Behemoth Stakes

The Behemoth Stakes is Group 3 race run under Weight For Age conditions for open sprinters at Morphettville conducted by the South Australian Jockey Club.

The Behemoth Stakes is run over 1200m. It was first run in 1970 and won by Eastern Court.

Apart from a couple of runnings over further at Cheltenham, the Spring Stakes has only been run over 1200m at Morphettville. It was renamed in 2023.

The Behemoth Stakes was a Group 2 race from 1979 to 1997 then downgraded to G3 after that.

For many years the race honoured Mr David R Coles who was a former SAJC Chairman and Bloodstock agent.

Leon Macdonald has won the race five times as a trainer and Neville Wilson has four wins as a jockey.

Both Hero Wind and Redelva won the race on three occasions.

There has been some very good wins in the Spring Stakes previously by G1 horses known over further such as Sky Cuddle, Rebel Raider and Happy Trails. Dalasan won some excellent stakes races as a 3yo afterwards as well.

Behemoth won first up in 2020 then won consecutive Spring G1s in Melbourne before taking on The Everest. Then in 2021, Behemoth would win it again but only on protest after missing by a nose over the line to Beau Rossa. The race is now named after him.

The 2023 Behemoth Stakes was run for prizemoney of $150,000.

Notable winners of the Behemoth Stakes include See You In Heaven (2023), Behemoth (2020/2021), Dalasan (2019), Riziz (2014), Happy Trails (2012), Rebel Raider (2010), Zupaone (2007), Royal Ida (2006), Super Elegant (2005), Sky Cuddle (2004), Flavour (2001), Will Fly (1998), Hero Wind (1994/1995/1997), Redelva (1988/1989/1990), Samist (1974/1975) and Toltrice (1973).

The 2022 Behemoth Stakes was won by See You In Heaven from Savatoxl and Manhatten Times.