Blamey Stakes
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
.jpg) 1956 winner – Rising Fast | |
| Class | Group 2 |
|---|---|
| Location | Flemington Racecourse |
| Inaugurated | 1955 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred |
| Sponsor | TAB (2022-26) |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1,600 metres |
| Surface | Turf |
| Qualification | Three years old and older |
| Weight | Set weights with penalties |
| Purse | $300,000 (2026) |
The Blamey Stakes is a Victoria Racing Club Group 2 Thoroughbred horse race for three years old and older, with Set Weights with Penalties conditions over 1600 metres, at Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne, Australia in March during the VRC Autumn Racing Carnival.[1]
Distance
The race is named after Sir Thomas Albert Blamey, who was Australia's only native born Field marshal and was a Victoria Racing Club Committee member from 1947 until his death in 1951.[2]
The race has been won by horses of exceptional calibre that have won at 2400 metres (~1+1⁄2 miles) or longer. These include such thoroughbreds that also competed overseas as Tobin Bronze and Better Loosen Up.
- 1955–1972 - 1+1⁄4 miles (~2000 metres)
- 1973 onwards - 1600 metres
Grade
- 1955–1979 - Principal Race
- 1979 onwards - Group 2
Venue
In 2007 the race was run at Sandown Racecourse due to reconstruction of Flemington Racecourse.
Conditions
From 1955 to 1980 the race was run at Weight for Age.[3]