Blue Sapphire Stakes

RUN HARRY RUN winning the Catanach's Jewellers Blue Sapphire Stakes at Caulfield in Australia. Picture: Racing Photos

The Blue Sapphire Stakes is a Group 3 race run under Set Weights conditions for three year olds at Caulfield conducted by the Melbourne Racing Club.

The Blue Sapphire Stakes is run over 1400m. It was first run in 2005 and was won by Readyforcatherine.

The Blue Sapphire Stakes became a Group 3 in 2016.

It has changed its place in the season. It was run as a 2yo race in May each year but when the Spring carnival was changed with the Thousand Guineas moved to the prior Saturday, this race was moved to the Spring and the midweek card. It then has moved with the new Thousand Guineas day to be after Cup week and now over 1400m.

The Blue Sapphire Stakes then changed from a 2yo race to be a 3yo race.

As a 2yo race Black Caviar won it at her second start, winning by six lengths.

The Blue Sapphire Stakes was worth $500,000 in 2023.

Notable winners of the 2yo Blue Sapphire Stakes include Smokin' Joey (2010) and Black Caviar (2009).

The 2020 edition was a remarkable one for many reasons. Only three horses accepted for the race but then in running they were three abreast the entire 1200m and the 10-1 outsider of the field Ranting ran over the top.

Notable winners of the 3yo Blue Sapphire Stakes include Extreme Warrior (2021), Anaheed (2019), Written By (2018), Formality (2017), Flying Artie (2016), Keen Array (2015), Eloping (2014) and Snitzerland (2012).

The 2023 Blue Sapphire Stakes was won by Run Harry Run from Brave Mead and Arkansaw Kid.