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The VRC Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) is a Group 2 race held at Flemington Racecourse in March on Newmarket Handicap Day.
VRC Sires Produce Stakes News
The Group 2 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes is one of the races held on Newmarket Handicap Day at the esteemed Flemington Racecourse in early-mid March during the Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival.
2026 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes Results
Stay tuned for the official 2026 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes results and finishing order at Flemington on Saturday March 7, 2026 and to see what youngsters could be Sydney bound for the Group 1 Inglis Sires.
- 1st: No. 10 Grinzinger Heart ($41)
- 2nd: No. 1 Zambales
- 3rd: No. 9 Expensive Taste
Winning Margin: 0.06 lengths
Winning Time: 1:22.77
The progressive Ben Brisbourne-trained Toronado filly Grinzinger Heart ($41) was huge when given a brave front-running ride by Craig Williams to hold on and deny the odds-on favourite Zambales in an upset 2026 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes result that saw her trainer secure his maiden stakes win.
| 10. Grinzinger Heart (4) J: Craig Williams55kg 4T: Ben Brisbourne | ||
| 1. Zambales (2) J: Mark Zahra57kg 224T: Anthony & Sam Freedman | ||
| 9. Expensive Taste (3) J: Luke Currie55kg 33T: Tony & Calvin Mcevoy | ||
| 3. Diameter (9) J: Ben Melham57kg 5×3T: Chris Waller | ||
| 5. Dr Hook (1) J: Hugh Bowman57kg 5×7T: M, W & J Hawkes | ||
| 4. Hydrobomb (5) J: Daniel Stackhouse57kg 2T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | ||
| 6. Inner Gold (7) J: Ben Allen57kg 5T: Ciaron Maher | ||
| 7. Leopard Shark (10) J: Jye Mcneil55kg 3611T: Clayton Douglas | ||
| 2. Eurocanto (6) J: Jamie Mott57kg 1×60T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | ||
| 11. Refuse To Curtsy (8) J: John Allen55kg 7T: Thomas Carberry |
The Newmarket Handicap (1200m) and the recently upgraded All-Star Mile are the feature Group 1 races held at the meeting, while there are a host of other Group status support acts on the card including the VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes.
The VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes is a 1400m sprint race four two-year-olds at set weights worth $300,000 in prize money. The young sprinters contesting the Sires Produce Stakes may have previously competed in the most prestigious race for two-year-olds at the carnival, the Group 1 $2 million Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) a fortnight earlier at Caulfield.
Traffic Warden (8th in 2024) was the last Blue Diamond graduate to come out and win the VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes.
As the first two-year-old group race at a distance greater than 1200m during the carnival, the VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes is commonly won by a quality galloper that has run strongly and proven themselves at the increased distance.
The 2022 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes form was franked with the winner Let’srollthedice racing a next-up third in Sydney’s Group 1 Inglis Sires’ (1400m).
The 2023 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes was marred by fall of jockeys Jamie Kah and Craig Williams from their respective mounts Flyball (minor abrasions) and Dubenenko (minor lacerations on both forelimbs) 400m after the start.
The VRC Sires’ 2023 form was franked with the winner Veight running fourth in Sydney’s Group 1 ATC Sires’ that year as well as finishing second in the spring’s Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m). Apulia meanwhile was runner-up in that year’s VRC Sires’ results and returned in the spring to win the Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase before a second in the Group 1 VRC Derby (2500m) that Melbourne Cup Carnival.
The 2024 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes winner Traffic Warden franked the form with a Golden Slipper fourth and Inglis’ Sires second that prep before returning in the spring to also place second in Sydney’s Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes.
Vinrock (2025) was the last horse to complete the interstate VRC Sires’ – Inglis Sires’ double.
The VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes 2026 ran on Saturday March 7, 2026 at Flemington Racecourse on Super Saturday and was won in a gutsy upset by the front-running Ben Brisbourne-trained Grinzinger Heart ($41).
| 2026 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes | |
|---|---|
| Date: | Saturday March 7, 2026 |
| Track: | Flemington Racecourse |
| Distance: | 1400m |
| Conditions: | 2YO Open – Set Weights |
| Status: | Group 2 |
| Prize Money: | $300,000 |
| Inaugurated: | 1862 |
2026 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes Betting
The season’s latest VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes 2026 betting odds on the two-year-old hopefuls will be found here at Races.com.au the week of the race with prices provided by Ladbrokes.com.au.
Let’srollthedice ($3.70 in 2022), Veight ($4.80 in 2023), and Vinrock ($3.40 in 2025) are the latest favourites in VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes betting to salute for the punters.
There was a huge upset in 2026 with Grinzinger Heart winning at VRC Sires’ odds of $41 when denying the odds-on favourite Zambales ($1.65).
2026 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes Form
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL 2026 VRC SIRES’ PRODUCE STAKES FORM GUIDE
2026 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes Tips
Stay tuned for our insider VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes 2026 Tips on the Newmarket Handicap Day Group 2 this autumn.
