History
The event was established in 1878, and the inaugural edition was titled the First Great Challenge Stakes. It was originally contested over 6 furlongs and open to horses aged two or older.
The present system of race grading was introduced in 1971, and for a period the Challenge Stakes held Group 3 status. It was extended to 7 furlongs in 1977, and closed to two-year-olds in 1985. It was promoted to Group 2 level in 1987.
The race was formerly staged during Newmarket's Champions' Day meeting in mid-October. It became part of a new fixture called Future Champions' Day in 2011.
Read more about this topic: Challenge Stakes
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