The Emirates Stakes is the final Group 1 race held in Melbourne for the spring season and is the last elite level race at Flemington’s annual four-day Melbourne Cup Carnival.
One of the most prestigious ‘mile’ sprint races held in Australia, the Emirates Stakes is run over a middle distance of 1600m. Run under quality handicap conditions, it has been worth a lucrative $1 million since the stakes were increased in 2007.
The Emirates Stakes has been registered under a variety of names and from its inauguration in 1919 through until 1961 was known as the Cantala Stakes.
The Emirates Stakes often attracts a number of international ‘milers’ prepared by overseas trainers who are also targeting the Melbourne Cup with a quality stayer.
Conducted by the Victoria Racing Club (VRC), the Emirates Stakes is the headline event at the final Cup Carnival meeting, Emirates Stakes Day. Known as ‘Family Day’ because of its range of family friendly activities and events, the Emirates Stakes Day is conducted on the first Saturday in November, which is the Saturday directly after the world-renowned Melbourne Cup Day.
Emirates Stakes Fast Facts
- Location: Flemington Racecourse
- Date: First Saturday of November
- Status: Group 1
- Distance: 1600m
- Prizemoney: $1 million
- Conditions: Quality Handicap
- Inaugurated: 1919
Emirates Stakes Previous Winners
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | All American | Corey Brown | David Hayes | 1:33.98 |
| 2008 | All Silent | Dwayne Dunn | Grahame Begg | 1:35.8 |
| 2007 | Tears I Cry | Nikita Beriman | Ciaron Maher | 1:35.8 |
| 2006 | Divine Madonna | Stephen Baster | Mark Kavanagh | 1:35.5 |
| 2005 | Valedictum | Steven King | Danny O’Brien | 1:34.9 |
| 2004 | Sky Cuddle | Jason Benbow | Peter Moody | 1:39.1 |
| 2003 | Titanic Jack | Brett Prebble | Tom Hughes | 1:34.7 |
| 2002 | Scenic Peak | Danny Nikolic | Dan Bougoure | 1:33.4 |
| 2001 | Desert Eagle | Kerrin McEvoy | Matthew Ellerton | 1:37.3 |
| 2000 | Testa Rossa | Patrick Payne | Dean Lawson | 1:35.5 |
