Looking for this year’s Danehill Stakes betting odds, field and tips? The experts at Neds have put together everything you need to know before this year’s race.
Danehill Stakes 2026 Results
The official 2026 Danehill Stakes results will be available below once the race takes place on Saturday, October 3, 2026.
- #3 The Next Episode
- #10 Natural Fling
- #7 Mbube
The 2026 Danehill Stakes results saw exciting three-year-old colt The Next Episode ($3.30) announce himself as a leading Coolmore Stud Stakes contender with a tough first-up victory in the Group 2 sprint over 1100m at Flemington. Trained by Ciaron Maher and ridden by Mark Zahra, the son of Snitzel overcame a determined challenge from race favourite Natural Fling to score by a short neck, with Mbube finishing a length away in third. The win improved his record to four victories from six starts and showcased the powerful turn of foot that has quickly established him among the season’s top sprinting colts. Following the performance, The Next Episode firmed dramatically into favouritism for the 2026 Coolmore Stud Stakes in from $9 to $3 at Neds with connections confident there is further improvement to come as he heads towards the Group 1 feature on Derby Day.
2026 Danehill Stakes Race Replay
2026 Danehill Stakes Odds & Finishing Order
Danehill Stakes odds 2026 are attracting plenty of interest as punters look to identify the next wave of elite three-year-old sprinters ahead of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival. Early Danehill Stakes betting 2026 markets are being shaped by impressive juvenile form, strong trial performances, and emerging talent from Australia’s leading stables, with plenty of lightly raced runners expected to make their mark down Flemington’s famous straight course. As key lead-up races and spring form lines begin to unfold, expect significant market moves as punters chase value and assess which young horses have the speed and class to succeed at Group 2 level. With the Danehill Stakes boasting a strong record of producing future Group 1 stars, securing the right price early can prove a smart play for punters looking to get ahead of the market.
The latest Danehill Stakes 2026 odds followed by the official race finishing order after the event will be available below.
| 3. The Next Episode (6) J: Mark Zahra 58kg 1211x T: Ciaron Maher | ||
| 10. Natural Fling (10) J: Damian Lane 56.5kg 12×13 T: Tony & Calvin Mcevoy | ||
| 7. Mbube (8) J: Billy Egan 57kg 1×2 T: Lloyd Kennewell | ||
| 4. Alibaba (9) J: Craig Newitt 58kg 1389x T: Ken & Kasey Keys | ||
| 8. Doubt Time (11) J: Michael Dee 57kg 1x T: Nick Ryan | ||
| 6. Buggsy (2) J: Craig Williams 57kg 13×14 T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | ||
| 11. Over Excited (4) J: Ethan Brown 55kg 12 T: Anthony & Sam Freedman | ||
| 2. Big Sky (7) J: Jordan Childs 58.5kg 11×3 T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | ||
| 9. Pocketfullofcash (3) J: Blake Shinn 57kg 1x T: Reece Goodwin | ||
| 5. Zambales (5) J: Jamie Mott 57kg 54×21 T: Anthony & Sam Freedman | ||
| 1. Stretan Ruler (1) J: Lachlan Neindorf 58.5kg 4125x T: Phillip & Tommy Stokes |
Danehill Stakes 2026 Tips
Our insider Danehill Stakes 2026 tips will be available here the week of the race and a full Danehill Stakes betting preview published on the Neds Blog.
| 10. Natural Fling (10) J: Damian Lane 56.5kg 12×13 T: Tony & Calvin Mcevoy |
| 3. The Next Episode (6) J: Mark Zahra 58kg 1211x T: Ciaron Maher |
| 6. Buggsy (2) J: Craig Williams 57kg 13×14 T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr |
At a sprinting distance of 1100m, reduced from 1200m in 2021, the Danehill Stakes is a Group 2 race held at Flemington Racecourse each year on Turnbull Stakes Day during the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival. It was previously run on Makybe Diva Stakes Day before being moved back a fortnight in 2021.
With a $300,000 prize-purse, the race attracts several star three-year-olds and is an ideal lead-up for those looking to progress further to the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) in the coming weeks.
Sepoy (2011) was the last horse to complete the Danehill Stakes – Coolmore Stud Stakes double.
The 2022 Danehill Stakes form was franked with the winner Giga Kick going on to win the world’s richest turf race heading The Everest results in an historical upset in Sydney next start.
The 2025 Danehill Stakes produced outstanding future form, with runner-up My Gladiola progressing to multiple Group 1 placings and a top-level victory, while third placegetter Tentyris went on to win the Coolmore Stud Stakes and add further Group 1 success the following autumn.
