EBF Valiant Stakes upgraded for 2020

Fri 31 Jan 2020

The British EBF supported Valiant Stakes (Ascot) has been upgraded by the European Pattern Committee for 2020 from Listed status to Gr.3.

The Valiant Stakes has been run since its inception as a Conditions race in 1998, for fillies and mares over about 7f.  It is one of only three races in the European pattern to be upgraded this year. The British EBF have supported the race for 19 consecutive years, investing heavily in the race’s prize money to provide a mid-season developmental opportunity.

Rachael Gowland, Marketing and Communications Manager of the British EBF said: “We are delighted that the Valiant Stakes has been upgraded to Gr.3 status.  It is testament to the valuable investment the EBF makes in developmental races such as this and to the work that Ascot have put in to the race over the last 20 years.  Unfortunately, the EBF do not support Group level races in Great Britain so our support will no longer be attached to the race in its new form but we wish Ascot every success taking it forward and we will look to re-invest the prize money we will recoup elsewhere in the programme.”

The Valiant stakes has been an important stepping stone for fillies going on to compete that the highest level.  One of the most successful graduates of the race was EURO CHARLINE, a daughter of My Boy Charlie who went straight from winning at Ascot to win the Grade 1 Beverly D. Stakes in Arlington, USA.  She finished her racing career as runner up in both the Gr.1 Dubai Turf (Meydan) and Gr.1 Lockhinge Stakes (Newbury) before being bought by the Yoshida family to join their broodmare band.