Black Opal Stakes Race Information

The Black Opal Stakes is a 1200 metre set weights plus penalties race for two-year-olds run by the Canberra Racing Club in March. It is held at Thoroughbred Park as a feature race of the Canberra Racing Carnival.

  • Race Type: Group 3
  • Distance: 1200 metres
  • Conditions: Set weights plus penalties, 2YOs
  • Track: Thoroughbred Park, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
  • Prizemoney: $250,000
  • Date: Sunday 10 March 2024

Black Opal Stakes Race History

See the 2024 Black Opal Stakes Preview and results.

See the 2023 Black Opal Stakes Preview and results.

See the 2022 Black Opal Stakes Preview and results.

The race was first run in 1973 as a lead-up race for two-year-olds hoping to get into the Golden Slipper. It became a Group race in 1980 and was upgraded to a Group 2 race in 1987 but lost that status and returned to a Group 3 in 1999. In 2006 it was downgraded to a Listed race, then in 2015 it regained it’s current Group 3 status.

Useful Facts

Last filly to win: Pin Sec (2019)

Fastest time (1200m): St Covet (1994) 1:09:6

Interesting trivia:

Past winners of the Black Opal Stakes

Winners of past Black Opal Stakes include Encryption (2018), Trapeze Artist (2017), Takedown (2015), Criterion (2013), Epaulette (2012), Planchet (2002), Catbird (1999), Paint (1996), St Covet (1994), Clan O’Sullivan (1992), Spirit Of Kingston (1984), Blazing Saddles (1977) and Silver Shadow (1975).

Year Winner Second Third
2024 Holmes A Court Fully Lit Amazing Eagle
2023 Autumn Ballet The Years Make A Call
2022 Queen Of The Ball Warby Metallicity
2021 Kalashnikov Solar Winds Rocket Tiger
2020 Barbaric Bartley Cellsabeel
2019 Pin Sec Rome Mclaren
2018 Encryption Sizzling Belle Bondi
2017 Trapeze Artist Trekking Safin
2016 Defcon Flash Fibian Prized Icon
2015 Takedown Single Gaze Antelucan
2014 Lucky Racquie Mr Cha Cha Klammer
2013 Criterion Sidestep Meticulously
2012 Epaulette Faustus Later Gator
2011 You’re Canny Karuta Queen Bright Heart
2010 Decision Time Lohan Butt I’m Ready
2009 Delago Bolt Phenomenal Lass Zikmann
2008 Sarthemare Typhoon Fury De Lightning Ridge
2007  ** Race not run **
2006 Down The Wicket One Time Luvuleo
2005 Al Samer Another TIme Jet Spur
2004 Uber St Pirian Just As Beautiful
2003 Handsome Ransom Exceed And Excel Sansadee
2002 Planchet Mukareena Majorette
2001 Coral Salute Antagonise Finbarr
2000 Pembleton Donna Dior Royal Joke
1999 Catbird Aquiver Citirecruit
1998 Speed Week Splendid Horse Paris Dream
1997 Fraud Wenders Vocalist