The BMW Stakes

Winners and Past Results for The BMW Stakes

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.

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.

2013 The BMW

It was no surprise to see Fiveandahalfstar go straight to the lead and during the middle stages of the race the gelding led Hathros, Mawingo and Sangster, with the frontrunners just dawdling. The pace quickened just past the 800 metre mark when a wide-running Kelinni swooped around the field and into the lead, however Fiveandahalfstar still had plenty in reserve and as they made their way into the straight he drew level with Kelinni and after some resistance, regained the lead. Silent Achiever flew home late on the inside, but Fiveandahalfstar held on to win. Sangster battled on well for third.

2013 The BMW result

1. Fiveandahalfstar
2. Silent Achiever
3. Sangster

Then came:

4. Kelinni
5. Foreteller
6. Maluckyday
7. Hathras
8. Le Roi
9. Mawingo
10. Niwot
11. Gatewood
12. Kutchinsky