The John Hawkes Stakes registered as the D. C. McKay Stakes is a South Australian Jockey Club Group 3 Thoroughbred horse race for horses aged three years old and over, run as a quality handicap over a distance of 1100 metres at Morphettville Racecourse in Adelaide, Australia during the SAJC Autumn Carnival.
History
The race is named in honour of former SAJC committeeman (elected originally in 1950) and horse owner Don McKay.
The race is considered a major prep lead up race for the Group 1 The Goodwood later in the Autumn Carnival.
The following horses have won the D. C. McKay–Goodwood double: Grey John (1969), Wise Virgin (1973), Puncheon (1976), Comaida Boy (1979), Lord Galaxy (1986), Boardwalk Angel (1989). Bomber Bill has won both races but not in the same year.
The race record time for the current distance is 1:02.10 set by Streetcar Magic in 2011.
Name
1968–1997 - D. C. McKay Stakes 1998–2004 - Honda Stakes 2005 - Malaysia Airlines Stakes 2006 - SATAB Have A Go Stakes 2007–2012 - evright.com Stakes 2013–2023 - D. C. McKay Stakes 2024 onwards - John Hawkes Stakes
Distance
1968–1972 - 6 furlongs (~1200 metres) 1973–1979 - 1200 metres 1980 - 1450 metres (race held at Victoria Park) 1981–1984 - 1200 metres 1985–2001 - 1100 metres 2002 - 1000 metres (race held at Victoria Park) 2003 onwards - 1100 metres.
Grade
1968–1979 - Principal Race 1980 onwards - Group 3
Winners The following are past winners of the race.
2026 - Grand Larceny 2025 - Watchme Win 2024 - Extremely Lucky 2023 - Savatoxl 2022 - Free Of Debt 2021 - Savatoxl 2020 - Behemoth 2019 - Despatch 2018 - Sprightly Lass 2017 - Karacatis 2016 - Super One 2015 - Thermal Current 2014 - Essay Raider 2013 - General Truce 2012 - Outlandish Lad 2011 - Streetcar Magic 2010 - Catapulted 2009 - I Am Invincible 2008 - Idalou 2007 - Here De Angels 2006 - Shablec 2005 - Bomber Bill 2004 - Paraca 2003 - Super Elegant 2002 - †Libidinious / Windigo 2001 - Sudurka 2000 - Perak Gold 1999 - Loafer 1998 - Toledo 1997 - Clang 1996 - Dr. Zackary 1995 - Latin Villa 1994 - Harkaway 1993 - Colebrook 1992 - Scornsome 1991 - Euclase 1990 - Medicine Kid 1989 - Boardwalk Angel 1988 - Beau George 1987 - Testimony 1986 - Lord Galaxy 1985 - Gold Kildare 1984 - Fire Stick 1983 - Penny Edition 1982 - Peta Gay 1981 - With Pleasure 1980 - Ducatoon 1979 - Comaida Boy 1978 - Comaida Boy 1977 - Ardroy 1976 - Puncheon 1975 - Miss Lockleys 1974 - King's Helmet 1973 - Wise Virgin 1972 - Eastern Court 1971 - King Stephen 1970 - Extinction 1969 - Grey John 1968 - King Stephen
† Dead heat
See also Australasian Oaks SA Breeders Stakes Chairman's Stakes Queen Of The South Stakes Robert Sangster Stakes Tobin Bronze Stakes List of Australian Group races Group races
References