Coral Eclipse Stakes Betting Guide

The Coral Eclipse Stakes is a Group 1 flat race for thoroughbreds of three years and older, run over a distance of 1 mile 2 furlongs at Sandown Park racecourse. It is known as the season race in which horses of four years and up first take on the three-year-olds - the newcomers who’ve made their names in the Classic races of the year.

In the Eclipse Stakes, three-year-olds receive a 10 pound weight-for-age allowance, and the age groups match up pretty evenly, making for exciting racing. Since 1990, there have been exactly six Coral Eclipse winners each from the three, four, and five-year-old age groups.

Coral Eclipse history dates all the way back to 1886, when the first race was won by Bendigo at Sandown Park. The race takes its name from the famous racehorse and stud, Eclipse - as do the prestigious Eclipse awards for thoroughbreds in the United States.

Through its history, the Eclipse Stakes has attracted top-notch thoroughbreds, including 1000 Guineas, 2000 Guineas and Epsom Derby winners. Since 1980, some of the famous horses who’ve won the race include Sadler’s Wells, Pebbles - the only filly ever to win the Eclipse, Mtoto, Dancing Brave, Opera House and Giant’s Causeway.

Mount Nelson was the 2008 Eclipse Stakes winner with a time of 2:05.56, ridden by Jockey Johnny Murtagh and trained by Aidan O’Brien.

The 2007 Eclipse Stakes were won by Notnowcato, trained by Sir Michael Stoute - so far, the most successful of all Eclipse trainers - and ridden by Ryan Moore.

The bookmaker Coral has sponsored the race since 1976, and has agreed to continue sponsoring it up to 2012 - one of the longest on-going sponsorships in racing.

2009 Coral Eclipse Stakes Preview

The 2009 Coral Eclipse Stakes is due to be run at Sandown Park racecourse in Surrey, England at 2:05 PM on Saturday, 4 July. It will be followed by six additional races, with the last race run at 5:30 PM. On the day, the gates at Sandown will open at 11:00 AM.

The total prize fund for the 2008 Coral-Eclipse Stakes  was £440,000.

See Coral Eclipse Stakes tickets for information about ticket options and prices, and Coral Eclipse Stakes travel for directions to the course.

Start considering who you think will come out tops at the 2009 Coral-Eclipse Stakes, and check 2009 Eclipse Stakes betting for betting tips and hints.