Pretty Polly Stakes

The Pretty Polly Stakes is a Group 1 race run under Weight For Age conditions for fillies and mares at the Curragh conducted by the Curragh Racecourse for Horse Racing Ireland. The Pretty Polly Stakes is run over a mile and a quarter and it was first run in 1948.

VIA SISTINA winning the Pretty Polly Stakes at Curragh in Kildare, Ireland.
VIA SISTINA winning the Pretty Polly Stakes at Curragh in Kildare, Ireland. Picture: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images

The Pretty Polly Stakes is a Group 1 race run under Weight For Age conditions for fillies and mares at the Curragh conducted by the Curragh Racecourse for Horse Racing Ireland.

The Pretty Polly Stakes is run over a mile and a quarter. It was first run in 1948 and was won by Cobatlic.

It is one of two major races in Ireland for fillies and mares only. The other is the Matron Stakes.

The Pretty Polly Stakes is run on the round course. It was only for fillies but became unrestricted.

Originally a Group 2 it was elevated to Group 1 in 2004.

The race is named after one of the greats. Pretty Polly won so many big races at the start of the last century including the Triple Crown.

Two horses have more than one win – Dance Design and Alexander Goldrun.

In the last decade, only three fillies have saluted.

Leading trainer is held by Vincent O'Brien with seven wins.

Seven different jockeys have three wins in the race including Liam Ward, Bill Williamson, Johnny Roe, Lester Piggott, Christy Roche, Michael Kinane and Seamie Heffernan.

The Pretty Polly Stakes was worth €300,000 in 2023.

Notable winners of the Pretty Polly Stakes include La Petite Coco (2022), Magical (2020), Minding (2016), Izzi Top (2012), Misty For Me (2011), Dar Re Mi (2009), Peeing Fawn (2007), Alexander Goldrun (2005/2006), Rebelline (2001), Alborada (1998), Dance Design (1996/1997), Prince's Polly (1982), Godetia (1979) and Pidget (1972).

The 2023 Pretty Polly Stakes was won by Via Sistina from Stay Alert and Above The Curve.


Racing and Sports