To Win: No. 12 Regal Ambition
REGAL AMBITION (8) shapes up as good value in the Melbourne Sires’ Produce with the Lindsay Park-trained filly out to break her maiden status at her second start. On debut last time out the promising daughter of Palace Pier finished a half-length second behind Tolaga Bay at Ballarat and natural improvement here puts her in the mix up in grade. Her closing sectionals were excellent as she came from last on the turn to make up all the ground and nearly salute for the punters. Chases atonement now and looks like she’ll relish the step up to 1400m. Comes back a kilo and I love that Jamie Melham comes aboard for the ride. She’ll settle back and launch a late attack. Watch for her.
| 12. Regal Ambition (8) Scratched: | |||
2026 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes Field
The annual VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes field attracts a smart line-up of promising two-year-olds showing the potential to stay 1400m – 1600m. Runners may be graduates of the Blue Diamond Stakes field and be Sydney-bound later in the autumn targeting the more lucrative $1 million Group 1 Inglis Sires’ (1400m) at Randwick during April’s ‘The Championships’.
The official 2026 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes Field & Barrier Draw is set for release on the of race week and will be published below.
The VRC Sires’ 2026 final field features a dozen promising two-year-olds including the Clayton Douglas-trained filly Leopard Shark chasing a hat-trick and Blue Diamond fourth placed colt Zambales to be ridden by returning star hoop Mark Zahra.
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Probable Weight | Penalty | Hcp Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 224 | ZAMBALES | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Mark Zahra | 2 | 57kg | |||
| 2 | 1×60 | EUROCANTO | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Jamie Mott | 6 | 57kg | |||
| 3 | 5×3 | DIAMETER | Chris Waller | Ben Melham | 10 | 57kg | |||
| 4 | 2 | HYDROBOMB | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Daniel Stackhouse | 5 | 57kg | |||
| 5 | 5×7 | DR HOOK | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Hugh Bowman | 1 | 57kg | |||
| 6 | 5 | INNER GOLD | Ciaron Maher | Ben Allen | 7 | 57kg | |||
| 7 | 3611 | LEOPARD SHARK | Clayton Douglas | Jye McNeil | 12 | 55kg | |||
| 8 | 10×50 | ALMOST AN ANGEL | Robbie Griffiths | Harry Coffey | 11 | 55kg | |||
| 9 | 33 | EXPENSIVE TASTE | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | Luke Currie | 3 | 55kg | |||
| 10 | 4 | GRINZINGER HEART | Ben Brisbourne | Craig Williams | 4 | 55kg | |||
| 11 | 7 | REFUSE TO CURTSY | Thomas Carberry | John Allen | 9 | 55kg | |||
| 12 | 2 | REGAL AMBITION | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Ms Jamie Melham | 8 | 55kg |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
2026 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes Nominations
The VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes 2026 nominations are taken by Racing Victoria the Monday leading-up to Super Saturday.
2026 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes nominations extended until 10:00am (AEDT) – 03/03/2026
| Last 10 | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | Hcp Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10×50 | ALMOST AN ANGEL | F | 2 | Robbie Griffiths | |
| 2 | 22 | BIG WIGS | C | 2 | Phillip Stokes | |
| 3 | 5×3 | DIAMETER | C | 2 | Chris Waller | |
| 4 | 5×7 | DR HOOK | C | 2 | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | |
| 5 | 1×60 | EUROCANTO | C | 2 | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | |
| 6 | 33 | EXPENSIVE TASTE | F | 2 | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | |
| 7 | 4 | GRINZINGER HEART | F | 2 | Ben Brisbourne | |
| 8 | 2 | HYDROBOMB | C | 2 | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | |
| 9 | 5 | INNER GOLD | C | 2 | Ciaron Maher | |
| 10 | 3611 | LEOPARD SHARK | F | 2 | Clayton Douglas | |
| 11 | 120 | MILSONS POINT | C | 2 | Ciaron Maher | |
| 12 | 7 | REFUSE TO CURTSY | F | 2 | Thomas Carberry | |
| 13 | 2 | REGAL AMBITION | F | 2 | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | |
| 14 | 224 | ZAMBALES | C | 2 | Anthony & Sam Freedman |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes History
The VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes is one of the oldest races held at Flemington, first run in 1862 when Musidora was victorious. It was originally run over 1 mile (1600m) until 1919 when the race distance was changed to six furlongs. From 1920 the event was held over the increased length of seven furlongs and was converted to 1400m in 1972.
The VRC Sires Produce Stakes race was demoted from a Group 1 to a Group 2 event in 2005. The race has previously been known as the Flemington Stakes, Sapling Stakes and the Ascot Vale Stakes.
There was a race fall just 400m from the start in the 2023 VRC Sires’ with Jamie Kah’s mount Flyball falling and subsequently knocking fellow hoop Craig Williams from his mount Dubenenko. Both horses escaped with only minor injuries.
Notable VRC Sires Produce Stakes winners from recent years include All Too Hard (2012) and a subsequent Caulfield Cup winning mare in Jameka (2015).
