The Festival Stakes is an Australian Turf Club Group 3 Thoroughbred quality handicap horse race, for horses aged three years old and older, over a distance of 1500 metres, held annually at Rosehill Racecourse, Sydney, Australia in early December.
History
Name 1948–2001 - Festival Handicap 2002 onwards - Festival Stakes Grade 1948–1978 - Principal race 1979–2015 - Listed race 2016 - Group 3
Distance 1948–1972 - 7 furlongs (~1400 metres) 1973–1983 - 1400 metres 1984 - 1350 metres 1985–1990 – 1300 metres 1991 - 1280 metres 1992–2001 - 1300 metres 2002–2006 - 1400 metres 2008 onwards - 1500 metres Venue 1948–1983 - Rosehill Racecourse 1984 - Canterbury Park Racecourse 1985–1990 - Rosehill Racecourse 1991 - Canterbury Park Racecourse 1992 onwards - Rosehill Racecourse
Winners
Past winners of the race are as follows.https://racing.australianturfclub.com.au/feature-races/festival-stakes
2025 - Yorkshire 2024 - Private Eye 2023 - Phearson 2022 - Dajraan 2021 - Ellsberg 2020 - Outrageous 2019 - Ranier 2018 - My Nordic Hero 2017 - Testashadow 2016 - Sweet Redemption 2015 - Mighty Lucky 2014 - I'm Imposing 2013 - White Sage 2012 - Malavio 2011 - Monton 2010 - Dysphonia 2009 - Rabbuka 2008 (Dec.) - Voice Commander 2008 (Jan.) - Eremein 2007 - †Race not run 2006 - Utzon 2005 - Spirit Of Tara 2004 - Ike's Dream 2003 - This Manshood 2002 - This Manshood 2001 - Nanny Maroon 2000 - Adam 1999 - Highest Calibre 1998 - Monet's Cove 1997 - Masked Party 1996 - Sherwood 1995 - Garrin 1994 - Headstrong 1993 - Welsh Miner 1992 - Top Comedian 1991 - Fort Isle 1990 - Ice Cream Sundae 1989 - Dance Band 1988 - Tetue Topaze 1987 - Allamanda Boy 1986 - Plum Shore 1985 - At Sea 1984 - Manuan 1983 - Nosey Parker 1982 - Artist Man 1981 - Grey Receiver 1980 - Robrick Star 1979 - Mondiso 1978 - Tattenham Lad 1977 - Dream Pratten 1976 - Just Ideal 1975 - Purple Patch 1974 - Magic Beam 1973 - Barrier Star 1972 - Rocky Gold 1971 - Race not run 1970 - King Bogan 1969 - Regal Rhythm 1968 - Todvale 1967 - Victory Roll 1966 - Aureo 1965 - Castanea 1964 - Liege Lord 1963 - Miss Hiliers 1962 - Our Cobbler 1961 - Ginnagulla 1960 - Race not run 1959 - Boorala 1958 - Amneris 1957 - Indian Empire 1956 - Compound 1955 - Belbeiys 1954 - Blond Val 1953 - Bronze Peak 1952 - Forest Beau 1951 - Coniston 1950 - Hesdin 1949 - Blue Ensign 1948 - Cragside
† Race moved to January 2008 because of outbreak of equine influenza
See also List of Australian Group races Group races
References