Overview
This page was last updated on October 28, 2026
The 2026 Empire Rose Stakes runs on Victoria Derby Day at Flemington - Saturday October 31, 2026 - as one of the leading spring races for fillies and mares. Â
- Race Date: 31/10/2026
- Race Status: Group 1
- Race Conditions: 3YOs & Upwards, Fillies & Mares, Standard Weight-For-Age
- Race Venue: Flemington, VIC
- Prize Money: $1,000,000
- Distance: 1600m
- Track Conditions: Good4 - showers
- Rail Position: True Entire Circuit.
Join Ladbrokes Races.com.au Favourite Bookmaker!
Join Ladbrokes through Races.com.au and be ready when the gates open.
Code used for tracking purposes only.
Chances are you’re about to lose. For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
Join Ladbrokes Races.com.au Favourite Bookmaker!
Join Ladbrokes through Races.com.au and be ready when the gates open.
Code used for tracking purposes only.
Chances are you’re about to lose. For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
Empire Rose Stakes 2026 Results
| 1. Lady Shenandoah (8) 57kg2x441 | ||
| 10. Concord Connie (6) 56.5kg11x23 | ||
| 2. Idle Flyer (7) 57kg64405 | ||
| 9. Sass Appeal (5) 56.5kgx1442 | ||
| 3. Surfin' Bird (9) 57kg1x411 | ||
| 11. Pillow Fight (3) 56.5kg2x652 | ||
| 4. Cilacap (4) 57kg831x5 | ||
| 7. Jenni Multabella (2) 57kg31222 | ||
| 8. Salty Pearl (1) 56.5kg5x346 | ||
| 5. Unleeshing (10) 57kgx2211 | ||
| 6. Pondalowie (11) 57kgx8156 |
The Empire Rose Stakes 2026 is one of Australia’s premier races for fillies and mares, showcasing the elite female milers of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival on Victoria Derby Day at Flemington. Run at weight-for-age, the prestigious Group 1 feature regularly attracts a star-studded field of proven Group 1 winners, emerging mares, and interstate raiders looking to secure valuable black-type success at the highest level. It boasts an outstanding honour roll and has long been regarded as a key target for elite female gallopers during the spring. On this page, you’ll find everything you need to know about the 2026 Empire Rose Stakes, including the latest Empire Rose Stakes odds 2026, expert Empire Rose Stakes betting 2026 updates, field information, barrier draw, form guide, tips, results, and market movers as punters assess the leading chances in one of the most prestigious mares’ mile races on the Australian racing calendar.
2026 Empire Rose Stakes Results
Stay tuned for the official Empire Rose Stakes 2026 results and finishing order this Derby Day on Saturday, October 31, 2026.
- 1st: TBD
- 2nd: TBD
- 3rd: TBD
Winning Margin:Â TBD
Winning Time:Â TBD
Empire Rose Stakes Tips
Stay tuned for our exclusive Empire Rose Stakes 2026 Tips on the mares’ feature on Derby Day this spring.
Check out our full 2026 Empire Rose Stakes Predictions, Best Bets & Same Race Multi Selections now!
Favourite: No. 1 Lady Shenandoah
Each Way Danger: No. 3 Surfin’ Bird
Best Roughie: No. 9 Sass Appeal
| 1. Lady Shenandoah (8) 57kg2x441 | ||
| 9. Sass Appeal (5) 56.5kgx1442 | ||
| 3. Surfin' Bird (9) 57kg1x411 |
Empire Rose Stakes News
- Empire Rose Stakes 2026 Field Preview, Predictions & Betting Tips
- Lazzura Lands The Invitation 2026 Win, Empire Rose Stakes Beckons
- Surfin’ Bird Soars into Empire Rose 2026 Calculations with Crystal Mile Triumph
- Lady Shenandoah Delivers 2026 Toorak Handicap Triumph for Waller and McDonald
- Changing Colours Lands Biggest Career Win in Stocks Stakes 2026, Firms for Empire Rose
The Empire Rose Stakes is a Group 1 race run over a mile (1600m) for the season’s best fillies and mares held on the opening day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival in late October / early November annually.
The weight-for-age race is one of only two Group 1 events for fillies and mares offered during the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival. Held on the same day as the prestigious Victoria Derby, the Empire Rose Stakes now offers just over $1 million in prize money.
