The next edition of the Empire Rose Stakes runs on Saturday, October 31, 2026 on Victoria Derby Day at Flemington.
The Empire Rose Stakes 2026 is one of the headline betting races for mares during the Melbourne Cup Carnival, bringing together the nation’s best female milers for a high-pressure Group 1 showdown at Flemington. Run under weight-for-age conditions over 1600m, the race has a long history of rewarding genuine class, with champion mares and emerging stars often using the event to cement their place among the elite. For punters, the Empire Rose Stakes consistently delivers a fascinating form challenge, with interstate raiders, proven Group 1 performers, and in-form spring mares meeting at level weights. The Empire Rose Stakes betting 2026 markets are traditionally among the most competitive of Derby Day, offering plenty of opportunities to find value beyond the favourites. Whether you’re chasing the latest Empire Rose Stakes odds 2026, tracking market movers, or searching for the mare ready to stamp herself as the season’s best miler, Ladbrokes has all the odds, betting updates, field information, and expert insights for this prestigious Group 1 feature.
2026 Empire Rose Stakes Odds
The season’s updated Empire Rose Stakes 2026 betting odds and Group 1 Victoria Derby Day markets will be provided for punters below as soon as open so stay tuned to lock in your favourite fillies and mares in the mile showdown followed by the official finishing order after the event.
| 1. Lady Shenandoah (8) 57kg2×441 | ||
| 10. Concord Connie (6) 56.5kg11×23 | ||
| 2. Idle Flyer (7) 57kg64405 | ||
| 9. Sass Appeal (5) 56.5kgx1442 | ||
| 3. Surfin’ Bird (9) 57kg1×411 | ||
| 11. Pillow Fight (3) 56.5kg2×652 | ||
| 4. Cilacap (4) 57kg831×5 | ||
| 7. Jenni Multabella (2) 57kg31222 | ||
| 8. Salty Pearl (1) 56.5kg5×346 | ||
| 5. Unleeshing (10) 57kgx2211 | ||
| 6. Pondalowie (11) 57kgx8156 |
Empire Rose Stakes Tips
Empire Rose Stakes tips aren’t always in favour of the top fancy in the markets with so many upset results in recent years.
Mares drawn out wide aren’t shied away from either with every winner from 2011 – 2014 jumping from either barrier 10 or 13, while in 2017 Shoals continued that trend winning from barrier 10 (of 16). Melody Belle (13 in 2019) also overcame a wide barrier draw for her big win, as did Shout The Bar (11 in 2020).
In 2023 Pride Of Jenni won the Empire Rose Stakes from the extreme outside barrier 16 of 16 draw. She won again two years later in 2025 from gate seven.
The older mares fare well and six-year-olds could be the ones to consider in the Empire Rose Stakes tips with Red Tracer (2013) and Bonaria (2014) going back-to-back for this age group in recent years. Icebath (2022) and Pride Of Jenni (2023) are the latest six-year-old Empire Rose Stakes winners. Pride Of Jenni also won in 2025 as an eight-year-old.
That said, two three-year-old fillies won back-to-back in 2016 (I Am A Star) and 2017 (Shoals). The oldest Empire Rose Stakes winner in recent times was Shillelagh (2018) who saluted as a seven-year-old in the Melbourne Cup Carnival feature.
Atishu also won as a seven-year-old from barrier nine in 2024.
Ladbrokes Tip: Mares with previous winning form over the mile at longer Empire Rose Stakes odds make a top tip in the million-dollar showdown!
2026 Empire Rose Stakes Predictions & Best Bets
Our Ladbrokes’ insider Empire Rose Stakes 2026 betting tips and exotic Flemington racing selections will be detailed below a day or two out from the race so bookmark this page for the mares to back and sack.
| 1. Lady Shenandoah (8) 57kg2×441 |
| 3. Surfin’ Bird (9) 57kg1×411 |
| 9. Sass Appeal (5) 56.5kgx1442 |
Latest Empire Rose Stakes News
The Empire Rose Stakes is a feature mile race for fillies and mares run at Flemington Racecourse on Victoria Derby Day during the Melbourne Cup Carnival in late October or early November each spring. VRC Derby Day kicks off the four-meeting Melbourne Cup Carnival and takes place on the Saturday before the Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday of November.
Three Group 1 features headline the card including the Empire Rose Stakes run over 1600m, and the weight-for-age event is worth just over $1 million in prize money.
The race was once known as the Myer Classic for sponsorship purposes, but is officially registered as the Empire Rose Stakes in honour of top mare Empire Rose, winner of the 1988 Melbourne Cup.
It has held Group 1 status since 2004 and notable winners include Pride Of Jenni (2023 & 2025), Melody Belle (2019), Red Tracer (2013), Typhoon Tracy (2009), and Divine Madonna (2007).
