Ajax Stakes
The Ajax Stakes is a Group 2 quality handicap race held annually each year in late March at Rosehill racecourse in Sydney, New South Wales. The race is run over a distance of 1500 metres and worth $200,000 in prize money. The 2020 Ajax Stakes was won by Imaging from Yulong Prince with Cascadian third.
One on the better handicap races during the Sydney autumn racing carnival, the Ajax Stakes takes place on the same day as the Group 1 Coolmore Classic for fillies & mares.
Ajax Stakes info
| Date: | Saturday 13th March 2021 |
| Track: | Rosehill racecourse, Sydney |
| Distance: | 1500 metres |
| Race Type: | Quality Handicap |
| Status: | Group 2 |
| Prize Money: | $200,000 |
| 2020 Winner: | Imaging |
The Ajax Stakes is a quality handicap that attracts more than handy types, rather than the elite gallopers, and horses contesting this race may look at races like the Group 1 Doncaster Handicap later in the carnival at Randwick. Grand Armee (2003) was the last horse to win both races.
The Group 3 Newcastle Newmarket Handicap at Newcastle has been a fair guide to this event in recent times with Star Octagonal (3rd in 2012) placing in both events, while Brilliant Light (2010) finished second in the Newcastle Newmarket before scoring a narrow victory in this race. Centennial Park (2nd in 2010) ran sixth in the Newcastle race prior to his second placing here.
The last horse to claim the Ajax Stakes & Newcastle Newmarket Handicap was Solo Flyer (2009) and it often pays to keep an eye on the Newcastle feature race result when assessing the form for this event.
Upcoming feature races during the Sydney autumn carnival are likely to be on the agenda for entrants contesting the Ajax Stakes. Smart galloper Weary (2nd in 2014) went on to win the Group 3 Doncaster Prelude at Rosehill after running second in the Ajax Stakes, while both It's Somewhat (2016) and Pornichet (5th in 2015) claimed the Group 3 Neville Sellwood Stakes at their next start.
Comin' Through (2018) ran third in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes over 1400m at Randwick before scoring in this event and recent Ajax Stakes winners include It's Somewhat (2016-2017) and Burbero (2015).
2020 Ajax Stakes result
1. $6.50 Imaging 57.0 James McDonald
2. $15.00 Yulong Prince 58.0 Nash Rawiller
3. $6.00 Cascadian 57.0 Glyn Schofield
then followed
4. $4.40 Quackerjack 58.5 Joshua Parr
5. $12.00 Night's Watch 56.5 Brenton Avdulla
6. $7.00 Vegadaze 54.0 Jean Van Overmeire
7. $6.00 I Am Superman 53.0 Kerrin McEvoy
8. $17.00 Olmedo 59.0 Michael Walker
9. $11.00 Ringerdingding 53.0 Robbie Dolan
10. $101.00 Nobu 53.0 Ms Kathy O'Hara
Margins: 0.3 len, 2 len
Time: 1:35.60
Bet now on the Ajax Stakes
We recommended Unibet for the best Ajax Stakes odds.
Terms & conditions apply - Always gamble responsibly.
Ajax Stakes winners & placegetters
| Year | Winner | 2nd | 3rd | Time |
| 2020 | Imaging | Yulong Prince | Cascadian | 1:35.6 |
| 2019 | Fifty Stars | Mask Of Time | Dyslexic | 1:32.6 |
| 2018 | Comin' Through | Tom Melbourne | Radipole | 1:28.5 |
| 2017 | It's Somewhat | New Tipperary | Testashadow | 1:31.0 |
| 2016 | It's Somewhat | Excess Knowledge | Dances On Stars | 1:28.1 |
| 2015 | Burbero | Ninth Legion | San Diego | 1:29.7 |
| 2014 | Messene | Weary | Malavio | 1:28.1 |
| 2013 | Havana Rey | Riva De Lago | Monton | 1:29.6 |
| 2012 | Niagara | Star Of Octagonal | Alma's Fury | 1:28.8 |
| 2011 | Pureness | Mentality | Lebrechaun | 1:30.4 |
| 2010 | Brilliant Light | Centennial Park | Mentality | 1:28.5 |
| 2009 | Soho Flyer | Marching | Chasm | 1:28.7 |
| 2008 | All Silent | Friday Creek | Bobadah | 1:29.2 |
| 2007 | High Cee | Danleigh | The Free Stater | 1:29.7 |
| 2006 | Malcolm | Lantwin | Utzon | 1:28.7 |
| 2005 | River To The Sea | Daniel's The Man | This Manshood | 1:27.8 |
| 2004 | True Glo | Gordo | So Assertive | 1:28.7 |
| 2003 | Grand Armee | Lord Essex | Carael Boy | 1:28.4 |
| 2002 | Mowerman | Make Me A Miracle | Gordo | 1:27.9 |
| 2001 | Galiano | Palladium Star | Emission | 1:27.7 |
| 2000 | Normal Practice | Beauchamp | Old Man | 1:28.4 |
| 1999 | Confiscate | Room For A Slew | Morphy | 1:27.7 |
| 1998 | Confiscate | Juggler | Monet's Cove | 1:28.7 |
| 1997 | Catalan Opening | Holy Roller | Pragmatism | 1:28.6 |
| 1996 | Catalan Opening | Kidman's Cove | Sprint By | 1:28.5 |
| 1995 | Protara's Bay | Allez Glen | Sovereign Kite | 1:28.9 |
| 1994 | Poetic King | Never Undercharge | Just Awesome | 1:29.5 |
| 1993 | Soho Square | Durbridge | Tarheel Boy | 1:27.4 |
| 1992 | Alderson | Power Chief | Palatin | 1:29.8 |
| 1991 | From The Planet | Royal Creation | Thrifty Reserve | 1:27.7 |
| 1990 | Windsor's Pal | Our Poverty Bay | Livistona Lane | 1:33.2 |
| 1989 | Jondolar | Winner's Intent | Classic Hand | 1:31.5 |
| 1988 | Imprimatur | Swift Cheval | Special Finish | 1:32.4 |
Recommended Bookmakers
* Conditions apply to all bookmaker offers
Online Betting Guide
Learn how to choose an online bookmaker, open an account, deposit funds, place a bet and collect your winnings.
Find out how bookmaker percentages allow bookies to frame a betting market to gain an edge over punters.
Learn how to price a horse race and set your own odds by framing your own betting market.
What are the different types of racing bets? Learn about the most common horse racing bet types available in Australia.
What is a form guide? Find out how to read and understand a horse racing form guide.
Looking for racing terminology, lingo or slang? Our horse racing glossary explains common terms and sayings.
What is the shortest distance a horse can win by? Horse racing winning margins and distances explained.
Where to Bet
Unibet Bookmaker
Unibet offers a top racing product with excellent fixed priced odds and unique member promotions. Punters can enjoy more than competitive odds for racing, while racehorse owners can are well catered for too.
Betting with bookmakers is subject to terms and conditions.