Raced at Flemington Racecourse the Empire Rose Stakes is also featured on the same day as the Coolmore Stud Stakes, totaling three Group 1 races on the one day of elite spring racing.
The 2023 Empire Rose Stakes winner Pride Of Jenni backed-up from her upset to win the Group 1 Champions Mile (1600m) just seven days later. She then returned the following autumn and enjoyed victories in the All-Star Mile and the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) in 2024, the latter she won by an historic 6.5 lengths.
The 2024 Empire Rose Stakes form was franked the winner, Atishu, running second next-up in the Champions Stakes.
In 2025, Pride Of Jenni won the race for a second time in a huge 4.5 length victory.
2026 Empire Rose Stakes Betting
The latest Empire Rose Stakes 2026 betting odds will be listed here at Races.com.au with links to the markets at Ladbrokes to back your 2026 Empire Rose Stakes betting tips at the best spring racing odds.
There was a notable upset in 2023 with Pride Of Jenni saluting at Empire Rose Stakes odds of $16. She won again in 2025 as the $4.80 third favourite.
Atishu ($3.60 in 2024) was the last favourite in Empire Rose Stakes betting to win.
Empire Rose Stakes Field
2026 Empire Rose Stakes Form Guide
FULL 2026 EMPIRE ROSE STAKES FORM GUIDE
The Empire Rose Stakes form guide is an essential resource for punters analysing one of Australia’s premier races for fillies and mares. Run under weight-for-age conditions over 1600 metres at Flemington, the Group 1 feature attracts a high-class field of elite female gallopers, including proven Group 1 winners, emerging stars, and specialist milers targeting one of the richest mares’ races of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival. The form guide provides key information on each runner’s recent performances, track and distance records, barrier draw, jockey and trainer combinations, and betting market movements. By carefully assessing the Empire Rose Stakes form guide, punters can identify the mares best suited to Flemington’s famous mile and gain an edge in one of Derby Day’s most competitive contests.
What Punters Should Look for in the Empire Rose Stakes Form Guide:
- Weight-for-age form – Proven performances at weight-for-age level are often a strong indicator of success in the Empire Rose Stakes.
- Elite mile credentials – Horses with established form at 1600m generally have a significant advantage in this Group 1 contest.
- Group 1 mare form – Runners that have competed well against the country’s best fillies and mares often bring the strongest credentials to the race.
- Key lead-up race form – Horses coming through races such as the Tristarc Stakes, Toorak Handicap, King Charles III Stakes, Golden Pendant, Might And Power Stakes, and other elite spring features warrant close attention.
- Flemington record – Previous success at Flemington can be a major asset, particularly for horses that thrive on the spacious track and long straight.
- Trainer and jockey combinations – Leading stables and top riders frequently target the Empire Rose Stakes with some of the best mares in training.
- Track conditions – Assess whether runners perform best on firm, soft, or rain-affected tracks, as Melbourne spring weather can play a significant role.
- Betting market support – Significant moves in the Empire Rose Stakes betting markets can indicate confidence from connections and help identify runners expected to perform strongly.
2026 Empire Rose Stakes Nominations
The Empire Rose Stakes 2026 nominations close the Monday of race week and the full list of early entries for the mile Group 1 on Victoria Derby Day will be published below once announced.
The official 2026 Empire Rose Stakes nominations are now out featuring 18 class female gallopers led in all-in betting at Ladbrokes by the Chris Waller-trained Lady Shenandoah coming off a lead-up Group 1 Toorak Handicap win over the mile.
2026 Empire Rose Stakes Final Field
The Empire Rose Stakes field attracts a quality line-up of fillies and mares each spring coming off a variety of different lead-up races including the Group 2 Tristarc Stakes at Caulfield, with Red Tracer (2013) and Colette (2021) the latest mares to do the double.
Fillies in the Empire Rose Stakes field may come off a run the Saturday before in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Fillies Classic (1600m), a Cox Plate Day race that I Am A Star ran third in before her 2016 Empire Rose Stakes victory over the older mares.
The official Empire Rose Stakes 2026 Final Field & Barriers are announced by Racing Victoria on the Wednesday leading-up to Derby Day in Melbourne and will be published in full below.
