Villiers Stakes

Winners and Past Results for the Villiers Stakes

The Villiers Stakes is a Group 2 race hosted by the Australian Turf Club in December just before Christmas at Randwick Racecourse.

The quality open handicap event is run over 1600 metres of the Randwick track with $175,000 at stake. The 2011 edition was held at Warwick Farm due to renovations at the Royal Randwick. The quality mile race usually attracts a field of above average gallopers looking for a final black type race of the year to add to their resume and those who aren't scheduled to travel to Perth for the summer racing carnival.

The 1600 M Group 3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup held at Hawkesbury Racecourse is one of the likely warm up events in November. Horses may also make their way from the 1400 M Group 3 Bill Ritchie Handicap at Randwick or the 1600 M Group 2 Shannon Stakes at Rosehill although not many of them have been a handy form guide in recent years.

Some of the handy types who have placed well in the Villiers Stakes have gone on to achieve greater success. Takeover Target was runner up in 2008 and came into the race with a series of victories and was a multiple group winner until the end of his racing career in 2009. Bernborough and Caesar were among the early winners in 1945 and 1958 respectively, who went on to become stars of the turf. Some of the other notable winners include Rising Prince in 1984, Spot The Rock in 1989, Touch Of Force in 1996, Referral in 1998, and On A High in 2003.

The first Villiers Stakes was won by Two Up in 1892. It remained a principal race until 1979 when it was elevated to Group 3. It has enjoyed Group 2 status since 1986, a year when Roman Artist claimed the trophy. 2008 was a year when there were two editions of the Villiers Stakes held due to a change in schedule.

In the long history of the Villiers Stakes, 2007 was the only time the race was not run and this was due to the equine flu.

2012 Villiers Stakes

Glyn Schofield was under strict instructions to ride All Legal off the early speed and save his sprint until the home straight. With this in mind, All Legal was settled worse than midfield, well behind the early frontrunners who set a solid pace. As they came into the home straight, All Legal was pushed forward and into clear racing room, with Alma's Fury right alongside him as they sprinted towards the post. In a thrilling finish, All Legal had just enough left in the tank to see off Alma's Fury and win by a nose. Darci Be Good was less than a length behind the leading pair in finishing in third place.

2012 Villiers Stakes result

1. All Legal
2. Alma's Fury
3. Darci Be Good

Then came:

4. Cabernet
5. Merlin Mustang
6. Highly Recommended
7. Classics
8. Shadows In The Sun
9. Monton
10. Kinnersley
11. Triple Elegance
12. Isopach
13. Galah
14. Thumbtacks
15. Quidnunc
16. Racing Heart
17. Shout Out Loud
18. Holy Moly