Coral-Eclipse: All you need to know

Where and when is the Coral-Eclipse?

The prestigious Coral-Eclipse Stakes takes centre stage at Sandown Park this Saturday, July 6th,, with a stellar field set to contest one of the highlights of the British flat racing calendar. 

What is the Coral-Eclipse?

First run in 1886, the Group 1 contest over 1m 2f has a rich history of attracting the cream of the crop, pitting the Classic generation against their elders for the first time. This year's renewal looks set to live up to that billing, with a fascinating clash in prospect.

The Eclipse has been sponsored by Coral since 1976

𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝟭𝟴𝟴𝟲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆'𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲… pic.twitter.com/02IUQiRE4j

— Coral (@Coral) June 29, 2022

Coral-Eclipse news

All eyes will be on Irish 2000 Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes hero Paddington as he steps up to 10 furlongs for the first time. The Aidan O'Brien-trained colt has been a revelation this season and connections are hopeful he can extend his winning streak to five. 

However, he faces a stern test against the older horses, not least Emily Upjohn. John and Thady Gosden's filly was a runaway winner of the Coronation Cup last time and drops back in trip here. The booking of William Buick catches the eye with Frankie Dettori suspended.

Adding further intrigue is last year's Irish Champion Stakes winner Luxembourg, who makes his seasonal reappearance for the O'Brien team. Dubai Honour also enters calculations after landing a Group 1 double in Australia earlier this year.

The Eclipse often proves pivotal in shaping the middle-distance division for the remainder of the season. Sea The Stars used victory here in 2009 as a springboard to further glory, while more recently Enable and Ghaiyyath have etched their names on the roll of honour.

With its uphill finish, Sandown provides a true test and the Eclipse invariably produces a pulsating spectacle. This year's contest has all the ingredients to serve up another thriller as the generations clash in one of the most anticipated races of the summer.

Gates open at 11am with the first race off at 1.50pm. The Coral-Eclipse is due off at 3.40pm and promises to be unmissable.

Coral-Eclipse winners

Here is every winner of the race since Coral’s sponsorship began in 1976:

2023 – Paddington

2022 – Vadeni

2021 – St Mark’s Basilica

2020 – Ghaiyyath

2019 – Enable

2018 – Roaring Lion

2017 – Ulysses

2016 – Hawkbill

2015 – Golden Horn

2014 – Mukhadram

2013 – Al Kazeem

2012 – Nathaniel

2011 – So You Think

2010 – Twice Over

2009 – Sea The Stars

2008 – Mount Nelson

2007 – Notnowcato

2006 – David Junior

2005 – Oratorio

2004 – Refuse To Bend

2003 – Falbrav

2002 – Hawk Wing

2001 – Medicean

2000 – Giant’s Causeway

1999 – Compton Admiral

1998 – Daylami

1997 – Pilsudski

1996 – Halling

1995 – Halling

1994 – Ezzoud

1993 – Opera House

1992 – Kooyonga

1991 – Environment Friend

1990 – Elmaamul

1989 – Nashwan

1988 – Mtoto

1987 – Mtoto

1986 – Dancing Brace

1985 – Pebbles

1984 – Sadler’s Wells

1983 – Solford

1982 – Kalaglow

1981 – Master Willie

1980 – Ela-Mana-Mou

1979 – Dickens Hill

1978 – Gunner B

1977 – Artaius

1976 – Wollow

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