Ajax Stakes

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



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

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