The 2026 Empire Rose Stakes field is now out featuring 11 class milers including Chris Waller’s last start Toorak Handicap winning mare Lady Shenandoah, Crystal Mile champ Surfin’ Bird chasing a hat trick and the Bjorn Baker-trained Unleeshing also coming off back-to-back wins.
| No | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Barrier | Weight | Age | Sex | Last Starts | Prize Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lady Shenandoah | James McDonald | Chris Waller | 8 | 57kg | 5 | M | 2x441 | $4,367,350 |
| 2 | Idle Flyer | Mark Zahra | Matthew Smith | 7 | 57kg | 5 | M | 64405 | $1,360,050 |
| 3 | Surfin' Bird | Blake Shinn | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | 9 | 57kg | 5 | M | 1x411 | $900,325 |
| 4 | Cilacap | Michael Dee | Grahame Begg | 4 | 57kg | 5 | M | 831x5 | $516,970 |
| 5 | Unleeshing | Jason Collett | Bjorn Baker | 10 | 57kg | 5 | M | x2211 | $503,100 |
| 6 | Pondalowie | Harry Coffey | Emma-Lee & David Browne | 11 | 57kg | 6 | M | x8156 | $427,275 |
| 7 | Jenni Multabella | Declan Bates | Ciaron Maher | 2 | 57kg | 5 | M | 31222 | $109,065 |
| 8 | Salty Pearl | Ben Allen | Ciaron Maher | 1 | 56.5kg | 4 | M | 5x346 | $971,500 |
| 9 | Sass Appeal | Damian Lane | Danny O'brien | 5 | 56.5kg | 4 | M | x1442 | $558,575 |
| 10 | Concord Connie | Craig Williams | Charlotte Littlefield | 6 | 56.5kg | 4 | M | 11x23 | $251,850 |
| 11 | Pillow Fight | William Pike | Bjorn Baker | 3 | 56.5kg | 4 | M | 2x652 | $194,500 |
Empire Rose Stakes Barrier & Speedmap
Empire Rose Stakes History
Since 1988 when Concordance won, the Myer Classic has gone through several sponsor names starting with Honda. First named “The Honda Legend”, the race went on to be named the Hong Kong Bank Stakes, Hardy Brothers Classic and Nestle Peters Classic. In 2005 it was named the Myer Classic. It’s registered name is the Empire Rose Stakes.
Regarded as the best sprint race for fillies and mares, the Myer Classic is often raced by horses which have competed in the Rose Of Kingston Stakes and the Tristarc Stakes. Although no Myer Classic winner has gone on to win the WS Cox Plate or Melbourne Cup, the Emirates Stakes has been won by Divine Madonna in 2006 and Bonanova in 1997.
In 2003 the event became a Group 2 race and was changed from a set weight race with penalties to a weight-for-age race. In 2004 it was upgraded to Group 1 status. In 2016 I Am A Star became the first three-year-old filly to beat the mares in the Myer Classic results in over 20 years, then the following year Shoals (2017) made it back-to-back wins for the youngsters with her narrow victory for the punters.
The 2019 Empire Rose Stakes saw New Zealand-trained mare Melody Belle continue her outstanding string of Group 1 wins with her 10th elite level victory and first on Aussie turf.
Empire Rose Stakes Previous Race Winners
Read through the list of Empire Rose Stakes winners and placegetters from 2020.
| Year | Place | Horse | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Empire Rose Stakes |
1st | TBD | TBD |
| 2nd | TBD | ||
| 3rd | TBD | ||
| 2025 Empire Rose Stakes |
1st | Pride Of Jenni | 1 minute 34.42 seconds |
| 2nd | Leica Lucy | ||
| 3rd | On Display | ||
| 2024 Empire Rose Stakes |
1st | Atishu | 1 minute 35.93 seconds |
| 2nd | Amelia’s Jewel | ||
| 3rd | Socks Nation | ||
| 2023 Empire Rose Stakes |
1st | Pride Of Jenni | 1 minute 34.86 seconds |
| 2nd | Atishu | ||
| 3rd | Life Lessons | ||
| 2022 Empire Rose Stakes |
1st | Icebath | 1 minute 37.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Mirra Vision | ||
| 3rd | Excelida | ||
| 2021 Empire Rose Stakes |
1st | Colette | 1 minute 34.84 seconds |
| 2nd | Mystic Journey | ||
| 3rd | Hungry Heart | ||
| 2020 Empire Rose Stakes |
1st | Shout The Bar | 1 minute 35.37 seconds |
| 2nd | Odeum | ||
| 3rd | Forbidden Love | ||
Empire Rose Stakes FAQs
What is the Empire Rose Stakes?
