A Look Back At The Winterbottom Stakes
The Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes headlines day 2 of the Ascot Masters on Saturday.
The race has been won by a host of top line sprinters going back to the races inception in 1952.
Below is an overview of the race.
WINTERBOTTOM STAKES OVERVIEW
- The Winterbottom Stakes has been staged since 1952.
- WA Racing Hall Of Fame inductee Raconteur won the first edition of the race, trained by Eddie Spencer and ridden by Eric Treffone.
- Eric Treffone would go on to win a second Winterbottom Stakes, but as a trainer when he prepared Watersan in 1965.
- The Winterbottom Stakes has held elite Group 1 status since 2011. It was a Group 2 race from 1979 to 2010.
- From 1952 to 1992 it was run over 1400m. Since 1993 is has been run as a 1200 metre event. In 2003 the race was staged at Belmont Park.
- There are six dual winners of the Winterbottom Stakes: Asteroid (1953-55), La Trice (1970-71), Belinda’s Star (1975-76), Hardrada (2002-2003), Ortensia (2009-2011) & Buffering (2013-2015).
- Notable winners include Buffering (2013-15), Raconteur, Nicopolis (1962), Jacks Or Better (2005), Placid Ark (1987), Fimiston (1986), Asian Beau (1979), Miss Andretti (2005) & Takeover Target (2008) & Barakey (2012).
TRAINER
- Wally Mitchell is the most successful trainer with three winners: Scarlet Gem (1980), Nitro Lad (1982) & Placid Ark (1987).
- Nine trainers are next with two wins each including current trainers Sharon Miller, Lou Luciani and Jim Taylor.
- The Mueller family have trained two winners of the Winterbottom Stakes: Brian looked after the preparation of La Trice (1971), his son David joined him on the honour roll when Miss Andretti took it out in 2005.
JOCKEY
- Frank Treen and John Miller share the Winterbottom Stakes record
- Treen won the first of four aboard Fairflow (1957) and followed up on Big Bob (1963), Copper Son (1964) and Railway Boy (1967).
- Miller guided On Guard (1960), La Trice (1971), Soldier Of Fortune (1981) & Jungle Mist (1985).
- Jason Brown rode three winners: Bradson (1998), Barakey (2012) & Magnifisio (2014).
- Treen was the first jockey to go back-to-back in the Winterbottom.
- Peter Knuckey Snr won on McHarry (1956); son Peter was successful 44 years later aboard Noble Sky.
GENDER SINCE 2000
- Geldings have won 14 of the past 20 editions.
- Mares have been successful on six occasions.
- The last mare to win: Viddora (2017).
- Barrier 8 has recorded 5 wins
- Barrier 13 has been successful four times including 2 out of the past 3 years.
- Barriers 1, 2 and 5 have won two each.
- Barriers 3, 11, 14, 15 and 16 have had no wins.
LEAD UP RACES SINCE 2000
- 7 winners have won their previous race including Elite Street (2020).
- 3 have been placed.
FASTEST TIME (1200m)
- Ortensia: 1.08.56sec. (2009).
FAVOURITES SINCE 2000
- Buffering was the previous favourite to win in 2015.
- Hadabeclorka the longest priced winner at $41.
- Marasco was sent out at $1.80 in 2006.
Year |
Horse |
Jockey |
Trainer |
2020 |
Elite Street |
Brad Rawiller |
Dan Morton |
2019 |
Hey Doc |
Luke Currie |
T & C McEvoy |
2018 |
Voodoo Lad |
Damien Oliver |
Darren Weir |
2017 |
Viddora |
Joe Bowditch |
Lloyd Kennewell |
2016 |
Takedown |
Tom Clark |
Gary Moore |
2015 |
Buffering |
Damian Browne |
Rob Heathcote |
2014 |
Magnifisio |
Jason Browne |
Jim Taylor |
2013 |
Buffering |
Damian Browne |
Rob Heathcote |
2012 |
Barakey |
Jason Brown |
Jim Taylor |
2011 |
Ortensia |
Craig Williams |
Paul Messara |
2010 |
Hadabeclorka |
William Pike |
Brent Larsson |
2009 |
Ortensia |
Craig Williams |
Tony Noonan |
2008 |
Takeover Target |
Jay Ford |
Joe Janiak |
2007 |
Glory Hunter |
Luca Camilleri |
Lindsey Smith |
2006 |
Marasco |
Damian Oliver |
Fred Kersley |
2005 |
Miss Andretti |
Kevin Forrester |
David Mueller |
2004 |
Ellicorsam |
William Pike |
Sharon Miller |
2003 |
Hardrada |
Jason Whiting |
Lou Luciani |
2002 |
Hardrada |
Jason Whiting |
Lou Luciani |
2001 |
Fair Alert |
Alana Williams |
Ray Sweetman |
2000 |
Noble Sky |
Peter Knuckey |
John Price |
Julio Santarelli