Pakenham Cup Race Information

The Pakenham Cup is a 2500 metre open handicap race run by the Pakenham Racing Club. It is held at Pakenham as the feature event of the programme.

  • Race Type: Listed
  • Distance: 2500 metres
  • Conditions: Open handicap
  • Track: Pakenham Racecourse, Tynong, Victoria
  • Prizemoney: $300,000
  • Date: Saturday 21 December 2024

Pakenham Cup Race History

The Pakenham Cup used to be run in early December each year. It took over the Listed status from the Werribee Cup in 2016, the year the Pakenham Racing Club began racing at its new track at Tynong. In 2016 Pilot D’Essai carried 58kg after winning the Ballarat Cup at his previous outing.  In the following three years Like A Carousel, Our Big Mike and Etah James all won with 54kg, then in 2020 Attorney lumped 59.5kg to victory.

In 2022 it was held on 3rd December then the timing was changed from December to a night meeting in early March which means it was not run in 2023. The change was decided on after the recently-merged Pakenham Racing Club and Cranbourne Turf Club moved to increase its autumn footprint.

In 2024 it was moved back to December, meaning it was run twice that year.

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Useful Facts

Last mare to win: Etah James (2019)

Multiple winners: Magistrate (1980 & 1981)

Fastest time (2500m): Our Big Mike (2018) 2:34:68

Interesting trivia: His 2022 win on Kissinger gave jockey Damien Oliver his 4th Pakenham Cup.

Past winners of the Pakenham Cup

Winners of past Pakenham Cups include Etah James (2019), Like A Carousel (2017), Roman Arch (2005), Makybe Diva (2002), Slavonic (2000), Ideal Centreman (1989), Fountaincourt (1983), Even Stevens (1962), Sir William (1956).

Year Winner Second Third
2024 Ashrun Glentaneous Don’t Doubt Dory
2023  ** Race not run**
2022 Kissinger Nobel Heights Vegas Knight
2021 Smokin’ Romans Good Idea Team Captain
2020 Attorney Creedence Knights Order
2019 Etah James Secret Blaze Midterm
2018 Our Big Mike Berisha Dal Harraild
2017 Like A Carousel Khartoum Oncidium Ruler
2016 Pilote D’Essai Puccini Little White Cloud
2015 Tall Ship Mujadale Imperial Lass
2014 Cadillac Mountain Averau Hurdy Gurdy Man
2013 Pelicano Hurdy Gurdy Man Unchain My Heart
2012 Unusual Suspect King Diamond I’m Jake
2011 Apprehend Hanks Hiphopopotamus
2010 Montahlia Upon Elmore
2009 La Rocket Oronero Davcon
2008 Mandela Imvula Reggie
2007 Baughurst Extend Saliente
2006 Brom Felinity Ulysses Danzippo
2005 Roman Arch Coalesce Wild Classic
2004 Lightning Comand Just The Part Spadanza
2003 Classic Benbara Chairman’s Choice Tooborack
2002 Makybe Diva Aquiver Eagle Rhythm
2001 Altiero Ascana Brighter Scene
2000 Slavonic Brave Chief Celestial Show
1999 Zerpour Ihtiyati The Decorator