The Coolmore Stud Stakes, registered as the Ascot Vale Stakes, is a Victoria Racing Club Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds, at set weights, run over 1200 metres at Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne, Australia, on Victoria Derby Day.[1] Total prize money is A$2,000,000.[2]
| Group 1 race | |
 High Caste, 1939 winner | |
| Location | Flemington Racecourse |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1863 (as Ascot Vale Stakes) |
| Race type | Thoroughbred |
| Sponsor | Coolmore Stud (2022) |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1,200 metres |
| Surface | Turf |
| Qualification | Three-year-olds |
| Weight | Set weights Colts & geldings: 57kg Fillies: 55kg |
| Purse | $2,000,000 (2022) |
.jpg)
History
Originally the event from inception to 1965 for two-year-olds in the VRC Autumn Carnival usually on Australian Cup day.[3] The Victoria Racing Club removed the race from the calendar in 1966 and the race was idle until it was rescheduled to be run in the early spring meeting in September for three-year-olds in 1969 with the champion Vain victorious.[4]
In 2006 the VRC rescheduled the event by moving it to the first day of the VRC Spring Carnival, Victoria Derby day. The move included an upgrading of the event to Group 1 status with an increase in stakemoney.[5]The similar event that was run on the first day of the VRC Spring Carnival was moved to September and was renamed as the Group 3 Danehill Stakes.
Distance
- 1863–1872 - 5 furlongs (~1000 metres)
- 1872–1972 - 6 furlongs (~1200 metres)
- 1972 onwards - 1200 metres
- except 1985 – 1170 metres[6]
Grade
- 1932–1978 - Principal Race
- 1979–2005 - Group 2
- 2006 onwards - Group 1
1948 racebook
Front cover 1948 VRC Ascot Vale Stakes racebook
Inside cover showing raceday officials & enclosure notices
1948 VRC Ascot Vale Stakes showing the winner, Comic Court
Back cover showing railway arrangements and admission fares
Winners
For three-year-olds (1969– )
Held in September between 1969–2005. Since 2006 on the first day of the VRC Spring Carnival.
For two-year-olds (1863–1965)
The event was run in the autumn.