The Chairman’s Stakes is a Group 3 race currently contested at Caulfield Racecourse (Sandown Lakeside in 2025) in late January or early February during the Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival.

2025 Chairman’s Stakes Results

• 1st: #9 Inkaruna ($6)
• 2nd: #6 Sword Of Legacy
• 3rd: #3 Hot Sea

Inkaruna ($6), trained by Sam and Anthony Freedman, clinched a thrilling victory in the 2025 Chairman’s Stakes results at Sandown on Saturday. With jockey Daniel Moor stepping in last minute due to Craig Williams’ illness, Inkaruna surged ahead in the final moments, narrowly defeating Sword Of Legacy by a head in a photo finish. The race was a nail-biter, with many spectators initially believing Sword Of Legacy had won. Moor’s impeccable timing and Inkaruna’s determination were key to their success. Post-race, Sam Freedman expressed delight but hinted that the filly might skip the Blue Diamond Stakes due to timing issues. This win marks an exciting debut for Inkaruna, setting high expectations for her future races.

The other key support act on the card is the Group 3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (1300m) for mares.

Run over a short sprint distance of 1000m the Chairman’s Stakes is open only to two-year-olds and is contested under set weights plus penalties conditions. The event offers $200,000 in total prize money.

Youngsters may be kicking off their careers or autumn campaigns in the Chairman’s Stakes in Melbourne and the race serves as a good lead-up to the Group 1 $2 million Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m).

Extreme Choice (2016) was the last horse to complete the Chairman’s Stakes – Blue Diamond Stakes double, while the 2017 Chairman’s Stakes winning filly Formality went on to run third in the Blue Diamond Stakes trifecta behind stablemate Catchy that year.

The 2022 Chairman’s Stakes form was franked with the winner Sebonack going on to run fourth in that year’s Blue Diamond Stakes results.

The Chairman’s Stakes form from 2024 was franked with the winner Coleman going on to run second in that year’s Golden Slipper Stakes quinella and third in Sydney’s Group 1 Inglis’ Sires.

The Chairman’s Stakes 2025 ran on Saturday February 1, 2025 at Sandown Lakeside (moved from Caulfield Racecourse for 2025) as one of the first Group status races of the autumn carnival and was won in a photo-finish thriller by Team Freedman’s debutant filly Inkaruna ($6).

2025 Chairman’s Stakes Finishing Order

Table Credit: Racing Australia.

2025 Chairman’s Stakes Betting

The best Chairman’s Stakes 2025 betting odds will be available at Ladbrokes.com.au with autumn betting market links also published here at Races.com.au as soon as prices are open on the hopeful young two-year-olds.

Ten of the past 16 Chairman’s Stakes favourites saluted for the punters with Coleman ($2.10 in 2024), Enthaar ($1.24 in 2021), Loving Gaby ($3.50 in 2019), Formality ($2.45 in 2017), Extreme Choice ($1.40 in 2016), Nayeli ($3 in 2014), Metastasio ($1.45 in 2013), Atomic ($2.80 in 2011), and Crystal Lily ($2.20 in 2010).

In 2020 Mildred scored an upset at double-figure odds with the favourite Aryaaf running second.

In 2023 the favourite ran second again with Veecee beaten home by Zulfiqar ($7.50).

2025 Chairman’s Stakes Form Guide

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL 2025 CHAIRMAN’S STAKES FORM GUIDE

2025 Chairman’s Stakes Tips

Stay tuned for our insider Chairman’s Stakes 2025 Tips on the Melbourne showdown this season.

• To Win: #4 Tentyris ($8 at time of publish) – BET NOW

Always tough to select a winner with the majority on debut but like the price of Tentyris who has had two good jumpouts including a 3rd at Mornington back on December 31 behind My Gladiola who came out and won the Blue Diamond Preview for fillies by 1.5 lengths last weekend. This Anthony & Sam Freedman trained Street Boss colt was then second in a Cranbourne jumpout in mid-Jan. He’s drawn well in gate four for Mark Zahra and gets a chance to kick things off with a win.

2025 Chairman’s Stakes Field

The Chairman’s Stakes field attracts a line-up of promising two-year-old sprinters each autumn, many heading towards a run in the season’s Blue Diamond Stakes field.

The official 2025 Chairman’s Stakes field and barriers are set for release on the Wednesday of race week and will be published in full below.

Table Credit: Racing Australia.

2025 Chairman’s Stakes Nominations

Early nominations for the Chairman’s Stakes in 2025 close the Monday of race week.

Chairman’s Stakes History

The MRC Chairman’s Stakes was first run as the VATC Bounding Away Quality back in 1990 when Wrap Around became the inaugural winner. That race name stayed until 1998 and since then the race has undergone a host of different titles.

It has been known as the Veuve Clicquot Stakes (1999 – 2003), Jansz Stakes (2004), Pol Rogers Stakes (2005 – 2007 & 2009), National Jockey Celebration Classic (2008) and the Emirate Airline Stakes (2012).

It was first run as the Chairman’s Stakes in 2010 – 2011 and again from 2013 to the present. It began as a Listed race and in 2014 gained its current Group 3 status. The race distance has also changed a number of times with the event always run between 1000 – 1200m depending on the racecourse. The Chairman’s Stakes has taken place at Sandown Racecourse and Caulfield Racecourse.

Plenty of talented horses have won the event including Redoute’s Choice (1999), Crystal Lily (2010), and Extreme Choice (2016).

Recent Chairman’s Stakes winners fillies include: Inkaruna (2025), Enthaar (2021), Mildred (2020), Loving Gaby (2019), Ennis Hill (2018), Formality (2017), Thurlow (2015), Nayeli (2014), Metastasio (2013), Mama’s Choice (2012), and Crystal Lily (2010).

See below for a full list of Chairman’s Stakes winners and results going back to the year 2000.

Recent Chairman’s Stakes Winners

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