The next edition of the Makybe Diva Stakes runs on Saturday, September 12, 2026 as the second Group 1 race of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.
The Makybe Diva Stakes launches the serious spring action at Flemington, and Ladbrokes punters are already locking onto the latest Makybe Diva Stakes odds and insider Makybe Diva Stakes betting tips as the weight‑for‑age stars return. Run over a testing 1600 metres, this Group 1 is a major pressure point for elite milers and Cups‑bound stayers, and it regularly produces form that holds up right through the carnival. With big stables unveiling their headline horses, market movers shaping early value, and proven WFA performers stepping out for key spring targets, the Makybe Diva Stakes delivers high‑class racing and prime turnover — giving Ladbrokes customers a powerful early read on the runners ready to explode at Flemington.
2026 Makybe Diva Stakes Odds
The latest Makybe Diva Stakes 2026 betting odds and links to our Group 1 spring racing markets will be available here once open.
| 1. Sheza Alibi | ||
| 2. Sir Delius | ||
| 3. Autumn Glow | ||
| 4. Aeliana | ||
| 5. Jimmysstar | ||
| 6. Mr Brightside | ||
| 7. Treasurethe Moment | ||
| 8. Angel Capital | ||
| 9. Autumn Boy | ||
| 10. Cosmic Crusader | ||
| 11. Pericles | ||
| 12. Tom Kitten | ||
| 13. Yellow Jersey | ||
| 14. Ceolwulf | ||
| 15. Fangirl | ||
| 16. Lady Shenandoah | ||
| 17. Gringotts | ||
| 18. Another Wil | ||
| 19. Beiwacht | ||
| 20. Belle Cheval |
Makybe Diva Stakes Tips
Makybe Diva Stakes tips often predict an upset result with double-figure runners boasting a good record in the race over the past decade or so. Horses that ran well in their lead-up races also tend to dominate Group 1 spring racing predictions as there have been a number of last start winners to take out the race in recent years most recently Mr Brightside (2023).
Single-digit barriers have produced 11 Makybe Diva Stakes winners from 2012 -2025 most recently Mr Brightside (barrier 1 in 2025), but tipping isn’t led by gate positions as in recent years Littorio (14 in 2011) and Vigor (11 in 2009) have overcome wide barriers to salute in the feature, as did Vega Magic (10 in 2017).
Vega Magic went on to finish runner-up to Winx in the 2017 Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) so a good Makybe Diva Stakes tip is to watch for the best out of the mile feature in markets for Cox Plate at The Valley in late October.
The 2022 Makybe Diva Stakes winner I’m Thunderstruck also went on to finish runner-up in that spring’s Cox Plate results.
2026 Makybe Diva Stakes Tips
Our Ladbrokes’ insider Makybe Diva Stakes 2026 betting tips will be detailed below the week of the race so stay tuned to see what milers and stayers to back and sack in the Flemington Group 1 race this season.
Ladbrokes Tip: Older milers have a great record in the Makybe Diva Stakes in the past decade
The Makybe Diva Stakes is the opening Group 1 mile race of the annual Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival and takes place on a Saturday in early – mid September at the famous Flemington Racecourse.
The only elite level race at the meeting the weight-for-age showdown is currently $750,000 and often attracts horses that ran in the season’s first Group 1, the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield a fortnight before.
The latest horses to complete the Memsie Stakes – Makybe Diva Stakes double – a popular early spring racing bet with the punters – are Dissident (2014) and Mr Brightside (2023).
Inaugurated in 1948 when Lungi won, Cosmic Court (1949) won the second edition of the Makybe Diva Stakes when it was known as the Craiglee Stakes. It was renamed in honour of superstar mare and three-time Melbourne Cup winner Makybe Diva in 2007 and has held Group 1 status since 2013.
Other notable Makybe Diva Stakes winners over the years include Mr Brightside (2023), Incentivise (2021), Shocking (2010), Weekend Hussler (2008), Northerly (2002), Jeune (1995), Zabeel (1990), and Rose Of Kingston (1982).
Mr Brightside became the first two-time Makybe Diva Stakes winner since Sailor’s Guide (1956-57) when he successfully defended his title in 2024.
