Henry II Stakes
# Henry II Stakes

The Henry II Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Sandown Park over a distance of 2 miles and 50 yards (3,264 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in late May.

## History

The event is named after Henry II, who founded a priory on the site of Sandown Park in the 12th century. It was established in 1963, and the inaugural running was won by Gaul.

The present system of race grading was introduced in 1971, and for a period the Henry II Stakes held Group 3 status. It was promoted to Group 2 in 2002, and relegated back to Group 3 in 2012.

The leading horses from the Henry II Stakes often go on to compete in the following month's Gold Cup at Ascot. The last to win both in the same year was Big Orange in 2017.

## Records

Most successful horse (3 wins):

* Persian Punch – 1997, 1998, 2000

Leading jockey (6 wins):

* Frankie Dettori – Drum Taps (1992), Mr Dinos (2003), Papineau (2004), Finalmente (2008), Opinion Poll (2012), Big Orange (2017)

Leading trainer (6 wins):

* Dick Hern – Grey of Falloden (1965), Charlton (1971), Zab (1975), Sea Anchor (1976), Smuggler (1978), Longboat (1986)

## Winners since 1978

* ↑ The 1981 running was abandoned because of a waterlogged course
* ↑ The 2020 race was run in July due to the COVID-19 pandemic

## Earlier winners

* 1963: Gaul
* 1964: Fighting Ship
* 1965: Grey of Falloden
* 1966: Fighting Charlie
* 1967: Parbury
* 1968: Chicago
* 1969: Chicago
* 1970: Ginger Boy
* 1971: Charlton
* 1972: Hornet
* 1973: The Admiral
* 1974: Ragstone
* 1975: Zab
* 1976: Sea Anchor
* 1977: Grey Baron
* ↑ Bruni finished first in 1977, but he was disqualified for bumping Grey Baron
