Tramway Stakes Race Information

The Tramway Stakes is a 1400 metre set weights plus penalties race run by the Australian Turf Club held in late August or early September. It is run at Randwick as part of the Sydney Spring Racing Carnival.

  • Race Type: Group 2
  • Distance: 1400 metres
  • Conditions: Set weights plus penalties, 3YO & upwards
  • Track: Randwick Racecourse, Sydney, New South Wales
  • Prizemoney: $300,000
  • Date: Saturday 2 September 2023

Tramway Stakes Race History

See the 2023 Tramway Stakes Preview and results

See the 2022 Tramway Stakes Preview and results

See the 2021 Tramway Stakes Preview and results

See the 2020 Tramway Stakes Preview and results

The Tramway Stakes has a long history. It was first held as the Tramway Handicap over 7 furlongs in 1886 and was won by a horse called Burrilda. In 1972 the distance was changed down slightly to 1400m when the metric system was introduced, and it has always been run over that distance except for 2000 when it was 1350m and 2001 when it was 1300m. It was a listed race from 1979 to 1983, a Group 3 from 1984 to 2013 and in 2013 it became a set weights and penalties race. It achieved Group 2 status in 2014.

The race was named after the trams that used to bring massive crowds to the races.It has occasionally been run at Rosehill or Warwick Farm, but Randwick is its normal home. It is held on the same day as the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes, the Group 2 Furious Stakes and the Group 3 Concorde Stakes. It attracts strong middle-distance gallopers that are suited under quality handicap conditions. The Tramway Stakes is an eligible lead-up race to the Epsom Handicap where the winner gets automatic entry and doesn’t have to go in the ballot to get into the Epsom.

Horses often come into the Tramway via the Group 3 Show County Quality run 2 weeks before or even through the Group 1 Winx Stakes. Some runners start first-up here. After the Tramway, horses often go on to the George Main Stakes two weeks later or the Epsom Handicap a month later, while other may go to Melbourne for the spring. Over a dozen horses have won both the Tramway Stakes and the Epsom Handicap.

Tramway Stakes Facts

Last mare to win; Lucia Valentina (2014)

Last 3YO to win: C&G Farnworth (1964); Filly – Marvel Loch (1903)

Multiple winners: Zaaki (2021 & 2022); Dreamforce (2019 & 2020); Grenoble (1959 & 1960); Lough Neagh (1936 & 1938); Gigandra (1912 & 1913)

Fastest time (1400m): Diamond Dane (2001) 1:18:28

Tramway Stakes & George Main Stakes: Sincero (2011); Shaftesbury Avenue (1990); Tullmax (1980); Imposing (1979); Landy (1957)

Leading jockeys (since 1930): Darby Munro  with 6 wins (Shannon 1945; Dewar 1943; Mohican 1938; The Marne 1936; Sir Duninald 1932; Rogilla 1932). Peter Cook rode 4 winners.

Leading trainers (since 1982): John P Thompson with 4 wins (Dreamforce 2019 & 2020; Hooked 2015; Tagus 2012)

Interesting trivia: The Tramway Stakes was held twice in 1932, Rogilla (1932) dead -heated with Chatham, In 2000 Mr Innocent survived a protest from Eau D’Scaay. The race is run under the banner of the Sydney Tatt’s Club. Fastnet Rock sired 2019 winner Dreamforce and 2018 winner Comin’ Through. The race was not run in 2007 because of equine influenza.

Past winners of the Tramway Stakes

Winners of past Tramway Stakes include horses that go on to win major spring races. Most winners are four and five year olds and it is not won by a mare very often. Notable winners include Happy Clapper, Hauraki, Lucia Valentina, Shaftesbury Avenue, Imposing, Wenona Girl and Amounis.

2023 Results:  1st Pericles,  2nd Skyman,  3rd Hope In Your Heart