Ajax Stakes
Horse race in Sydney, New South Wales
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Ajax Stakes is an Australian Turf Club Group 2 Thoroughbred quality handicap horse race, for horses aged three years old and upwards, over a distance of 1500 metres, held annually at Rosehill Racecourse in Sydney, Australia in March.
Ajax and Harold Badger. | |
| Class | Group 2 |
|---|---|
| Location | Rosehill Gardens Racecourse |
| Inaugurated | 1974 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred – Flat racing |
| Sponsor | Hyland Race Colours (2008-26) |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1,500 metres |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Right-handed |
| Qualification | Three-year-olds and older |
| Weight | Quality handicap |
| Purse | A$300,000 (2026) |
History
Name
The race is named for the outstanding Hall of Fame horse and 1938 Cox Plate winner Ajax.[1]
- 1974–1983 - Ajax Stakes
- 1984 - Sir Robert Askin Cup
- 1985–1991 - Diners' Club Cup
- 1992 - Ajax Stakes
- 1993 - Sydney Turf Club 50th Anniversary Stakes
- 1994–1995 - Ajax Stakes
- 1996 - Konica Stakes
- 1997 - Ajax Stakes
- 1998 - Parramatta Leagues Club Stakes
- 1999 - Ajax Stakes
- 2000–2002 - Parramatta Leagues Club Stakes
- 2003 onwards - Ajax Stakes
Distance
- 1974–1978 – 1200 metres
- 1979–1983 – 1400 metres
- 1984 onwards - 1500 metres
Grade
Winners
Past winners of the race are as follows.[2]
- 2026 - Cristal Clear
- 2025 - Iowna Merc
- 2024 - Democracy Manifest[3]
- 2023 - Cepheus[4]
- 2022 - Just Folk[5]
- 2021 - I Am Superman[6]
- 2020 - Imaging[7]
- 2019 - Fifty Stars[8]
- 2018 - Comin' Through[9]
- 2017 - It's Somewhat[10]
- 2016 - It's Somewhat[11]
- 2015 - Burbero[12]
- 2014 - Messene[13]
- 2013 - Havana Rey[14]
- 2012 - Niagara[15]
- 2011 - Pureness[16]
- 2010 - Brilliant Light[17]
- 2009 - Solo Flyer[18]
- 2008 - All Silent[19]
- 2007 - High Cee[20]
- 2006 - Malcolm[21]
- 2005 - River To The Sea[22]
- 2004 - True Glo[23]
- 2003 - Grand Armee[24]
- 2002 - Mowerman[25]
- 2001 - Galiano[26]
- 2000 - Normal Practice[27]
- 1999 - Confiscate[28]
- 1998 - Confiscate[29]
- 1997 - Catalan Opening[30]
- 1996 - Catalan Opening[31]
- 1995 - Protara's Bay[32]
- 1994 - Poetic King[33]
- 1993 - Soho Square[34]
- 1992 - Alderson[35]
- 1991 - From The Planet[36]
- 1990 - Windsor's Pal[37]
- 1989 - Jondolar[38]
- 1988 - Imprimatur[39]
- 1987 - Mac's Treasure[40]
- 1986 - Sea Pictures[41]
- 1985 - Royal Troubador[42]
- 1984 - Vite Cheval[43]
- 1983 - C'Est Si Bon
- 1982 - Winter's Dance
- 1981 - Thumb Print
- 1980 - Lowan Star
- 1979 - Lloyd Boy
- 1978 - Count Rajan[44]
- 1977 - Tiger Town
- 1976 - Wayne's Bid
- 1975 - Helmsman
- 1974 - Tontonan