Coolmore Stud Stakes

Winners and Past Results for the Coolmore Stud Stakes

The Coolmore Stud Stakes hosted by the Victoria Racing Club is an open race for three year old horses held at the Flemington Races at the end of October or early November.

The Melbourne spring racing carnival event is run under set weight conditions over a distance of 1200 meters.

The classic sprint race heralds the beginning of the four day Melbourne Cup carnival. Held on Derby day, punters have a choice of Group races which includes the Victoria Derby, Myer Classic, and Mackinnon Stakes. The half a million dollar prize money has gone to some of the finest sprinters including Sepoy in 2011, who came into the race with five wins from five starts.

The 1200m Manikato Stakes at Moone Valley Racecourse held earlier in September and The 1100m Caulfield Sprint at Caulfield Racecourse in mid October usually attract a field of stronger sprinters for the Coolmore Stud Stakes. Sepoy's incredible run included both these lead up races. Prior to these two races, he won the 1100m Vain Stakes at Caulfield in August and the Danehill Stakes at Flemington in September.

The Coolmore Stud Stakes was elevated to Group 1 status in 2006. Earlier as a Group 2 race between 1979 and 2005 it was known as the ‘Ascot Vale Stakes'.

As a Group 1 race the Coolmore Stud Stakes was rescheduled to be held on Derby Day, also bringing a change in the preparation of three year olds for the spring carnival. Some of the top sprinters may tackle the 1600m Group 1 Caulfield Guineas on their way for the Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington. Many of the classy sprinters have moved on to greater success in premier sprint races. Among the finest sprinters to blaze the Flemington track in a quest to win the title include Manikato in 1978, Zeditave in 1987, Spargo in 1999, Alinghi in 2004, Weekend Hustler in 2007, and Star Witness in 2010.

Taj Rossi, winner in 1973, was the first to set the record of 1:10 which was later broken by Manikato who finished in a time of 1:09.6. The race record of 1:08.2 set by Our Maizcay in 1995 is yet to be broken. Trainer Bart Cummings scored back to back victories with Century and Taj Rossi in 1972-73. One of the versatile fillies to prove her mettle as a sprinter and a stayer was Rose Of Kingston, winner of the Coolmore Stud Stake in 1981 who also claimed the 1982 AJC Derby over 2400 meters. Another fine sprinter was Courtza, who won the Blue Diamond Stakes and Golden Slipper Stakes on the way to the Coolmore Stud Stakes.

2012 Coolmore Stud Stakes

Jockey Christian Reith parked Nechita about midfield as the field steamed down the middle of the track in the opening stages of this 1200 metre sprint event. Hidden Warrior led the way in the first part of the race, and the favourite Snitzerland showed out early as well. With 300 metres to go, Nechita made ground and then, with about 200 to go, was asked for a final sprint home. Nechita responded strongly, shaking off the tired pacesetters to open up a good lead and going to the post three-quarters of a length ahead of her nearest challenger, Jolie Bay, with Shamexpress running on well to finish third.

2012 Coolmore Stud Stakes result

1. Nechita
2. Jolie Bay
3. Shamexpress

Then came:

4. Knight Exemplar
5. Snitzerland
6. Sizzling
7. Fire Thunderbolt
8. Lankan Rupee
9. Shelford
10. Stars In The Sky
11. Hidden Warrior
12. Madam Archer