The Northerly Stakes, formerly known as the Kingston Town Classic, is a Perth Racing Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race run under Weight for Age conditions for three year olds and older over a distance of 1800 metres at Ascot Racecourse in Perth, Western Australia in early December.
History
The race was previously named after the Australian Racing Hall of Fame horse, Kingston Town, who won the race in 1982. The stakemoney was increased to A$1 million in 2015. It was renamed the Northerly Stakes in 2022, and the prize money was increased to A$1.5 million. There was already a Group 3 race known as the Northerly Stakes at Perth, however that race was renamed as the Eurythmic Stakes.https://racingwa.com.au/news/2024/12/02/history-of-the-northerly-stakes
Name
1976–1979 - Marlboro 50,000 1980–1983 - Western Mail Classic 1984–1987 - Rothwells Stakes 1988–1991 - Winfield Stakes 1992–1994 - Beat Diabetes 2 Stakes 1995–2006 - Fruit 'N' Veg Stakes 2007–2021 - Kingston Town Classic 2022 onwards - Northerly Stakes
Distance 1976–1998 – 1800 metres 1999–2000 – 1600 metres 2001–2002 – 1800 metres 2003 – 2000 metres 2004 onwards - 1800 metres
Grade 1976–1978 - Principal race 1979 onwards - Group 1
Double winners Five horses have won it twice: Family of Man (1976, 1978), Summer Beau (1996/1997), Old Comrade (2000/2001), Niconero (2006, 2008), Playing God (2010/2011) 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 The following are past winners of the race.
2025 - Cosmic Crusader 2024 - Light Infantry Man 2023 - Dom To Shoot 2022 - Amelia's Jewel 2021 - Regal Power 2020 - Truly Great 2019 - Kay Cee 2018 - Arcadia Queen 2017 - Pounamu 2016 - Stratum Star 2015 - Perfect Reflection 2014 - Moriarty 2013 - Ihtsahymn 2012 - Luckygray 2011 - Playing God 2010 - Playing God 2009 - Sniper's Bullet 2008 - Niconero 2007 - Megatic 2006 - Niconero 2005 - Early Express 2004 - Modem 2003 - True Steel 2002 - Blevvo 2001 - Old Comrade 2000 - Old Comrade 1999 - St. Clemens Belle 1998 - Old Nick 1997 - Summer Beau 1996 - Summer Beau 1995 - Forge On 1994 - Island Morn 1993 - Credit Account 1992 - Red Javelin 1991 - Old Role 1990 - Bar Landy 1989 - Better Loosen Up 1988 - Vo Rogue 1987 - Doodlakine Lass 1986 - Military Plume 1985 - Rant And Rave 1984 - Importune 1983 - Bounty Hawk 1982 - Kingston Town 1981 - Little Imagele 1980 - Sovereign Red 1979 - Mighty Kingdom 1978 - Family Of Man 1977 - Stormy Rex 1976 - Family Of Man
See also
Eurythmic Stakes, Group 3 race formerly called the Northerly Stakes Kingston Town Stakes (Randwick) List of Australian Group races Group races
References