Behemoth Stakes (formerly Spring Stakes)

See the 2023 Behemoth Stakes Preview and results.

See the 2022 Spring Stakes Preview and results.

See the 2021 Spring Stakes Preview and results.

See the 2020 Spring Stakes Preview and results.

The first Spring Stakes was held over 6 furlongs (1200m) at Morphettville as a Principal Race in 1970 where Eastern Court ridden by Bob Cox and trained by Murray Appleton won by 6 lengths. In 1979 it was upgraded to a Group 2 race and in 1979 and 1980 was run over 1350m at Cheltenham Park racecourse before returning back to 1200m at Morphettville in 1981. In 1998 it was demoted to a Group 3 race and has remained over 1200m at Morphettville apart from 2001 when it was over 1250m at Cheltenham Parks.

It is the first Group race of the new racing season in Adelaide and the only other Group racing in Adelaide is during the Autumn carnival. Because of this it attracts the best of the local sprinters who hope to travel to Melbourne for the spring carnival. 2018 winner Dollar For Dollar ran 2^nd in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes , while 2019 winner Dalasan won the Group 2 Danehill Stakes, and 2019 runner-up Scales of Justice won the Group 1 Memsie Stakes.

Although the race is called the Spring Stakes it is actually held in winter but heralds the return of the spring horses. There is another Group 3 race with the same name held over 1600m at Newcastle, in the spring. Since 2014, the South Australian race has been called the David R Coles AM Spring Stakes in honour of former SAJC chairman David Coles who was inducted into the South Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2003 and into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2013. He made a significant contribution to the thoroughbred racing industry and was also a bloodstock agent. In 2021 a 1200m Group 3 race in May was named after David Coles. From 2023 the Spring Stake race is now called the Behemoth Stakes for the horse that won it in 2020 and 2021. It has also been moved from July to August which means it is much less likely to be won by 3YOs from now on, or even to have 3YOs in the field.

Last mare to win: See You In Heaven (2023)

Last 3YO to win: C&G – Dalasan (2019); Filly – Hartbalm (1977)

Multiple winners: Behemoth (2021 & 2020), Hero Wind (1994, 1995 & 1997), Redelva (1988, 1989 & 1990), Samist (1974 & 1975)

Fastest time (1200m): Sky Cuddle (2004) 1:09:64

Spring Stakes & Danehill Stakes: Dalasan (2019)

Leading jockeys: Neville Wilson  with 4 wins (Flavour 2001; Redelva 1988,1989 & 1990).

Leading trainers: Leon Macdonald with 5 wins (Dalasan 2019; Rebel Raider 2010; El Maze 2008; Spice Doll 2000; Will Fly 1998)

Interesting trivia: In 2021 Beau Rossa was first past the post but Behemoth protested successfully. Clare Lindop was the first female jockey to win in 2008 on El Maze.

Winners of past Spring Stakes include Dalasan (2019), Riziz (2014), Happy Trails (2012), Rebel Raider (2010), Zupaone (2007), Royal Ida (2006), Super Elegant (2005), Sky Cuddle (2004), Flavour (2001), Will Fly (1998), Hero Wind (1994, 1995 & 1997), Redelva (1988, 1989 & 1990), Samist (1974 & 1975) and Toltrice (1973).