The Renaissance Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 6 furlongs (1,207 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.
The event was formerly known as the MacDonagh Boland Stakes. It used to be contested over 7 furlongs, and for a period it held Listed status. It was promoted to Group 3 level in 1998, and cut to 6 furlongs in 2001.
The race was called the Ridgewood Pearl Stakes in 2003, in honour of the successful filly Ridgewood Pearl. It was given its present title when a different Ridgewood Pearl Stakes was introduced in 2004. It was switched to an August fixture at the Curragh in 2014 when the Irish Champions Weekend fixture was established, switching places in the calendar with the Flying Five Stakes. In 2016 the race moved to a date in late September.
Records Most successful horse since 1987 (3 wins): Art Power - 2021, 2022, 2025
Leading jockey since 1987 (3 wins): Pat Smullen – Major Force (1999), Social Harmony (2000), Benbaun (2007) Johnny Murtagh – Polar Way (2002), Bewitched (2010, 2011) David Allan - Art Power (2021,2022,2025)
Leading trainer since 1987 (3 wins): Tim Easterby - Art Power (2021,2022,2025)
Winners since 1987 Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Time 1987 King's College 3 Cash Asmussen Vincent O'Brien 1:19.60 1988 Lady Eileen 3 David Parnell Kevin Prendergast 1:31.10 1989 Pirouette 3 Stephen Craine Tommy Stack 1:26.70 1990 Daarik 3 Wayne Harris Harry Thomson Jones 1:25.80 1991 Ballyloop 3 Christy Roche Jim Bolger 1:22.80 1992 Norwich 5 Steve Cauthen Barry Hills 1:29.20 1993 Millie's Choice 4 Willie Supple Kevin Prendergast 1:36.40 1994 Mysterious Ways 4 Christy Roche Vincent O'Brien 1:28.60 1995 Wizard King 4 Richard Quinn Sir Mark Prescott 1:23.10 1996 Wandering Thoughts 7 Niall McCullagh Pat Flynn 1:26.50 1997 Wizard King 6 Pat Shanahan Sir Mark Prescott 1:30.10 1998 Ramooz 5 John Reid Ben Hanbury 1:28.20 1999 Major Force 3 Pat Smullen Dermot Weld 1:33.40 2000 Social Harmony 6 Pat Smullen Dermot Weld 1:28.90 2001 Invincible Spirit 4 Pat Eddery John Dunlop 1:08.10 2002 Polar Way 3 Johnny Murtagh Amanda Perrett 1:11.70 2003 Fayr Jag 4 Kevin Darley Tim Easterby 1:12.30 2004 Royal Millennium 6 Ted Durcan Mick Channon 1:13.10 2005 Noelani 3 Christophe Soumillon John Oxx 1:11.70 2006 Beauty Bright 3 Seamie Heffernan Aidan O'Brien 1:14.20 2007 Benbaun 6 Pat Smullen Mark Wallace 1:09.97 2008 Rock of Rochelle 3 Robert Burke Andrew Kinsella 1:18.38 2009 Snaefell 5 Fran Berry Michael Halford 1:15.91 2010 Bewitched 3 Johnny Murtagh Charles O'Brien 1:14.30 2011 Bewitched 4 Johnny Murtagh Charles O'Brien 1:13.70 2012 Maarek 5 Jamie Spencer David Peter Nagle 1:12.33 2013 Russian Soul 5 Shane Foley Michael Halford 1:11.28 2014 Jamesie 6 Colm O'Donoghue David Marnane 1:10.20 2015 Moviesta 5 Chris Hayes Edward Lynam 1:11.64 2016 The Happy Prince 4 Ryan Moore Aidan O'Brien 1:15.91 2017 Quiet Reflection 4 Martin Harley Karl Burke 1:13.19 2018 Unfortunately 3 Chris Hayes Karl Burke 1:10.07 2019 Speak In Colours 4 Shane Crosse Joseph O'Brien 1:15.54 2020 Ventura Rebel 3 Declan McDonogh Richard Fahey 1:14.09 2021 Art Power 4 David Allan Tim Easterby 1:11.88 2022 Art Power 5 David Allan Tim Easterby 1:13.10 2023 Go Athletico 5 Ronan Whelan Adrian McGuinness 1:17.20 2024 My Mate Alfie 3 Colin Keane Ger Lyons 1:15.99 2025 Art Power 8 David Allan Tim Easterby 1:13.782026Soul Love3Pierre-Louis JaminKarl Burke1:14.09
See also Horse racing in Ireland List of Irish flat horse races
References Racing Post: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
galopp-sieger.de – Renaissance Stakes. ifhaonline.org – International Federation of Horseracing Authorities – Renaissance Stakes (2019). pedigreequery.com – Renaissance Stakes – Curragh.