Horse race
| Group 1 race | |
 1932 & 1934 winner – Peter Pan | |
| Location | Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne, Australia |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1869; 155 years ago (1869) (as Melbourne Stakes) |
| Race type | Thoroughbred |
| Sponsor | TAB (since 2022) |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 2,000 metres |
| Surface | Turf |
| Qualification | Three year olds and older that are not maidens |
| Weight | Weight for Age |
| Purse | $3,000,000 (2024) |
The VRC Champions Stakes, registered as the LKS Mackinnon Stakes, is a Victoria Racing Club Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race run under Weight for Age conditions over a distance of 2000 metres at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia on the last day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, the Saturday after the Melbourne Cup. Total prize money is A$3,000,000.
History
The race is named after a former chairman of the Victoria Racing Club, Lauchlan Kenneth Scobie ("L.K.S.") MacKinnon (1861–1935). It was originally held on the first day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, Victoria Derby Day. In 2016, the VRC moved the race as the feature of the last day of the carnival, and moved the Cantala Stakes (the then feature of the last day of the carnival and at the time known as the Emirates Stakes) to the first day of the carnival. After the swap, the race would be known as simply the Emirates Stakes until 2017.
Prior to 2016, many horses with a ranking high enough to avoid the ballot for the Melbourne Cup used the race as a lead-in to the 3,200 metre Cup, run on the first Tuesday in November (otherwise they race in the longer Hotham Handicap). The VRC believed that placing the race on the last day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival would attract quality horses, that raced in the W. S. Cox Plate, to run at the distance, rather than using the race to prepare for the Melbourne Cup. In 2022, the race was renamed the VRC Champions Stakes in order to align with the branding of the entire race day, which is now called Champions Day instead of Stakes Day.
The attendance record for the race day was set in 2011, with 85,112 in attendance.
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Name
In 1937 the VRC moved the Melbourne Stakes to earlier in the spring, running it in September, over a shorter distance of 1 mile (1.6 km). The race was the predecessor to the Turnbull Stakes.
- 1869–1936 - Melbourne Stakes
- 1937–1986 - LKS Mackinnon Stakes
- 1987–1989 - Occidental Mackinnon Stakes
- 1990 - LKS Mackinnon Stakes
- 1991–2000 - Louis Vuitton Mackinnon Stakes
- 2001–2004 - Thrifty Mackinnon Stakes
- 2005–2006 - Motorola Mackinnon Stakes
- 2007 - L'Oreal Paris Mackinnon Stakes
- 2008 - Crown Mackinnon Stakes
- 2009 - LKS Mackinnon Stakes
- 2010–2015 - Longines Mackinnon Stakes
- 2016–2017 - Emirates Stakes
- 2018–2020 - Seppelt Mackinnon Stakes
- 2021 - Paramount+ Mackinnon Stakes
- 2022– - TAB Champions Stakes
Distance
- 1869–1971 - 11⁄4 miles (~2000 metres)
- 1972 onwards - 2000 metres
Grade
- 1869–1978 - Principal Race
- 1979 onwards - Group 1
Doubles wins
The following thoroughbreds have won the LKS MacKinnon Stakes – Melbourne Cup in the same year.
- Malua (1884), Carbine (1890), Phar Lap (1930), Peter Pan (1932, 1934), The Trump (1937), Comic Court (1950), Delta (1951), Dalray (1952), Rising Fast (1954), Rain Lover (1968), At Talaq (1986), Empire Rose (1988), Let's Elope (1991), Rogan Josh (1999)
1946 and 1954 racebooks
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1946 L.K.S. VRC Mackinnon Stakes racebook front cover
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Inside cover showing raceday officials
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Starters and results showing the winner, Flight
-
1954 VRC L.K.S. Mackinnon Stakes racebook front cover
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Inside cover showing raceday officials
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Starters and results 1954 L.K.S. Mackinnon Stakes
