Coolmore Stud Stakes Race Information

The Coolmore Stud Stakes is a 1200 metre race for three-year-olds at set weights run by the Victoria Racing Club. It is held at Flemington on Victoria Derby Day in late October or early November three days before the Melbourne Cup.

  • Race Type: Group 1
  • Distance: 1200 metres
  • Conditions: Set weights, 3YOs
  • Track: Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne, Victoria
  • Prizemoney: $2,000,000
  • Date: Saturday 2 November 2024

Coolmore Stud Stakes Race History

The Coolmore Stud Stakes has changed its distance, name and age group over time. It was first held as the VRC Ascot Vale 2YO Stakes over 5 furlongs in 1863 when it was won by Freestone. It was a two-year-old race until 1965 and then was not held from 1966 to 1968. In 1969 it became a race for three year-olds over 6 furlongs (about 1200 metres) and was won by the mighty sprinter Vain.

In 2006 the race was moved from its earlier date of September to Derby Day and it was made a Group 1 race. In 2007 the name was changed from the Ascot Vale Stakes to the Coolmore Stud Stakes. The race is now the premier sprint race for three-year-olds in the Victoria Spring Racing Carnival.

Hoses may come through races like the Roman Consul Stakes, Blue Sapphire Stakes, Thoroughbred Club Stakes or Poseidon Stakes.

Useful Facts

Last filly to win: September Run (2020)

Fastest time (1200m): Our Maizcay (1995) 1:08:30

Interesting trivia: 1996 winner Encosta De Lago is the sire of 2004 winner Alinghi. 1969 winner Vain is he sire of 1983 winner Top Post. There was a deaddheat for 3rd in 2024.

Previous winners of the Coolmore Stud Stakes

Horses to win both Melbourne’s major two-year-old race the Blue Diamond Stakes and the Coolmore Stud Stakes are Alinghi (2004), Courtza (1989), Zeditave (1989), Rancher (1982), Manikato (1978) and Tolerance (1971). Horses to win the Golden Slipper and Coolmore Stud Stakes are Tierce (1991), Courtza (1989), Manikato (1978), Toy Show (1975) and Vain (1969).

An interesting fact is that the 1983 winner Top Post was sired by the 1969 winner Vain. The 2004 winner Alinghi was sired by the 1996 winner Encosta De Lago. 2013 winner Zoustar sired the trifecta in 2018. Other notable winners are Gold Edition (2006), Our Maizcay (1995), Racer’s Edge (1994), Brawny Spirit (1993), Kaapstad (1986), Campaign King (1985), Rose Of Kingston (1981), Surround (1976), Plush (1974), Taj Rossi (1973) and Century (1972).

Year Winner Second Third
2024 Switzerland Bellatrix Star Lady Of Camelot
Growing Empire
2023 Ozzmosis I Am Unstoppable Shinzo
2022 In Secret C’est Magique Buenos Noches
2021 Home Affairs Bruckner Artorius
2020 September Run Swats That Wild Ruler
2019 Exceedance Bivouac Libertini
2018 Sunlight Zousain Lean Mean Machine
2017 Merchant Navy Invincible Star Formality
2016 Flying Artie Astern Star Turn
2015 Japonisme Keen Array Counterattack
2014 Brazen Beau Delectation Kuro
2013 Zoustar Not Listenin’tome Lion Of Belfort
2012 Nechita Jolie Bay Shamexpress
2011 Sepoy Foxwedge Satin Shoes
2010 Star Witness Curtana Schrapnel
2009 Headway King Pulse Shellscrape
2008 Northern Meteor Fist Of Fury All American
2007 Weekend Hussler Bel Mer Scenic Blast
2006 Gold Edition Splashing Out (NZ) Churchill Downs
2005 Ferocity Jadescent (NZ) Undoubtedly
2004 Alinghi Barely A Moment Tirade
2003 Scaredee Cat (NZ) Lago Delight Dilly Dally
2002 Innovation Girl Cool Trent Titanic Jack
2001 North Boy Ustinov Malagra Miss
2000 So Gorgeous Show A Heart Sort It Out

From the archives:

2018 Coolmore Stud Stakes Preview & Tips:

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

A small field of ten, including one filly, will line up for the $1,000,000 Coolmore Stud Stakes. Two horses are vying for favoritism in the early market – Written By who has won 6 of his 7 starts and ran 4th in the Golden Slipper, and Zousain who beat all but The Autumn Sun in the Golden Rose last start. Close behind in the market is Sunlight who has won 7 of her 11 starts and the only time she has been unplaced was 7th in the Manikato Stakes against the older horses last start where she never got clear running.

Diplomatico has had only had 3 starts but has looked impressive in winning his latest 2 including the Brian Crowley Stakes, and could be a surprise package. Sesar came from a long way back to win the G2 Roman Consul Stakes by 1.3 lengths on a heavy track last outing. Encryption flew home late to win the G2 Danehill Stakes two starts ago before finishing strongly for 2nd in the Blue Sapphire Stakes last start. Lean Mean Machine won the Run To The Rose then had difficulties when 5th in the G1 Golden Rose. The other 3 runners are currently 25 to 1 or longer.

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

Jo’s Tips
1 Written By
10 Sunlight
2 Zousain
8 Diplomatico