The Robert Sangster Stakes race, also called The Sangster, is a Group 1 thoroughbred weight-for-age race for fillies and mares aged two years old and up. The South Australian event is run at Morphettville Racecourse over a distance of 1200m, making it the only Group 1 event for fillies and mares at such a distance. Read more about the Group 1 horse races at Morphettville.
Keep reading to learn more about the race’s history, field, betting tips, and more.
Race History
The first Robert Sangster Stakes race was held in 1983 and won by Ranee’s Palace. The race was initially a Set Weights and Penalties event until 1990 when it was changed to weight-for-age.
As the only 1200m Group 1 race for fillies and mares, The Sangster attracts a great field of competitors. It’s the headlining event on the Morphettville card, held on the second day of the 4-week Adelaide Autumn Racing Carnival. There are three other Group 1s on the day, including the Australasian Oaks, South Australian Derby, and The Goodwood.
The race was initially named the Swettenham Stud Stakes, renamed in 2005 to the Robert Sangster Stakes after famed owner and breeder Robert Sangster. Sangster owned Swettenham Stud and was a big contributor to the industry. Briefly, it was renamed after several sponsors from 2010-2018 before being converted to the Robert Sangster Stakes again in 2019.
Robert Sangster Stakes Race Results 2023
Ruthless Dame galloped to victory at the 2023 Robert Sangster Stakes.
Here is how the rest of the top four rounded out:
- 1st: Ruthless Dame (J: John Allen, T: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace), $14
- 2nd: Another Award (J: Jason Holder, T: Leon Macdonald & Andrew Gluyas), $41
- 3rd: Zapateo (J: Damien Oliver, T: James Cummings), $4
- 4th: Chain Of Lightining (J: Luke Nolen, T: Peter G Moody), $19
Past Winners
A couple of horses have successfully achieved the Robert Sangster Stakes/Goodwood Handicap Double, including Platelet (2013) and Black Caviar (2012).
The latter is perhaps the most famous winner of The Sangster, achieving an unbeaten run in her day.
In 2020, Bella Vella won despite odds of $41, causing notable upset among spectators. A variety of other horses have won over the years, although favourites rarely do well in this race.
Here are the previous ten winners:
- 2023: Ruthless Dame
- 2022: Snapdancer
- 2021: Instant Celebrity
- 2020: Bella Vella
- 2019: Spright
- 2018: Shoals
- 2017: Secret Agenda
- 2016: Precious Gem
- 2015: Miracles of Life
- 2014: Driefontein
- 2013: Platelet
Barrier Draw Statistics
The barrier will be located at Morphettville’s 1200m mark, launching anti-clockwise into a straight. Wide barrier draws are not an issue, with 11 of the winners since 2007 saluting from double-digit gates.
Robert Sangster Stakes Winners by Barrier
The most wins have come from barriers six, nine, and eleven, with five each. Double-digit barriers have fared quite well recently, so this is something to note if you are partial to betting on the racing.
Here are the winners by barrier since 1983:
| Barrier | Wins |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 0 |
| 3 | 1 |
| 4 | 2 |
| 5 | 1 |
| 6 | 5 |
| 7 | 1 |
| 8 | 2 |
| 9 | 5 |
| 10 | 2 |
| 11 | 5 |
| 12 | 3 |
| 13 | 3 |
| 14 | 1 |
| 15 | 0 |
| 16 | 1 |
How to Live Stream the 2024 Robert Sangster Stakes Race
Spectators can live stream the 2024 Robert Sangster Stakes race from Channel 7, or on the 7plus app. Meanwhile, several Sky Racing channels will also be showing the event. However, the latter requires a paid subscription.
You can also watch online through several services such as KAYO, Sportsbet, or other websites. Sometimes, bookmakers’ sites will show the race live for you to watch after betting.
Content Summary: The Robert Sangster Stakes race is a Group 1 sprint race for fillies and mares aged two years and above. It’s a 1200m race held at Morphettville Racecourse in South Australia, the only Group 1 1200m event for fillies and mares. The 2023 event will take place on 6th May; this article covers some of the race details, including barrier statistics and odds.
FAQ
The top questions on the Robert Sangster Stakes.
The next ‘Pinnacles’ racing starts on November 18, with Railway Stakes Day coming on Saturday, November 25.
The total prize money is $1.5 million. That makes the Railway Stakes race one of the most valuable in Western Australia.
The Railway is run over 1600 metres, or one mile.
Learn more about other Group 1 races at Morphettville, Adelaide
If you are looking for other group 1 horse races at Morphettville, read the pages listed below to get more information.
