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The Peter Young Stakes is a Group 2 race held at Caulfield in March as a lead-up to the Australian Cup.
Peter Young Stakes News
The Peter Young Stakes – formerly the St George Stakes – is a Group 2 thoroughbred race held mid-way through the Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival at Caulfield Racecourse on a Saturday in March.
2026 Peter Young Stakes Results
Stay tuned for the official 2026 Peter Young Stakes results and finishing order at Caulfield on Saturday March 14, 2026 and to see what gallopers are Australian Cup bound.
- 1st: No. 5 Birdman ($3.30)
- 2nd: No. 3 Apulia
- 3rd: No. 4 Bankers Choice
Winning Margin: 1.75 lengths
Winning Time: 1:48.60
Chris Waller’s progressive five-year-old import Birdman ($3.30) continued his outstanding prep securing his second Group 2 victory on the trot with a soft win in the 2026 Peter Young Stakes results. Having gone to another level this campaign, the Free Eagle gelding came via a lead-up Blamey Stakes win at HQ and was given a perfectly timed ride by Ben Melham. Having sat on pace, Birdman delivered when asked on the straight, moving up to the leader before hitting the front inside the final furlong and drawing away for an effortless 1.75 length win. He has now firmed in from $6 to $3 outright favouritism in the all-in Group 1 Australian Cup odds at Ladbrokes.com.au to take out the Group 1 on March 28.
| 5. Birdman (5) J: Ben Melham59kg 68×41T: Chris Waller | ||
| 3. Apulia (6) J: Luke Currie59kg 10115T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | ||
| 4. Bankers Choice (4) J: Daniel Stackhouse59kg x030xT: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | ||
| 1. Light Infantry Man (1) J: Harry Coffey59kg 552×1T: Ciaron Maher | ||
| 2. Buckaroo (2) J: Jye Mcneil59kg 320×2T: Chris Waller | ||
| 6. Whisky On The Hill (3) J: Declan Bates59kg 51×56T: Glen Thompson | ||
| 8. Basilinna (7) J: Dean Yendall57kg 21x7xT: Emma-Lee & David Browne |
Previously run in February on Blue Diamond Stakes Day, the event was moved to its own feature race meeting in mid-March in 2025 taking place in Melbourne on the same date Sydney hosts the Group 1 Coolmore Classic at Rosehill.
The Peter Young Stakes is a middle-distance race run over 1800m under weight-for-age conditions and is worth $500,000 as of 2025. It is one of the first weight-for-age races at the carnival run over a distance greater than 1400m and so attracts a quality field of runners seeking a bit more distance.
The other key event on the Peter Young Stakes Day card is the $1 million The Showdown (1200m) open only to Two-Years-Old, VOBIS Sires eligible horses.
Horses running in the Peter Young Stakes may have previously contested the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes (1400m) and or the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m), while any three-year-old contenders may come via the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m).
The Peter Young Stakes is also an ideal lead-up to the premier weight-for-age race of the carnival, the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m), held a fortnight later at Flemington. Fiorente (2014) was the last horse to do the Peter Young Stakes – Australian Cup double.
The Peter Young Stakes has been a terrific guide to the Australian Cup over the years with many other champions of the Australian turf winning both races including Pompeii Ruler (2007), Lonhro (2004), Northerly (2002 & 2003), Istidaad (1999), Dane Ripper (1998), Durbridge (1994 & 1995), and Let’s Elope (1992).
More recently the 2019 Peter Young Stakes winner Avilius went on to complete the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes – Tancred Stakes double in Sydney.
In 2021 Homesman improved on a lead-up third in the Peter Young Stakes results to win that season’s Australian Cup.
The 2022 Peter Young Stakes form was franked with the winner Cascadian going on to win that autumn’s Group 1 All Aged Stakes in Sydney. The third place-getter Emissary meanwhile was huge that spring finishing runner-up to Gold Trip in Flemington’s $8 million Melbourne Cup results.
Gold Trip returned to run second in the 2023 Peter Young Stakes before a subsequent victory in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes and third in that spring’s Caulfield Cup results.