Empire Rose Stakes Race Info
- Date: Saturday, October 31, 2026
- Track: Flemington Racecourse
- Distance: 1600m
- Conditions: Fillies & Mares – Weight-for-age
- Status: Group 1
- Prize Money: $1 million
- First Run: 1988
2026 Empire Rose Stakes Results
The full Empire Rose Stakes 2026 Results & Finishing Order will be available below once the Group 1 mile race takes place on Saturday, October 31, 2026.
- #1 Lady Shenandoah
- #10 Concord Connie
- #2 Idle Flyer
Empire Rose Stakes 2026 Race Day Schedule
There are nine races on the Victoria Derby Day card, including a trio of Group 1 races. The official VRC Derby 2026 Race Day schedule complete with start times will be updated below once released by Racing Victoria.
| Race | Start Time (AEDT) | Race Name (Group Status) | Conditions | Prize Money | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12:20 PM | Channel 9 Carbine Club Stakes (G3) | Set Weights plus Penalties, 3YO | $500,000 | 1600m |
| 2 | 1:00 PM | TAB One Pool Vanity (G3) | Set Weights plus Penalties, 3YO Fillies | $240,000 | 1400m |
| 3 | 1:40 PM | HKJC World Pool Wakeful Stakes (G2) | Set Weights plus Penalties, 3YO Fillies | $300,000 | 2000m |
| 4 | 2:20 PM | G.H. Mumm Rising Fast Stakes (G3) | Handicap, 4YO & Upwards | $240,000 | 1200m |
| 5 | 3:00 PM | The ABC Bullion Damien Oliver (G2) | Handicap, 4YO & Upwards | $500,000 | 1400m |
| 6 | 3:40 PM | Coolmore Stud Stakes (G1) | Set Weights, 3YO | $2,000,000 | 1200m |
| 7 | 4:20 PM | Howden Victoria Derby (G1) | Set Weights, 3YO | $3,000,000 | 2500m |
| 8 | 5:00 PM | TAB Empire Rose Stakes (G1) | Weight-for-Age, 3YO & Upwards Fillies & Mares | $1,000,000 | 1600m |
| 9 | 5:40 PM | Asahi Super Dry Sprint (G3) | Set Weights plus Penalties, 4YO & Upwards Mares | $240,000 | 1100m |
- First Race: 12:20 PM
- Last Race: 5:40 PM
- Feature Race: Race 7 – Howden Victoria Derby (4:20 PM) – $3 million Group 1 over 2500m.
Empire Rose Stakes 2026 Start Time
The Empire Rose Stakes start time is scheduled for 5:00pm (AEDT) when the event runs as Flemington Race 8 as the penultimate VRC Derby Day race on Saturday, October 31, 2026.
Empire Rose Stakes Prize Money Breakdown
The Empire Rose Stakes 2026 runs for a total prize pool of $1 million, with $600,000 going to the winner. Places are paid down to eighth.
| Position | Prize Money |
|---|---|
| 1st | $600,000 |
| 2nd | $180,000 |
| 3rd | $90,000 |
| 4th | $45,000 |
| 5th | $25,000 |
| 6th-8th | $20,000 |
Empire Rose Stakes Betting
Empire Rose betting markets are most popular with the punters the week of the race and are usually dominated by fillies and mares coming out of a race like the Group 2 Tristarc Stakes at Caulfield; the latest mares to complete the Tristarc Stakes – Empire Rose double being Red Tracer (2013) and Colette (2021).
The Tristarc also produced Appearance (2012) who improved on a seventh in the Group 2 for an upset at $41 in the Group 1.
Favourites have won a number of times over the past decade including the filly Shoals (2017) and star New Zealand-trained mare Melody Belle (2019) in recent years.
Upsets are also common with plenty of double figure winners including Sacred Choice ($21 in 2010), Hurtle Myrtle ($16 in 2011), Appearance ($41 in 2012), Bonaria ($26 in 2014), Shout The Bar ($21 in 2020), Colette ($13 in 2021), Icebath ($11 in 2022), and Pride Of Jenni ($16 in 2023). Pride Of Jenni won again in 2025 as the $4.80 third favourite.
Atishu ($3.60 in 2024) is the last Empire Rose Stakes favourite to salute.
Empire Rose Stakes Field
The Empire Rose Stakes race field has a capacity of 16 starters plus four emergencies.
Final Empire Rose Stakes acceptances close on the Wednesday before the race takes place on the Saturday with nominations only taken on that Monday.
Good lead-up races into the Empire Rose Stakes field outside the Tristarc Stakes run on Caulfield Cup Day include the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) the Saturday before over more distance at The Valley and the Toorak.
Mares targeting the Empire Rose Stakes field in Melbourne may also have a lead-up run the Saturday prior in Sydney’s $2 million The Invitation (1400m), a race Icebath ran ninth in before her Group 1 Empire win in 2022.
