The BMW Stakes

Winners and Past Results

The BMW Stakes is a prestigious Group 1 weight for age race for horses three years old and over. The 2400 metre race is hosted by the Australian Turf Club at the Rosehill Racetrack in Sydney in April during the autumn racing carnival. Bonus $250 Bet That Can't Lose

The best stayers and long distance runners compete for prize money worth $2,250,000 on a day that also includes the Golden Slipper Stakes, George Ryder Stakes and Queen of the Turf Stakes, giving punters a great opportunity to spread their wagers and make up for any losses early in the year. The BMW attracts a quality field with a few New Zealand stayers making their way to the Rosehill track as well. It is the richest weight for age race during the Sydney autumn racing carnival.

One of the reasonable form guides is the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes. The weight for age race held over 2000 metres on the same track has produced a few winners. Tie The Knot in 2000, Eremein in 2006, and Tuesday Joy in 2008 have all scored in both events in recent times although there were a few more in earlier times. There has been no dearth of classy stayers to blaze the track in The BMW. Kingston Town won the first Group 1 The BMW in 1980. Poetic Prince won convincingly in 1989 while Octagonal scored back to back victories in 1996-97. Might And Power came through with flying colours in 1998 while Tie The Knot came back twice in a row in 1999-2000. Ethereal in 2002 and the invincible Makybe Diva in 2005 are among the outstanding mares to win The BMW.

The BMW was first held in 1963 as a principal race and was later promoted directly to Group 1 in 1980. The race has been held under different names over the years, which includes the HE Tancred Stakes and Mercedes Classic. Interestingly, The BMW has been won by three-year-olds only six times in the last two decades. Four year olds have 10 tittles to their credit. Among the Melbourne Cup winners to also win The BMW are Might And Power in 1998, Ethereal in 2002, and Makybe Diva in 2005.

2012 The BMW Stakes

This was a triumph for overseas stayers, with imported gallopers filling the first three placings. The early leader was Fiumicino who kept that position while the favourites Americain and Manighar settled in behind. Manighar was always handy and enjoyed a nice run but Americain was forced wide as the field travelled down the back straight. The pace was slow at the turn so Luke Nolen took charge, pushing Manighar past Fiumicino. Americain tried to respond but a poor early run, combined with horses in his way in the straight, meant he was no chance once he got clear. Manighar won by nearly two lengths over Americain, while Irish stayer Drunken Sailor was third. 2012

The BMW result

1. Manighar
2. Americain
3. Drunken Sailor

Then came:

4. Niwot
5. Southern Speed
6. Hawk Island
7. Precedence
8. Fiumicino
9. Scarlett Lady