The Vain Stakes is a Group 3 race run under Set Weight and Penalty conditions for three year old colts and geldings at Caulfield conducted by the Melbourne Racing Club.

The Vain Stakes is run over 1100m and has swapped between 1100m and 1200m since inception.

It was first run in 1992 and was won by Never Undercharge. The Vain Stakes became a Group 3 race in 2013.

The Vain Stakes has been at Caulfield since 2002 but has been held occasionally at Sandown.

The Vain Stakes equivalent race for the fillies, the Quezette Stakes is run on the same card.

It is named after one of the all-time great sprinters in Vain.

The Vain Stakes is used as the beginning of many three year olds Guineas and Derby campaigns. Bivouac kicked off his excellent 3yo campaign with a devastating win and he'd win multiple G1s after that.

Hard to ignore just how good the winner of the 2022 running was. Giga Kick is now a multiple G1 winner and an Everest too.

The 2023 Vain Stakes was run for prizemoney of $200,000.

Notable winners of the Vain Stakes include Cylinder (2023), Ingratiating (2021), Bivouac (2019), Russian Revolution (2016), Safeguard (2013), Sepoy (2011), Toorak Toff (2010), Starspangledbanner (2009), Haradasun (2006), Red Dazzler (2005), North Boy (2001), Dandy Kid (1999), Principality (1995) and Never Undercharge (1992).

The 2023 Vain Stakes was won by Cylinder from Ouroboros and I Am Unstoppable.