Turnbull Stakes

Race Preview

The Turnbull Stakes is a Group 1 race held annually at Flemington racecourse in Melbourne and is one of the more popular races of the spring racing carnival. It is raced over a distance of 2000 metres and is open to 4-year-olds and up at set weights and penalties conditions. The race is a very good guide for some of the biggest races of the carnival, with successful horses in this race going on for more success in the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup.

It was first run in 1865 and is very prestigious. The race has gone through many changes through its long history, but was upgraded to Group 1 status in 2006. The Turnbull Stakes has an incredible list of horses who have won the race including the likes of Makybe Diva (2005), Elvstroem (2004), Northerly (2002), Sunline (2001), Doriemus (1996), Let’s Elope (1991), Vo Rogue (1987-88) and Galilee (1968). It was won last year by Littorio.

When analysing the Turnbull Stakes, be sure to pay close attention to lead up races held several weeks earlier such as the Makybe Diva Stakes and the Stock Stakes. These races are similar in distance and conditions and are a good guide. Vigor won this year’s Makybe Diva Stakes ahead of Typhoon Tracy and Master O’Reilly. While Zarita won the Stock Stakes ahead of Cats Whisper and Soul Diva.

Another thing to pay close attention to is the fact that no filly has ever won this race, while no 3-year-old has won the race since John Wilkes in 1937. No 3-year-old has won the race since the Turnbull Stakes was changed to 200m in 1971.

Previous Turnbull Stakes Winners