Futurity Stakes

See the 2024 Futurity Stakes Preview and results.

See the 2023 Futurity Stakes Preview and results.

See the 2022 Futurity Stakes Preview and results.

See the 2021 Futurity Stakes Preview and results.

The Futurity Stakes was first held in 1898 when it was won by Resolute. The distance then was 7 furlongs (about 1400 metres) and in 1973 it became 1400 metres until 2005, barring 1979 when it was run over 1800 metres. In 2006 the distance was increased to 1600 metres and it became the first leg of the Asian Mile Challenge series. The distance returned to 1400m in 2011. It became a weight-for-age race in 1979 and a Group 1 race in 1980.

The Asian Mile Challenge is an international series of four Group 1 1600 metre races in four countries. The races are the Futurity Stakes in Melbourne, the Dubai Duty Free Stakes in Dubai, the Champions Mile in Hong Kong and the Yasuda Kinen in Tokyo.

The winner of the Futurity gets one of the five wild card entries into the All Star Mile.

Last mare to win: Sierra Sue (2022)

Last 3YO to win: C&G – Reset (2004); Filly – Cendrillon (1967)

Multiple winners: Niconero (2008 & 2009); Schillaci (1993 & 1995); Manikato (1979, 1980, 1981 & 1983), Idolou (1973 & 1974), St Razzle (1949 & 1950), Ajax (1938, 1939 & 1940), Gladsome (1905 & 1906)

Fastest time (1400m): More Joyous (2001) 1:21:79

Interesting trivia: Manikato won in 1979, 1980, 1981 & 1983, while he finished 2nd in 1982 behind Galleon. He was a 3YO when he won the first time in the only year the race was held over 1800m

Good three-year-olds frequently win the Futurity Stakes with three-year-old winners including All Too Hard (2013), Reset (2004), Yell (2003), Dash For Cash (2002), Desert Sky and Mr Murphy who dead-heated in 2001, and many more. The last three-year-old filly to win was Cendrillion in 1967. Mares and fillies have a poor record in the race and only 12 have won in its history of over 100 years. The most recent were Alizee in 2019,  Suavito in 2015 and Typhoon Tracy in 2010.

There have been several horses who have won this race more than once with the most notable being Ajax who won in 1938, 1939 and 1940, and Manikato who won in 1979, 1980, 1981 and 1983. The CF Orr Stakes is regarded as a good lead-up race to the Futurity.

From the archives:

Futurity Stakes Final Field & Odds 2018

See below for early betting markets on this years Futurity Stakes.

Futurity Stakes Preview & Tips 2018

Track: Good  Weather: Showers

There are eleven runners in the $500,000 Italktravel Futurity Stakes. Six of them raced in the Orr Stakes a fortnight ago. The early favourite is Brave Smash who was held up and flew home for a close 3^rd in the Orr. Second favouritism is shared between Tosen Stardom who ran 2^nd in this race last year, and three-year-old Mighty Boss who was less than a length behind the winner in the Orr.

Humidor resumes here after finishing well back in the Melbourne Cup and will find this too short. Showtime resumed for 2^nd in the G2 Expressway and should go well here. Mr Sneaky goes well third-up while Shillelagh, the only mare in the race, has great second-up form. Lord Of The Sky was 5^th in the Orr and has won a trial very well since then. The other three runners are currently 25 to 1 or longer.

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