Eclipse Stakes

The Eclipse Stakes is a Group 3 event held at Caulfield each spring on Zipping Classic Day.

2023 Eclipse Stakes Results

  • 1st: #1 Just Folk
  • 2nd: #8 Danish Fortune
  • 3rd: #6 Keats



The Eclipse Stakes is a Group 3 event previously held at Sandown Racecourse towards the end of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.

The 2021 Eclipse Stakes and Zipping Classic Day card moved to late November at Caulfield Racecourse where it remained for the 2022 edition.

The 2023 Eclipse Stakes took place on the first Saturday in December.

Held under quality handicap conditions, the Eclipse Stakes is an 1800m test with $200,000 prize money on offer.

The Eclipse Stakes is held on one of the biggest race days of the year at Sandown Racecourse (Caulfield in 2021) – Zipping Classic Day. Also featured on the race program are the Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m), Group 2 Sandown Guineas (1600m), Group 3 Summoned Stakes (1500m), and the Group 3 Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1300m).

The Eclipse Stakes is often targeted by horses who are towards the end of their spring racing campaign. The Listed Melbourne Cup Day Plate (1800m), run under handicap conditions at Flemington can sometimes act as a lead up race. Some mares come via the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m) held at Flemington on Mackinnon Stakes Day, a race the 2017 Eclipse Stakes winner Payroll improved on a lead-up second in. The Group 3 Lexus Hotham Stakes on Derby Day is another potential Eclipse Stakes lead-up for spring stayers.

Following their run in the Eclipse Stakes there are a number of avenues horses can pursue. Many might head to the paddock, while some might continue to seek a few placings to round off their spring campaign during the summer races.

The 2023 Eclipse Stakes ran on Saturday December 2, 2023 at Caulfield Racecourse and was won narrowly by the Gavin Bedggood-trained favourite Just Folk ($2.90F). 

Eclipse Stakes 2023
Date: Saturday December 2, 2023
Track: Caulfield Racecourse (since 2021)
Distance: 1800m
Race Type: Open Quality Handicap
Status: Group 3
Prize Money: $200,000

2023 Eclipse Stakes Results

  • 1st: #1 Just Folk ($2.90F)
  • 2nd: #8 Danish Fortune
  • 3rd: #6 Keats

Cranbourne horseman Gavin Bedggood prepared first and third in the Eclipse Stakes 2023 results on Zipping Classic Day with race favourite Just Folk ($2.90F) looming up on the outside with a furlong to go to post a narrow win for the punters, while stablemate Keats ($4.40) rounded out the trifecta finishing 1.35 lengths back third. Danish Fortune ($19) added value to the top three running second.

Finish No. Horse Trainer Jockey Margin Bar. Weight Penalty Starting Price
1 1 JUST FOLK Gavin Bedggood Mark Zahra 6 58kg $2.90F
2 8 DANISH FORTUNE Darren McLeod Ms Alana Kelly 0.1L 3 54kg $19
3 6 KEATS (IRE) Gavin Bedggood Beau Mertens 1.35L 1 54kg $4.40
4 5 SWORDS DRAWN Michael Moroney Daniel Stackhouse 3.1L 2 55kg $10
5 4 JUNIPAL Ciaron Maher & David Eustace John Allen 3.2L 4 55kg $4.80
6 7 LET’SROLLTHEDICE Danny O’Brien Michael Dee 6.7L 7 54kg $9.50
7 2 SIR LUCAN (IRE) Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Ms Linda Meech 7.1L 5 56kg $7
3 AIN’TNODEELDUN Anthony & Sam Freedman Billy Egan 0

Table Credit: Racing Australia. 

2023 Eclipse Stakes Betting Odds

The latest Eclipse Stakes 2023 betting odds will be listed below complete with links to the markets at Ladbrokes.com.au for you to lock-in your Eclipse Stakes Tips at the hottest spring odds.

Mouro ($3.60 in 2013) and Just Folk ($2.90 in 2023) are the latest favourites in Eclipse Stakes betting to win.

CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST 2023 ECLIPSE STAKES ODDS (Final Field)

2023 Eclipse Stakes Form Guide

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL 2023 ECLIPSE STAKES FORM GUIDE

2023 Eclipse Stakes Tips

Stay tuned for our exclusive Eclipse Stakes 2023 Tips on the Zipping Classic Day Group 3 this spring.

  • To Win: #3 Ain’tnodeeldun ($3.50 at time of publish) – BET NOW

Top couple hard to split but leaning towards Ain’tnodeeldun who just keeps on winning. The Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained six-year-old chases his fourth win on the trot and has a strong record at the distance (4:3-1-0). Narrow Group 3 winner at The Valley last time out in the JRA Cup (2040m) back in late October. Freshened-up since and back to 1800m could be hard to hold out in a small field.

2023 Eclipse Stakes Field

The Eclipse Stakes field is usually contested by horses who are nearing the end of their spring campaign. As a result, many of the runners in the Eclipse Stakes field are at peak fitness and have provided quite a bit of form for punters to follow. In the past, the Eclipse Stakes field has featured some top quality horses, and the winner is almost always a very handy type.

The 2023 Eclipse Stakes field is released the Wednesday before the race and will be published below once announced by Racing Victoria.

The Eclipse Stakes 2023 final field features a small but smart field of in-form gallopers including the Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained Group 3 JRA Cup winner Ain’tnodeeldun and the top-weight Just Folk coming off a third in last weekend’s Ladbrokes Cranbourne Cup. 

No Last 10 Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Probable Weight Penalty Hcp Rating
1 x44496x243 JUST FOLK Gavin Bedggood Mark Zahra 6 58kg 102
2 1390×70403 SIR LUCAN (IRE) Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Ms Linda Meech 5 56kg 98
3 02419×0111 AIN’TNODEELDUN Anthony & Sam Freedman Billy Egan 7 55.5kg 97
4 309×502671 JUNIPAL Ciaron Maher & David Eustace John Allen 4 55kg 96
5 52213836×0 SWORDS DRAWN Michael Moroney Daniel Stackhouse 2 55kg 96
6 43024265×2 KEATS (IRE) Gavin Bedggood Beau Mertens 1 54kg 92
7 x5052x7461 LET’SROLLTHEDICE Danny O’Brien Michael Dee 8 54kg 90
8 25x19x0231 DANISH FORTUNE Darren McLeod Ms Alana Kelly 3 54kg 80

Table Credit: Racing Australia.

2023 Eclipse Stakes Nominations

The 2023 Eclipse Stakes nominations are taken the Monday before race week, the full list of middle-distance stayers targeting the showdown to be announced below.

Last 10 Horse Sex Age Trainer Hcp Rating
1 02419×0111 AIN’TNODEELDUN G 6 Anthony & Sam Freedman 97
2 25x19x0231 DANISH FORTUNE G 6 Darren McLeod 80
3 12111191×2 DUNKEL (NZ) G 4 Patrick Payne 102
4 309×502671 JUNIPAL G 8 Ciaron Maher & David Eustace 96
5 x44496x243 JUST FOLK G 7 Gavin Bedggood 102
6 43024265×2 KEATS (IRE) G 7 Gavin Bedggood 92
7 06x51183x8 KING MAGNUS G 8 Robbie Griffiths & Mathew de Kock 104
8 x5052x7461 LET’SROLLTHEDICE H 4 Danny O’Brien 90
9 74x1x55411 PICAROON M 6 Tom Dabernig 82
10 141280×726 RIVERINA CYCLONE M 5 Matt Laurie 73
11 1390×70403 SIR LUCAN (IRE) G 6 Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott 98
12 52213836×0 SWORDS DRAWN G 8 Michael Moroney 96
13 27435×9425 THALASSOPHILE M 5 Chris Waller 97
14 100x900x03 VASMEE G 7 Nathan Dunn 75
15 517×129 VIVY AIR F 3 Archie Alexander 74

Table Credit: Racing Australia. 

Eclipse Stakes History

The Eclipse Stakes has over the years acquired a reputation for quality fields and top notch winners.

The Eclipse Stakes race distance has changed a few times over the years, varying between 2100m and the current 1800m.

