The Futurity Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Ireland open to two-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 7 furlongs (1,408 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in August.
History The event was previously known as the Ashford Castle Stakes and the Stayers Plate. It was originally contested over 7 furlongs, but it was extended to a mile in 1969. For a period it was classed at Group 3 level.
The race's current spell over 7 furlongs began in 1997. It was promoted to Group 2 status in 2001. The Futurity Stakes is now sponsored by Coolmore Stud, and its full title includes the name of Wootton Bassett, a Coolmore stallion.
Records Leading jockey since 1950 (7 wins): Michael Kinane – Without Reserve (1983), Phantom Breeze (1988), Teach Dha Mhile (1989), Giant's Causeway (1999), Hawk Wing (2001), Van Nistelrooy (2002), Arazan (2008) Ryan Moore - Rostropovich (2017), Anthony Van Dyck (2018), Armory (2019), Point Lonsdale (2021), Aesop's Fables (2022), Henry Longfellow (2023), Henri Matisse (2024)
Leading trainer since 1950 (19 wins): Aidan O'Brien – Impressionist (1997), Giant's Causeway (1999), Hawk Wing (2001), Van Nistelrooy (2002), Oratorio (2004), Horatio Nelson (2005), Cape Blanco (2009), War Command (2013), Gleneagles (2014), Churchill (2016), Rostropovich (2017), Anthony Van Dyck (2018), Armory (2019), Point Lonsdale (2021), Aesop's Fables (2022), Henry Longfellow (2023), Henri Matisse (2024), Constitution River (2025), Giant Sequoia (2026)
Winners since 1980 Year Winner Jockey Trainer Time 1980 Benefice Christy Roche Vincent O'Brien 1981 Anfield Christy Roche David O'Brien 1982 Danzatore Pat Eddery Vincent O'Brien 1983 Without Reserve Michael Kinane Liam Browne 1984 Sunstart Pat Eddery Vincent O'Brien 1985 Woodman Pat Eddery Vincent O'Brien 1:43.80 1986 Sanam Steve Cauthen John Dunlop 1987 Demon Magic John Reid John Oxx 1:48.10 1988 Phantom Breeze Michael Kinane Dermot Weld 1:44.90 1989 Teach Dha Mhile Michael Kinane Dermot Weld 1:41.50 1990 Misty Valley Steve Cauthen Michael Kauntze 1:40.90 1991 St Jovite Christy Roche Jim Bolger 1:39.50 1992 Fatherland Lester Piggott Vincent O'Brien 1:28.20 1993 Cois Na Tine Christy Roche Jim Bolger 1:41.50 1994 Jural Michael Roberts Mark Johnston 1:42.00 1995 Bijou d'Inde Jason Weaver Mark Johnston 1:38.70 1996 Equal Rights John Reid Peter Chapple-Hyam 1:39.90 1997 Impressionist Christy Roche Aidan O'Brien 1:26.60 1998 St Clair Ridge Kevin Manning Jim Bolger 1:25.90 1999 Giant's Causeway Michael Kinane Aidan O'Brien 1:25.00 2000 Lady Lahar Johnny Murtagh Mick Channon 1:35.70 2001 Hawk Wing Michael Kinane Aidan O'Brien 1:25.70 2002 Van Nistelrooy Michael Kinane Aidan O'Brien 1:24.30 2003 Pearl of Love Darryll Holland Mark Johnston 1:22.50 2004 Oratorio Jamie Spencer Aidan O'Brien 1:25.70 2005 Horatio Nelson Kieren Fallon Aidan O'Brien 1:23.30 2006 Teofilo Kevin Manning Jim Bolger 1:22.60 2007 New Approach Kevin Manning Jim Bolger 1:29.00 2008 Arazan Michael Kinane John Oxx 1:33.61 2009 Cape Blanco Johnny Murtagh Aidan O'Brien 1:32.59 2010 Pathfork Fran Berry Jessica Harrington 1:23.45 2011 Dragon Pulse Fran Berry Jessica Harrington 1:25.50 2012 First Cornerstone Chris Hayes Andrew Oliver 1:32.54 2013 War Command Joseph O'Brien Aidan O'Brien 1:23.94 2014 Gleneagles Joseph O'Brien Aidan O'Brien 1:26.32 2015 Herald The Dawn Kevin Manning Jim Bolger 1:26.59 2016 Churchill Seamie Heffernan Aidan O'Brien 1:27.36 2017 Rostropovich Ryan Moore Aidan O'Brien 1:29.29 2018 Anthony Van Dyck Ryan Moore Aidan O'Brien 1:24.37 2019 Armory Ryan Moore Aidan O'Brien 1:28.03 2020 Mac Swiney Kevin Manning Jim Bolger 1:29.68 2021 Point Lonsdale Ryan Moore Aidan O'Brien 1:27.75 2022 Aesop's Fables Ryan Moore Aidan O'Brien 1:23.45 2023 Henry Longfellow Ryan Moore Aidan O'Brien 1:26.44 2024 Henri Matisse Ryan Moore Aidan O'Brien 1:24.11 2025 Constitution River Wayne Lordan Aidan O'Brien 1:26.09 2026 Giant Sequoia Wayne Lordan Aidan O'Brien 1:24.44
Earlier winners
1950: Sea Prince 1951: Coolabah 1952: Chamier 1953: Kingsley 1954: Katushev 1955: Clelie 1956: Martini 1957: Paddy's Point 1958: Dusky Boy 1959: Say Less 1960: Carsage 1961: Sicilian Prince 1962: Quick Freeze 1963: Californian 1964: Baljour 1965: Bellis 1966: Zaracarn 1967: French Serenade 1968: Santamoss 1969: Great Life 1970: Tantoul 1971: i) Bog Road, ii) Flair Path * 1972: Seaford 1973: Sir Penfro 1974: Small World 1975: I've a Bee 1976: Padroug 1977: Octavo 1978: Accomplice 1979: Monteverdi
* The race was run in two separate divisions in 1971.
See also Horse racing in Ireland List of Irish flat horse races
References Racing Post: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
galopp-sieger.de – Futurity Stakes. ifhaonline.org – International Federation of Horseracing Authorities – Futurity Stakes (2019). irishracinggreats.com – Futurity Stakes (Group 2). pedigreequery.com – Futurity Stakes – Curragh.