Ian McEwen Stakes

Winners and Past Results

The Ian McEwen Stakes is hosted by the Moonee Valley Racing Club at the Moonee Valley Racecourse. Free $200 Bet  Free $200 Bet

The Group 3 open race has horses travel a short distance of 1000 metres under weight for age conditions for a chance to earn prize money worth $150,000.

The event is a part of the famous Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival and is scheduled early in September. Only the best sprinters and gallopers of the country take part in this event as the weight for age conditions favour above average horses. The Ian McEwen Trophy is on the same race card as other Group 2 races which include the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes and WH Stocks Stakes.

The Ian McEwen Stakes is only a recent addition to the Australian Thoroughbred racing scene. It was run for the very first time in 1995 and was won by a very talented horse named Sequalo who covered the distance of 1000 metres in 57.3 seconds. It began as a Listed Race and remained so until 2005. In 2006 it was awarded Group 3 status by the Moonee Valley Racing Club authorities. The event is held in honour of Ian McEwen, a former Moonee Valley Racing Club secretary.

The McEwen Stakes has attracted top sprinters over the years, many of whom have gone on to achieve greater success. Some Group 3 races such as the Missile Stakes held in Sydney and the Auries Star Handicap are a good platform for horses that wish to participate in the Ian McEwen Stakes. The best performers may vie for an entry into the 1200 M Group 1 Manikato Stakes which is held later in the carnival.

In 2010, the McEwen Stakes and the Manikato Stakes double was won by Hay List. Top sprinters may also eye the 1200 M Group 2 Schweppes Stakes held on Cox Plate Day. Among the notable sprinters to win the Ian McEwen Trophy include Testa Rossa in 2000, Miss Andretti in 2006, and Nicconi in 2009.

Buffering came in from a spell to win the 2011 Ian McEwen Trophy and then finished fourth in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes in his next outing on the same track. In 2009, Miss Andretti went on to blaze the tracks in the Manikato Stakes, followed by a close second in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes and another victory in the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes at the Caulfield track later in the season.

2011 Ian McEwen Stakes

Buffering was pushed to the front from the outset and dictated the pace nicely, slowing the tempo briefly before winding up for a big finish once the challengers drew level approaching the straight. The four-year-old gave it everything on the run home which was just good enough to beat Crystal Lily by a nose with Atomic Force another nose back in third.

2011 McEwen Ian McEwen Stakes result

1. Buffering
2. Crystal Lily
3. Atomic Force

Then came:

4. Kulgrinda
5. First Command
6. Happy Zero
7. Shrapnel
8. Satin Shoes
9. Zedi Knigh