The Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, registered as the Invitation Stakes, is a Melbourne Racing Club Group 1 Thoroughbred open handicap horse race, run over a distance of 1400 metres at Caulfield Racecourse, Melbourne, Australia in late September.
History Prior to 1994, the race was held on Royal Melbourne Show Day, which was observed on the Thursday in the last full week of September as a public holiday. The race was renamed in 2005 after former chairman of the Victorian Amateur Turf Club, Sir Rupert Clarke, who died in 2005.
Name 1951–1974 - Invitation Stakes 1975–1988 - Marlboro Cup 1989–1991 - Show Day Cup 1992–1999 - Vic Health Cup 2000–2001 - Eat Well Live Well Cup 2002–2005 - Dubai Racing Club Cup 2006–2013 - Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes 2014 - Sir Rupert Clarke Charity Cup 2015 onwards - Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes
Grade 1951–1978 - Principal Race 1979 onwards Group 1
Distance 1951–1971 - 7 furlongs (~1400 metres) 1974 onwards - 1400 metres
Winners The following are past winners of the race.
2026 - Angel Capital 2025 - Sepals 2024 - Kimochi 2023 - Magic Time 2022 - Callsign Mav 2021 - Sierra Sue 2020 - Behemoth 2019 - Begood Toya Mother 2018 - Jungle Cat 2017 - Santa Ana Lane 2016 - Bon Aurum 2015 - Stratum Star 2014 - Trust In A Gust 2013 - Rebel Dane 2012 - Moment Of Change 2011 - Toorak Toff 2010 - Response 2009 - Turffontein 2008 - Orange County 2007 - Bon Hoffa 2006 - Rewaaya 2005 - Barely A Moment 2004 - Regal Roller 2003 - Exceed And Excel 2002 - Pernod 2001 - Mr. Murphy 2000 - Testa Rossa 1999 - Testa Rossa 1998 - Lord Luskin 1997 - Cut Up Rough 1996 - Encosta De Lago 1995 - Our Maizcay 1994 - Poetic King 1993 - Black Rouge 1992 - Mannerism 1991 - St. Jude 1990 - Submariner 1989 - Potrero 1988 - Rancho Ruler 1987 - Western Pago 1986 - Canny Lass 1985 - Trichelle 1984 - King Phoenix 1983 - Ranger's Son 1982 - Magari 1981 - Soldier Of Fortune 1980 - Torbek 1979 - Private Talk 1978 - Manikato 1977 - Raffindale 1976 - Private Talk 1975 - Cap D'Antibes 1974 - Ptery's Son 1973 - Millefleurs 1972 - Proud Toff 1971 - Tauto 1970 - Tauto 1969 - Heralding 1968 - Joking 1967 - Snub 1966 - Maritana 1965 - Nicopolis 1964 - Ripa 1963 - Samson 1962 - Anonyme 1961 - Anonyme 1960 - My Peak 1959 - St. Joel 1958 - Gay Saba 1957 - Luire 1956 - St. Joel 1955 - Matrice 1954 - Rio Janeiro 1953 - St. Joel 1952 - Fetlar 1951 - Jovial Lad
See also Caulfield Guineas Prelude How Now Stakes Naturalism Stakes Sir John Monash Stakes Thousand Guineas Prelude Underwood Stakes List of Australian Group races Group races
References