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Starters and results showing the winner, Rising Fast
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Back cover showing Enclosure Information
Winners since 2000
| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Via Sistina | 7 | James McDonald | Chris Waller | Yu Long Investments (Mgr: Y Zhang) | 2:01.86 |
| 2023 | Atishu | 6 | James McDonald | Chris Waller | A J A Bosma, Mrs P J Clark et al. | 2:02.01 |
| 2022 | Zaaki | 8 | Jamie Kah | Annabel Neasham | C E Holt et al. | 2:02.00 |
| 2021 | Zaaki | 7 | James McDonald | Annabel Neasham | C E Holt et al. | 2:02.94 |
| 2020 | Arcadia Queen | 5 | Luke Currie | Grant & Alana Williams | Peters Investments Pty Ltd | 2:03.53 |
| 2019 | Magic Wand | 5 | Ryan Moore | Aidan O'Brien | Tabor, Smith & Magnier | 2:01.82 |
| 2018 | Trap For Fools | 5 | John Allen | Jarrod McLean | Distinct Racing | 2:02.31 |
| 2017 | Tosen Stardom | 7 | Damian Lane | Darren Weir | Australian Bloodstock, Doonaree Racing et al | 2:01.22 |
| 2016 | Awesome Rock | 5 | Stephen Baster | Leon & Troy Corstens | Stan Saric, Mrs J C Saric et al | 2:02.49 |
| 2015 | Gailo Chop | 5 | Ben Melham | Antoine De Watrigant | OTI Management, Werrett Bloodstock et al | 2:03.56 |
| 2014 | Happy Trails | 7 | Damien Oliver | Paul Beshara | Peter & Erica Dickmann | 2:02.28 |
| 2013 | Side Glance | 7 | Jamie Spencer | Andrew Balding | Pearl Bloodstock | 2:03.59 |
| 2012 | Alcopop | 8 | Craig Williams | Jake Stephens | J A Stephens, J P & Mrs S K Kelton et al | 2:01.26 |
| 2011 | Glass Harmonium | 6 | Damien Oliver | Mike Moroney | R & C Legh Racing, Lorne Bloodstock | 2:02.72 |
| 2010 | So You Think | 4 | Steven Arnold | Bart Cummings | Dato Tan Chin Nam | 2:04.92 |
| 2009 | Scenic Shot | 7 | Shane Scriven | Dan Morton | D L Morton, E A Galante et al | 2:03.46 |
| 2008 | Theseo | 5 | Nash Rawiller | Gai Waterhouse | Mike Townsend, P Evans et al | 2:03.84 |
| 2007 | Sirmione | 4 | Peter Mertens | Bart Cummings | Xipell, Covington & Smith | 2:02.32 |
| 2006 | Desert War | 6 | Chris Munce | Gai Waterhouse | Gooree Pastoral Company | 2:02.38 |
| 2005 | Lad of the Manor | 6 | Greg Childs | Simon Stout | David Thomas & Lorraine Smith | 2:01.72 |
| 2004 | Grand Armee | 6 | Damien Oliver | Gai Waterhouse | A R Bell | 2:00.91 |
| 2003 | Casual Pass | 3 | Glen Boss | Peter Morgan | Contract Racing Syndicate | 2:05.86 |
| 2002 | Lonhro | 4 | Darren Beadman | John Hawkes | Woodlands Stud | 2:02.64 |
| 2001 | La Bella Dama | 4 | Scott Seamer | Graeme Rogerson | Mrs C & Mrs D Howell et al | 2:01.57 |
| 2000 | Oliver Twist | 6 | Greg Childs | Brian Mayfield-Smith | Gainsborough Lodge Syndicat | 2:04.48 |
Earlier winners
- 1999 - Rogan Josh
- 1998 - Champagne
- 1997 - Ebony Grosve
- 1996 - All Our Mob
- 1995 - Danewin
- 1994 - Paris Lane
- 1993 - The Phantom
- 1992 - Veandercross
- 1991 - Let's Elope
- 1990 - Better Loosen Up
- 1989 - Horlicks
- 1988 - Empire Rose
- 1987 - Rubiton
- 1986 - At Talaq
- 1985 - Rising Prince
- 1984 - Bounty Hawk
- 1983 - Veloso
- 1982 - My Axeman
- 1981 - Belmura Lad
- 1980 - Belmura Lad
- 1979 - Dulcify
- 1978 - Family Of Man
- 1977 - Silver Lad
- 1976 - Gold and Black
- 1975 - Kiwi Can
- 1974 - Leilani
- 1973 - Australasia
- 1972 - Stormy Seas
- 1971 - Skint Dip
- 1970 - Voleur
- 1969 - Roman Consul
- 1968 - Rain Lover
- 1967 - Winfreux
- 1966 - Tobin Bronze
- 1965 - Yangtze
- 1964 - Sir Dane
- 1963 - Summer Fair
- 1962 - Aquanita
- 1961 - Sky High
- 1960 - Tulloch
- 1959 - Trellios
- 1958 - Monte Carlo
- 1957 - Sailor's Guide
- 1956 - Sir William
- 1955 - Rising Fast
- 1954 - Rising Fast
- 1953 - Hydrogen
- 1952 - Dalray
- 1951 - Delta
- 1950 - Comic Court
- 1949 - Comic Court
- 1948 - Snowstream
- 1947 - Don Pedro
- 1946 - Flight
- 1945 - Tranquil Star
- 1944 - Tranquil Star
- 1943 - Amana
- 1942 - Tranquil Star
- 1941 - Beau Vite
- 1940 - Beau Vite
- 1939 - Ortelle's Star
- 1938 - Ajax
- 1937 - The Trump
Melbourne Stakes (1869–1936)
For Melbourne Stakes winners between 1937 and 1947, see Turnbull Stakes.- 1936 - Gay Blonde
- 1935 - Sylvandale
- 1934 - Peter Pan
- 1933 - Rogilla
- 1932 - Peter Pan
- 1931 - Phar Lap
- 1930 - Phar Lap
- 1929 - High Syce
