Emirates Stakes

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The Emirates Stakes is a Group 1 event and the feature race on what is known as Stakes Day on the fourth and final day of the Flemington Carnival. It is held on the Saturday after the Melbourne Cup and always attracts a strong field. It is raced over a distance of 1600 metres under quality handicap conditions carrying prize money of $1.5 million. It is held the same day as the Patinack Farm Classic, another Group 1 race. It is now one of the richest mile races of the season after receiving a significant raise in prize money.

It was first run in 1881 and is one of the most prestigious races during the spring racing carnival. Some fantastic horses have won the race over the years such as Testa Rossa, Shaftesbury Avenue, Better Loosen Up and Magari. In 2007 outsider Tears I Cry won the race paying a whopping $101.

The Emirates Stakes hasn’t been a favourite for 3-year-olds over the years, with the last colt or gelding to win being Silver Bounty in 1980 and the last filly Storm Queen in 1966. The Epsom Handicap and Toorak Handicap are the two best guides to the Emirates Stakes, with these two races producing many winners over the years.

Previous Emirates Stakes Winners