2010 Spring Racing Carnival

Turnbull Stakes

• Type: Group 1 set weight plus penalties race
• Distance: 2000 metres
• Age: Four year olds and over
• Racecourse: Flemington, Melbourne
• Prize Purse: $500,000

Named in honour of the former VRC Chairman Richard Turnbull, the Turnbull Stakes is well known for the turnout of top quality horses which start the 2,000 metre event year in and year out. With Australia’s best middle-distance runners, the Turnbull Stakes held every October is often the goal, and while run before the two Cups of the carnival and the Cox Plate is its own race, and not one used as a preparatory feature. The Turnbull Stakes first took place in 1948 as a 12 furlong event and saw Beau Gem take the honours, however could not make the final transition from Group 2 to Group 1 until the 2005 running when the legendary Makybe Diva saw of a top quality field and was then advanced to an elite status event for 2006.

While not quite considered on the same level as more traditional Group 1 features such as the Melbourne Cup, the Turnbull Stakes has quickly cemented itself as a highlight on the Australian racing calendar.

Held as the headlining event on Turnbull Stakes Day, three other feature races also take place, being the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m), the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) and the Group 2 Blazer Stakes (1400m). Being the first middle distance feature of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival, the Turnbull Stakes gives stayers an opportunity to build up to the longer distances later in the spring, with many winners having gone on to do so in the past.

The Turnbull Stakes is considered by many as a crucial race in the Spring Racing Carnival, with horses who do well in it often promising a solid Melbourne campaign, and allowing trainers to ascertain which events will suit the runners more. Many strong contenders in previous Turnbull Stakes events have gone on to win the Melbourne Cup, the Caulfield Cup or the Cox Plate, and so it is always an exciting race to watch.

Turnbull Stakes Winners