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We’ve seen some excellent winners of the Coolmore Stud Stakes run at Flemington on Saturday.

Merchant Navy was a fantastic winner coming from near last so the 2021 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday could be as good.

2021 Coolmore Stud Stakes: Nominations

2021 COOLMORE STUD STAKES - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

The Coolmore Stud Stakes is a Group 1 race run under Set Weight conditions for three year olds at Flemington conducted by the Victoria Racing Club.

The Coolmore Stud Stakes is run over 1200m. As a 3yo race it was first run in 1969 and was won by the great Vain.

However as its registered name, the Ascot Vale Stakes, it was first run for 2yos in 1863 won by Freestone. As a 2yo race it was run in the Autumn. It was moved to September when for 3yos.

In 2006 it moved to Derby Day at Flemington and swapped with the now Danehill Stakes.

Early few years it was over five furlongs but since 1872 it has been at six furlongs/1200m.

The Coolmore Stud Stakes was a Principal Race until 1979 then Group 2. The move to Derby Day allowed it to become a G1 sprint.

Since the race became a G1, the Coolmore Stud Stakes has been won by five fillies – September Run, Sunlight, Nechita, Headway and Gold Edition.

Sepoy is the only Golden Slipper winner to take it out in recent years but Tierce, Courtza, Manikato, Toy Show and Vain also won it in its old Spring position.

Star Witness and Sepoy did the Blue Diamond-Coolmore Stud Stakes double recently. Other Blue Diamond winners to do the double include Alinghi, Courtza, Zedative, Rancher, Manikato and Tolerance.

Encosta De Lago won this race in 1996 and has since produced Alinghi and Northern Meteor who himself produced Zoustar who in turn produced Sunlight. Sunlight, in defeating Zousain and Lean Mean Machine, gave her sire Zoustar the trifecta in 2018.

NSW horses have won 8 of last 13 but prior to that, it was Tierce in 1991. Much better since it became a Derby day race.

Merchant Navy was sold to Coolmore and went to Aidan O'Brien where he'd win the Greenlands Stakes in Ireland and also the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Sunlight would take two open G1s in the Autumn (Newmarket/William Reid) after her 3yo G1 win.

The Coolmore Stud Stakes was worth $1,500,000 in 2021.

Notable winners of the Coolmore Stud Stakes include September Run (2020), Exceedance (2019), Sunlight (2018), Merchant Navy (2017), Zoustar (2013), Sepoy (2011), Northern Meteor (2008), Weekend Hussler (2007), Gold Edition (2006), Alinghi (2004), Encosta De Lago (1996), Our Maizcay (1995), Tierce (1991), Courtza (1989), Zedative (1988), Campaign King (1985), Rose Of Kingston (1981), Manikato (1978), Surround (1976), Toy Show (1975), Taj Rossi (1973), Century (1972), Vain (1969), Blue Era (1961), Comic Court (1948), Royal Gem (1945), High Caste (1939), Heroic (1924) and Newminster (1876).

The 2020 Coolmore Stud Stakes was won by September Run from Swats That and Wild Ruler.