Newmarket Craven Meeting: Race List & Meeting Info
Hot on the heels of jump racing's most prestigious meetings at Cheltenham and Aintree, mid-April brings the return of flat racing to the turf. The first meeting of the new season at Newmarket, British racing's headquarters, comes during the midweek Craven Meeting on their Rowley Mile course.
The three day fixture which runs from Tuesday to Thursday gives us the first chance to see some of the contenders for the upcoming Classics in action with the Craven Stakes and the Nell Gwyn Stakes in particular proven trial races for both the Guineas in May and the Derby and Oaks in June.
In total, there are twenty two races to look forward across the Craven meeting, including four Group races. Below we take a look at the meeting and the feature races on more detail, as well as our tips for the three days when available.
Day One Races - Tuesday
| Race | Grade | Length | Prize Money | Ages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EBF Fillies' Maiden Stakes | Class 4 | 1m | £10,000 | 3 Year Old Fillies |
| Weatherbys TBA Handicap | Class 2 | 6f | £25,000 | 4 Years Old + |
| European Free Handicap | Class 1 | 7f | £50,000 | 3 Years Old |
| Feilden Stakes | Class 1 | 1m1f | £40,000 | 3 Years Old |
| Nell Gwyn Stakes | Class 1 | 7f | £60,000 | 3 Year Old Fillies |
| British EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes | Class 4 | 5f | £8,000 | 2 Year Old Fillies |
| EBF Fillies' Maiden Stakes | Class 4 | 1m | £10,000 | 3 Year Old Fillies |
| bet365 Handicap | Class 3 | 1m2f | £20,000 | 3 Years Old |
EBF Fillies' Maiden Stakes
Class 4, 1m
Run in association with the European Breeders’ Fund, this race is for maiden fillies aged three. It is run over one mile and is a Class 4 Division I offering. In 2019 the prize money stood at just shy of £6,500 for the winner. When the Going is Good, the race can be expected to last for around one minute and forty seconds. As with the other races of the meeting, it is run on the Rowley Course.
Weatherbys TBA Handicap
Class 2, 6f
A Class 2 race that is open to horses aged four and over, competitors must have a rating of between 0 and 100 to take part. It is a handicap offering, meaning that each horse carries a weight assigned to them by the handicapper. It is run over six furlongs and when the Going is Good the leaders will hit the finish line in about one minute and ten seconds.
European Free Handicap
Class 1, 7f
This Listed race sees horses given a handicap depending on their position in the European Thoroughbred Rankings, which is published every January. Run over seven furlongs and open to three-year-olds, it was run for the first time in 1929.
Originally known as the Free Handicap, it took on its current moniker in 1981. It is a race that is often looked at for an indication for how horses are likely to do in the European versions of the Classics, hence its name. That’s not to say that successful horses don’t do well in the English Classics, however, with Mystiko winning this and then the 2,000 Guineas in 1991 and Harayir winning the 1,000 Guineas after this four years later.
Feilden Stakes
Class 1, 1m1f
One of the younger races at the meeting, the Feilden Stakes was created in 1978 as the Heath Stakes. It became the Gerry Feilden Memorial Stakes in 1982 as a dedication to the memory of a former senior steward of the Jockey Club, Major General Sir Randle Feilden, who had died the year before. It took on its current title of the Feilden Stakes in 1987.
Run over one mile and one furlong on the straight, the race is for three-year-olds and has a weight of nine stone. Fillies get a five pound allowance and there are penalties of five pounds for winners of Group races and three pounds for Listed race winners.
As with a few of the other races run during the Craven Meeting, this race is seen as something of a trial event for the season’s Classics. Erhaab finished as runner-up in 1994 and Golden Horn won it in 2015, with both horses going on to win the Derby. Intello, meanwhile, won in 2013 before going on to win the French equivalent of the Derby, the Prix du Jockey Club.
Nell Gwyn Stakes
Class 1, 7f
Established as the Spring Fillies' Stakes in 1961, the race took in its current name the following year in honour of King Charles II’s mistress. This is the race to turn towards if you’re wondering how fillies might do in the upcoming fillies’ Classics, with Speciosa going on to win the 1,000 Guineas after her victory in it in 2006.
The race is run on the straight over seven furlongs and is limited to three-year-old fillies. The weight is nine stone, with Group 1 and Group 2 winners receiving a 3 pound penalty. Frankie Dettori is the undisputed jockey in terms of success, winning the race seven times between 1991 and 2017.
British EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes
Class 4, 5f
The British European Breeders’ Fund take responsibility for this race, which is open to maiden fillies aged two. For the 2019 renewal, the race was sponsored by bet365. The prize money stood at a little over £5,000 for the event, which is run over five furlongs. If the Going is Good then the race will last for about one minute.