In 2025 Mr Brightside went one better to become history’s sole three-time Makybe Diva Stakes champion!
Makybe Diva Stakes Race Info
- Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
- Track: Flemington Racecourse
- Distance: 1600m
- Conditions: Weight-for-age
- Status: Group 1
- Prize Money: $750,000
- First Run: 1948
2026 Makybe Diva Stakes Results
The official Makybe Diva Stakes 2026 Results & Finishing Order will be available below once the race is run and won on Saturday, September 12, 2026.
Makybe Diva Stakes Betting
Makybe Diva Stakes betting markets usually have horses that come via the Memsie Stakes two weeks earlier at the top of the odds with Dissident (2014) followed by Mr Brightside (2023) nearly a decade later the latest gallopers to complete the double.
Mr Brightside also won the 2024 and 2025 Makybe Diva Stakes off a lead-up second in the Memsie Stakes results both years.
The other horse to win both the Memsie Stakes and Makybe Diva Stakes prior to 2014 was Weekend Hussler (2008).
Favourites have a poor recent record with just five saluting in recent history with the aforementioned Dissident, Weekend Hussler, Fierce Impact ($4 in 2020), the ill-fated I’m Thunderstruck ($2.60 in 2022), and most recently the odds-on pick Mr Brightside ($1.85 in 2023).
Mr Brightside jumped at $3.50 winning his second Makybe Diva Stakes in 2024 with that year’s favourite, Via Sistina ($2.60), running a disappointing fifth over six lengths beaten.
In 2025, Via Sistina started the $1.80 favourite but ran third to Mr Brightside ($5).
There has been plenty of upsets in the meantime including 40/1 shot Littorio getting the job done in 2011 so looking further down the Makybe Diva Stakes odds for a value bet is always worth doing.
The Makybe Diva Stakes winner at the longest odds in recent history was 2019 champ Gatting who saluted at 100-1 defeating the hot favourite Mystic Journey.
Makybe Diva Stakes Field
The Makybe Diva Stakes race field has a capacity of 16 starters and was last run at that maximum number in 2010 when Shocking beat home his 15 rivals.
Final Makybe Diva Stakes acceptances are taken on the Wednesday before the race runs that Saturday and the last time the Makybe Diva Stakes field ran with under 10 starters was in 2023 when Mr Brightside defeated just six rivals.
Mr Brightside won the 2024 against seven rivals in another small Makybe Diva Stakes field that lacked numbers but not class.
In 2025 just six horses lined up in the Makybe Diva Stakes field when Mr Brightside beat them all home for his third success.
Horses may come into the Makybe Diva Stakes field on the back of a first-up run in the Memsie Stakes, or many stayers kick off their spring bids in the race on way to longer distance features at the carnival including Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) a fortnight later.
Another nice next-up option for horses out of the Makybe Diva Stakes field is Flemington’s Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m). Incentivise (2021) was the last horse to complete the Makybe Diva Stakes – Turnbull Stakes double.
Incentivise also went on to win that year’s Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) before his second behind champion mare Verry Elleegant in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) over the two miles.
2026 Makybe Diva Stakes Field
The official Makybe Diva Stakes 2026 Final Field & Barriers will be published in full below once acceptances for the Group 1 Flemington feature close the Wednesday of race week.
2026 Makybe Diva Stakes Nominations
The Makybe Diva Stakes Nominations for 2026 close on the Monday of race week with the full list of early entries to be made available below.
Makybe Diva Stakes Form Guide
The Makybe Diva Stakes form guide lists basic info like the saddlecloth numbers, barriers, jockeys and trainers of all the horses lining up in the field.
Jockey Craig Williams has won six editions of the race aboard three-time hero Mr Brightside (2023 & 2024 & 2025), Littorio (2011), Adelaide mare Southern Speed (2012) and Confectioner (2005) so looking for the horse he rides in the form guide could be a nice bet. You can also see the lead-up form as well as the track and distance records of the runners.
