Quezette Stakes

See the 2023 Quezette Stakes Preview and results.

See the 2022 Quezette Stakes Preview and results.

See the 2020 Quezette Stakes Preview and results.

The race was first held in 1992 over 1200m at Sandown Park racecourse and was won by Minsky Lass. In 2006 the distance was reduced to 1100m and has remained at that distance. It was upgraded from a Listed to a Group 3 race in 2013 and has been run at Caulfield in 1997 and from 2002 onwards, while in the other years it was held at Sandown Park.

The sprint is restricted to three-year-old fillies and often attracts those that may have already had some success as a two-year-olds and are returning from a spell. The race is named after Quezette who won seven races as a two-year-old in the 1960’s. It is held on Group 2 P B Lawrence Stakes day where the other Group 3 event on the program is the Vain Stakes which is the equivalent race for colts and geldings. The program also includes the Listed Regal Roller Stakes for horse four-year-old and up who may be aiming towards The Everest.

Successful runners in the Quezette Stakes may go on to the Group 3 HDF McNeil Stakes over 1200m, the Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude over 1400m, the Group 1 Thousand Guineas over 1600m or the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes over 1200m.

Quezette was foaled in 1964 and was a champion racehorse in her time. She won seven races in her two-year-old season, including the 1967 Merson Cooper Stakes. As a three-year-old she was placed in the Group 1 Crown Oaks. She established the Australian record for five furlongs in 56.4 seconds.

Fastest time (1100m): Kiss A Rose (2013) 1:02:7

Quezette Stakes & Coolmore Stakes: Sunlight (2018);

Leading jockeys: Damien Oliver has a good record in this race (Petits Filous 2015; Elite Elle 2012; Alinghi 2004; La Lagune 2001).

Leading trainers: Peter Moody has had 4 winners.

Interesting trivia: More Than Ready is the broodmore sire of 2019 winner Exhilarates and also the broodmare sire of 2019 Vain Stakes (the colts and geldings equivalent of the Quezette Stakes) winner Bivouac.

Winners of past Quezette Stakes include Exhilarates (2019), Sunlight (2018), I Am A Star (2016), Satin Shoes (2011), Bel Mer (2007), Alinghi (2004), Innovation Girl (2002) and Tristalove (1993).