Storm Queen Stakes

Storm Queen Stakes

The Storm Queen Stakes, formerly called the Arrowfield Stud Stakes, is one of Australia’s leading Group 1 races. It is conducted in early April at Sydney’s esteemed Rosehill Gardens Racecourse on the coveted Golden Slipper Day.

Golden Slipper Day features an incredible line-up of races including five Group 1 events – Golden Slipper Stakes, The BMW, George Ryder Stakes, Queen of the Turf Stakes and the Storm Queen Stakes (formerly the Arrowfield Stud Stakes).

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The Storm Queen Stakes is a staying race for three-year-old fillies at set weights run over 2000m. Worth over $400, 000 in stakes it attracts a field of the finest young fillies in the country, many on their way to the prestigious $350, 000 Group 1 AJC Oaks (2400m) held two weeks later at Randwick.

The 2012 Storm Queen Stakes will take place at Rosehill on Saturday 2nd April on Golden Slipper Day 2012.

The Storm Queen Stakes is considered the key lead-up race to the AJC Oaks, which is another three-year-old fillies-only event.

The Storm Queen Stakes – AJC Oaks is a popular betting double during the Sydney Autumn Carnival and a number of elite fillies have claimed both races including Heavenly Glow in 2008 and Serenade Rose in 2006.

Storm Queen Stakes Lead Up Races

The Sydney Autumn Carnival, which is the premier racing carnival held in New South Wales every year, is packed full of excellent preparatory races for three-year-old fillies on their way to the Storm Queen Stakes.

Good lead-up races to keep an eye on include the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) the week before, the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) in mid-March and the Group 2 Surround Stakes (1400m) at Warwick Farm, which is solely for three-year-old fillies.

A few of the outstanding fillies may back up their run in the Storm Queen Stakes the following week in the lucrative $1.3million Group 1 AJC Australian Derby (2400m) where they would take on an open field of three-year-old rivals.

Storm Queen Stakes History

The Storm Queen Stakes was first run in 1979. Impede won the inaugural event, which was a Principal race held over 1900m.

In 1980 the race distance was increased to its current length of 2000m and Storm Queen Stakes gained Group 2 status. It became a Group 1 race in 1992.

The Storm Queen Stakes has had a number of name changes over its history and has been registered as the Arrowfield Stud Stakes and the Vinery Stud Stakes.

Some truly outstanding fillies have claimed victory in the Storm Queen Stakes including Purple (2009), Miss Finland (2007), Special Harmony (2004) and Champagne (1998).