The International Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged three years or older. It is run at York over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 88 yards (2,092 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in August.

History

The event was devised by Major Leslie Petch, a former Clerk of the Course at York. It was first run in 1972, but by this time Petch had resigned from his position due to ill health. The race was originally sponsored by Benson and Hedges and called the Benson and Hedges Gold Cup. The inaugural running was won by Roberto, that year's Derby winner. The second-placed horse was Brigadier Gerard – his only defeat in a career of eighteen races.

The sponsorship of Benson and Hedges continued until 1985, and for the following two years the event was backed by the bloodstock company Matchmaker. Its title during this period was the Matchmaker International. The present sponsor, Juddmonte Farms, started supporting the race in 1989. It is now familiarly known as the Juddmonte International.

The International Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs (2,012 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in late June or early July.

History

The event was originally held at Phoenix Park, and it was formerly known as the Whitehall Stakes. It was initially contested over 1 mile and 1 furlong, and for a period it was classed at Group 2 level. It was cut to 1 mile in 1986, and it was transferred to the Curragh in 1991.

The distance was extended by a furlong in 1999, and it reverted to its previous length in 2002. The race was restricted to three-year-olds in 2003, and it was downgraded to Group 3 status the following year. It was re-opened to older horses in 2006, and the race returned to 1 mile and 1 furlong in 2007. It was increased to 1 mile and 2 furlongs in 2010.

The International Stakes is currently sponsored by the Hermitage Medical Clinic, and it is held on the final day of the Curragh's three-day Irish Derby meeting.