Established in 1892, the event was originally called the Duke of York Stakes.
The original version took place in October, and was open to horses aged three or older.
The Duke of York Stakes was initially contested over one mile.
[8] The original Kempton version was not regularly contested after World War II, but it was revived with a modified format in 1952.
[9] Kempton's Duke of York Handicap continued to be run until 1960.