Gold Trip was back again in the 2024 Peter Young Stakes finishing third first-up behind Campionessa (1st) and another former Melbourne Cup winner in Vow And Declare (2nd).
The 2025 Peter Young Stakes winner, Pride Of Jenni, would go on to win the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes that spring at Flemington. The Peter Young form that year was further franked by the runner-up, Zardozi, who finished a next-up third in that autumn’s Australian Cup trifecta.
This season’s edition of the Peter Young Stakes 2026 ran on Saturday March 14, 2026 at Caulfield Racecourse as a potential Australian Cup lead-up and saw Chris Waller’s smart import Birdman ($3.30) secure a soft victory ahead of tougher autumn targets.Â
| 2026 Peter Young Stakes | |
|---|---|
| Date: | Saturday March 14, 2026 |
| Racecourse: | Caulfield Racecourse |
| Distance: | 1800m |
| Conditions: | Weight-for-age |
| Status: | Group 2 |
| Prize Money: | $500,000 |
| Inaugurated: | 1900 |
2026 Peter Young Stakes Betting
The latest Peter Young Stakes 2026 betting odds will be provided here at Races.com.au complete with market links to Ladbrokes.com.au the week of the race.
The last favourites in Peter Young Stakes betting to win were Avilius ($1.95 in 2019), Cascadian ($2.05 in 2022), and New Zealand mare Campionessa ($2.70 in 2024).
2026 Peter Young Stakes Form Guide
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL 2026 PETER YOUNG STAKES FORM GUIDE
2026 Peter Young Stakes Tips
Stay tuned for our insider Peter Young Stakes 2026 Tips on the Blue Diamond support act this autumn.
To Win: No. 1 Light Infantry Man
The Peter Young Stakes looks a competitive affair on paper, but LIGHT INFANTRY MAN (1) shapes as the runner with the strongest credentials and the one I want to be with. The Australian Cup winner returned in great order first-up, lifting late under a hefty 60kg to claim the TS Carlyon Cup at this track — a performance that reads even better when you factor in the weight he was giving away. He strips fitter now, drops to 59kg at weight-for-age, and the rise to 1800m is right in his wheelhouse. This is the exact path he followed last year, and he looks every bit as sharp heading toward another Cup defence. From the inside draw, Harry Coffey should have him parked right on speed, which is always a major advantage around Caulfield. With his proven Group 1 class and a map that suits, Light Infantry Man looks perfectly placed to take control of this race and prove too strong late.
|
1. Light Infantry Man (1)
J: Harry Coffey59kg
552×1T: Ciaron Maher
|
2026 Peter Young Stakes Field
The Peter Young Stakes attracts a class line-up of staying types heading towards the Australian Cup field in a fortnight.
The official 2026 Peter Young Stakes field and barriers will be released below on the Wednesday of race week.
The Peter Young Stakes 2026 final field features a small but class line-up of Australian Cup hopefuls including Ciaron Maher’s last start Group 3 TS Carlyon Cup winner Light Infantry Man who won last year’s Australian Cup and Chris Waller’s first-up Group 1 Futurity Stakes runner-up Buckaroo.
Click here to read more on the key runners in the 2026 Peter Young Stakes field and betting markets.
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Probable Weight | Penalty | Hcp Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0x069552x1 | LIGHT INFANTRY MAN (FR) | Ciaron Maher | Harry Coffey | 1 | 59kg | Â | Â | 112 |
| 2 | 70x32320x2 | BUCKAROO (GB) | Chris Waller | Jye McNeil | 2 | 59kg | Â | Â | 115 |
| 3 | x23x110115 | APULIA | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Luke Currie | 7 | 59kg | Â | Â | 109 |
| 4 | 11372x030x | BANKERS CHOICE (NZ) | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Daniel Stackhouse | 4 | 59kg | Â | Â | 102 |
| 5 | x251768x41 | BIRDMAN (IRE) | Chris Waller | Ben Melham | 6 | 59kg | Â | Â | 105 |
| 6 | 8591351×56 | WHISKY ON THE HILL (GB) | Glen Thompson | Declan Bates | 3 | 59kg | Â | Â | 101 |
| 7 | 2122x310x | CHIEF LITTLE ROCK (IRE) | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Ms Jamie Melham | 5 | 59kg | Â | Â | 90 |
| 8 | 0x10221x7x | BASILINNA (NZ) | Emma-Lee & David Browne | Dean Yendall | 8 | 57kg | Â | Â | 99 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
2026 Peter Young Stakes Nominations
The Peter Young Stakes nominations feature a host of autumn gallopers eyeing a potential run in the Australian Cup and are released by Racing Victoria the Monday leading up to race day.