The Empire Rose Stakes is a Group 1 race for fillies and mares run over 1600 metres during the Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington Racecourse. It is one of Australia’s premier races for female gallopers.
When is the Empire Rose Stakes run?
The Empire Rose Stakes is held annually on Victoria Derby Day, the opening day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Where is the Empire Rose Stakes held?
The race is run at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Victoria.
How far is the Empire Rose Stakes?
The Empire Rose Stakes is contested over a distance of 1600 metres.
What are the conditions of the Empire Rose Stakes?
The Empire Rose Stakes is run under weight-for-age conditions and is restricted to fillies and mares.
Why is the Empire Rose Stakes important?
The Empire Rose Stakes is one of the most prestigious Group 1 races for female horses in Australia and regularly attracts the country’s best mares competing for elite-level black-type success.
What was the Empire Rose Stakes formerly known as?
The race has been known by several names throughout its history, but it was renamed the Empire Rose Stakes in honour of champion mare Empire Rose, famed for her 1988 Melbourne Cup victory.
What type of horse typically wins the Empire Rose Stakes?
Successful Empire Rose Stakes winners generally possess strong mile form, proven Group 1 credentials, and the ability to perform under weight-for-age conditions against elite female opposition.
What are the key lead-up races to the Empire Rose Stakes?
Important lead-up races often include the Tristarc Stakes, Toorak Handicap, Golden Pendant, King Charles III Stakes, and other elite spring mile contests.
How many horses run in the Empire Rose Stakes?
The Empire Rose Stakes typically attracts a field of up to 16 runners, although final field sizes can vary depending on acceptances and scratchings.
Who are some famous Empire Rose Stakes winners?
Notable winners include Pride Of Jenni (2023/2025), Atishu (2024), Icebath (2022), Colette (2021), Melody Belle (2019), Shillelagh (2018), Shoals (2017), Red Tracer (2013), Appearance (2012), Sacred Choice (2010), Typhoon Tracy (2009), Forensics (2008), Divine Madonna (2007), Lotteria (2005), Miss Potential (2004), Bonanova (1998), Aunty Mary (1995), Excited Angel (1992) and Natural Wonder (1990).
How can I bet on the Empire Rose Stakes?
Punters can wager on the Empire Rose Stakes through licensed bookmakers including Ladbrokes offering win, place, each-way, quinella, exacta, trifecta, first four, futures, and fixed-odds betting markets.
Where can I find the latest Empire Rose Stakes odds?
You can find the latest Empire Rose Stakes odds, betting markets, field updates, form guides, tips, scratchings, and results right here at Races.com.au.
Want to discover value runners using smart form suggestions?
Form Genius is a powerful form analysis tool that makes doing the form easy by getting through mountains of data at the touch of a button! Ask it anything and get fast, form-based answers on any runner, jockey or trainer in any race. Use the smart prompts for deep insights and to sharpen your punting even further.
Ask Form Genius...
- Which runner has the best trainer/jockey combo at Flemington?
- Which runner has the best form on this track?
- Which runners are mapped as leaders in the Empire Rose Stakes?
Want to discover value runners using smart form suggestions?
Form Genius is a powerful form analysis tool that makes doing the form easy by getting through mountains of data at the touch of a button! Ask it anything and get fast, form-based answers on any runner, jockey or trainer in any race. Use the smart prompts for deep insights and to sharpen your punting even further.
Get Free Access to Form Genius Now| Empire Rose Stakes 2026 | |
|---|---|
| Date: | Saturday, October 31, 2026 |
| Track: | Flemington Racecourse |
| Distance: | 1600m |
| Race Type: | 3YO+ Fillies and Mares Weight-For-Age |
| Status: | Group 1 |
| Prize Money: | $1 million |
next to go
