Tancred Stakes

See the 2024 Tancred Stakes Preview and results.

See the 2023 Tancred Stakes Preview and results.

See the 2022 Tancred Stakes Preview and results.

See the 2021 Tancred Stakes Preview and results.

The Tancred Stakes was first held as a quality handicap over 12 furlongs in 1963 and was won by a mare called Maidenhead. In 1964 the race was held over 10 furlongs but reverted back to 12 furlongs in 1965. In 1973 the distance was converted to 2400 metres, in 1977 it became a weight-for-age race, and it 1980 it reached Group 1 status.

Over the years the Tancred Stakes has also been called the BMW Stakes, H.E. Tancred Stakes, the Tancred Cup and the Mercedes Classic. It is Australia’s richest weight-for-age staying event and attracts top class horses from throughout Australia and New Zealand, as well as the top trainers and jockeys, and is one of the highlights of the Autumn Racing Carnival.

Runners use the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes over 2000 metres as the major lead-up in Sydney while Melbourne horses can arrive via the Group 1 Australian Cup over 2000 metres. The Ranvet – BMW double has been won by horses like Tuesday Joy (2008), Eremein (2006) and Tie The Knot (2000), while the Australian Cup – BMW double has been won by horses like Makybe Diva (2005) and Octagonal (1997).

Normally it is raced on Tancred Stakes day as part of a super Saturday with 8 Group races. In 2022 the meeting was abandoned after race 3 and the remaining Group races, including this, were held at Newcastle the following Monday.

The 61st running in 2023 was won by Arapaho and his jockey Rachel King became the first female jockey to win a Tancred Stakes.

Winner of the 2023 Ranvet Stakes is exempt from ballot for this race. Winner of this race is exempt from ballot for the 2023 Queen Elizabeth Stakes and the 2023 Sydney Cup.

Last mare to win: Verry Elleegant (2020)

Last 3YO to win: C&G – Fiveandahalfstar (2013); Filly – none

Multiple winners: Tie The Knot (1999 & 2000); Octagonal (1996 & 1997)

Fastest time (2400m): Grand Zulu (2004) 2:25:78

Interesting trivia: In 2000 the same three horses ran the trifecta in the Ranvet Stakes and the Tancred – Tie The Knot, Arena and Showella.

Winners of past Tancred Stakes include horses that have won races like the Melbourne Cup, Sydney Cup, Doomben Cup, Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Cox Plate. It has been dominated by colts and geldings and no three-year-old filly has ever won, but the few mares who have won have all been great including Verry Elleegant (2020), Tuesday Joy (2008), Makybe Diva (2005) and Ethereal (2002). Good horses that won this race as three-year-olds include Grand Zulu, Octagonal, Beau Zam, Myocard, Bonecrusher and Kingston Town.

From the archives:

Tancred Stakes Preview & Tips 2018

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

Following the early scratching of Libran, there are only nine stayers in the $1,500,000 Kia Tancred Stakes. The early favourite is Gailo Chop who won the Ranvet Stakes by 3 lengths following a good 2^nd in the Australian Cup. Second favourite is 2016 Melbourne Cup winner Almandin who was 4^th in the Australian Cup last start. Third in the market is Single Gaze who has come 2^nd at three of her four runs this campaign with the latest 2^nd in the Ranvet Stakes.

Auvray has a good record at this distance and won the G2  Sky High Stakes over 2000m last outing. Ambitious is a Japanese horse who kept grinding away for 9^th in the Australian Cup at his Australian debut. Harlem won the Australian Cup at big odds before 6^th in the Ranvet. Ventura Storm was 3^rd in the Australian Cup then only 7^th in the Ranvet. Who Shot Thebarman has ran in this race for the last 3 years, each time using the G3 Sky High as his lead-up and has finished 4^th in 2015, 2^nd in 2016 and 4^th in 2017. Lasqueti Spirit finished 5^th in this race last year and has also used the Sky High as her lead-up this year and last year.

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