The Coolmore Stud Stakes is a Group 1 race held on Victoria Derby Day each year. Formerly known as the Ascot Vale Stakes, this event for three year olds is raced under set weights at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne. The Coolmore Stud Stakes has been run since 1933, although it has been through a number of changes over this time and was only recently moved to its present date in 2006.
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From 1933 until 1965 the Coolmore Stud Stakes was run in autumn for 2 year olds, changing to a 3 year old race and moving to a spring date in 1969. From 1969 until 2005 this event was run in September, only recently moving to Victoria Derby Day in 2006. The Coolmore Stud Stakes was also elevated to Group 1 status in 2006, previously being a Group 2 event.
Some of the most notable horses to win the Coolmore Stud Stakes include Royal Gem in 1945, Surround in 1976, Manikato in 1978, Rose Of Kingston in 1981, Rancher in 1982, Our Maizcay in 1995, Alinghi in 2004, and Sepoy in 2011. Other recent winners of this event include Gold Edition in 2006, Weekend Hustler in 2007, Northern Meteor in 2008, Headway in 2009, Star Witness in 2010, and Nechita in 2012.
The Coolmore Stud Stakes is now held alongside the Victoria Derby, Mackinnon Stakes, and Myer Classic in the weekend before the Melbourne Cup, and with thoroughbred racing well and truly in the Melbourne air at this time of year, it is sure to attract a lot of attention from racing fans and sports lovers from around the country.