2025 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes: Race History

The Race History of the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes run at Caulfield on Saturday changes with another date change.

2025 SIR RUPERT CLARKE STAKES - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

The Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes is a Group 1 race run under handicap conditions for open class horses at Caulfield conducted by the Melbourne Racing Club.

The Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes is run over 1400m. It was first run in 1951 and was won by Jovial Lad.

The Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes used to be known as the Invitation Stakes but has had numerous name changes until settling on the current name who was former chairman of the Victorian Amateur Turf Club.

It has been at 1400m since inception.

Previously run on Show Day Holiday which was a Thursday, it is now on feature weekends. After being on Underwood Stakes day recently, it has now moved two months later to be run on Thousand Guineas day after the Flemington carnival.

The Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes was a Principal Race until graded at Group 1 in 1979.

St Joel won the race three times but all of them three years apart twice.

Only mares to win since Response in 2010 are Sierra Sue in 2021, Magic Time in 2023 and Kimochi in 2024.

Three year olds had a great run 20 years ago but none since Exceed And Excel.

Santa Ana Lane recorded his initial G1 victory last year and backed it up later in the season in the Goodwood and Stradbroke Handicaps and then won the VRC Sprint Classic the following Spring.

Godolphin's international arm had a plan to bring some quality horses to campaign in Australia in 2018 and G1 Al Quoz Sprint winner Jungle Cat was in that team. He sat wide under a big weight but James Doyle got him home by a nose.

Memsie Stakes/Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes double – Behemoth (2020), Regal Roller (2004), Rancho Ruler (1988).

In the 2024 Spring, Yulong had won races like the Cox Plate, Turnbull Stks, Champions Stks, Maribyrnong Plate, VRC Oaks, Wakeful Stks and now added the Rupert Clarke with Kimochi.

The Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes was worth $1,000,000 in 2025.

Notable winners of the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes include Kimochi (2024), Magic Time (2023), Callsign Mav (2022), Sierra Sue (2021), Behemoth (2020), Jungle Cat (2018), Santa Ana Lane (2017), Stratum Star (2015), Trust In A Gust (2014), Rebel Dane (2013), Moment Of Change (2012), Rewaaya (2006), Barely A Moment (2005), Exceed And Excel (2003), Testa Rossa (1999/2000), Encosta De Lago (1996), Our Maizcay (1995), Poetic King (1994), Mannerism (1992), St Jude (1991), Canny Lass (1986), Manikato (1978), Cap D'Antibes (1975) and St Joel (1953/1956/1959).

The 2024 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes was won by Kimochi from Another Wil and Steparty.