Underwood Stakes - Relive the Last Five Editions

Alex Marsh

Editor

Last updated: Wed 16 Sep 2026 17:57

Alex Marsh 1 hour ago

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Relive the last five editions of the Group 1 Underwood Stakes
Recent winners include Sir Delius, Buckaroo, Alligator Blood and Zaaki
Watch the replays and revisit the key results from 2021 to 2025

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last 5 Underwood winners

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Craig Williams riding Zaaki winning Race 7, the Quayclean Underwood Stakes, during Melbourne Racing at Sandown Racecourse on September 25, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Zaaki after winning Race 7, the Quayclean Underwood Stakes, during Melbourne Racing at Sandown Racecourse on September 25, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Tim Clark riding Alligator Blood winning Race 7, the Quayclean Underwood Stakes, during Melbourne Racing at Sandown Hillside on September 25, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Co Trainer Adrian Bott holding the trophy with Tim Clark after Alligator Blood won Race 7, the Quayclean Underwood Stakes, during Melbourne Racing at Sandown Hillside on September 25, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 23: Damien Oliver riding Alligator Blood winning Race 9, the Live Life Foundation Underwood Stakes, during Melbourne Racing at Caulfield Racecourse on September 23, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 23: Alligator Blood after winning Race 9, the Live Life Foundation Underwood Stakes, during Melbourne Racing at Caulfield Racecourse on September 23, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 21: Joao Moreira riding Buckaroo winning Race 8, the Henley Homes Underwood Stakes - Betting Odds during Melbourne Racing at Caulfield Racecourse on September 21, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 21: Joao Moreira poses with the trophy and strapper (r) after riding Buckaroo to wi Race 8, the Henley Homes Underwood Stakes - Betting Odds during Melbourne Racing at Caulfield Racecourse on September 21, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 20: Craig Williams riding Sir Delius defeats Blake Shinn riding Buckaroo and Jordan Childs riding Golden Path (r) in Race 7, the Sen Underwood Stakes during Melbourne Racing at Caulfield Racecourse on September 20, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 20: Craig Williams poses with strapper Mia Smith after riding Sir Delius to win in Race 7, the Sen Underwood Stakes during Melbourne Racing at Caulfield Racecourse on September 20, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)

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The Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) has long been one of the key middle-distance weight-for-age contests of the Melbourne spring, regularly bringing together established Group 1 performers and horses building towards some of the carnival's biggest races.

2025 Underwood Stakes
2024 Underwood Stakes
2023 Underwood Stakes
2022 Underwood Stakes
2021 Underwood Stakes
After The Underwood Stakes

Its recent honour roll reflects that standing, with Sir Delius winning in 2025 after Buckaroo claimed the previous edition, while Alligator Blood completed back-to-back victories in 2022 and 2023. Zaaki took out the race in 2021, adding another high-class name to a list of winners that includes Phar Lap, Ajax, Tobin Bronze, Octagonal, Northerly and So You Think.

The 2026 edition again brings together a strong collection of middle-distance performers, with Cosmic Crusader, Birdman, Lindermann, Aeliana and 2024 winner Buckaroo among the nine runners set to tackle the Caulfield 1800m.

Ahead of the 2026 Underwood Stakes, we look back at the last five editions and relive each running.

2025 Underwood Stakes

1st - Sir Delius

2nd - Buckaroo

3rd - Golden Path

2024 Underwood Stakes

1st - Buckaroo

2nd - Huetor

3rd - Pericles

2023 Underwood Stakes

1st - Alligator Blood

2nd - Tuvalu

3rd - Duais

2022 Underwood Stakes

1st - Alligator Blood

2nd - Mo'unga

3rd - Zaaki

2021 Underwood Stakes

1st - Zaaki

2nd - Probabeel

3rd - Superstorm

After The Underwood Stakes

The Underwood Stakes has long occupied an important position in the Melbourne spring, providing a first major test beyond the mile for many horses progressing towards the longer weight-for-age and staying features.

The race has been staged over 1800m since 1994 and its timing gives runners the opportunity to build towards races such as the Turnbull Stakes, Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate. Its significance is also underlined by an honour roll featuring some of Australian racing's most celebrated horses.

Alligator Blood has been the standout recent performer in the race, winning consecutive editions in 2022 and 2023. His first victory came over Mo'unga and Zaaki at Sandown before he returned the following spring to defeat Tuvalu and Duais at Caulfield.

Buckaroo produced a dominant performance in 2024 to defeat Huetor and Pericles before returning 12 months later and finishing runner-up to Sir Delius. Sir Delius then continued his spring by winning the Turnbull Stakes, further underlining the Underwood's value as a guide to the major races that follow.

The 2021 edition was won impressively by Zaaki, who defeated Probabeel and Superstorm as he established himself among the country's leading weight-for-age horses.

The race's wider history stretches back to 1924 and includes champions such as Phar Lap, Ajax, Tobin Bronze, Bonecrusher, Octagonal, Northerly, So You Think and Weekend Hussler, reinforcing the quality traditionally required to win the Underwood Stakes.

Saturday's edition gives Buckaroo the opportunity to become a two-time winner of the race, while Cosmic Crusader, Birdman, Lindermann and Aeliana are among those attempting to add their names to one of the Melbourne spring's longest-established Group 1 honour rolls.