The inaugural running of the race was on the second day of the
Australian Jockey Club Autumn Meet in 1861 as the fourth race on the six race card. The winner was Exeter trained by the famous trainer of the time
Etienne de Mestre.[2]
The race became the premier AJC sprint race for two-year-olds for nearly 80 years. With the introduction of the richer
Golden Slipper Stakes in 1957, the AJC decided on extending the distance of the race to 1 mile (1972) and as such creating a natural progression for elite two year old races that is now known as the Juvenile Triple Crown –
Golden Slipper Stakes,
Sires Produce Stakes (ATC) and Champagne Stakes.[1]
Six two-year-olds have won the Triple Crown:[3] Baguette (1970),
Luskin Star (1977), Tierce (1991), Burst (1992), Dance Hero (2004), Pierro (2012)
1914 racebook
Front cover of the 1914 AJC Champagne Stakes racebook
Inside cover showing raceday officials
Starters and results of the 1914 Champagne Stakes racebook showing the winner, Woorak
Starters and results of the 1914 Champagne Stakes racebook
Back cover showing entrance gate charges
Records
The record time for the race when the distance was 6 furlongs was by
Vain in 1969 when he won by 10 lengths in a time of 1:09.40.[4] At the time Vain became the richest money earning two year old in Australia.[4]
The record time for the current 1600 metres distance is 1:33.31 set by Castelvecchio in 2019.[5]
The inaugural running of the race was on the second day of the
Australian Jockey Club Autumn Meet in 1861 as the fourth race on the six race card. The winner was Exeter trained by the famous trainer of the time
Etienne de Mestre.[2]
The race became the premier AJC sprint race for two-year-olds for nearly 80 years. With the introduction of the richer
Golden Slipper Stakes in 1957, the AJC decided on extending the distance of the race to 1 mile (1972) and as such creating a natural progression for elite two year old races that is now known as the Juvenile Triple Crown –
Golden Slipper Stakes,
Sires Produce Stakes (ATC) and Champagne Stakes.[1]
Six two-year-olds have won the Triple Crown:[3] Baguette (1970),
Luskin Star (1977), Tierce (1991), Burst (1992), Dance Hero (2004), Pierro (2012)
1914 racebook
Front cover of the 1914 AJC Champagne Stakes racebook
Inside cover showing raceday officials
Starters and results of the 1914 Champagne Stakes racebook showing the winner, Woorak
Starters and results of the 1914 Champagne Stakes racebook
Back cover showing entrance gate charges
Records
The record time for the race when the distance was 6 furlongs was by
Vain in 1969 when he won by 10 lengths in a time of 1:09.40.[4] At the time Vain became the richest money earning two year old in Australia.[4]
The record time for the current 1600 metres distance is 1:33.31 set by Castelvecchio in 2019.[5]