The Ajax Stakes is a Group 2 race run over 1500m at Rosehill Gardens on Coolmore Classic Day as a lead-up to the Doncaster Mile.
2024 Ajax Stakes Results
- 1st: #5 Democracy Manifest
- 2nd: #14 Territory Express
- 3rd: #2 Detonator Jack
Ajax Stakes News
The Ajax Stakes is a 1500m quality handicap clash run during the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival. The minimum weight is 52kg, while some horses may have to carry up to 61kg. Held at Sydney’s Rosehill Racecourse in March on Coolmore Classic Day the Ajax Stakes offers $300,000 in prize money as of 2024.
The Group 2 Ajax Stakes is considered a lead-up event to the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) held on the first Saturday in April on Day 1 of Royal Randwick’s ‘The Championships’. The last horse to win the Ajax Stakes – Doncaster Mile double was It’s Somewhat (2017).
Horses may come into the Ajax Stakes field via a number of different lead-up runs including the Group 3 Liverpool City Cup (1300m) in late February or the Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes (Chipping Norton Stakes) (1600m) at the same meeting.
As well as the Doncaster Mile another Group 1 autumn target for horses out of the Ajax Stakes is the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) held a week earlier.
The form of the 2021 Ajax Stakes was franked with the runner-up Think It Over winning the George Ryder Stakes next-up before a fourth in that autumn’s Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes results and outstanding spring campaign in Sydney.
The 2022 Ajax Stakes form held when the runner-up Ellsberg went on to run third in that autumn’s Group 1 All Aged Stakes results before a spring return where he won the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) as well as the Five Diamond Prelude – Five Diamonds double.
In 2023 the Ajax Stakes winner Cepheus franked the form in the spring winning the Group 2 Shannon Stakes and $1.5 million Alan Brown before a second in the Big Dance race on Melbourne Cup Day in Sydney.
The Ajax Stakes 2024 ran on Saturday March 16, 2024 at Rosehill Gardens and was won in a narrow thriller by Chris Waller’s progressive five-year-old Democracy Manifest ($6).
| 2024 Ajax Stakes | |
|---|---|
| Date: | Saturday March 16, 2024 |
| Track: | Rosehill Racecourse |
| Distance: | 1500m |
| Race Type: | Quality Handicap (Low: 52kg – High: 61kg) |
| Status: | Group 2 |
| Prize Money: | $300,000 |
2024 Ajax Stakes Results
- 1st: #5 Democracy Manifest ($6)
- 2nd: #14 Territory Express
- 3rd: #2 Detonator Jack
Chris Waller’s Flying Artie gelding, Democracy Manifest ($6), emerged victorious in a heart-stopping finish to the 2024 Ajax Stakes results at Rosehill Gardens. The five-year-old displayed impressive late acceleration, powering down the outside rail to secure a narrow victory. Territory Express mounted a valiant challenge in the final stride, but Democracy Manifest held firm to claim the win in a thrilling display of racing.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Penalty | Starting Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | DEMOCRACY MANIFEST | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 5 | 56kg | $6 | |||
| 2 | 14 | TERRITORY EXPRESS | Paul Niceforo | Zac Lloyd (a) | 0.02L | 6 | 53kg | $17 | ||
| 3 | 2 | DETONATOR JACK (NZ) | Ciaron Maher | Jason Collett | 0.59L | 2 | 58kg | $6 | ||
| 4 | 4 | BOLD MAC (NZ) | Chris Waller | Tommy Berry | 1.45L | 11 | 56kg | $41 | ||
| 5 | 12 | ROBUSTO | Chris Waller | Tyler Schiller | 1.71L | 4 | 53kg | $9 | ||
| 6 | 6 | JUST FOLK | Gavin Bedggood | Michael Dee | 2.56L | 13 | 56kg | $26 | ||
| 7 | 13 | AMOR VICTORIOUS | Bjorn Baker | Ms Rachel King | 4.29L | 7 | 53kg | $5F | ||
| 8 | 8 | WELWAL (GB) | Chris Waller | Kerrin McEvoy | 5.03L | 10 | 55kg | $13 | ||
| 9 | 9 | HEZASHOCKA (NZ) | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Tom Marquand | 5.7L | 1 | 54kg (cd 55kg) | $41 | ||
| 10 | 7 | PALMETTO (NZ) | John Sargent | Adam Hyeronimus | 8.63L | 9 | 56kg | $16 | ||
| 11 | 11 | GLORY DAZE (IRE) | Ciaron Maher | Dylan Gibbons (a) | 9.06L | 8 | 53kg | $6.50 | ||
| 12 | 3 | PHEARSON | Brad Widdup | Tom Sherry | 10.89L | 3 | 56.5kg | $10 | ||
| 13 | 10 | CAESARS PALACE | Anthony Cummings | Chad Schofield | 23.22L | 12 | 54kg (cd 54.5kg) | $151 | ||
| 1 | CEPHEUS (GB) | Matthew Dunn | Nash Rawiller | 0 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
2024 Ajax Stakes Betting Odds
The latest Ajax Stakes 2024 odds and betting market links to Ladbrokes.com.au on the Group 2 will be available below the week of the race.