The 2022 Makybe Diva Stakes runner-up Alligator Blood franked the form winning the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) and Group 1 VRC Champion’s Stakes (1600m) later that spring. Alligator Blood returned to run a brave second to Mr Brightside in the 2023 Makybe Diva Stakes results.
Mr Brightside went on to frank the 2024 Makybe Diva form running second in his next two starts before a Cox Plate fourth and Group 1 Champions Stakes success that Melbourne Cup Carnival. The Makybe Diva Stakes third placegetter in 2024, Antino, meanwhile went on to win that year’s Group 1 Toorak Handicap.
The 2025 Makybe Diva Stakes produced seriously strong form, and Ladbrokes punters saw that quality confirmed right through the season. Runner‑up Aeliana returned in the 2026 autumn and dominated at weight‑for‑age, completing the Ranvet Stakes – Tancred Stakes double in emphatic style. Third‑placed Via Sistina went even bigger, launching into a powerhouse spring that delivered both the Cox Plate and Champions Stakes before she bowed out of racing — a sequence that turned the Makybe Diva form into one of the most reliable betting references of the year for anyone tracking Makybe Diva Stakes form and elite WFA performers.
Makybe Diva Stakes Form Facts
- Single-digit Makybe Diva Stakes barriers produced 12 winners from 2012 – 2025.
- Southern Speed (2012) is the only Makybe Diva Stakes winning mare to beat home the boys since 1996.
- Favourites in Makybe Diva Stakes betting have a poor recent record with just five saluting from 2008 – 2025.
- The Memsie Stakes is a key lead-up producing all but five of the Makybe Diva winners from 2014 – 2025 including Dissident (2014) and Mr Brightside (2023) who did the double.
2026 Makybe Diva Stakes Form Guide
A link to our detailed Makybe Diva Stakes 2026 Form Guide and betting preview will be provided for punters below the week of the race.
Past Makybe Diva Stakes Results
The Makybe Diva Stakes race results are known when the race runs late on the Flemington race card on Makybe Diva Stakes Day and show not only the winning trifecta for exotic bets but the exact finishing order of all the runners as well as any scratched horses, plus the winning time and margin for the record books.
There have been plenty of recent upset Makybe Diva Stakes results including big odds on offer for the ill-fated Gatting ($101 in 2019) who sadly passed away after breaking down in the same event in 2020, Humidor ($7 in 2017), Foreteller ($15 in 2013), and Littorio ($41 in 2011).
Mares have a poor record in the Makybe Diva Stakes race results with just the one win since 1996, while just two eight-year-olds have won the race in over 30 years with Hugs Dancer (2004) and Fawkner (2015).
Southern Speed (2012) was the last Makybe Diva Stakes winning mare.
Acramitis (1954) remains the only three-year-old Makybe Diva Stakes winner in history.
Dual Choice holds the current 1600m Makybe Diva Stakes race record winning in 1971 in 1 minute 31:9 seconds.
Mr Brightside (2023-25) is the only three-time Makybe Diva Stakes winner.
Recent Makybe Diva Stakes Winners
Recent Makybe Diva Stakes winners and placegetters dating back to the year 2000 are detailed in the below table.
Sadly, the 2022 Makybe Diva Stakes winner I’m Thunderstruck would go on to be euthanised in March of 2023 following arthroscopic fetlock surgery. He suffered a catastrophic knee injury whilst getting up after general anaesthetic.
