Furphy Sprint Race Information
The Furphy Sprint is an 1100 metre set weights plus penalties race for mares run by the Victorian Racing Club in late October or early November. It is held at Flemington as part of the Melbourne Cup Racing Carnival.
- Race Type: Group 3
- Distance: 1100 metres
- Conditions: Set weights plus penalties, Mares 4YO & up
- Track: Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne, Victoria
- Prizemoney: $200,000
- Date: Saturday 2 November 2024
Furphy Sprint Race History
This race was run as an 1100m handicap from 2005 to 2008 until it became a Listed race in 2009. In 2013 it was upgraded to its current Group 3 status. It has had many names like The Heaven Sprint (2005), Crown Trophy (2006 -2007), Crown Promenade Trophy (2008), Crown Promenade Stakes (2009-2010), G.H. Mumm Stakes (2011-2015), Sensis Stakes (2016), Skip Sprint (2017), Begonia Belle Stakes and Furphy Sprint (2018 onwards).
Originally held on VRC Oaks Day on the Thursday two days after the Melbourne Cup, it was moved to Victoria Derby day in 2016. It is part of a nine event meeting of all Group races. The four Group 1 races are the Victoria Derby, Kennedy Cantala Stakes, Coolmore Stud Stakes and the Empire Rose Stakes. The two Group 2 races are the Wakeeful Stakes and the Linlithgow Stakes and the two other Group 3 races are the Carbine Club Stakes and Lexus Hotham Handicap.
Runners often use the Alinghi Stakes as a lead-up and also the Northwood Plume Stakes and the Schillaci Stakes.
Begonia Belle was a chestnut filly foaled in 1964 who went on to win the 1969 Newmarket Handicap.
Our Runner by Runner Previews
2023 Furphy Sprint (Begonia Belle Stakes) Preview and results.
2022 Furphy Sprint (Begonia Belle Stakes) Preview and results.
Useful Facts
Multiple winners: None yet
Fastest time (1100m): Vain Queen (2014) 1:02:7
Northwood Plume Stakes & Begonia Belle Stakes: Tofane (2019), Sheidel (2016)
Interesting trivia: Dwayne Dunn was the winning rider in 2009 and 2019.
Past winners of the Furphy Sprint
Winners of past Furphy Sprint/Begonia Belle Stakes include Sheidel (2016), Vain Queen (2014) and Ortensia (2011).
Year | Winner | Second | Third |
2023 | Queen Of The Ball | Hypothetical | Dancing Alone |
2022 | Asfoora | Veranskova | Sneaky Paige |
2021 | Minhaaj | Ballistic Lover | Mileva |
2020 | Fiesta | Too Good Too Hard | Zaniah |
2019 | Tofane | Pippie | Miss Iano |
2018 | Divine Quality | Booker | I Am Excited |
2017 | Lyuba | Savanna Amour | Concealer |
2016 | Sheidel | Wild Rain | Private Secretary |
2015 | Pittsburgh Flyer | Dublin Lass | Brook Road |
2014 | Vain Queen | Bounding | Lilliburlero/S Wind |
2013 | Dystopia | Shamal Wind | She Can Skate |
2012 | Honey Flower | Dystopia | Anise |
2011 | Ortensia | Balmont Miss | Octopussy |
2010 | Status Symbol | Jerezana | Zingaling |
2009 | Very Discreet | Seeking Attention | Serenissima |
2008 | Beaming | Whitehaven Girl | Interfere |
2007 | Soleil | La Chasseuse | Ask the Music |
2006 | Street Smart | Soleil | Miss Mooney Mooney |
2005 | Covet Thee | Unabated | Sojustrememberthis |