2026 Empire Rose Stakes Final Field
The final Empire Rose 2026 Field & Barriers are set for release on the Wednesday of race week and will be published below so stay tuned to see what female milers make the line-up for the million-dollar feature this Cup Carnival.
The 2026 Empire Rose Stakes field is now out featuring 11 class milers including Chris Waller’s last start Toorak Handicap winning mare Lady Shenandoah, Crystal Mile champ Surfin’ Bird chasing a hat trick and the Bjorn Baker-trained Unleeshing also coming off back-to-back wins.
| Entrant | Last 6 | Sex | Barrier | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. Lady Shenandoah
J: James McDonald
T: Chris Waller |
42×441 | M | 8 | 57kg | |
|
2. Idle Flyer
J: Mark Zahra
T: Matthew Smith |
x64405 | M | 7 | 57kg | |
|
3. Surfin’ Bird
J: Blake Shinn
T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott |
51×411 | M | 9 | 57kg | |
|
4. Cilacap
J: Michael Dee
T: Grahame Begg |
6831×5 | M | 4 | 57kg | |
|
5. Unleeshing
J: Jason Collett
T: Bjorn Baker |
2×2211 | M | 10 | 57kg | |
|
6. Pondalowie
J: Harry Coffey
T: Emma-Lee & David Browne |
5×8156 | M | 11 | 57kg | |
|
7. Jenni Multabella
J: Declan Bates
T: Ciaron Maher |
x31222 | M | 2 | 57kg | |
|
8. Salty Pearl
J: Ben Allen
T: Ciaron Maher |
35×346 | M | 1 | 56.5kg | |
|
9. Sass Appeal
J: Damian Lane
T: Danny O’brien |
1×1442 | M | 5 | 56.5kg | |
|
10. Concord Connie
J: Craig Williams
T: Charlotte Littlefield |
111×23 | M | 6 | 56.5kg | |
|
11. Pillow Fight
J: William Pike
T: Bjorn Baker |
22×652 | M | 3 | 56.5kg |
Empire Rose Stakes Barrier Draw 2026
The 2026 Empire Rose Stakes barrier draw is conducted on the Wednesday of race week. The barrier draw is important for the 1600m race, and bookmakers suspend betting on the morning of the draw.
Empire Rose Stakes Barrier Statistics
Barrier 7 is the most recent Empire Rose Stakes winning barrier with Pride Of Jenni in 2025.
Fourteen Empire Rose Stakes winners from 2000-2025 jumped from double-digit gates most recently Pride Of Jenni (16 in 2023).
Barrier 16 is the widest barrier to produce an Empire Rose Stakes winner between 2000 and 2025 with Pride Of Jenni the latest to salute from that gate in 2023.
What is the most successful recent Empire Rose Stakes barrier draw?
Barriers 10 and 13 have both produced four Empire Rose Stakes winners between 2000 and 2025 most recently Shoals (barrier 10 in 2017) and the star Kiwi mare Melody Belle (barrier 13 in 2019).
Breakdown of winning Empire Rose Stakes barriers between 2000-25:
- Barrier 1 – 2 (latest Lyrical Bird in 2006)
- Barrier 2 – 0
- Barrier 3 – 2 (latest Ice Bath in 2022)
- Barrier 4 – 2 (latest Miss Potential in 2004)
- Barrier 5 – 1 (latest Forensics in 2008)
- Barrier 6 – 1 (latest Sacred Choice in 2010)
- Barrier 7 – 1 (latest Pride Of Jenni in 2025)
- Barrier 8 – 1 (latest Colette in 2021)
- Barrier 9 – 2 (latest Atishu in 2024)
- Barrier 10 – 4 (latest Shoals in 2017)
- Barrier 11 – 3 (latest Shout The Bar in 2020)
- Barrier 12 – 1 (latest Typhoon Tracy in 2009)
- Barrier 13 – 4 (latest Melody Belle in 2019)
- Barrier 14 – 0
- Barrier 15 – 0
- Barrier 16 – 2 (latest Pride Of Jenni in 2023)
2026 Empire Rose Stakes Nominations
The official early Empire Rose Stakes 2026 Nominations are taken the Monday leading up to VRC Derby Day and will be announced below.
The official 2026 Empire Rose Stakes nominations are now out featuring 18 class female gallopers led in all-in betting at Ladbrokes by the Chris Waller-trained Lady Shenandoah coming off a lead-up Group 1 Toorak Handicap win over the mile.
Empire Rose Stakes Form Guide
The Empire Rose form guide has all the info you need before you enjoy a punt on the race including saddlecloth numbers, barriers, jockeys and trainers.
Last start winners have a solid record in the race so looking for runners coming off a victory on the Empire Rose Stakes form guide, especially the Tristarc Stakes winner, is important.
