Coolmore Stud Stakes

ONE and a half million dollars is on the table for the Coolmore Stud Stakes, run on VRC Derby Day each year.

Once known as the Ascot Vale Stakes until 2007, the open race for three year olds forms part of the best day of racing on the calendar at Melbourne’s Flemington Racecourse, kicking off the four day Spring Racing Carnival stretch at the track. It’s one of the newer group one races, elevated to the status in 2007, when its name changed. First run in 1863, when Freestone saluted, the event was once open only to two year olds. That all changed in 1969 when, after a four year break, the race switched from the autumn to the spring.

The great Mankato, Encosta De Lago, Alinghi and Weekend Hussler are among the notable winners of the race. Exceedance claimed the 1200 metre race last year and winners have often gone on to be successful at stud, hence many stallions target it.

2021 Coolmore Stud Stakes betting odds

Four weeks out from the 2021 Coolmore Stud Stakes, the James Cummings-trained Ingratiating is a $5 chance to claim his first Group 1 success following an impressive start to his career.

The quinella from the Golden Rose Stakes; Anamoe and In The Congo shared the second line of betting with odds of $7 available for the duo.

Acrobat, Home Affairs, Profiteer and Ranch Hand all share the quote of $9 with online bookmakers.

Top Bookmakers for the Coolmore Stud Stakes

The Coolmore Stud Stakes is a hot race to bet on as part of the Melbourne Cup Carnival and any bookmaker worth their salt will have their odds up nice and early ahead of the colts’ race.

Read our reviews below on Australia’s most trusted races.

Coolmore Stud Stakes History

Held on Derby Day, the Coolmore Stud Stakes is one of four Group 1 races held on the day; the Victoria Derby, Cantala Stakes and the Empire Rose Stakes.

Officially named the Ascot Vale Stakes, the race was first run back in 1863.

The race was elevated to Group 1 status in 2006 when the race was switched with the Danehill Stakes to be run on Derby Day.

Traditionally the Coolmore Stud Stakes has been a target for connections with colts, but in recent times fillies have come to their own in the race. Alinghi (2004), Gold Edition (2006), Headway (2009), Nechita (2012), Sunlight (2018) and September Run (2020) have claimed the race as a three-year-old filly.

The race is the only Group 1 sprint race on the Australian Group 1 racing calendar that is restricted to three-year-olds.

Three-year-old sprint races that are held in Melbourne are notable formlines leading into the Coolmore Stud Stakes such as the Blue Sapphire Stakes, Red Anchor Stakes, Danehill Stakes and Poseidon Stakes are key races to follow.

Chris Waller knows a thing or two about taking out the race, claiming it four times between 2013-2020.

2020 Coolmore Stud Stakes result

Recent Coolmore Stud Stakes runnings

• 2020: September Run does it for the fillies
  Having taken out the Cap D’antibes Stakes and the Poseidon Stakes, the Chris Waller-trained September Run made it three wins from three starts down the Flemington straight with her win in the Coolmore Stud Stakes. On the back of a cracking speed set from the leaders, Craig Williams had to time his run perfectly aboard the filly, and Willow did just that. With a beautiful toe into the race, September Run hit the fron with 100m to go and never looked like getting beaten and went on to stake her claim as one the best three-year-old sprinters in the country.
• 2019: Exceedance downs the favourite in the Coolmore
  Exceedance was a heavily backed second elect when taking out the 2019 Coolmore Stud Stakes. He was backed off the map, and settled off the pace to come underneath the leaders and prevail by half a length to hold out the favourite Bivouac and score an impressive win for the Hawkes team.
• 2018: Sunlight upstages the boys
  The filly Sunlight wasn’t a chief market elect coming into the 2018 Coolmore Stud Stakes, but the girl upset the boys in what is usually their race. Settling just off the pace, the Tony McEvoy-trained filly took to the front at the 100m mark and held on gamely to record a famous win.
• 2017: Merchant Navy silents the doubters
  Merchant Navy wasn’t able to win the Golden Rose Stakes, but it returned in fine order to scorch home in the Coolmore Stud Stakes. The three-year-old for Aaron Purcell was well-back during the run, but it picked a path through runners to nab Invincible Star on the line. It looked the winner with 100m to go, but Merchant Navy showed why it was so highly respected earlier this season.
• 2016: Flying Artie upstages his more fancied rivals
  Flying Artie was the second-string runner from the Mick Price stables, but it proved to be the best three-year-old sprinter in Australia with a dominant victory. It was well-backed late with punters, but the bookmakers had a field day with the likes of Astern and Extreme Choice both tasting defeat. Read the race report here.
• 2015: Japonisme hands Waller three in a row
  The progeny of superstar Choisir, Japonisme was always going to be a tough one in this race. And it proved to be so, even at the huge odds of $21, he had a sweet rid with jockey Glynn Schofield aboard and knocked over Keen Array and Counterattack. It gave master trainer Chris Waller a third win in as many years in the race.
• 2014: Brazen Beau gives Waller consecutive Coolmore Stud Stakes victories
  Brazen Beau made it two in a row for Waller, the $6.50 chance beating stable mate Delectation – a gaudy $51 – and Kuro, also $6.50, to win the race and complete a trifecta of Sydney horses.
• 2013: Jimmy Cassidy brings up 100 Group 1 wins
  Star Hoop Jimmy Cassidy claimed his 100th group one win aboard Zoustar, giving Waller his maiden win in the race by defeating Notlistenin’tome and Lion of Belfort.
• 2012: Nechita's win soured by post-race controversy
  Nechita’s brilliant win was over shadowed by stunning revelations by Patinack Farm trainer John Thomson, who told media after the race that fallen billionaire Nathan Tinkler was struggling that much that he had ran out of feed for the horses and gone weeks without farriers and bedding.

Previous Coolmore Stud Stakes winners

For two-year-olds (1863–1965)
The event was run in the autumn.

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