Run over 1m2f the Group Three Matchbook Brigadier Gerard Stakes is staged at Sandown racecourse each year towards the end of May.
In recent years, the valuable prize has been dominated by the 4 year-olds, with 13 of the last 18 going to that age bracket, while we’ve seen five winning favourites in the last 18 renewals and jockey Ryan Moore has ridden FOUR of the last five winners and six of the last ten!
Here at RACING AHEAD, we are on-hand to look back at past winners, plus have all the stats ahead of the 2021 race – this year run on Thursday 27th May.
Recent Brigadier Gerard Stakes Winners
2020 – LORD NORTH (3/1)
2019 – REGAL REALITY (9/4)
2018 – POET’S WORD (4/6 fav)
2017 – AUTOCRATIC (8/1)
2016 – TIME TEST (3/1)
2015 – WESTERN HYMN (11/4)
2014 – SHARESTAN (5/6 fav)
2013 – MUKHADRAM (3/1)
2012 – CARLTON HOUSE (10/11 fav)
2011 – WORKFORCE (Evs fav)
2010 – STOTSFOLD (7/1)
2009 – CIMA DE TRIOMPHE (4/1)
2008 – SMOKEY OAKEY (20/1)
2007 – TAKE A BOW (11/1)
2006 – NOTNOWCATO (5/4 fav)
2005 – NEW MORNING (12/1)
2004 – BANDARI (7/2)
2003 – SIGHTS ON GOLD (7/1)
Key Brigadier Gerard Stakes Betting Trends
18/18 – Had won at least twice before
16/18 – Had won over at least 1m2f before
14/18 – Favourites that finished in the top 3
14/18 – Returned 7/1 or shorter in the betting
14/18 – Had won a Group or Listed race before
14/18 – Came from the top 3 in the betting
14/18 – Had won between 2-4 times before
13/18 – Winning distance – 1 length or less
13/18 – Aged 4 years-old
13/18 – Rated 111 or higher
10/18 – Had won a Group Race before
10/18 – Raced within the last 7 weeks
8/18 – Drawn in stall 4 or lower
8/18 – Irish bred
6/18 – Trained by Sir Michael Stoute
6/18 – Ridden by Ryan Moore (6 of last 10)
6/18 – Won last time out
5/18 – Winning favourites
5/18 – Raced at Newmarket last time out
2/18 – Raced at the Curragh last time out
2/18 – Trained by John Gosden (2 of the last 6)
The average winning SP in the last 18 years is 5/1
Note: The 2020 running was staged at Haydock Park.
RACING AHEAD VERDICT: Just the five runners heading to post for the renewal of the 2021 Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown on Thursday night, but it still looks a decent little race. Euchen Glen had a good time of it last season – winning three times – but this 8 year-old has returned this term well below that form and even though the softer ground will help, I’m not sure the drop back to 1m2f will suit. He is likely to get found out by some younger legs, especially having to give 3lbs away to most too. Extra Elusive, from the Roger Charlton yard that won this race in 2016, ran well on his return over this CD last month and has a big shout on that form. He’s won on soft ground too and will be a lot fitter for that last outing – Hollie Doyle rides and is certainly one for the shortlist, but the only niggle is that he’s run here at Sandown three times now and is yet to win. Fox Tal is useful in the right grade too, but he’s yet to win at Listed or Group level so does have a bit to prove for me. So, it’s hard to get away from the good record of the Stoute yard in this race – they’ve won 6 of the last 18 runnings – and look to have another cracking chance with the 5 yar-old SANGARIUS. Ridden by Ryan Moore, who also has a top record in this event – winning 6 of the last 10 – he blew away the cobwebs with a fair run in the G2 Huxley Stakes at Chester earlier this month. Softer ground is fine too, while with just eight career runs is one of the lesser exposed in the line-up that should have more to give. The field is made up by the David Simcock-trained ORIENTAL MYSTIQUE (e/w) and I think this 4 year-old rates the main danger to the pick and could outrun her odds. The Simcock yard are in good form and being a filly she gets a handy 3lbs allowance from the others. She wasn’t disgraced at Goodwood on her return run last month (beaten only a length) and even though she’s yet to win on the grass (7 runs), the booking of William Buick is a further plus.