There was a notable upset in 2023 with Cepheus winning at Ajax Stakes of $15.
CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST 2024 AJAX STAKES ODDS (Final Field)
2024 Ajax Stakes Form
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL 2024 AJAX STAKES FORM GUIDE
2024 Ajax Stakes Tips
Stay tuned for our insider Ajax Stakes 2024 Tips on the Group 2 in Sydney this autumn.
- To Win: #6 Just Folk ($41 at time of publish) – BET NOW
The Ajax Stakes might be wide open this year, making it a good opportunity for a longshot to emerge victorious. One intriguing outsider is Just Folk, currently sitting at a tempting 40/1. This Cranbourne-based seven-year-old returns first-up but boasts a strong record at the 1500m distance (two wins from three attempts) at Rosehill. He’s also undefeated in his one other Rosehill appearance. While it’s been a while since he’s raced in Sydney, his last Victorian campaign was impressive, highlighted by a third-place finish in the Cranbourne Cup over the mile, a Group 3 victory, and a close third in the Ballarat Cup on a heavy track. Given his past successes at Rosehill and his decent form last prep, Just Folk could surprise at a big price.
2024 Ajax Stakes Field
Each autumn the Ajax Stakes field attracts a quality line-up of middle-distance gallopers eyeing a Group 1 run later in the autumn and is released by Racing NSW on the Wednesday before Coolmore Classic Day.
The 2024 Ajax Stakes field and barriers are due for release on Wednesday March 13, 2024 and will be published in full below.
The Ajax Stakes 2024 final field features a quality line-up of middle-distance hopefuls led in betting by the in-form Bjorn Baker-trained Amor Victorious chasing a third win on the trot this prep.
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Probable Weight | Penalty | Hcp Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 42151120×0 | CEPHEUS (GB) | Matthew Dunn | Nash Rawiller | 13 | 59kg | 109 | ||
| 2 | 3x4372317x | DETONATOR JACK (NZ) | Ciaron Maher | Jason Collett | 2 | 58kg | 107 | ||
| 3 | 12x02310x1 | PHEARSON | Brad Widdup | Tom Sherry | 3 | 56.5kg | 104 | ||
| 4 | 811179×053 | BOLD MAC (NZ) | Chris Waller | Tommy Berry | 11 | 56kg | 103 | ||
| 5 | 61x01544x6 | DEMOCRACY MANIFEST | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 5 | 56kg | 103 | ||
| 6 | 496x24313x | JUST FOLK | Gavin Bedggood | Michael Dee | 14 | 56kg | 103 | ||
| 7 | 0x726177x3 | PALMETTO (NZ) | John Sargent | Adam Hyeronimus | 9 | 56kg | 103 | ||
| 8 | x95222x9x1 | WELWAL (GB) | Chris Waller | Kerrin McEvoy | 10 | 55kg | 101 | ||
| 9 | 420x80700x | HEZASHOCKA (NZ) | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Tom Marquand | 1 | 54kg | 96 | ||
| 10 | 10x24133x9 | CAESARS PALACE | Anthony Cummings | Chad Schofield | 12 | 54kg | 94 | ||
| 11 | 05x5119x21 | GLORY DAZE (IRE) | Ciaron Maher | Dylan Gibbons (a) | 8 | 53kg | 94 | ||
| 12 | 8×57214122 | ROBUSTO | Chris Waller | Tyler Schiller | 4 | 53kg | 92 | ||
| 13 | 1x36117x11 | AMOR VICTORIOUS | Bjorn Baker | Ms Rachel King | 7 | 53kg | 91 | ||
| 14 | 5x126135x1 | TERRITORY EXPRESS | Paul Niceforo | Zac Lloyd (a) | 6 | 53kg | 75 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
2024 Ajax Stakes Nominations
Early nominations for the Ajax Stakes in 2024 close the Monday of race week and will be made available below once confirmed.