EBF Fillies' Maiden Stakes
Class 4, 1m
Another race sponsored by bet365 and run in association with the European Breeders’ Fund, this one is for maiden fillies and is a Class 4 offering in Division II. Run over one mile, it is the follow-up event to the first race of the day. When the Going is Good the race lasts for about a minute and forty seconds, open as it is to three-year-olds.
bet365 Handicap
Class 3, 1m2f
The day comes to a close with a handicap race that is sponsored by bet365. A Class 3 event, it is for horses aged three and over that boast a rating of between 0 and 95. The race is run over one mile and two furlongs, with prize money that sits at just shy of £13,000. If the Going is Good then it will take a little over two minutes for the horses to hit the finish line.
Day Two Races - Wednesday
| Race | Grade | Length | Prize Money | Ages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| bet365 Handicap | Class 2 | 6f | £25,000 | 3 Years Old |
| Wood Ditton Maiden Stakes | Class 3 | 1m | £15,000 | 3 Years Old |
| Abernant Stakes | Class 1 | 6f | £60,000 | 3 Years Old + |
| Craven Stakes | Class 1 | 1m | £60,000 | 3 Years Old |
| Rossdales Maiden Fillies' Stakes | Class 4 | 7f | £10,000 | 3 Year Old Fillies |
| British EBF Novices' Stakes | Class 4 | 1m2f | £10,000 | 3 Years Old |
| Coates & Seely Handicap | Class 4 | 1m | £13,200 | 3 Years Old |
bet365 Handicap
Class 2, 6f
Day Two of the meeting begins in the same manner that Day One ended: with a handicap race sponsored by bet365. Unlike its sister race, this one is a Class 2 offering and is open to three-year-olds with a rating of between 0 and 100. The prize money is a little bit more, too, coming in at over £16,000. Run over six furlongs, it takes the leaders about one minute and ten seconds to complete.
Wood Ditton Maiden Stakes
Class 3, 1m
A Class 3 race, the Wood Ditton Maiden Stakes is for horses aged three. It is run over one mile and the leaders normally reach the finish line after about one minute and forty seconds, provided the Going is Good. The prize money for the event stands at around the £9,700 mark, which normally leads to a competitive field running.
Abernant Stakes
Class 1, 6f
The final race worthy of a mention is the Abernant Stakes, which was inaugurated in 1969 and is named in honour of the horse Abernant, which was successful during the 1940s and 1950s. It was a Listed race until it gained promotion to Group 3 in 2013.
Open to horses aged three and over and run over six furlongs, the race boasts the following weight information:
- 3-year-olds: 8 stone 10 pounds
- 4-year-olds and over: 9 stone 7 pounds
- Fillies and mares get an allowance of 3 pounds
- Group 1 race winners receive a penalty of 7 pounds
- Group 2 race winners receive a penalty of 5 pounds
- Group 3 race winners receive a penalty of 3 pounds
Unlike most of the other feature races that tend to point towards success in the Classics, horses that do well in the Abernant Stakes tend to go on to be competitive in the Palace House Stakes at Newmarket or the Duke of York Stakes at York later in the season.
Craven Stakes
Class 1, 1m
If a meeting is going to be named after a race then it’s a reasonably fair bet that it’s going to be considered important. The Craven Stakes was originally inaugurated in 1771 as an open-age race and was run on a Monday in April as the first race of the season for Newmarket. That continued until the 1870s, at which point it was discontinued and the current race came into being.
Run for the first time in 1878 as a one-mile race for three-year-olds, it is named in honour of the sixth Baron of Craven, William Craven, who was a strong support for racing at Newmarket and a member of the Jockey Club. Indeed, it was he who instigated the meeting named in his honour in 1771.
Ever since Scot Free won the race in 1884 and then went on to win the 2,000 Guineas, the Craven Stakes has been seen as a good indicator of which horses would do well in the Classic race later in the season. The race is run on the straight over one mile and is open to three-year-old colts and geldings with a weight of nine stone.
Rossdales Maiden Fillies' Stakes
Class 4, 7f
The Rossdales Maiden Fillies’ Stakes is limited to female horses aged three. It runs the risk of feeling as though it’s a race run ‘after the Lord Mayor’s Show’, given that comes immediately after the Craven Stakes that the meeting is named after. A Class 4 event, the race takes place over seven furlongs and in 2019 the prize money stood at £6,469.
British EBF Novices' Stakes
Class 4, 1m2f
A race for novices that is run in association with the British European Breeders’ Fund, this race is aimed at horses aged three. It’s sponsored by bet365 at the time of writing and is run over one mile and two furlongs. A Class 4 event, leaders will hit the finish line in about two minutes and ten seconds when the Going is Good, whilst the prize money is more than £6,000.
Coates & Seely Handicap
Class 4, 1m
The final race of Day Two is a handicap, with the handicapper being called upon once again to assign the weights to the horses in order to ensure that it’s as far as possible. Sponsored by Coates & Seely at the time of writing, it is for three-year-old horses with a rating of between 0 and 85. Taking place over one mile, the Class 4 event lasts for around one minute and forty seconds if the Going is Good.
