The Railway Stakes is an Australian Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race under handicap race conditions over a distance of 1600 metres at Ascot Racecourse in Perth in late November. Prizemoney is A$1,500,000.
History The inaugural running of the event was held on Perth Cup day in 1887 with stakes of 60 sovereigns when the three-year-old Nimrod won the event over Hermit. The following season the race was held on New Year's Day 1889 and in the renewal of the race Hermit won the race while Nimrod finished third. The event continued to be part of the Western Australian Turf Club's Summer Carnival with the race being scheduled on the same day as the Perth Cup. In 2001 the WATC rescheduled the event to late November. From 2011 to 2015 the race date was considered the richest day in thoroughbred racing in Perth, known as Super Saturday, with the Winterbottom Stakes, WA Guineas and several other Listed Races. The Winterbottom Stakes was moved to the following Saturday in 2016. In 2003 the race was held at Belmont Park Racecourse.
Western Australian owner-breeder Bob Peters has had six winners in the Railway Stakes:
Old Comrade (2001) Elite Belle (2014) Galaxy Star (2018) Regal Power (2019) Inspirational Girl (2020) Western Empire (2021)
1930 racebook
Distance 1887–1925 - 1 miles (~2000 metres) 1926–1971 - 1 mile (~1609 metres) 1972–1983 – 1500 metres (~ mile) 1984 onwards - 1600 metres (~1 mile)
Grade 1887–1978 - Principal race 1979 onwards - Group 1
Double winners Only two horses have won it twice: Tudor Mak (1966/1967) and Luckygray (2011, 2013) Thoroughbreds that have won the Railway Stakes – Kingston Town Classic double: Better Loosen Up (1989), Old Comrade (2001), Modem (2004), Sniper's Bullet (2009)
Winners
2025 - Watch Me Rock 2024 - Port Lockroy 2023 - Bustler 2022 - Trix of the Trade 2021 - Western Empire 2020 - Inspirational Girl 2019 - Regal Power 2018 - Galaxy Star 2017 - Great Shot 2016 - Scales Of Justice 2015 - Good Project 2014 - Elite Belle 2013 - Luckygray 2012 - Mr Moet 2011 - Luckygray 2010 - Gathering 2009 - Sniper's Bullet 2008 - Gilded Venom 2007 - El Presidente 2006 - Belle Bizarre 2005 - Covertly 2004 - Modem 2003 - Hardrada 2002 - Old Fashion 2001 - Old Comrade 2000 - Northerly 1999 - Slavonic 1998 (Dec.) - Machine Gun Tom 1998 (Jan.) - Willoughby 1996 - Bold Extreme 1995 - Jacks Or Better 1994 (Dec.) - Zaparri 1994 (Jan.) - Island Morn 1992 - Welcome Knight 1991 - M'Lady's Jewel 1990 - Medicine Kid 1989 - Better Loosen Up 1988 - Marwong 1987 (Dec.) - Jungle Dawn 1987 (Jan.) - Miss Muffet 1985 - Valley Of Carome 1984 - Eastern Temple 1983 (Dec.) - Getting Closer 1983 (Jan.) - Sanatate 1981 - Iko 1980 - Golden Heights 1979 - Asian Beau 1978 - Sarsha's Choice 1977 (Dec.) - Marjoleo 1977 (Jan.) - Alpine Wind 1975 - Detonator 1974 - Cambana Lad 1973 - Starglow 1972 - Millefleurs 1971 - Royal Spring 1970 - Kilrickle 1969 - Gold Casket 1968 - La Trice 1967 - Tudor Mak 1966 - Tudor Mak 1965 - Blue Spring 1964 - Sweet Saga 1963 - Yenton 1962 - Royal Thrust 1961 - Big Bob 1960 - Westmaster 1959 - Aquanita 1958 - On Guard 1957 - Young Filipino 1956 - El Boom 1955 - Cunderdin 1954 - Maniana 1953 - Earl James 1952 - Aptofine 1951 - Beau Temps 1950 - Chieftain Warrior 1949 - Tania 1948 - Gold Patois 1947 - Sorcery 1946 - Thorium 1945 - Falsetto 1944 - Bobby Breen 1943 - Beaufine 1942 - Flame Lady 1941 - Hinda 1940 - Pretoria 1939 - Winbyie 1938 - Tetreen 1937 - Temple Coyn 1936 - Gay Gipsy 1935 - Desert Hero 1934 - Aclis 1933 - Earl Cunje 1932 - Jolly Fair 1931 - Comprador 1930 - Coette 1929 - Hint 1928 - Columban 1927 - Jolly Odd 1926 - Cunningman 1925 - Eupator 1924 - Borgia 1923 - Jolly Handsome 1922 - Sweet Doris 1921 - Fair Intervener 1920 (Dec.) - Bobaris 1920 (Jan.) - Andronicus 1919 - Acclivity 1917 - Quiara 1916 (Dec.) - Minever 1916 (Jan.) - Simple Maid 1914 (Dec.) - Lilyveil 1914 (Jan.) - Werenda 1912 - Saturate 1911 - Apple Charlotte 1910 (Dec.) - Artesian 1910 (Jan.) - Thigen Thu 1908 - Lady Agnes 1907 (Dec.) - Betsy Burke 1907 (Jan.) - Man O' War 1905 - Scorher 1904 - Possum 1903 (Dec.) - Display 1903 (Jan.) - Meteorite 1901 (Dec.) - Limber 1901 (Jan.) - Australian 1900 - First Mate 1899 - Yatheroo 1898 - Onslow 1897 - Primrose 1896 - Dryden 1895 - Florrie 1894 - Carbine 1893 - Lockeville 1892 - Lord Byron 1891 - Will O' The Wisp 1890 - Wandering Willie 1889 - Hermit 1887 - Nimrod
See also
List of Australian Group races Group races
References