Recent VRC Sires Produce Stakes Winners
| Year | Place | Horse | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 VRC Sires Produce Stakes | 1st | Grinzinger Heart | 1 minute 22.77 seconds |
| 2nd | Zambales | ||
| 3rd | Expensive Taste | ||
| 2025 VRC Sires Produce Stakes | 1st | Vinrock | 1 minute 22.94 seconds |
| 2nd | Brave Design | ||
| 3rd | Onavuitton | ||
| 2024 VRC Sires Produce Stakes | 1st | Traffic Warden | 1 minute 25.00 seconds |
| 2nd | Rue De Royale | ||
| 3rd | Bosustow | ||
| 2023 VRC Sires Produce Stakes | 1st | Veight | 1 minute 23.06 seconds |
| 2nd | Apulia | ||
| 3rd | Amur | ||
| 2022 VRC Sires Produce Stakes | 1st | Let’srollthedice | 1 minute 24.25 seconds |
| 2nd | Man In The Mirror | ||
| 3rd | Yaki Ishi | ||
| 2021 VRC Sires Produce Stakes | 1st | Lightsaber | 1 minute 23.62 seconds |
| 2nd | Saif | ||
| 3rd | Micro | ||
| 2020 VRC Sires Produce Stakes | 1st | Lunar Fox | 1 minute 24.29 seconds |
| 2nd | Larimer Street | ||
| 3rd | Ole Kirk | ||
| 2019 VRC Sires Produce Stakes | 1st | La Tene | 1 minute 22.92 seconds |
| 2nd | Dalasan | ||
| 3rd | Fling | ||
| 2018 VRC Sires Produce Stakes | 1st | Not A Single Cent | 1 minute 23.40 seconds |
| 2nd | Seberate | ||
| 3rd | Akkadian | ||
| 2017 VRC Sires Produce Stakes | 1st | Sircconi | 1 minute 22.7 seconds |
| 2nd | Aspect | ||
| 3rd | Feng Chu | ||
| 2016 VRC Sires Produce Stakes | 1st | Seaburge | 1 minute 23.7 seconds |
| 2nd | Detective | ||
| 3rd | Revolving Door | ||
| 2015 VRC Sires Produce Stakes | 1st | Jameka | 1 minute 24.6 seconds |
| 2nd | Lazumba | ||
| 3rd | Sampeah | ||
| 2014 VRC Sires Produce Stakes | 1st | Zululand | 1 minute 24.3 seconds |
| 2nd | Awesome Rock | ||
| 3rd | Marcado | ||
| 2013 VRC Sires Produce Stakes | 1st | Twilight Royale | 1 minute 23.35 seconds |
| 2nd | Shamus Award | ||
| 3rd | Great Esteem | ||
| 2012 VRC Sires Produce Stakes | 1st | All Too Hard | 1 minute 22.5 seconds |
| 2nd | Pronto Pronto | ||
| 3rd | Road Trippin | ||
| 2011 VRC Sires Produce Stakes | 1st | Running Tall | 1 minute 24.2 seconds |
| 2nd | Decircles | ||
| 3rd | Grand Britannia | ||
| 2010 VRC Sires Produce Stakes | 1st | Shamrocker | 1 minute 23.54 seconds |
| 2nd | Willow Creek | ||
| 3rd | Yosei | ||
| 2009 VRC Sires Produce Stakes | 1st | Rostova | 1 minute 23.4 seconds |
| 2nd | Bombay Sling | ||
| 3rd | Gathering | ||
| 2008 VRC Sires Produce Stakes | 1st | Von Costa De Hero | 1 minute 23.7 seconds |
| 2nd | Carnero | ||
| 3rd | Burgeis | ||
| 2007 VRC Sires Produce Stakes | 1st | Incumbent | 1 minute 22.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Marching | ||
| 3rd | Below Zero | ||
| 2006 VRC Sires Produce Stakes | 1st | De Lago Mist | 1 minute 22.4 seconds |
| 2nd | Ulfah | ||
| 3rd | Danever | ||
| 2005 VRC Sires Produce Stakes | 1st | Danger Looms | 1 minute 22.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Under The Floor | ||
| 3rd | Ferocity | ||
| 2004 VRC Sires Produce Stakes | 1st | Barely A Moment | 1 minute 24.2 seconds |
| 2nd | Big Poppa Pump | ||
| 3rd | Kylikwong | ||
| 2003 VRC Sires Produce Stakes | 1st | Winestock | 1 minute 23.6 seconds |
| 2nd | Fresh Boy | ||
| 3rd | Hammerbeam | ||
| 2002 VRC Sires Produce Stakes | 1st | Pillaging | 1 minute 22.2 seconds |
| 2nd | Delago Brom | ||
| 3rd | Tom Coureuse | ||
| 2001 VRC Sires Produce Stakes | 1st | Spectatorial | 1 minute 25.3 seconds |
| 2nd | Tuscanos | ||
| 3rd | Valkyrian | ||
| 2000 VRC Sires Produce Stakes | 1st | Preserve | 1 minute 23.5 seconds |
| 2nd | Ponton Flyer | ||
| 3rd | Happy Morning | ||
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