| Last 10 | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | Ballot | Weight | True Weight | Penalty | Hcp Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 42151120×0 | CEPHEUS (GB) | G | 7 | Matthew Dunn | 1 | 59kg | 59kg | 109 | |
| 2 | 3x4372317x | DETONATOR JACK (NZ) | G | 5 | Ciaron Maher | 2 | 58kg | 58kg | 107 | |
| 3 | 1141x412x8 | ATTRACTABLE | G | 5 | Sara Ryan | 3= | 56.5kg | 56.5kg | 104 | |
| 4 | 3553x404x7 | NUGGET (GB) | G | 7 | Ciaron Maher | 3= | 56.5kg | 56.5kg | 104 | |
| 5 | 12x02310x1 | PHEARSON | G | 6 | Brad Widdup | 3= | 56.5kg | 56.5kg | 104 | |
| 6 | 811179×053 | BOLD MAC (NZ) | G | 6 | Chris Waller | 6= | 56kg | 56kg | 103 | |
| 7 | 61x01544x6 | DEMOCRACY MANIFEST | G | 5 | Chris Waller | 6= | 56kg | 56kg | 103 | |
| 8 | 496x24313x | JUST FOLK | G | 7 | Gavin Bedggood | 6= | 56kg | 56kg | 103 | |
| 9 | 0x726177x3 | PALMETTO (NZ) | G | 5 | John Sargent | 6= | 56kg | 56kg | 103 | |
| 10 | 87x26x43x2 | NEW ENERGY (IRE) | G | 5 | Ciaron Maher | 10 | 55.5kg | 55.5kg | 102 | |
| 11 | x95222x9x1 | WELWAL (GB) | G | 5 | Chris Waller | 11 | 55kg | 55kg | 101 | |
| 12 | 29643743×8 | FRANKIE PINOT | G | 7 | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | 12= | 54kg | 53kg | 96 | |
| 13 | 420x80700x | HEZASHOCKA (NZ) | G | 6 | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | 12= | 54kg | 53kg | 96 | |
| 14 | 72476x58x3 | BELLE PLAISIR (NZ) | M | 7 | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | 14= | 54kg | 53kg | 94 | |
| 15 | 10x24133x9 | CAESARS PALACE | G | 6 | Anthony Cummings | 14= | 54kg | 53kg | 94 | |
| 16 | 05x5119x21 | GLORY DAZE (IRE) | G | 5 | Ciaron Maher | 14= | 54kg | 53kg | 94 | |
| 17 | x1x111x127 | JIMMYSSTAR (NZ) | G | 4 | Ciaron Maher | 17= | 54kg | 53kg | 93 | |
| 18 | 5x9631845x | SUPERIUM | G | 7 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | 17= | 54kg | 53kg | 93 | |
| 19 | 8×57214122 | ROBUSTO | G | 4 | Chris Waller | 19 | 54kg | 53kg | 92 | |
| 20 | 1x36117x11 | AMOR VICTORIOUS | G | 4 | Bjorn Baker | 20 | 54kg | 53kg | 91 | |
| 21 | 213×111 | ANOTHER WIL | G | 4 | Ciaron Maher | 21 | 54kg | 53kg | 83 | |
| 22 | 1112x711x1 | TAVI TIME (NZ) | G | 4 | Kris Lees | 22 | 54kg | 53kg | 82 | |
| 23 | 5x126135x1 | TERRITORY EXPRESS | G | 4 | Paul Niceforo | 23 | 54kg | 53kg | 75 | |
| 24 | 2x12152x23 | TIME QUEST (GB) | G | 5 | Matthew Smith | 24 | 54kg | 53kg | 71 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
Ajax Stakes History
The first recorded running of the Ajax Stakes took place in 1976 and was won by Count Rajan. Since then, there have only been two horses to win the event twice, Confiscate in 1998-99 and Catalan Opening in 1996-97. The fastest recorded winning time since 1990 was 1 minute 27.38 seconds by Soho Square in 1993. The slowest winning time was recorded by Windsor’s Pal in 1990.
The Ajax Stakes is named in honour of the Australian Hall of Fame horse Ajax. Ajax was a champion chestnut colt who won 18 races in succession and had a career of 43 starts for 36 wins, 7 seconds and 2 thirds with total prize money of £40,250. His major wins include the 1938 Cox Plate as well as the All Aged Stakes (1938, 1939, 1940), Memsie Stakes (1938, 1939, 1940), Futurity Stakes (1938, 1939, 1940) and Underwood Stakes (1938, 1939, 1940).
