (15/2)
2003 –Falbrav (8/1)
2002 – Hawk Wing (8/15 fav)
Eclipse Stakes Betting Trends
18/18 – Won by a horse aged 5 or younger
14/18 – Had at least 2 runs already that season
14/18 – Won by a previous Group One winner
14/18 – Placed favourites
13/18 – Placed in their last race
12/18 – Raced between 2 and 3 times that season
11/18 – Raced at Royal Ascot last time out (three won there)
9/18 – Favourites that won
5/18 – Won by an Irish-trained horse
5/18 – Raced in the Epsom Derby that season
4/18 – Trained by Aidan O’Brien
4/18 – Trained by John Gosden (4 of last 8)
5 of the last 13 winners won last time out
2 of the last 11 Derby winners of that season went onto win the race
The last 6 year-old to win the race was in 1886
The average winning SP in the last 18 runnings is 9/2
12 of out the last 15 winners had run in the previous 30 days
11 out of the last 15 winners were Group 1 winners
14 of the last 15 winners came from the first four in the betting
13 out of the last 15 winners had won over 1m 2f or further
Other Eclipse Stakes Trainer Facts
Aidan O’Brien won the race in 2011, 2008, 2005, 2002 & 2000
Sir Michael Stoute won the race in 2007, 2001, 1997, 1994, 1993 & 2017
Godolphin-owned horses have won the race in 2004, 1998, 1996, 1995 & 2016
Trainer John Gosden has won 4 of the last 8 runnings
RACING AHEAD VERDICT: This has been a good race for Godolphin over the years – winning the race five times – and in Ghaiyyath they look to have another big chance. This 5 year-old was a top winner of the Coronation Cup – which was run at Newmarket this season – and having just as good form over this shorter 1m2f trip then he can be expected to make a bold bid from the front. Japan is another leading contender from the Aidan O’Brien yard that have won this race five times in the past. But this 4 year-old flopped at Royal Ascot last time out in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes and based on that needs to bounce back so I’d rather see it on the track again before wading in. However, it’s hard to look past the classy mare – ENABLE – here, who landed this race last season and will be looking to become the first back-to-back winner since Halling (1995 and 96). She was last seen running second in the Arc back in October, but the very soft ground that day wouldn’t have been ideal. She took this first time out last season so the 273 day break isn’t too much of a worry. I think it won’t be plain sailing for her and the Godolphin horse will make it a real test, but we know Enable stays further than this 1m2f trip, so this could play into her hands and I’ll stick with the current champ.
