Minstrel Stakes

{{short description|Flat horse race in Ireland}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}}

{{Use Irish English|date=December 2021}}

{{Infobox horseraces

|class = Group 2

|horse race = Minstrel Stakes

|image =

|caption =

|location = Curragh Racecourse
County Kildare, Ireland

|inaugurated =

|race type = Flat / Thoroughbred

|sponsor = Robert Ng (as Romanised[https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/robert-ng-to-sponsor-minstrel-s/ Robert Ng To Sponsor Minstrel S.])

|website = [http://www.curragh.ie/ Curragh]

|distance = 7f (1,408 metres)

|surface = Turf

|track = Right-hand elbow

|qualification = Three-years-old and up

|weight = 9 st 1 lb (3yo);
9 st 8 lb (4yo+)
Allowances
3 lb for fillies and mares
Penalties
3 lb for G1 winners *
* since 1 November last year

|purse = €111,600 (2022)
1st: €70,800

|bonuses =

}}

{{Jockey colours header

| name = Minstrel Stakes }}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2024

| image1 = File:Owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum.svg

| alt1 = Yellow, large black spots, black spots on cap

| caption1 = Poet Master

| image2 = File:Owner John N Bourke.svg

| alt2 = Black, yellow stars, black cap

| caption2 = Lord Massusus

| image3 = File:Owner Against All Odds Partnership.svg

| alt3 = Red, black cross sashes, hooped cap

| caption3 = Mutasarref

}}

|}

{{Jockey colours collapsible header}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2022

