Danehill Stakes

Winners and Past Results

A fine crop of three year old sprinters enter onto the Flemington race track in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes held during the spring racing carnival in September in Melbourne. FREE $200 Bet

The 1200 sprint race offers a purse worth $250,000. Hosted by the Victoria Racing Club, the event is held on the same day as the Group 2 Makybe Diva Stakes.

The set weight and penalty race suits the above average sprinters with Black Caviar being one of the most formidable horses to win every race she tackled before and after the 2009 Danehill Stakes. This includes the TJ Smith Stakes, Schillaci Stakes, Schweppes Stakes and the Patinack Farm Classic. The 2011 winner, Sepoy, is another champion horse to win several races which include the Golden Slipper Stakes at Rosehill Racecourse and Vain Stakes at Caulfield Racecourse prior to the Danehill Stakes. Sepoy continued his winning form with impressive wins in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley, Caulfield Sprint at Caulfield and Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington.

The race usually attracts horses with a good run in the HDF McNeil Stakes held a week earlier at Caulfield although Flemington's straight track is much different from a Caulfield turning track. The only horse to score a McNeil Stakes/Danehill Stakes double was Gold Ace in 1995.

After the Danehill Stakes some horses may fancy their chances in the Group 1 Flight Stakes at Randwick on Epsom Day or the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes at Flemington a month later. Runner up in 2011, Hallowell Belle repeated her performance in the Flight Stakes while fifth placed Mosheen went on to win the Manifold Stakes.

Other topliners to win the event in recent times include Armidale in 1996, Falvelon in 1999, Tan Tat De Lago in 2007, and Aichi in 2008. Quality sprinters may tackle the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes at Randwick Racecourse a month later.

Placegetters in the Danehill Stakes have also continued their form in other races throughout following seasons. Runner up in 2010, Buffering went on to win the Roman Consul Stakes. Second in 2009, Wanted ran fourth in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley a fortnight later, followed by a third place in the Schillaci Stakes and runner up spot in the Patinack Farm Classic. Other impressive placegetters include Scenic Blast and Purrealist who have tackled the Group 3 Caulfield Guineas successively.

The Danehill Stakes began as a listed race in 1982 and has been known as the VRC The Black Douglas, VRC Hilton On The Park Stakes, and VRC The Chivas Regal as well.

2011 Danehill Stakes

Star sprinter and hot favourite Sepoy was ridden to instructions in this event, settling just off the lead instead of using his early speed to go straight to the front. It wasn't until the final 200 metres that he took the lead and did enough to register victory by a length over Hallowell Belle and Unique Quality.

2011 Danehill Stakes result

1. Sepoy
2. Hallowell Belle
3. Unique Quality

Then came:

4. Masthead
5. Mosheen
6. Absalon
7. Grand Britannia
8. Mister Milton