Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Winners: Past Results & History

The Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes is a notable Group 1 race in Melbourne, and we look at the past results and history of the 1400m race.

Some of Australia’s more promising thoroughbreds have won the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, so we’re excited to see who will become the newest winner in Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes history.

Recent Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Winners

The Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes has produced some champion winners over the last 20 years, including Sepals, Kimochi, Santa Ana Lane, and Stratum Star.

Here are the last 20 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes winners:

• 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 – Turrfontein
• 2008 – Orange County
• 2007 – Bon Hoffa
• 2006 – Rewaaya
• 2005 – Barely a Moment

The Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes is one of the more interesting Group 1 races on the calendar. It has a habit of being won by horses on the way up, with recent winners like Sepals and Kimochi showing that you don’t necessarily need to be an established Group 1 star to win it. That makes it an appealing race for horses looking to make the jump to the top level. 

It can also be a good race for punters, with plenty of value available over the years. Callsign Mav, who came across from New Zealand, was a great example when he won in 2022.

Notable Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Winners

The Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes has produced plenty of memorable winners over the years, with names like Exceed And Excel, Manikato, and Encosta de Lago among the standouts.

It has also proved to be a good race for future stallions. Exceed And Excel and Encosta de Lago both went on to enjoy highly successful stud careers, with Exceed And Excel in particular leaving a huge mark on Australian breeding and continuing to produce top-class horses.

Testa Rossa won the race back-to-back in 1999 and 2000. Those years are arguably among the strongest periods in the race’s history, with the quality of the fields helping cement the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes as a genuine Group 1 contest.

Jovial Lad took out the inaugural running in 1951, and since then the race has been won by plenty of household names, including Mannerism, Our Maizcay, Cap D’Antibes, and Canny Lass.

Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes History

The Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes is one of Australia’s well-known Group 1 races and is held each year at Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne. The race has gone through a few name changes over the years, eventually taking the name of Sir Rupert Clarke, a prominent Victorian businessman and racing enthusiast.

Over the years, the race has built a reputation for competitive fields and exciting finishes, so it’s a must-see race.

The race was elevated to Group 1 status in 1979 as part of a change to the Australian racing pattern. It currently carries a $1 million prize pool, making it an attractive target for some of the country’s best sprinters and milers.

How many horses have won the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes twice?

A select group of gallopers have managed to win the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes more than once, and it’s a piece of history Ladbrokes punters often revisit when analysing Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes betting trends.

Multiple Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Winners

• St Joel – the standout of the bunch, winning three editions of the race (1953, 1956 & 1959), each victory spaced three years apart.
• Tauto – went back‑to‑back in 1970–71, a rare consecutive double.
• Private Talk – claimed the race twice on non‑consecutive years (1976 & 1979).
• Testa Rossa – the most recent dual winner, saluting in 1999 & 2000.

In total, four horses have won the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes more than once, with St Joel the only triple winner and Testa Rossa the latest to complete the double.

What age group has the best recent the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes record?

Four-year-olds have dominated the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes winners list in recent years with 14 saluting between 2000 and 2025, most recently Sepals in 2025.

The youngest recent Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes winner was Exceed And Excel who became the latest three-year-old to win in 2003.

The oldest recent Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes winner was Callsign Mav who became the latest six-year-old to win in 2022.

Between 2000 and 2025 the breakdown of Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes winners by age is as follows:

• 3YOs – 1 (latest Exceed And Excel in 2003)
• 4YOs – 14 (latest Sepals in 2025)
• 5YOs – 8 (latest Sierra Sue in 2021)
• 6YOs – 3 (latest Callsign Mav in 2022)

Latest Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes 2026 Odds