Widely drawn mares have dominated the race in recent years, so a wide gate on the Empire Rose Stakes form is also a good indicator of a mare to get behind for the win.
Notably the 2023 Empire Rose Stakes form was franked with the winner, Pride Of Jenni, taking out the Group 1 Champions Mile (1600m) at her next start. She also returned for a big autumn campaign in 2024 that included a victory in the All-Star Mile and a historic 6.5 length romp home in Sydney’s Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).
The 2024 Empire Rose Stakes form was franked the winner, Atishu, running second next-up in the Champions Stakes.
Empire Rose Stakes Form Facts
- From 2011-20 every Empire Rose winner jumped from barrier 10 or wider.
- I Am A Star (2016) was the first filly to win the Empire Rose in over 20 years and Shoals (2017) continued the trend winning as a 3YO the next year.
- The Tristarc Stakes has produced four Empire Rose winners since 2009 including three to do the double.
- The favourite in Empire Rose betting has saluted four times since 2009 with Red Tracer ($3 in 2013), Shoals ($4.80 in 2017), Melody Belle ($3.80 in 2018), and Atishu ($3.60 in 2024).
- 11 other winners in that time (2010-24) jumped at a big price including Appearance ($41 in 2012), Shout The Bar ($21 in 2020), and Pride Of Jenni ($16 in 2023).
2026 Empire Rose Stakes Form Guide
A link to our insider Empire Rose Stakes 2026 Form Guide will be provided for punters below the week of the race.
Past Empire Rose Stakes Results
Empire Rose Stakes race results and the finishing order of all the fillies and mares in the field are known when the event runs late on the Flemington card on Victoria Derby Day each Melbourne Cup Carnival. As well as the winner you can find out the winning margin and time, full placings and the starting price of every runner plus any scratchings.
Roughie hopes have dominated the Empire Rose results since 2010 with only two single-figure winners from then until 2017 saluting.
Notable recent Empire Rose winners include the fillies Shoals (2017) and I Am A Star (2016), Red Tracer (2013), Typhoon Tracy (2009), and Forensics (2008).
Market Price holds the current Empire Rose Stakes race record winning in 2001 in a time of 1 minute 34:20 seconds.
Pride Of Jenni (2023 & 2025) was the last dual Empire Rose Stakes winner.
Recent Empire Rose Stakes Winners
Recent Empire Rose Stakes winners and placegetters dating back to the year 2000 are detailed in the below table.
| Year | Winner | 2nd | 3rd | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 2025 | Pride Of Jenni | Leica Lucy | On Display | 1:34.42 |
| 2024 | Atishu | Amelia’s Jewel | Socks Nation | 1:35.93 |
| 2023 | Pride Of Jenni | Atishu | Life Lessons | 1:34.86 |
| 2022 | Icebath | Mirra Vision | Excelida | 1:37.8 |
| 2021 | Colette | Mystic Journey | Hungry Heart | 1:34.8 |
| 2020 | Shout The Bar | Odeum | Forbidden Love | 1:35.3 |
| 2019 | Melody Belle | Aristia | Spanish Reef | 1:37.7 |
| 2018 | Shillelagh | Bring Me Roses | Fundamentalist | 1:34.8 |
| 2017 | Shoals | Eckstein | Dixie Blossoms | 1:35.2 |
| 2016 | I Am A Star | French Emotion | Denmagic | 1:35.5 |
| 2015 | Politeness | Fenway | Azkadellia | 1:37.7 |
| 2014 | Bonaria | Sweet Idea | Catkins | 1:36.5 |
| 2013 | Red Tracer | Catkins | Fire Up Fifi | 1:36.4 |
| 2012 | Appearance | Soft Sand | Secret Admirer | 1:34.9 |
| 2011 | Hurtle Myrtle | Sacred Choice | Dysphonia | 1:37.5 |
| 2010 | Sacred Choice | Typhoon Tracy | Hot Danish | 1:38.9 |
| 2009 | Typhoon Tracy | Lady Lynette | Zarita | 1:35.3 |
| 2008 | Forensics | Absolutely Fabulous | Mimi Lebrock | 1:35.9 |
| 2007 | Divine Madonna | Translate | Red for Lou | 1:36.1 |
| 2006 | Lyrical Bid | Sea Change | Kosi Bay | 1:37.6 |
| 2005 | Lotteria | Miss Potential | Shania Dane | 1:35.4 |
| 2004 | Miss Potential | Alinghi | Infinite Grace | 1:37.5 |
| 2003 | Zanna | Infinite Grace | Mrs Tendulkar | 1:38.4 |
| 2002 | Miss Zoe | Purple Groove | Ramanos Star | 1:35.8 |
| 2001 | Market Price | Pernod | Calm Smytzer | 1:34.2 |
| 2000 | Super Sequel | Its Platonic | Nova Claus | 1:37.8 |