Day Three Races - Thursday
| Race | Grade | Length | Prize Money | Ages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Scott Maiden Stakes | Class 4 | 7f | £10,000 | 3 Year Old (Colts & Geldings) |
| British EBF Novice Stakes | Class 4 | 5f | £8,000 | 2 Years Old |
| British EBF Conditions Stakes | Class 3 | 7f | £15,000 | 3 Years Old |
| Coates & Seely Handicap | Class 2 | 1m | £25,000 | 4 Years Old + |
| Earl Of Sefton Stakes | Class 1 | 1m1f | £60,000 | 4 Years Old + |
| bet365 Handicap | Class 2 | 7f | £25,000 | 4 Years Old + |
| Barons Cambridge Handicap | Class 3 | 5f | £20,000 | 4 Years Old + |
Alex Scott Maiden Stakes
Class 4, 7f
The Alex Scott Maiden Stakes is for horses aged three. It’s a Class 4 race that is run over seven furlongs and has prize money in excess of £6,400. When the Going is Good the race lasts for about a minute and a half, whilst the nature of the race means that it’s usually a fairly competitive field that is entered to take part in it.
British EBF Novice Stakes
Class 4, 5f
Each day of the meeting has a race that is run in association with the British European Breeders’ Fund and Day Three is no exception. The race is for novice horses aged two and takes place over five furlongs. The 2019 renewal was sponsored by Montaz Restaurant and promised prize money of in excess of £5,000. The Going was Good, so the race lasted for just over a minute.
British EBF Conditions Stakes
Class 3, 7f
Another race run in association with the British European Breeders’ Fund, this one is run under Conditions. Sponsored by bet365, the Class 3 event is run over seven furlongs and is open to three-year-olds only. The prize money sits just shy of £10,000, whilst the race tends to last for about a minute and a half when the Going is Good.
Coates & Seely Handicap
Class 2, 1m
Another race sponsored by Coates & Seely, this one is a handicap and the horses are therefore assigned weight to carry depending on their ability. It is unusual for the Newmarket Meeting insomuch as it is one of only a couple of races open to horses aged four and over. Run over one mile, the Class 1 event asks for horses with a rating of between 0 and 100.
Earl Of Sefton Stakes
Class 1, 1m1f
Established under the moniker of the Rubbing House Stakes in 1971, the race was named after Hugh Molyneux, the Earl of Sefton, in 1973. It was typically held the day before the Craven Stakes as something of a warm-up to the main event though is now run the day after.
Run over one mile and one furlong on the straight, the race is open to horses aged four and over and has the following weight information:
- Weight: 8 stone 13 pounds
- Fillies and mares get a 3 pound allowance
- Group 1 race winners: 7 pound penalty
- Group 2 race winners: 5 pound penalty
- Group 3 race winners: 3 pound penalty
bet365 Handicap
Class 2, 7f
The handicapper is kept busy on the final day of the meeting, being required as they are to assign weights to horses in the penultimate race on the final day. It’s open to horses aged four and over with a rating of between 0 and 105, with the participants required to run seven furlongs if they hope to be in with a chance of winning. The Class 2 event has prize money of over £16,000.
Barons Cambridge Handicap
Class 3, 5f
Currently sponsored by a local BMW dealership, the final race of the meeting is for horses aged four and over with a rating of between 0 and 95. It is a Class 3 event that is run over five furlongs, which normally takes the leaders about a minute to complete if the Going is Good. Another handicap race, it has prize money of just under £13,000 at the time of writing.
About the Craven Meeting
Racecourses have meetings throughout the year, with different ones offering their own sense of import. At Cheltenham, for example, the Festival Trials Day in January is seen as an important moment on the road to the Festival itself. For Newmarket, the Craven Meeting might not hold the same sense of importance as the likes of the July Festival, but it is noteworthy because it is considered to be the opening event of the flat racing season by many.
The first meeting of races held on the Rowley Mile Racecourse, the Craven Meeting is the one to watch if you’re hoping for some clues about the likely contenders in the Classics that will be taking place in the coming months. The 2018 winner of the Craven Stakes, for example, went on to win the Epsom Derby later that season. It’s about more than one race, of course, offering as it does three days of racing for your amusement and entertainment.
Three Days of Racing
The flat season opener in the eyes of many, the Newmarket Craven Meeting takes place over three days and offers twenty two races. With the event usually spanning across a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, it’s a fixture with a bit of a different feel to it than is usual for big race meetings as there’s no weekend revellers. As it’s the Easter holidays you might not see the same sort of crowd as a weekend, but the event is family friendly as a result.
The feature race on day one of the meeting is arguably the Feilden Stakes, which many trainers see as a chance to let their three-year-olds stretch their legs in advance of deciding whether or not they’ll be right for that season’s Classics. Day two’s feature race is also the race that the meeting is named after, with the Craven Stakes considered by many as one of the key trials ahead of the 2,000 Guineas. Winners often go on to star during the flat racing season, so it’s worth taking your notepad and pen. The Earl of Sefton Stakes, which used to be known as the Rubbing House Stakes, is the feature race for the last day of the meeting.