Ladies Day

The Chester Vase

Fact File 

• Race distance: 1m 4f 66yds
• Prize money: £65,000 total prize fund
• Conditions: 3-y-o colts and geldings only

The Chester Vase, first run in 1907, has a long and proud history of producing future classic
winners. Run over a trip a fraction in excess of a mile-and-a-half, it provides three-year-olds
with a true test of stamina before either the Derby or, later in the season, the St Leger.
One horse that scored in all three events was one of the stars of pre-war racing, Hyperion.
The little chestnut, who stood at only a fingernail or two over fifteen hands, ploughed
through heavy ground to win the 1933 Vase before triumphing comfortably at both Epsom
and Doncaster.

Other Vase winners who went on to run well in the world’s most famous flat race include
subsequent Derby victors Papyrus in 1923, Windsor Lad in 1934 and Henbit in 1980, while
horses such as Linden Tree in 1971, Hot Grove in 1977 and Law Society in 1985 went on
from triumphing at Chester to claiming the runners up spot at Epsom.

Their efforts, though, are eclipsed by the most famous Chester Vase and Derby winner of
them all, the Aga Khan’s Shergar. He came to the Roodee in 1981 fresh from a convincing
victory in the Sandown Classic Trial and wowed Chester racegoers with a stunning
12-length victory in the Vase, a performance that made him red-hot favourite for the blue
riband. He duly turned the Derby into a procession – his 10-length victory is the largest
post-war winning margin – and his kidnapping and disappearance two years later only
served to heighten the mystique that still surrounds this supremely talented thoroughbred.
Shergar was the last horse to complete the Chester Vase/Derby double as, in recent years,
the Vase has proved to be a better trial for the St Leger at Doncaster. Alcide won both races
in 1958 as did Indiana in 1964. Recent winners have not gone on to achieve the same kind
of success, but the winners have been decent horses in their own right.

Three years ago we saw a thrilling finish between Soldier Of Fortune and Arabian Gleam
with Aidan O’Brien’s charge just getting home by a short head. Following his win here he
went on to run fifth in the Derby at Epsom before stunning his rivals with a nine-length
romp in the Irish Derby before a further Group 2 success followed.

Soldier of Fortune 

Two years ago 11/8 favourite Doctor Fremantle obliged for Sir Michael Stoute and Ryan
Moore. He produced solid subsequent efforts in the Derby and the St Leger, but had to wait
until 2010 on this day when narrowly coming out on top in the Huxley Stakes.
Last year’s renewal was won by the Mark Tompkins-trained Ted Spread, who was partnered
to a head verdict over Icon Dream. He went the Derby-St Leger route afterwards but was
unable to match his Chester performance in the classics.

Doctor Fremantle

Past Winners

• 1999 Peshtigo Michael Hills Barry Hills 2:36.63
• 2000 Millenary Pat Eddery John Dunlop 2:38.11
• 2001 Mr Combustible Michael Hills Barry Hills 2:34.30
• 2002 Fight Your Corner Kevin Darley Mark Johnston 2:33.70
• 2003 Dutch Gold Frankie Dettori Clive Brittain 2:35.85
• 2004 Red Lancer Robert Miles Richard Price 2:44.33
• 2005 Hattan Seb Sanders Clive Brittain 2:44.91
• 2006 Papal Bull Kieren Fallon Sir Michael Stoute 2:35.24
• 2007 Soldier Of Fortune Mick Kinane Aidan O’Brien 2:35.24
• 2008 Doctor Fremantle Ryan Moore Sir Michael Stoute 2:37.39
• 2009 Golden Sword Colm O’Donoghue Aidan O’Brien 2.33.86
• 2010 Ted Spread Darryll Holland Mark H Thompkins 2.43.32
• 2011 Treasure Beach Ryan Moore Aiden O'brien 2.39.10