- 1928 - Gothic
- 1927 - Silvius
- 1926 - Manfred
- 1925 - Pilliewinkie
- 1924 - Gloaming
- 1923 - Rivoli
- 1922 - Harvest King
- 1921 - Eurythmic
- 1920 - Eurythmic
- 1919 - Cetigne
- 1918 - Magpie
- 1917 - Cetigne
- 1916 - Lavendo
- 1915 - Traquette
- 1914 - St. Carwyne
- 1913 - Anna Carlovna
- 1912 - Duke Foote
- 1911 - Trafalgar
- 1910 - Son Of The Marsh
- 1909 - Alawa
- 1908 - Peru
- 1907 - Poseidon
- 1906 - Solution
- 1905 - Tartan
- 1904 - Gladsome
- 1903 - Wakeful
- 1902 - Wakeful
- 1901 - Wakeful
- 1900 - Lancaster
- 1899 - Mora
- 1898 - Battalion
- 1897 - Battalion
- 1896 - Disfigured
- 1895 - Hova
- 1894 - Ruenalf
- 1893 - Loyalty
- 1892 - Autonomy
- 1891 - Marvel
- 1890 - Carbine
- 1889 - Abercorn
- 1888 - The Australian Peer
- 1887 - Silver Mine
- 1886 - Isonomy
- 1885 - Trenton
- 1884 - Malua
- 1883 - Commotion
- 1882 - Darebin
- 1881 - Wheatear
- 1880 - Chester
- 1879 - First King
- 1878 - Chester
- 1877 - Robinson Crusoe
- 1876 - Rapid Bay
- 1875 - Kingsborough
- 1874 - Dagworth
- 1873 - Dagworth
- 1872 - Contessa
- 1871 - Warrior
- 1870 - Tim Whiffler
- 1869 - Glencoe
See also
References
- ^ "Significant changes to the Melbourne Cup Carnival". Just Horse Racing Australia. 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
- "Winners and Past Results for the Winners and Past Results for the MacKinnon Stakes". Pro Group Racing Australia. 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
- "MR. L.K.S. MACKINNON V.R.C. Chairman Dead". Trove Digital. The Canberra Times. 26 August 1935. p. 1 col. 5. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
- "VRC Champions Stakes". punters.com.au. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
- "Track records and attendances". Victorian Racing Club. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
- "History of VRC MACKINNON STAKES | Breednet". www.breednet.com.au.
- "1999 Result – L K S Mackinnon Stks (held 30 October 1999)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- "1998 Result – L K S Mackinnon Stks (held 31 October 1998)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- "1997 Result – L.K.S. Mackinnon Stks (held 1 November 1997)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- "1996 Result – L.K.S. Mackinnon Stks (held 2 November 1996)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- "1995 Result – Mackinnon Stks (held 4 November 1995)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- "1994 Result – L.K.S. Mackinnon Stks (held 29 October 1994)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- "1993 Result – L.K.S. Mackinnon Stks (held 30 October 1993)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- "1992 Result – L.K.S. Mackinnon Stks (held 31 October 1992)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- "1991 Result – Mackinnon Stakes (held 2 November 1991)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- "1990 Result – L.K.S. Mackinnon Stks (held 3 November 1990)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- "1989 Result – L.K.S. Mackinnon Stks (held 4 November 1989)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- "1988 Result – L.K.S. Mackinnon Stks (held 29 October 1988)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- "1987 Result – L.K.S. Mackinnon Stks (held 31 October 1987)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- "1986 Result – L.K.S. Mackinnon Stks (held 1 November 1986)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- "1985 Result – L.K.S. Mackinnon Stks (held 2 November 1985)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- "1984 Result – L.K.S. Mackinnon Stks (held 3 November 1984)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- "1983 Result – L.K.S. Mackinnon Stks (held 29 October 1983)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- "Flemington Results – Mackinnon Stks (held 4 November 1972)". News (Google). The Sydney Morning Herald. 5 November 1972. p. 78 col 3–6. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
- "Ajax Too Good For Rivals - Race Results section L.K.S. MACKINNON STAKES (held 29 October 1938)". The Barrier Miner. Trove. 29 October 1938. p. 1 col. 1–4. Retrieved 26 October 2015.