All Aged Stakes

See the 2024 All Aged Stakes Preview and results.

See the 2023 All Aged Stakes Preview and results.

See the 2022 All Aged Stakes Preview and results.

See the 2021 All Aged Stakes Preview and results.

The All Aged Stakes was first held as a principal race over 8 furlongs (about 1600 metres) in 1866 when it was won by Falcon. The distance remained the same through the years and with metric conversion became 1600 metres. In 1980 it became a Group 1 race then in 2004 the distance was reduced to 1400 metres.

Prior to 2004 the Doncaster Handicap was the lead-up race for many horses, but since the distance has been shortened the ideal lead-up race is the TJ Smith Stakes. Since the distance change Shamekha (2005) and Bentley Biscuit (2007) have won the TJ Smith – All Aged Stakes double. The George Ryder Stakes can also be used as a lead-up although the only two horses to win both races in the same year were Emancipation (1984) and Campaign King (1987).

Many All Aged Stakes winners can be regarded as sprinter milers and over 20 past winners have also won a Doncaster Handicap, although not always in the same year. Racing To Win won the All Aged in 2008 and the Doncaster in 2006 while Sunline won the All Aged twice in 2002 and 2000 and the Doncaster twice in 2002 and 1999.

Last mare to win: Tofane (2020)

Last 3YO to win: C&G  – Giga Kick (2023); Filly – English (2016)

Multiple winners: Sunline (2000 & 2002); Rough Habit (1992 & 1993); Dalrello (1976 & 1977); Kilshery (1962 & 1963); Yaralla (1942 &1943): Ajax (1938, 1939 & 1940); Malt King (1911 & 1912); Gladsome (1904 & 1906); Marvel (1891 & 1894); Carbine (1889 & 1890); Tim Whiffler (1870 & 1871).

Fastest time (1400m): Trapeze Artist (2018) 1:20:33

Interesting trivia:

Some good horses have won the All Aged Stakes twice and the remarkable Ajax won it three times in 1938, 1939 and 1940. Many great horses have won this race over the years including Carbine, Tulloch, Bernborough, Wakeful, Winooka, Wenona Girl, Unpainted, Tontonan, Rough Habit, Belmura Lad and Shaftesbury Avenue. When Atlantic Jewel won in 2012 she was the first three-year-old filly to win since Valicare in 1926.

Several sources including Wikipedia show the results with Charles Stuart winning in 1906 and Gladsome winning in 1905. They are wrong.

From the archives:

All Aged Stakes Preview & Tips 2020

Track: Soft    Weather: Fine

There is a full field of 14 runners plus two emergencies for the $480,000 2020 Schweppes All Aged Stakes. Four runners had their last start in the TJ Smith Stakes, four in the Doncaster Handicap and two in the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes. The betting is fairly open with last year’s winner of this race, Pierata, the early favourite after he ran home strongly for 4th in the TJ Smith Stakes. Second favouritism is shared between Santa Ana Lane who ran 2nd in the TJ Smith, and Bivouac who started badly and came from well back for 6th in that race.

Dreamforce led all the way to win the George Ryder last start and this is his best distance. Tofane ran on strongly from well back to finish 3 lengths 5th in the TJ  Smith and had the best 400m races sectional making it look like this distance will now be ideal. Fierce Impact was 1.45 lengths 4th in the All Star Mile and has been freshened up. Fasika kept chasing for 2nd in the G2 Sapphire Stakes last start and Brandenburg chased hard for 3rd in the Doncaster Mile. All other runners are currently $20 or longer.

All Aged Stakes Runner by Runner 2020

1. Pierata

Last year he hit the front at the 100m and won this race by 0.4 lengths. His lead-up races then were 2nd in The Galaxy  then 5th in the TJ Smith. He has followed the same route in 2020 with 5th in The Galaxy then 4th in the TJ Smith last start. He likes this track and this distance and is a good chance to win again.

2. Santa Ana Lane

He came from well back last outing to run 2nd in the TJ Smith Stakes behind Nature Strip, and had the best 800-400m race sectional. This gelding has a terrific finish which is a joy to watch and I think he is a big chance to win here.

3. Dreamforce

Six of 12 wins have been over this distance and he looked super last outing where he led all the way to win the George Ryder Stakes. He has to be rated an each-way chance here although he is unlikely to be left alone in front in this race.

4. Fierce Impact

This tough Japanese bred horse won two Group 1 mile races in the Spring – the Toorak Handicap and the Kennedy Cantala. He has been close to the winner in all three races this preparation and will run well again, but is better suited over the mile.

5. Mister Sea Wolf

Last start he ran 12th in the Doncaster and has yet to win in six starts at Randwick. I don’t think that will change here.

6. Olmedo

Currently the outsider of the field, this French import has had one run in Australia for 8.6 lengths 8th in the Group 2 Ajax Stakes. He has had 3 wins overseas over 1500m, 1600m and 2000m, and the 2000m win was a Group 1. Would need to show a massive improvement to figure here.

7. Star Of The Seas

He relished the heavy going to run 2nd in the Doncaster last start at long odds with the best last 200m race sectional. He carries 6kg more here and seems to do his best on rain-affected going.

8. White Moss

One of four mares in this race, this grey is another runner who can run well on heavy going, and she led all the way to win the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes over 1200m here last week. She is not in my top 4 picks.

9. Tofane

This mare has not raced beyond 1200m before, but had the best last 400m race sectional when she ran on strongly from well back to run 5th in the TJ Smith Stakes last outing, suggesting she might go well over the extra distance. She is capable of putting herself in the finish.

10. Fasika

She has a stellar record of 4 wins and 3 places from 9 starts, and was a beaten favourite when 2nd in the Sapphire Stakes last week. Could place.

11. Bivouac

This three-year-old colt won the Newmarket Handicap by 2.5 lengths back in March, then was ridden too far forward for 3rd in the William Reid Stakes when favourite. Last start he finished 6th in the TJ Smith behind Nature Strip where he ran the best last 800m race sectional. He has already won 6 races, has the James Cummings polish and Hugh Bowman riding. One of the main chances.

12. Brandenburg

In 11 starts, this horse has only missed being in the trifecta once – when he ran 4th in the George Ryder. Last start he ran 3rd in the Doncaster. I don’t expect him to win but wouldn’t be too surprised if he runs a place.

13. Super Seth

He won the Caulfield Guineas in the Spring and has had 2 starts this campaign for 7th in the George Ryder and 8th in the Doncaster. May need another run before he ‘s at his best.

14. Standout

The most lightly-raced colt in the race has 4 wins and a second place from his 6 starts. In with a chance if he can handle the 1400m.

15. Sylvia’s Mother – 1st Emergency

Disappointed when last of 15 in the Coolmore Classic last start. Not here.

16. Cosmic Force –  2nd Emergency

Has finished in the back half of the field at his last two runs. Not here.

The following are the top 4 selections from our tipster panel for this years race.

Jo’s Tips
2 Santa Ana Lane
1 Pierata
11 Bivouac
9 Tofane