| image1 = File:Owner Mr Derrick Smith.svg

| alt1 = Purple, white seams, striped sleeves, purple cap

| caption1 = Order Of Australia

| image2 = File:Owner Scea Haras De Saint Pair.svg

| alt2 = White, brown chevron, orange cap

| caption2 = Pearls Galore

| image3 = File:Owner Peter M Brant.svg

| alt3 = Dark green, light green yoke, light green armlet, dark green cap

| caption3 = Dr Zempf

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2021

| image1 = File:Owner Mr Derrick Smith.svg

| alt1 = Purple, white seams, striped sleeves, purple cap

| caption1 = Order Of Australia

| image2 = File:Owner Blessingndisguise Partnership.svg

| alt2 = Red, white star, white stars on sleeves, striped cap

| caption2 = Njord

| image3 = File:Owner Vincent Gaul.svg

| alt3 = Purple and yellow diamonds, yellow sleeves, purple cap

| caption3 = Power Under Me

}}

{{Jockey colours no footer}}

{{Jockey colours named collapsible header

| name = 2020-2011 }}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2020

| image1 = File:Owner Robert Ng_France.svg

| alt1 = Purple, red star and sleeves, red cap, purple star

| caption1 = Romanised

| image2 = File:Owner Michael Tabor.svg

| alt2 = Royal blue, orange disc, striped sleeves and cap

| caption2 = Lancaster House

| image3 = File:Owner P E I Newell.svg

| alt3 = Dark blue and yellow quartered, quartered cap

| caption3 = Surrounding

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2019

| image1 = File:Owner Robert Ng_France.svg

| alt1 = Purple, red star and sleeves, red cap, purple star

| caption1 = Romanised

| image2 = File:Owner Mr Sultan Ali.svg

| alt2 = Dark blue, orange star and star on cap

| caption2 = Hey Gaman

| image3 = File:Owner Mr Ross Harmon.svg

| alt3 = Maroon, mauve epaulettes

| caption3 = Safe Voyage

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2018

| image1 = File:Owner Cheveley Park Stud.svg

| alt1 = Red, white sash, royal blue cap

| caption1 = Larchmont Lad

| image2 = File:Owner Sprint Thoroughbred Racing.svg

| alt2 = Dark blue, yellow hoop

| caption2 = So Beloved

| image3 = File:Owner Ballylinch Stud.svg

| alt3 = Emerald green, orange epaulettes and armlet, orange cap, white star

| caption3 = Fas

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2017

| image1 = File:Owner Mr Derrick Smith.svg

| alt1 = Purple, white seams, striped sleeves, purple cap

| caption1 = Spirit of Valor

| image2 = File:Owner Sprint Thoroughbred Racing.svg

| alt2 = Dark blue, yellow hoop

| caption2 = So Beloved

| image3 = File:Owner Mr P K Siu.svg

| alt3 = Red and black stripes, red sleeves, striped cap

| caption3 = Stormy Antarctic

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2016

| image1 = File:Owner Poonawalla Racing Partnership.svg

| alt1 = Red, white maltese cross, red cap

| caption1 = Gordon Lord Byron

| image2 = File:Owner Lady O'Reilly.svg

| alt2 = Black and white hoops, royal blue cap, white star

| caption2 = Sovereign Debt

| image3 = File:Owner Godolphin_Ireland.svg

| alt3 = Royal blue, dark blue seams, royal blue sleeves and cap

| caption3 = Toscanini

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2015

| image1 = File:Owner Poonawalla Racing Partnership.svg

| alt1 = Red, white maltese cross, red cap

| caption1 = Gordon Lord Byron

| image2 = File:Owner Lady O'Reilly.svg

| alt2 = Black and white hoops, royal blue cap, white star

| caption2 = Sovereign Debt

| image3 = File:Owner Mr K Rhatigan.svg

| alt3 = Emerald green, white chevrons, red sleeves, white armlets, red cap

| caption3 = Dark Emerald

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2014

| image1 = File:Owner Mrs Chynel Phelan and Shane Fox.svg

| alt1 = Pink, black triple diamond, black seams on sleeves, quartered cap

| caption1 = Ansgar

| image2 = File:Owner Mr Derrick Smith.svg

| alt2 = Purple, white seams, striped sleeves, purple cap

| caption2 = Darwin

| image3 = File:Owner S Hales.svg

| alt3 = White, yellow epaulettes, yellow star on cap

| caption3 = Eastern Rules

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2013

| image1 = File:Owner Mr Derrick Smith.svg

| alt1 = Purple, white seams, striped sleeves, purple cap

| caption1 = Darwin

| image2 = File:Owner Dr Cyrus Poonawalla.svg

| alt2 = Red, white maltese cross, white cap

| caption2 = Gordon Lord Byron

| image3 = File:Owner Mrs J S Bolger.svg

| alt3 = White, purple panel, check cap

| caption3 = Leitir Mor

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2012

| image1 = File:Owner H H Aga Khan.svg

| alt1 = Green, red epaulettes, green cap

| caption1 = Takar

| image2 = File:Owner Anna Deesse Syndicate.svg

| alt2 = White, emerald green panel and sleeves, white cap

| caption2 = Singing Bird

| image3 = File:Owner Michael Tabor.svg

| alt3 = Royal blue, orange disc, striped sleeves and cap

| caption3 = Among Equals

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2011

| image1 = File:Owner Thistle Bloodstock Limited.svg

| alt1 = Black, red epaulettes, yellow sleeves, yellow cap, red star

