The Winter Stakes is a Gr 1 Australian horse race at set weights for thoroughbred fillies and mares three-years-old and above. Organized by the Queensland Turf Club, the race is contested in June each year over a distance of 1400m at Eagle Farm Racecourse in Brisbane, and carries a purse of AUD$500,000.

Inaugurated in 1989, the Winter Stakes has become one of the premier races for fillies and mares in the Australian horseracing calendar and, as such, regularly attracts many of the nation's top runners, jockeys and trainers. As the last Gr 1 race of the Brisbane winter racing carnival, it also usually draws large crowds.

In preparation for the Winter Stakes, trainers often enter their charges in the 1400m AUD$200,000 Dane Ripper Quality (Gr 3) two weeks earlier at Eagle Farm. How they perform in this race is usually a good indication of how they'll do in the Winter Stakes, or if they'll be entered into the lucrative race at all.

Over the years the Winter Stakes has produced its fair share of deserving winners, including Bonovo, who won the race in 1999 and 2000, Piper's Belle in 1990, Zetoile in 1994, Tripping in 1996, Dane Ripper in 1997, Miss Potential in 2004, Nova Star in 2007 and Absolut Glam, who ran a great race to win in 2008.

Ridden by Melbourne-based jockey James Winks for Melbourne-based trainer Danny O'Brien, superb filly Absolute Glam dazzled from start to finish in the race, in which she was the youngest runner.

Winter Stakes - Past Winners

2005 Miss Potential
2006 Charmview
2007 La Sizeranne
2008 Nova Star
2009 Absolut Glam

Winter Stakes - Betting

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