| Â | Last 10 | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | Hcp Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | x23x110115 | APULIA | H | 5 | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | 109 |
| 2 | 2x31820x11 | ASTRAL FLAME | M | 4 | Enver Jusufovic | 82 |
| 3 | 11372x030x | BANKERS CHOICE (NZ) | G | 8 | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | 102 |
| 4 | 0x10221x7x | BASILINNA (NZ) | M | 5 | Emma-Lee & David Browne | 99 |
| 5 | 248x62640x | BERKSHIRE BREEZE (IRE) | G | 7 | Ciaron Maher | 96 |
| 6 | x251768x41 | BIRDMAN (IRE) | G | 5 | Chris Waller | 105 |
| 7 | 70x32320x2 | BUCKAROO (GB) | G | 7 | Chris Waller | 115 |
| 8 | 6582510×98 | CASINO SEVENTEEN | G | 8 | Gavin Bedggood | 103 |
| 9 | 2122x310x | CHIEF LITTLE ROCK (IRE) | G | 5 | Anthony & Sam Freedman | 90 |
| 10 | 13x258x0x4 | DESERT HERO (GB) | G | 6 | Ciaron Maher | 105 |
| 11 | 63007×8822 | GREGOLIMO (FR) | G | 8 | Glen Thompson | 78 |
| 12 | 237×831537 | HOLYMANZ (NZ) | G | 6 | Ciaron Maher | 101 |
| 13 | 0x069552x1 | LIGHT INFANTRY MAN (FR) | G | 7 | Ciaron Maher | 112 |
| 14 | x24183x7x7 | PORTLAND (IRE) | G | 5 | Matthew Smith | 90 |
| 15 | 522x21218x | VIVY AIR | M | 5 | Ciaron Maher | 107 |
| 16 | 8591351×56 | WHISKY ON THE HILL (GB) | G | 6 | Glen Thompson | 101 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
Peter Young Stakes / St George Stakes History
The St George Stakes is one of the older Australian thoroughbred races having first run in 1900 when Parthian claimed victory. It began as a Principal race run over nine furlongs and continued under the same status and distance right up until 1973 when Australia adopted the metric system and converted the race distance to 1800m. Through that time there was only one year when the St George Stakes was not held, 1921.
In 1979 the St George Stakes was elevated to Group 2 status and the race length was dramatically shortened to 1200m for one year. The following year in 1980 the distance reverted back to 1800m. In 1982 the distance decreased to 1600m, then in 1983 it was run over 1800m, in 1984 it shortened again to 1600m for four years until 1988 when it went back to the distance it remains today 1800m, except for one year in 1995 it was run over 2000m.
In 2022 jockey Damien Oliver rode his record sixth Peter Young Stakes winner in Cascadian.
It has been known as the Peter Young Stakes since 2012.
In 2023 the event took place at Ladbrokes Park, Sandown, on the Hillside course with renovations happening at Caulfield.
In 2025 the Peter Young Stakes was won by Pride Of Jenni in her brilliant return to racing following a bleeding attack from the spring prior.