| caption1 = Across The Rhine

| image2 = File:Owner Viking Syndicate.svg

| alt2 = White and royal blue halved, sleeves reversed, royal blue star on cap

| caption2 = Future Generation

| image3 = File:Owner Gerard M O'Leary.svg

| alt3 = Dark blue, red cross sashes, yellow cap

| caption3 = Hujaylea

}}

{{Jockey colours no footer}}

{{Jockey colours named collapsible header

| name = 2010-2001 }}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2010

| image1 = File:Owner Mrs John Magnier.svg

| alt1 = Dark blue

| caption1 = Air Chief Marshal

| image2 = File:Owner Lady Bamford.svg

| alt2 = Maroon

| caption2 = Duff

| image3 = File:Owner Mr Malih L Al Basti.svg

| alt3 = White, pink epaulettes, quartered cap

| caption3 = Dandy Boy

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2009

| image1 = File:Owner Mrs J S Bolger.svg

| alt1 = White, purple panel, check cap

| caption1 = Three Rocks

| image2 = File:Owner Mrs John Magnier.svg

| alt2 = Dark blue

| caption2 = Georgebernardshaw

| image3 = File:Owner Moyglare Stud Farm.svg

| alt3 = Black, white slvs, red cap, black star

| caption3 = Mad About You

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2008

| image1 = File:Owner J P O'Flaherty.svg

| alt1 = YELLOW, royal blue hoop and armlet, white cap, royal blue star

| caption1 = Jumbajukiba

| image2 = File:Owner Mr Ziad A Galadari.svg

| alt2 = EMERALD GREEN, and white diabolo, white sleeves, quartered cap

| caption2 = Al Qasi

| image3 = File:Owner Mrs John Magnier.svg

| alt3 = DARK BLUE

| caption3 = Georgebernardshaw

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2007

| image1 = File:Owner KEN LYNCH.svg

| alt1 = Purple, white star, purple cap

| caption1 = Redstone Dancer

| image2 = File:Owner Mrs E Dolan.svg

| alt2 = WHITE, dark green stars

| caption2 = Hard Rock City

| image3 = File:Owner Mrs W Whitehead.svg

| alt3 = WHITE, black sash and cap

| caption3 = Evening Time

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2006

| image1 = File:Owner The Earl Cadogan.svg

| alt1 = Eton Blue

| caption1 = Jedburgh

| image2 = File:Owner Lady Clague.svg

| alt2 = Maroon, White spots, White cap, Maroon spots

| caption2 = Noelani

| image3 = File:Owner Mrs John Magnier.svg

| alt3 = Dark blue

| caption3 = Tiger Dance

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2005

| image1 = File:Owner H H Aga Khan.svg

| alt1 = GREEN, red epaulettes, green cap

| caption1 = Caradak

| image2 = File:Owner Niarchos Family.svg

| alt2 = Dark blue, light blue cross belts, striped sleeves, white cap

| caption2 = Arakan

| image3 = File:Owner Mr George J Kent.svg

| alt3 = Purple, pink star, purple sleeves, pink stars, white cap

| caption3 = Tropical Lady

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2004

| image1 = File:Owner Mr K Abdulla.svg

| alt1 = Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves

| caption1 = Trade Fair

| image2 = File:Owner Dr Michael Smurfit.svg

| alt2 = YELLOW, royal blue epaulettes, yellow cap, royal blue star

| caption2 = One More Round

| image3 = File:Owner A Merza.svg

| alt3 = Blue, yellow epaulets, striped sleeves, star on cap

| caption3 = Millennium Force

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2003

| image1 = File:Owner D H W Dobson.svg

| alt1 = BROWN and YELLOW QUARTERED, yellow sleeves, check cap

| caption1 = Avorado

| image2 = File:Owner Barouche Stud Ireland Ltd.svg

| alt2 = DARK BLUE, yellow braces and armlet, quartered cap

| caption2 = D'Anjou

| image3 = File:Owner A Merza.svg

| alt3 = Blue, yellow epaulets, striped sleeves, star on cap

| caption3 = Millennium Force

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2002

| image1 = File:Owner Kennet Valley Thoroughbreds.svg

| alt1 = Navy Blue, Red and Light Blue hoop and armlets, White cap

| caption1 = Gateman

| image2 = File:Owner Heavenly Syndicate.svg

| alt2 = Black, white seams, star on cap

| caption2 = One Won One

| image3 = File:Owner Barouche Stud Ireland Ltd.svg

| alt3 = Dark blue, yellow braces and armlets, quartered cap

| caption3 = D'Anjou

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2001

| image1 = File:Owner Michael Tabor.svg

| alt1 = Royal blue, orange disc, striped sleeves and cap

| caption1 = King Charlemagne

| image2 = File:Owner Mrs John Magnier.svg

| alt2 = Dark blue

| caption2 = Mull Of Kintyre

| image3 = File:Owner J Higgins.svg

| alt3 = Purple, white cap, purple diamond

| caption3 = Just Special

}}

{{Jockey colours no footer}}

{{Jockey colours named collapsible header

| name = 2000-1991 }}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2000

| image1 = File:Owner Mr Hamdan Al Maktoum.svg

| alt1 = Royal blue, white epaulets, striped cap

| caption1 = Shibl

| image2 = File:Owner Mcloughlin Family Syndicate.svg

| alt2 = Royal Blue, Red Cross of Lorraine, White cap

| caption2 = Mcdab

| image3 = File:Owner Mrs John Magnier.svg

| alt3 = Dark blue

| caption3 = Saffron Walden

