Emirates Stakes

Winners and Past Results

The Emirates Stakes is an open race run under handicap conditions at the Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne during the spring racing carnival. FREE $200 Bet

The 1600 meter race is a Group 1 event with a million dollars going to the winners. The event is scheduled on the final Saturday of the spring racing carnival at Flemington on what is also known as 'family day'.

It is the final Group 1 race of the season hosted by the Victoria Racing Club along with the Group 1 Patinack Farm Classic. The day's race card also includes Group 2 Matriarch Stakes and Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes, which keep punters on their toes throughout the day. The Emirates Stakes attracts international trainers to what has become one of the richest mile events in Australian horse racing. Several horses enter the field from outings in the Chatham Stakes, Crystal Mile, and Toorak Handicap, which serve as good guides for racegoers. The race suits strong milers that have the ability to conquer the long Flemington straight.

The Emirates Stakes has been held under several other names including the VRC Cantala Stakes, George Adam Stakes, Amol Stakes, among others. Since 1998 it has been held as the Emirates Stakes.

The inaugural race was held in 1881 which was won by a horse named Courtenay. It remained a principal race until 1979 when it was elevated to Group 1. Way back in 1907-08, Iolaire scored back to back victories in the Emirates Stakes. Over the years some of the classiest performers have stamped their authority on the title. The gutsy Gunsynd, trained by TJ Smith was always a crowd favourite who also added the Emirates Stakes, then known as the George Adams Stakes in 1971. Seascay won the Stakes in 1994 and returned the next year to win convincingly once again. Other notable milers to win incldue Better Loosen Up in 1989, Beazeal Bay in 1998, Testa Rossa in 2000, Titanic Jack in 2003, Divine Madonna in 2006, All American in 2009, and Albert The Fat in 2011.

Horses may tackle the Group 3 Moonga Stakes at Caulfield Racecourse over a distance of 1400 meters before booking a place in the Emirates Stakes. Albert The Fat ran second in the Moonga Stakes before winning the 2011 Emirates Stakes.

Other lead up races include the Group 1 Epsom Handicap, Flight Stakes for three-year-old fillies, Epsom Handicap, and Toorak Handicap among others.

2011 Emirates Stakes

Albert The Fat was considered only an outside chance in this Group 1 event but he confounded the punters with a thrilling win. The early pace was keen but Albert The Fat was kept near the back of the field as the lead changed several times. There were many chances as they came into the straight with Kings Rose surging to the lead at the 200 metre mark and looking every bit a winner. However, Albert the Fat had plenty left in the tank and with a huge run down the outside he was able to nose out Kings Rose right on the line, with Secret Admirer running on well for third.

2011 Emirates Stakes result

1. Albert the Fat
2. Kings Rose
3. Secret Admirer

Then came:

4. Jimmy Choux
5. Love Conquers All
6. Wall Street
7. Woorim
8. Danleigh
9. Yosei
10. Luen Yat Forever
11. Testa My Patience
12. Pinwheel
13. Pinnacles
14. Red Tracer
15. Toorak Toff
16. Dao Dao