The 2013 Eclipse Stakes was held at Caulfield because Sandown was undergoing renovations. Prior to 2011, the Eclipse Stakes was held the week following the Zipping (Sandown) Classic. However, it was moved in order to create a significant feature race card on Zipping Classic Day.

Once a Principal Race, the Eclipse Stakes was given listed status at the introduction of the Group system. It held that until 1997, when it was upgraded to a Group 3 event.

The Eclipse Stakes was not held for two years, 1942 and 1943.

Notable Eclipse Stakes winners include Balkan Prince (1937), Morse Code (1950, 1952), Sky Call (1971), Pride Of Century (1981), Innocent King (1994), Fields Of Omagh (2001) and Mouro (2013). Eclipse Stakes results, place getters and winning times since 2000 are provided below.

Eclipse Stakes History

Year Place Horse Time
2023
Eclipse Stakes
1st Just Folk 1 minute 50.74 seconds
2nd Danish Fortune
3rd Keats
2022
Eclipse Stakes
1st Milford 1 minute 48.51 seconds
2nd El Gladiador
3rd Holbien
2021
Eclipse Stakes
1st Regalo Di Gaetano 1 minute 49.66 seconds
2nd Bonvicini
3rd Starelle
2020
Eclipse Stakes
1st So Si Bon 1 minute 49.61 seconds
2nd Power Scheme
3rd Homesman
2019
Eclipse Stakes
1st Pacodali 1 minute 51.56 seconds
2nd Setting Sail
3rd Exasperate
2018
Eclipse Stakes
1st Tally 1 minute 51.22 seconds
2nd He Ekscels
3rd Muraaqeb
2017
Eclipse Stakes
1st Payroll 1 minute 51.45 seconds
2nd Kidmenever
3rd Jacquinot Bay
2016
Eclipse Stakes
1st Turnitaround 1 minute 51.26 seconds
2nd High Church
3rd Lidari
2015
Eclipse Stakes
1st Casino Dancer 1 minute 48.0 seconds
2nd Puccini
3rd Worthy Cause
2014
Eclipse Stakes
1st Zabisco 1 minute 49.7 seconds
2nd Pheidon
3rd Extra Zero
2013
Eclipse Stakes
1st Mouro 1 minute 50.3 seconds
2nd Rain Drum
3rd Bel Thor
2012
Eclipse Stakes
1st Eclair Surprise 1 minute 49.6 seconds
2nd Tai Tai Tess
3rd Shewan
2011
Eclipse Stakes
1st Rothera 1 minute 52.1 seconds
2nd Folding Gear
3rd Ulundi
2010
Eclipse Stakes
1st Viking Hero 1 minute 55.2 seconds
2nd Davcon
3rd Niblick
2009Eclipse Stakes 1st Bashful Girl 1 minute 49.8 seconds
2nd Rose Syrah
3rd Down Under Boy
2008Eclipse Stakes 1st Eskimo Dan 2 minutes 15.5 seconds
2nd Instructor
3rd Sentire
2007Eclipse Stakes 1st Like It Is 2 minutes 50.4 seconds
2nd Shinzig
3rd Hidden Strings
2006Eclipse Stakes 1st Utility 2 minutes 52.0 seconds
2nd Douro Valley
3rd Flash Trick
2005Eclipse Stakes 1st Aqua D’Amore 2 minutes 14.5 seconds
2nd Stamen
3rd Wild Classic
2004Eclipse Stakes 1st Requisite 1 minute 49.6 seconds
2nd Fonome
3rd Caveat Emptor
2003Eclipse Stakes 1st Zazzman 2 minutes 03.8 seconds
2nd Chairman’s Choice
3rd You Little Beaut
2002Eclipse Stakes 1st Damaschino 2 minutes 02.1 seconds
2nd Another Warrior
3rd British Buska
2001Eclipse Stakes 1st Fields Of Omagh 2 minutes 11.1 seconds
2nd Thong Classic
3rd Aquiver
2000Eclipse Stakes 1st Tickle My 2 minutes 07.0 seconds
2nd The Collector
3rd Aka Bilk

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