Recent St George Stakes / Peter Young Stakes Winners
| Year | Place | Horse | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Peter Young Stakes | 1st | Birdman | 1 minute 48.60 seconds |
| 2nd | Apulia | ||
| 3rd | Bankers Choice | ||
| 2025 Peter Young Stakes | 1st | Pride Of Jenni | 1 minute 47.99 seconds |
| 2nd | Zardozi | ||
| 3rd | Bois D’Argent | ||
| 2024 Peter Young Stakes | 1st | Campionessa | 1 minute 50.45 seconds |
| 2nd | Vow And Declare | ||
| 3rd | Gold Trip | ||
| 2023 Peter Young Stakes | 1st | Steinem | 1 minute 48.40 seconds |
| 2nd | Gold Trip | ||
| 3rd | Keats | ||
| 2022 Peter Young Stakes | 1st | Cascadian | 1 minute 51.59 seconds |
| 2nd | Yonkers | ||
| 3rd | Emissary | ||
| 2021 Peter Young Stakes | 1st | Paradee | 1 minute 49.64 seconds |
| 2nd | Shared Ambition | ||
| 3rd | Homesman | ||
| 2020 Peter Young Stakes | 1st | Miss Siska | 1 minute 49.64 seconds |
| 2nd | Kings Will Dream | ||
| 3rd | Mirage Dancer | ||
| 2019 Peter Young Stakes | 1st | Avilius | 1 minute 49.16 seconds |
| 2nd | Trap for Fools | ||
| 3rd | Ace High | ||
| 2018 Peter Young Stakes | 1st | Gailo Chop | 1 minute 48.26 seconds |
| 2nd | Single Gaze | ||
| 3rd | Hartnell | ||
| 2017 Peter Young Stakes | 1st | Stratum Star | 1 minute 48.25 seconds |
| 2nd | Humidor | ||
| 3rd | The United States | ||
| 2016 Peter Young Stakes | 1st | Bow Creek | 1 minute 48.6 seconds |
| 2nd | Fenway | ||
| 3rd | Mourinho | ||
| 2015 Peter Young Stakes | 1st | Mourinho | 1 minute 48.0 seconds |
| 2nd | Happy Trails | ||
| 3rd | Akzar | ||
| 2014 Peter Young Stakes | 1st | Fiorente | 1 minute 50.09 seconds |
| 2nd | Mourayan | ||
| 3rd | Star Rolling | ||
| 2013 Peter Young Stakes | 1st | Foreteller | 1 minute 50.97 seconds |
| 2nd | Mr Moet | ||
| 3rd | Budriguez | ||
| 2012 Peter Young Stakes | 1st | Lucas Cranach | 1 minute 48.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Illo | ||
| 3rd | Manighar | ||
| 2011 St George Stakes | 1st | Heart Of Dreams | 1 minute 48.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Precedence | ||
| 3rd | Spacecraft | ||
| 2010 St George Stakes | 1st | La Rocket | 1 minute 49.04 seconds |
| 2nd | Heart Of Dreams | ||
| 3rd | Miss Maren | ||
| 2009 St George Stakes | 1st | Theseo | 1 minute 47.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Baughurst | ||
| 3rd | Zarita | ||
| 2008 St George Stakes | 1st | Princess Coup | 1 minute 51 seconds |
| 2nd | Sirmione | ||
| 3rd | Douro Valley | ||
| 2007 St George Stakes | 1st | Pompeii Ruler | 1 minute 49.2 seconds |
| 2nd | Marasco | ||
| 3rd | Aqua D’Amore | ||
| 2006 St George Stakes | 1st | Our Smoking Joe | 1 minute 50.2 seconds |
| 2nd | Lad Of The Manor | ||
| 3rd | Vroom Vroom | ||
| 2005 St George Stakes | 1st | Elvstroem | 1 minute 49.5 seconds |
| 2nd | Makybe Diva | ||
| 3rd | Casual Pass | ||
| 2004 St George Stakes | 1st | Lonhro | 1 minute 50.9 seconds |
| 2nd | Sound Journey | ||
| 3rd | Mummify | ||
| 2003 St George Stakes | 1st | Northerly | 1 minute 51.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Fields Of Omagh | ||
| 3rd | Mr Casanova | ||
| 2002 St George Stakes | 1st | Northerly | 1 minute 49.2 seconds |
| 2nd | Old Comrade | ||
| 3rd | Piper Star | ||
| 2001 St George Stakes | 1st | Cent Home | 1 minute 47.1 seconds |
| 2nd | Giovana | ||
| 3rd | Kaapstad Way | ||
| 2000 St George Stakes | 1st | Royal Voyage | 1 minute 49.1 seconds |
| 2nd | Oliver Twist | ||
| 3rd | Arena | ||
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