| Year | Winner | Runner-Up | Third | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 2025 | Mr Brightside | Aeliana | Via Sistina | 1:38.75 |
| 2024 | Mr Brightside | Pride Of Jenni | Antino | 1:38.98 |
| 2023 | Mr Brightside | Alligator Blood | Osipenko | 1:37.4 |
| 2022 | I’m Thunderstruck | Alligator Blood | Mo’unga | 1:37.8 |
| 2021 | Incentivise | Mo’unga | Sir Dragonet | 1:36.6 |
| 2020 | Fierce Impact | Russian Camelot | So Si Bon | 1:36.3 |
| 2019 | Gatting | Mystic Journey | Mr Quickie | 1:33.9 |
| 2018 | Grunt | Kings Will Dream | Jon Snow | 1:34.9 |
| 2017 | Humidor | Hartnell | Black Heart Bart | 1:35.3 |
| 2016 | Palentino | Black Heart Bart | He Or She | 1:36.2 |
| 2015 | Fawkner | Rising Romance | Entirely Platinum | 1:37.9 |
| 2014 | Dissident | Fawkner | Puissance De Lune | 1:36.9 |
| 2013 | Foreteller | Puissance De Lune | Moudre | 1:37.0 |
| 2012 | Southern Speed | Manighar | Moudre | 1:37.8 |
| 2011 | Littorio | Glass Harmonium | Midas Touch | 1:37.8 |
| 2010 | Shocking | Heart Of Dreams | Vigor | 1:41.7 |
| 2009 | Vigor | Typhoon Tracy | Master O’Reilly | 1:35.8 |
| 2008 | Weekend Hussler | Zarita | Littorio | 1:38.6 |
| 2007 | Marasco | Apache Cat | Zipping | 1:36.7 |
| 2006 | Pompeii Ruler | Sphenophyta | Zipping | 1:38.5 |
| 2005 | Confectioner | Free At Last | Our Smoking Joe | 1:35.8 |
| 2004 | Hugs Dancer | Elvstoem | Zagalia | 1:38.2 |
| 2003 | Pentastic | Walk On Air | Mummify | 1:37.2 |
| 2002 | Northerly | Le Zagaletta | Silver Baron | 1:37.9 |
| 2001 | Native Jazz | Aka Bilk | Universal Prince | 1:37.4 |
| 2000 | Go Flash Go | Oliver Twist | Showella | 1:42.1 |
FAQs
How do I bet on the 2026 Makybe Diva Stakes?
Bet online or via the latest iOS/Android app with Ladbrokes.
The first step is to create an account at Ladbrokes. The process is quick and easy!
Once you’ve created your account you can make a deposit via credit card, or any other of our secure payment methods.
Next up, head to the racing page and find the runner that’s right for you.
Which horse will win the 2026 Makybe Diva Stakes?
The best way to pick which horse will win the Makybe Diva Stakes is to take into account the form, assess the barriers, and consider the weight the horse will carry (among other factors).
Check out Ladbrokes in the lead up to the race for full form information.
When is the Makybe Diva Stakes 2026?
The 2026 Makybe Diva Stakes is set to run at Flemington on Saturday September 12 at the start of the Melbourne Spring Carnival.
What is the prize money for the Makybe Diva Stakes 2026?
The 2026 Makybe Diva Stakes prize money is set at $750,000 which is paid from 1st to 8th place including $450,000 going to the Makybe Diva Stakes winner.
Where is the Makybe Diva Stakes 2026?
The 2026 Makybe Diva Stakes is set to run a Melbourne's famous Flemington Racecourse, home to many iconic races including the Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday of November annually, which is located at 448 Epsom Road, Flemington, VIC.
What distance is the Makybe Diva Stakes run over?
The Makybe Diva Stakes is run over 1600 metres, a genuine Flemington mile that puts weight‑for‑age class and tactical speed right under the spotlight. This distance is a key factor for Ladbrokes punters analysing Makybe Diva Stakes odds and shaping confident Makybe Diva Stakes betting plays, with proven milers and Cups‑bound stayers often using the race as a major spring launching pad.
How many horses run in the Makybe Diva Stakes?
The Makybe Diva Stakes usually draws a field of around 12 to 16 runners, typical for a competitive Group 1 weight‑for‑age mile at Flemington. This range gives Ladbrokes punters a solid mix of proven WFA stars, resuming stayers and emerging milers to assess when breaking down Makybe Diva Stakes odds and shaping confident Makybe Diva Stakes betting plays. Field size can influence tempo, map pressure and value in the market, making it an important factor in early‑spring analysis.
Who won the 2025 Makybe Diva Stakes?
The 2025 Makybe Diva Stakes was won by eight-year-old Bullbars gelding Mr Brightside who secured his historic third straight success at $5 for Ben, Will & JD Hayes with jockey Craig Williams aboard on 59kg from barrier 1 to win by 1.5 lengths on a Good (4) track in a time of 1:38.75.