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1999

| image1 = File:Owner Hilal Salem.svg

| alt1 = White, red hoop, striped sleeves, quartered cap

| caption1 = Ramooz

| image2 = File:Owner M Godwin M Hollis B Lawrence E Rice.svg

| alt2 = Pink, black epaulets, diabolo on sleeves, star on cap

| caption2 = Risque Lady

| image3 = File:Owner Mrs J S Bolger.svg

| alt3 = White, Purple stripe, White sleeves, Check cap

| caption3 = Lil's Boy

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1998

| image1 = File:Owner Dr M V O'Brien.svg

| alt1 = Scarlet, white sleeves

| caption1 = Burden Of Proof

| image2 = File:Owner Anthony Pye-Jeary and Mel Smith.svg

| alt2 = Black, Red chevron, sleeves and cap

| caption2 = Centre Stalls

| image3 = File:Owner Mrs John Magnier.svg

| alt3 = Dark blue

| caption3 = Kincara Palace

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1997

| image1 = File:Owner Hilal Salem.svg

| alt1 = White, red hoop, striped sleeves, quartered cap

| caption1 = Ramooz

| image2 = File:Owner Dr M V O'Brien.svg

| alt2 = Scarlet, white sleeves

| caption2 = Burden Of Proof

| image3 = File:Owner Michael Tabor.svg

| alt3 = Royal blue, orange disc, striped sleeves and cap

| caption3 = Eternal Joy

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1996

| image1 = File:Owner Mountgrange Stud.svg

| alt1 = Yellow, black diamond and sleeves, red cap

| caption1 = Restructure

| image2 = File:Owner Mr Wafic Said.svg

| alt2 = Dark green, white chevron and sleeves, white cap, green star

| caption2 = Bin Rosie

| image3 = File:Owner Rainbows End Syndicate.svg

| alt3 = Yellow, red sleeves, dark blue cap, red star

| caption3 = Rainbow Blues

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1995

| image1 = File:Owner H H Aga Khan.svg

| alt1 = GREEN, red epaulettes, green cap

| caption1 = Hushang

| image2 = File:Owner Peter J P Gleeson.svg

| alt2 = Royal blue and light blue diabolo, diabolo on sleeves, light blue cap

| caption2 = Ivory Frontier

| image3 = File:Owner Mr Bob Lalemant.svg

| alt3 = White, large dark green spots, dark green sleeves

| caption3 = Two O'Clock Jump

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1994

| image1 = File:Owner William Mythen.svg

| alt1 = Yellow and purple (quartered), purple sleeves, purple cap, yellow spots

| caption1 = Wandering Thoughts

| image2 = File:Owner Lady O'Reilly.svg

| alt2 = Black and white hoops, royal blue cap, white star

| caption2 = Terrible Confusion

| image3 = File:Owner Thomas T S Liang.svg

| alt3 = Yellow and white hoops

| caption3 = Unusual Heat

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1993

| image1 = File:Owner Allen E Paulson.svg

| alt1 = White, red epaulets, blue sleeves, white stars, red cuffs, red and blue quartered cap

| caption1 = Asema

| image2 = File:Owner Mrs D Mahony.svg

| alt2 = Light blue, dark blue sleeves, dark blue and yellow hooped cap

| caption2 = Malvernico

| image3 = File:Owner D H W Dobson.svg

| alt3 = BROWN and YELLOW QUARTERED, yellow sleeves, check cap

| caption3 = Via Parigi

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1992

| image1 = File:Owner M Parrish.svg

| alt1 = Pink, purple diamonds, purple sleeves, quartered cap

| caption1 = Via Borghese

| image2 = File:Owner D H W Dobson.svg

| alt2 = BROWN and YELLOW QUARTERED, yellow sleeves, check cap

| caption2 = Nordic Brief

| image3 = File:Owner Colm McEvoy.svg

| alt3 = White, royal blue triple diamond, white cap, emerald green star

| caption3 = Millie's Choice

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1991

| image1 = File:Owner John P Colleran.svg

| alt1 = Pink, purple striped cap

| caption1 = Rimpa

| image2 = File:Owner Sir Gordon White.svg

| alt2 = Red and white stripes, white sleeves, yellow cap

| caption2 = Bold Russian

| image3 = File:Owner Maktoum Al Maktoum.svg

| alt3 = Royal blue, white chevron, light blue cap

| caption3 = Jameelaty

}}

{{Jockey colours footer}}

The Minstrel Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. 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 July.

The event is named after The Minstrel, a successful Irish-trained racehorse in the 1970s. It was formerly held at Phoenix Park in late April or early May, and it used to be contested by three-year-olds over a mile. For a period it was classed at Listed level.{{fact|date=December 2021}}

The race was transferred to the Curragh and switched to July in 1991, and at this point it was opened to older horses. It was promoted to Group 3 status in 1996, and cut to 7 furlongs in 2001. The minimum age of participating horses was raised to four in 2002, and three-year-olds were re-admitted in 2007. It was upgraded to Group 2 level from the 2016 running.{{cite web|title=European Pattern Committee announces changes to the 2016 European Programme / 21 Jan 16|url=http://www.britishhorseracing.com/press_releases/european-pattern-committee-announces-changes-to-the-2016-european-programme/|website=British Horseracing Authority|accessdate=30 March 2016}}