Danehill Stakes 2026 – Fast Facts
- Race Day: Saturday, October 3, 2026
- Track Location: Flemington Racecourse
- Track Surface: Turf
- Track Direction: Left-handed
- Distance: 1100m
- Weight Class: Set weights (with penalties)
- Qualification: Three-year-olds only
- Type: Thoroughbred
- Grade: Group 2
- Operator: Victorian Racing Club
- Prize Purse: $300,000
- Inaugural Race: 1982
- 2026 Danehill Stakes Winner: The Next Episode
Danehill Stakes Betting 2026
There are many different ways to bet on the Danehill Stakes, and we have included some of the most popular options below:
| Bet Type | How to Place This Type of Bet on This Year’s Danehill Stakes |
|---|---|
| Win Bet | Place your bet on the horse you think will take first place in this year’s Danehill Stakes. |
| Place Bet | Place your bet on the horse you think will place in the top three finishers at this year’s Danehill Stakes. Pays less than a win bet but offers safer odds. |
| Each-Way Bet | If your runner finishes 1st in the Danehill Stakes, you will collect both the Win and the Place dividend. If your horse finishes 2nd or 3rd you will collect the Place dividend. |
| Quinella Bet | You must select the runners that finish 1st and 2nd in any order, within the Danehill Stakes, in order to win the Quinella. |
| Exacta Bet | You must select the runners that finish 1st and 2nd in the correct order, within the Danehill Stakes to win the Exacta. |
| Trifecta Bet | You must select runners to finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the correct order, within the Danehill Stakes to win the Trifecta. |
| First Four | You must select runners that finish 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th in the correct order, within the Danehill Stakes to win the First 4. |
| Quadrella Bet (Quaddie) | You must select the winners of four nominated races to win the Quaddie. This means you would have to select three other races apart from the Danehill Stakes, in order to be eligible to place a Quaddie. |
How to Bet on the Danehill Stakes in 2026
- Login at neds
- Make a deposit, using your credit card, PayPal or other safe electronic method
- Make sure to check out form guide, once it’s released
- Decide what kind of bet you’re going to place (Win, Place, Each-Way, Trifecta + more betting options, please read our section on Danehill Stakes Betting above).
- Select the horse(s) for the race.
Which Horse Will Win the Danehill Stakes in 2026?
Deciding on which horse will win the Danehill Stakes in 2026 comes down to a number of key form facts and statistics on the race including:
- Straight Track- The race is run down the iconic Flemington straight and horses proven at the track make a good bet.
- Lead-Ups – The Quezette Stakes and H.D.F. McNeil Stakes make good lead-up races into the Danehill Stakes.
Danehill Stakes 2026 Favourites
Favourites in 2026 Danehill Stakes betting include the Tony & Calvin McEvoy-trained Home Affairs filly Natural Fling coming off a Group 1 Moir Stakes third, lightly raced Rubick colt Mbube and Ciaron Maher’s resuming Black-Type winning Snitzel colt The Next Episode.
Dalasan ($2.60 in 2019), Giga Kick ($1.95 in 2022), and First Settler ($4 in 2024) are the last Danehill Stakes favourites to win.
Danehill Stakes 2026 Field
The official Danehill Stakes 2026 field of final acceptors will be announced on the Wednesday of race week and published in full below.
The Danehill Stakes 2026 field features a quality line-up of young sprinters led in betting by the Tony & Calvin McEvoy-trained Group 3 winning Home Affairs filly Natural Fling back in grade after her brave Group 1 Moir Stakes third behind the older horses.
| Entrant | Last 6 | Sex | Barrier | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. Stretan Ruler
J: Lachlan Neindorf
T: Phillip & Tommy Stokes |
x4125x | C | 1 | 58.5kg | |
|
2. Big Sky
J: Jordan Childs
T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr |
11×3 | C | 7 | 58.5kg | |
|
3. The Next Episode
J: Mark Zahra
T: Ciaron Maher |
x1211x | C | 6 | 58kg | |
|
4. Alibaba
J: Craig Newitt
T: Ken & Kasey Keys |
31389x | C | 9 | 58kg | |
|
5. Zambales
J: Jamie Mott
T: Anthony & Sam Freedman |
954×21 | C | 5 | 57kg | |
|
6. Buggsy
J: Craig Williams
T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr |
13×14 | C | 2 | 57kg | |
|
7. Mbube
J: Billy Egan
T: Lloyd Kennewell |
1×2 | C | 8 | 57kg | |
|
8. Doubt Time
J: Michael Dee
T: Nick Ryan |
1x | G | 11 | 57kg | |
|
9. Pocketfullofcash
J: Blake Shinn
T: Reece Goodwin |
1x | G | 3 | 57kg | |
|
10. Natural Fling
J: Damian Lane
T: Tony & Calvin Mcevoy |
12×13 | F | 10 | 56.5kg | |
|
11. Over Excited
J: Ethan Brown
T: Anthony & Sam Freedman |
12 | F | 4 | 55kg |
Danehill Stakes 2026 Race Day
The 2026 Danehill Stakes takes place at Flemington Racecourse on Saturday, October 3, 2026, as part of the Turnbull Stakes Day program. The other key Group status races on the card that day are the:
- Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m),
- Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m),
- Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m),
- Group 2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes (1400m) – Formerly the Blazer Stakes, and the
- Group 3 The Bart Cummings (2500m).
