Staged at Salisbury racecourse the Sovereign Stakes is a Group Three race run over 1m, with just over £42,000 on offer to the winner.
First run in 2000 the contest is the highest-classed race run at Salisbury and in recent years trainers Richard Hannon and Andrew Balding are the yards to follow – they've won the race three times each since 2001.
We take a look at the key stats ahead of the 2020 renewal – this year run on Sunday 9th August. Did you know 17 of the last 18 winners returned 6/1 or shorter in the betting?
Recent Sovereign Stakes Winners
2019 – KICK ON (9/2)
2018 – PLUMATIC (3/1)
2017 – BALLET CONCERTO (5/2)
2016 – ZONDERLAND (4/1)
2015 – KODI BEAR (11/4 fav)
2014 – CAPTAIN CAT (11/2)
2013 – AFSARE (9/4 fav)
2012 – TULLIUS (11/4)
2011 – SIDE GLANCE (2/1 fav)
2010 – SEA LORD (7/2)
2009 – MAC LOVE (25/1)
2008 – ORDNANCE ROW (5/1)
2007 – PRIDE OF NATION (5/2 fav)
2006 – BELENUS (11/10 fav)
2005 – LAYMAN (9/2)
2004 – NORSE DANCER (3/1)
2003 – PASSING GLANCE (6/1)
Sovereign Stakes Betting Trends
16/17 – Returned 6/1 or shorter in the betting
15/17 – Had won over a mile (or further) before
15/17 – Aged 5 or younger
13/17 – Came from the top 3 in the betting
12/17 – Had raced within the last 6 weeks
12/17 – Aged 3 or 4 years-old
11/17 – Finished in the top three last time out
10/17 – Had won at least 4 times before
10/17 – Unplaced favourites
9/17 – Had won at Listed or Group 3 class before
9/17 – Winning distance – 1 length or less
7/17 – Raced at Ascot (4) or Goodwood (3) last time out
6/17 – Won last time out
5/17 – Had raced at Salisbury before (3 won)
5/17 – Winning favourites
3/17 – Trained by Andrew Balding
2/17 – Trained by Saeed Bin Suroor
2/17 – Ridden by Ryan Moore
The average winning SP in the last 17 years is 4/1
Richard Hannon has won the race in 2001, 2002 & 2008
Andrew Balding has won the race in 2003, 2011 & 2012
ACCIDENTAL AGENT (e/w) was only just touched off in this race last season (2nd) and I think can go well again. He's run respectably this term at Ascot and Windsor, while with those runs under it's belt should be spot-on for this today. The Hannon yard have a top record in the race so their runners – Beat Le Bon and MOTAKHAYYEL are others to note – especially the latter. This 4 year-old won the Buckingham Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot two runs ago and followed that up with a nice win at HQ last time. He's up from a handicap and into a Group race for the first time but is clearly a very progressive sort that can go well for a yard that like to target this contest. The Stoute runner Regal Reality is the top-rated in the field and has to be respected in this grade and also sports the first-time visor, which is an interesting move. Duke Of Hazzard is the final horse to mention – he ran into the classy Space Blues at Goodwood last time out in a G2 but should be much more at home in this grade and should also be better over this longer trip (up to 1m from 7f).
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