Ajax Stakes Race Information
The Ajax Stakes is a 1500 metre quality handicap race run by the Australian Turf Club in March. It is held at Rosehill as part of the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.
- Race Type: Group 2
- Distance: 1500 metres
- Conditions: Quality handicap, 3YO & upwards
- Track: Rosehill Racecourse, Sydney, New South Wales
- Prizemoney: $300,000
- Date: Saturday 16 March 2024
Ajax Stakes Race History
See the 2024 Ajax Stakes Preview and results.
See the 2023 Ajax Stakes Preview and results.
See the 2022 Ajax Stakes Preview and results.
The winner of the Ajax Stakes is exempt from the ballot and penalty for the Doncaster Mile at Randwick.
The Ajax Stakes was first held as a Principal race over 1200m in 1974 and was won by Tontonan. In 1979 the distance was increased to 1400m and it became a Listed race. In 1984 the distance increased to the current 1500m and it was upgraded to a Group 2 race. It has been known by a few different names – Sir Robert Askin Cup (1984), Diners’ Club Cup (1985-1991), Sydney Turf Club 50th Anniversary Stakes (1993), Konica Stakes (1996) and Parramatta League Club Stakes (1998 and 2000-2002) but all other years has had the original name. In 2006 it was upgraded to the current Group 2 status.
Ajax Stakes Facts
Last mare to win; Sea Pictures (1986)
Last 3YO to win: C&G – Niagara (2012); Filly – Lowan Star (1980)
Multiple winners: It’s Somewhat (2016 & 2017); Confiscate (1998 & 1999); Catalan Opening (1996 & 1997)
Fastest time (1500m): Soho Square (1993) 1:27:3
Ajax Stakes & Doncaster Mile: It’s Somewhat (2017); Grand Armee (2003); Vite Cheval (1984); Tontonan (1974)
Interesting trivia: 1974 winner Tontonan carries 57.5 kg to win as a three-year-old.
Past winners of the Ajax Stakes
Winners of past Ajax Stakes include horses that go on to Group 1 wins.
Year | Winner | Second | Third |
2024 | Democracy Manifest | Territory Express | Detonator Jack |
2023 | Cepheus | Waterford | Caesars Palace |
2022 | Just Folk | Ellsberg | Kiku |
2021 | I Am Superman | Think It Over | Rock |
2020 | Imaging | Yulong Prince | Cascadian |
2019 | Fifty Stars | Mask of Time | Dyslexic |
2018 | Comin’ Through | Tom Melbourne | Radipole |
2017 | It’s Somewhat | New Tipperary | Testashadow |
2016 | It’s Somewhat | Excess Knowledge | Dances On Stars |
2015 | Burbero | Ninth Legion | San Diego |
2014 | Messene | Weary | Malavio |
2013 | Havana Rey | Riva De Lago | Monton |
2012 | Niagara | Star Of Octagonal | Alma’s Fury |
2011 | Pureness | Mentality | Lebrechaun |
2010 | Brilliant Light | Centennial Park | Mentality |
2009 | Solo Flyer | Marching | Chasm |
2008 | All Silent | Friday Creek | Bobadah |
2007 | High Cee | Danleigh | The Free Stater |
2006 | Malcolm | Lantwin | Utzon |
2005 | River To The Sea | Daniel’s The Man | This Manshood |
2004 | True Glo | Gordo | So Assertive |
2003 | Grand Armee | Lord Essex | Carael Boy |
2002 | Mowerman | Make Me A Miracle | Gordo |
2001 | Galiano | Palladium Star | Emission |
2000 | Normal Practice | Beauchamp | Old Man |
1999 | Confiscate | Room For A Slew | Morphy |
1998 | Confiscate | Juggler | Monet’s Cove |
1997 | Catalan Opening | Holy Roller | Pragmatism |
1996 | Catalan Opening | Kidman’s Cove | Sprint By |
1995 | Protara’s Bay | Allez Glen | Sovereign Kite |
1994 | Poetic King | Never Undercharge | Just Awesome |
1993 | Soho Square | Durbridge | Tarheel Boy |
1992 | Alderson | Power Chief | Palatin |
1991 | From The Planet | Royal Creation | Thrifty Reserve |
1990 | Windsor’s Pal | Our Poverty Bay | Livistona Lane |
1989 | Jondolar | Winner’s Intent | Classic Hand |
1988 | Imprimatu | Swift Cheval | Special Finish |
1987 | Mac’s Treasure | Faris King | Zip Home |
1986 | Sea Pictures | Eye Of The Sky | Chanteclair |
1985 | Royal Troubador | Vain Fury | Tide Time |
1984 | Vite Cheval | Uno Petera | Row Of Waves |
1983 | C’Est Si Bon | Ideal Planet | Tandrio |
1982 | Winter’s Dance | Foxbay | Dalmacia |
1981 | Thumb Print | Avatar | The Funofit |
1980 | Lowan Star | Arbogast | King’s Deal |
1979 | Lloyd Boy | Raise Your Glass | Bernard |
1978 | Count Rajan | King Amura | Blockbuster |
1977 | Tiger Town | Itchy Feet | Oramore |
1976 | Wayne’s Bid | Toy Show | Maybe Mahal |
1975 | Helmsman | Gilt Patten | Let’s Fly |
1974 | Tontonan | Kista | All Profit |