Danehill Stakes 2026 Nominations
2026 Danehill Stakes nominations close at 12 PM on the Monday of race week.
Danehill Stakes 2026 Weights
The race is run at set weights, with penalties. Final 2026 Danehill Stakes weights will be declared by 4 PM on the Monday of race week and will be published in our above Danehill Stakes Field section.
2026 Danehill Stakes Topweights:
- No. 1 Stretan Ruler (58.5kg)
- No. 2 Big Sky (58.5kg)
Danehill Stakes 2026 Acceptances
2026 Danehill Stakes final acceptances must be declared before 9:30 AM on the Wednesday of race week and will be published in our above Danehill Stakes Field section.
Danehill Stakes 2026 Jockeys
Riders must be declared before 1 PM on the Wednesday of race week and the official 2026 Danehill Stakes jockeys will be published in our above Danehill Stakes Field section.
Danehill Stakes 2026 Barrier Draw
The 2026 Danehill Stakes barrier draw will be announced a few days out from the race and published in our above Danehill Stakes Field section.
Danehill Stakes 2026 Scratchings
2026 Danehill Stakes Scratchings close at 7:30 AM on Saturday, October 3, 2026.
Danehill Stakes Prize Money 2026
The 2026 Danehill Stakes prize money is set at a total of $300,000 with prize money paid from first to eighth.
| Place | Prize Money |
|---|---|
| 1st | $180,000 |
| 2nd | $54,000 |
| 3rd | $27,000 |
| 4th | $13,500 |
| 5th | $7,500 |
| 6th | $6,000 |
| 7th | $6,000 |
| 8th | $6,000 |
Danehill Stakes Race Number 2026
The 2026 Danehill Stakes race number is scheduled as Flemington Race 6 at 3:15pm (AEST) on Saturday, October 3, 2026. There will be a total of ten races that day at Flemington Racecourse.
Danehill Stakes 2026 Form Guide
The final form guide will be available the week of the race. You can check below for a link to our full 2026 Danehill Stakes Form Guide following final acceptances.
Danehill Stakes Live 2026
You can watch or listen to the 2026 Danehill Stakes live, across the following mediums.
Free-to-air television: Seven Network
Pay television: Sky Racing 1 (channel 526 on Foxtel)
Radio: Radio Sport National
Streaming: Racing.com
Mobile: Neds App
Danehill Stakes Winners (Past Results)
See below for a list of past Danehill Stakes winners including the winning Danehill Stakes jockeys and trainers going back to 2000.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer/s | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | The Next Episode | Mark Zahra | Ciaron Maher | 1:04.77 |
| 2025 | McGaw | Damian Lane | Emma-Lee & David Browne | 1:02.63 |
| 2024 | First Settler | Michael Dee | Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr. | 1:04.54 |
| 2023 | Stretan Angel | Damian Lane | Phillip Stokes | 1:04.11 |
| 2022 | Giga Kick | Craig Williams | Clayton Douglas | 1:02.69 |
| 2021 | Kallos | Fred Kersley | James Cummings | 1:04.31 |
| 2020 | Doubtland | William Pike | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | 1:09.51 |
| 2019 | Dalasan | Raquel Clark | Leon Macdonald & Andrew Gluyas | 1:09.40 |
| 2018 | Encryption | Craig Williams | James Cummings | 1:10.64 |
| 2017 | Catchy | Regan Bayliss | David Hayes | 1:10.3 |
| 2016 | Saracino | Damien Oliver | Murray Bake & Andrew Forsman | 1:09.8 |
| 2015 | Kinglike | Glen Boss | Peter Moody | 1:09.0 |
| 2014 | Rich Enuff | Michael Rodd | Ken Keys | 1:08.1 |
| 2013 | Charlie Boy | Michael Rodd | Gerald Ryan | 1:10.0 |
| 2012 | Snitzerland | Damien Oliver | Gerald Ryan | 1.10.5 |
| 2011 | Sepoy | Kerrin McEvoy | Peter Snowden | 1:08.7 |
| 2010 | Soul | Mark Zahra | Peter Snowden | 1:11.6 |
| 2009 | Black Caviar | Luke Nolen | Peter Moody | 1:09.9 |
| 2008 | Aichi | Michael Rodd | Peter Snowden | 1:10.4 |
| 2007 | Tan Tat de Lago | Luke Nolen | Peter Moody | 1:10.9 |
| 2006 | The One | Greg Childs | Paul Perry | 1:10.4 |
| 2005 | Jet Spur | – | – | 1:09.5 |
| 2004 | Fastnet Rock | – | – | 1:09.2 |
| 2003 | Abdullah | – | – | 1:12.0 |
| 2002 | Planchet | – | – | 1:08.7 |
| 2001 | Chongtong | – | – | 1:09.0 |
| 2000 | St Petersburg | – | – | 1:10.4 |