Recent Ajax Stakes Results
| Year | Place | Horse | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Ajax Stakes |
1st | Democracy Manifest | 1 minute 28.39 seconds |
| 2nd | Territory Express | ||
| 3rd | Detonator Jack | ||
| 2023 Ajax Stakes |
1st | Cepheus | 1 minute 28.96 seconds |
| 2nd | Waterford | ||
| 3rd | Caesars Palace | ||
| 2022 Ajax Stakes |
1st | Just Folk | 1 minute 31.52 seconds |
| 2nd | Ellsberg | ||
| 3rd | Kiku | ||
| 2021 Ajax Stakes |
1st | I Am Superman | 1 minute 27.91 seconds |
| 2nd | Think It Over | ||
| 3rd | Rock | ||
| 2020 Ajax Stakes |
1st | Imaging | 1 minute 35.60 seconds |
| 2nd | Yulong Prince | ||
| 3rd | Cascadian | ||
| 2019 Ajax Stakes |
1st | Fifty Stars | 1 minute 32.63 seconds |
| 2nd | Mask Of Time | ||
| 3rd | Dyslexic | ||
| 2018 Ajax Stakes |
1st | Comin’ Through | 1 minute 28.52 seconds |
| 2nd | Tom Melbourne | ||
| 3rd | Radipole | ||
| 2017 Ajax Stakes |
1st | It’s Somewhat | 1 minute 31.0 seconds |
| 2nd | New Tipperary | ||
| 3rd | Testashadow | ||
| 2016 Ajax Stakes |
1st | It’s Somewhat | 1 minute 28.1 seconds |
| 2nd | Excess Knowledge | ||
| 3rd | Dances On Stars | ||
| 2015 Ajax Stakes |
1st | First Seal | 1 minute 22.9 seconds |
| 2nd | Supara | ||
| 3rd | Slightly Sweet | ||
| 2014 Ajax Stakes |
1st | Messene | 1 minutes 28.1 seconds |
| 2nd | Weary | ||
| 3rd | Malavio | ||
| 2013 Ajax Stakes |
1st | Havana Rey | 1 minutes 29.6 seconds |
| 2nd | Riva De Lago | ||
| 3rd | Monton | ||
| 2012 Ajax Stakes |
1st | Niagara | 1 minutes 28.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Star of Octagonal | ||
| 3rd | Alma’s Fury | ||
| 2011 Ajax Stakes |
1st | Pureness | 1 minutes 30.4 seconds |
| 2nd | Mentality | ||
| 3rd | Lebrechaun | ||
| 2010 Ajax Stakes |
1st | Brilliant Light | 1 minute 28.53 seconds |
| 2nd | Centennial Park | ||
| 3rd | Mentality | ||
| 2009 Ajax Stakes |
1st | Zavite | 1 minute 28.75 seconds |
| 2nd | Kerdem | ||
| 3rd | Banana Man | ||
| 2008 Ajax Stakes |
1st | All Silent | 1 minute 29.17 seconds |
| 2nd | Friday Creek | ||
| 3rd | Bobadah | ||
| 2007 Ajax Stakes |
1st | High Cee | 1 minute 29.73 seconds |
| 2nd | Danleigh | ||
| 3rd | The Free Stater | ||
| 2006 Ajax Stakes |
1st | Malcolm | 1 minute 28.7 seconds |
| 2nd | Lantwin | ||
| 3rd | Utzon | ||
| 2005 Ajax Stakes |
1st | River To The Sea | 1 minute 27.75 seconds |
| 2nd | Daniel’s The Man | ||
| 3rd | This Manshood | ||
| 2004 Ajax Stakes |
1st | True Glo | 1 minute 28.74 seconds |
| 2nd | Gordo | ||
| 3rd | So Assertive | ||
| 2003 Ajax Stakes |
1st | Grand Armee | 1 minute 28.42 seconds |
| 2nd | Lord Essex | ||
| 3rd | Carael Boy | ||
| 2002 Ajax Stakes |
1st | Mowerman | 1 minute 27.91 seconds |
| 2nd | Make Me A Miracle | ||
| 3rd | Gordo | ||
| 2001 Ajax Stakes |
1st | Galiano | 1 minute 27.7 seconds |
| 2nd | Palladium Star | ||
| 3rd | Emission | ||
| 2000 Ajax Stakes |
1st | Normal Practice | 1 minute 28.43 seconds |
| 2nd | Beauchamp | ||
| 3rd | Old Man | ||
This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team.
