Robert Sangster Stakes - Key Stats, Trends and Records

Kristen Manning

Editor

Last updated: Fri 24 Apr 2026 14:02

Kristen Manning 24 Apr 2026

Share this article

The Robert Sangster Stakes is a prestigious Group 1 race for fillies and mares
Mick Price and Damien Oliver hold notable records in training and jockey wins respectively
Key trends include success from wide barriers and four-year-old dominance

Charm Stone is aiming to become the first dual winner of the Robert Sangster Stakes. (Getty)

The Robert Sangster Stakes is one of two Group 1 races run on the opening day of the Adelaide Autumn Carnival at Morphettville, alongside the Australasian Oaks.

Trainer Records
Jockey Records
Key Trends
2026 Race Angle
Pedigree Links in 2026 Field

First run in 1983 and elevated to elite level in 2005, it has developed into a key sprint for fillies and mares and remains unique as Australia’s only Group 1 sprint restricted to that division.

Here’s a look at the key stats, records and trends that have shaped the Robert Sangster Stakes.

Trainer Records

The most successful trainer is Mick Price, who has won the race five times:

Spirit Of Love (1998)
French Bid (2004)
Bel Mer (2009)
Secret Agenda (2017)
Charm Stone (2025)

Lee Freedman won the first three editions of the race as a Group 1 event:

Alinghi (2005)
Ellicorsam (2006)
Universal Queen (2007)

Jockey Records

Damien Oliver is the most prolific winning rider of the race with three victories:

Alinghi (2005)
Secret Agenda (2017)
Spright (2019)

Key Trends

Since the race reached Group 1 level, 14 of the 21 winners have jumped from barrier 10 or wider, including eight of the past nine.
Double-figure winners have been common, with eight of the past 10 starting at $10 or longer, including Bella Vella at $41.
Four-year-old mares have been a strong presence in the race, winning nine of the past 18 editions.
Favourites have a poor record since the race reached Group 1 level in 2005, with just three winners — Alinghi (2005), Universal Queen (2007) and Black Caviar (2012).

2026 Race Angle

Saturday sees Charm Stone attempt to become the first dual winner, with trainer Mick Price chasing a sixth victory in the race and jockey Mark Zahra aiming for back-to-back Sangster wins.

Pedigree Links in 2026 Field

Three of this year’s runners have relations to have won the race:

Generosity: Her grandam Bel Mer won in 2009. They are descendants of the famed matriarch Cinna, also ancestress of the 2023 winner Ruthless Dame.
Point Barrow: A member of the same Irish Candy branch of the Cinna family as Ruthless Dame.
Benedetta: The 2024 third placegetter has as her sixth dam the classy broodmare Miss Valeica, third dam of the 1990 winner Leica Western.