Blue Sapphire Stakes Explained

Surface:	Turf
Class:	Group 3
Horse Race:	Blue Sapphire Stakes
Location:	Caulfield Racecourse, Melbourne, Australia
Inaugurated:	2005 (For two-year-olds) 2012 (For three-year-olds)
Race Type:	Thoroughbred
Sponsor:	Catanach's Jewellers (2022)
Distance:	1,200 metres
Track:	Left-handed
Qualification:	Three year old
Weight:	Set weights Colts and geldings 57 kg Fillies 55 kg
Purse:	$200,000 (2022)

The Blue Sapphire Stakes is a Melbourne Racing Club Group 3 Thoroughbred horse race held over 1200 metres at set weights for three-year-old horses at Caulfield Racecourse, Melbourne, Australia. Total prize money for the race is A$200,000.

History

The current rendition of The Blue Sapphire Stakes was inaugurated in 2012 with prizemoney of A$$250,000.^[1] Originally, from 2005 the MRC scheduled a two-year-old race in May known as the Blue Sapphire Classic. However, the MRC decided to re-format their Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival in 2012 by adding a new three-year-old race for sprinters. Entries which were nominated for the Blue Diamond Stakes earlier in the year as two-year-olds were automatically nominated for this event.^[2]

In 2012 the race was held on Caulfield Guineas day but since 2014 the race was moved to the second day of the carnival, the Wednesday meeting.

Grade

• 2014 - 15 - Listed Race
• 2016 - Group 3

Distance

• 2005 onwards – 1200 metres

Name

For two-year-olds:

• 2005 - 07 - Blue Sapphire Classic
• 2008 - 11 - Blue Sapphire Stakes
• 2012 - Redoute's Choice Stakes
• 2013 - Catanach's Jewellers Stakes

For three-year-olds:

• 2012 onwards - Catanach's Jewellers Blue Sapphire Stakes

Winners

Three year old

Event held during the MRC Spring Racing Carnival.

• 2022 - Grand Impact^[3]
• 2021 - Extreme Warrior^[4]
• 2020 - Ranting^[5]
• 2019 - Anaheed^[6]
• 2018 - Written By^[7]
• 2017 - Formality^[8]
• 2016 - Flying Artie^[9]
• 2015 - Keen Array^[10]
• 2014 - Eloping^[11]
• 2013 - Lion Of Belfort^[12]
• 2012 - Snitzerland^[13]

Two year old (2005 -)

From 2012 the race retained the Listed grading but was reregistered as the Redoute's Choice Stakes and is held in late April or early May.

• 2011 - City Of Song^[14]
• 2010 - Smokin' Joey^[15]
• 2009 - Black Caviar^[16]
• 2008 - Gold in Dubai^[17]
• 2007 - Emjay Hussay^[18]
• 2006 - Green Birdie^[19]
• †2005 - Readyforcatherine^[20]

† Run at Sandown Racecourse Hillside track

See also

• List of Australian Group races
• Group races

Notes and References

1. Web site: Blue Sapphire Stakes News. races.com.au (Aus). 2016. 4 October 2016.
2. Web site: B2016 Catanach's Jewellers Blue Sapphire. MRC. 2016. 4 October 2016.
3. Web site: 2022 Result  - Catanach's Jewellers Blue Sapphire Stakes (held 12 October 2022). racingpost.com . 12 October 2022.
4. Web site: 2021 Result  - Catanach's Jewellers Blue Sapphire Stakes (held 13 October 2021). breednet.com. 13 October 2021.
5. Web site: 2020 Result  - Catanach's Jewellers Blue Sapphire Stakes (held 14 October 2020). breednet.com. 15 October 2020.
6. Web site: 2019 Result  - Catanach's Blue Sapphire Stakes (held 16 October 2019). breednet.com. 16 October 2019.
7. Web site: 2018 Result  - Catanach's Blue Sapphire Stakes (held 17 October 2018). breednet.com. 17 October 2018.
8. Web site: 2017 Result  - Catanach's Blue Sapphire Stks (held 18 October 2017). breednet.com. 18 October 2017.
9. Web site: 2016 Result  - Catanach's Blue Sapphire Stks (held 12 October 2016). breednet.com. 12 October 2016.
10. Web site: 2015 Result  - Blue Sapphire Stakes (held 14 October 2015). breednet.com. 4 October 2016.
11. Web site: 2014 Result  - Blue Sapphire Stakes (held 15 October 2014). breednet.com. 4 October 2016.
12. Web site: 2013 Result  - Catanach's Jewellers Blue Sapphire (held 12 October 2013). Racing Vic. (Aus.). 4 October 2016.
13. Web site: 2012 Result  - Catanach's Jewellers Blue Sapphire (held 13 October 2012). Racing Vic. (Aus.). 4 October 2016.
14. Web site: 2011 Result  - Catanach's Jewellers Blue Sapphire (held 30 April 2011). Racing Vic. (Aus.). 4 October 2016.
15. Web site: 2010 Result  - Ivan Short Blue Sapphire Stakes (held 1 May 2010). Racing Vic. (Aus.). 4 October 2016.
16. Web site: 2009 Result  - Blue Sapphire Stakes (held 2 May 2009). Racing Vic. (Aus.). 4 October 2016.
17. Web site: 2008 Result  - Bayside Chrysler Jeep & Dodge Blue Sapphire Stakes (held 10 May 2008). Racing Vic. (Aus.). 4 October 2016.
18. Web site: 2007 Result  - Bayside Nissan Blue Sapphire Classic (held 12 May 2007). Racing Vic. (Aus.). 4 October 2016.
19. Web site: 2006 Result  - Blue Sapphire Classic (held 13 May 2006). Racing Vic. (Aus.). 4 October 2016.
20. Web site: 2005 Result  - Blue Sapphire Classic (held 14 May 2005). Racing Vic. (Aus.). 4 October 2016.