Prince Andrew sex assault case leads to name change of £100,000 race

01/19/2022

A £100,000 race will have a new name in light of the Prince Andrew sex assault case.

The Duke of York Stakes, won by champion sprinter Starman in 2021, is being rebranded.

Run annually during May's Dante Festival at York, it carries a six-figure prize fund and takes place a day before the fixture's famous Derby trial.

Although the title has nothing to do with Prince Andrew, racing chiefs have decided to make the change, the Yorkshire Post reports.

Prince Andrew, often pictured at Royal Ascot, became a patron of York and was regularly seen at their big summer events.

"We don't want the name of the race to be a distraction from what is a good contest and we're seeking to clarify the history and connection," said York's head of marketing and sponsorship, James Brennan.

"The current favourite, though we need to go through the protocol of the European Pattern Committee, is something like the 1895 Duke Of York Stakes.

"That clarifies that it is a long-established race and has a connection other than to Prince Andrew."

The race, founded in 1895, was originally named to honour the Duke of York who became King George V.

Since the 15th century, the title has usually been given to the second son of English monarchs.

Last week Prince Andrew, who will go through a civil trial later this year, had his royal patronages taken away and cannot use HRH in an official capacity.

He will be a private citizen when the case is heard in New York, Buckingham Palace confirmed.

Prince Andrew has been accused of sexually assaulting Virginia Robert Giuffre when she was 17.

The 61-year-old denies any wrongdoing.

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