Makybe Diva Stakes Past Winners & Results History

The Makybe Diva Stakes is the second Group 1 race of the Melbourne Spring Carnival, and it has produced some champion winners.

We look at the most recent winners of the 1600m feature race, which suits both milers and longer distance types.

Recent Makybe Diva Stakes Winners

The Makybe Diva Stakes has produced some stellar winners over the last 20 years, including three-time champion Mr Brightside. The race goes back to 1948, when taken out by Lungi, so it has a rich history on the Australian racing calendar.

Here are the last 20 Makybe Diva Stakes winners:

• 2025 – Mr Brightside
• 2024 – Mr Brightside
• 2023 – Mr Brightside
• 2022 – I’m Thunderstruck
• 2021 – Incentivise
• 2020 – Fierce Impact
• 2019 – Gatting
• 2018 – Grunt
• 2017 – Humidor
• 2016 – Palentino
• 2015 – Fawkner
• 2014 – Dissident
• 2013 – Foreteller
• 2012 – Southern Speed
• 2011 – Littorio
• 2010 – Shocking
• 2009 – Vigor
• 2008 – Weekend Hustler
• 2007 – Marasco
• 2006 – Pompeii Ruler
• 2005 – Confectioner

Although the race is contested over 1600 metres, the Makybe Diva Stakes has traditionally attracted horses capable of performing well beyond a mile.

That makes the race particularly interesting for punters assessing the spring’s major staying contests. Winners such as Shocking, Southern Speed, and Incentivise demonstrated their best form over longer distances, so it’s a good stepping stone to 2400-3200m.

Shocking is one of the clearest examples. After winning the Makybe Diva Stakes in 2010, he went on to capture the Melbourne Cup later that spring. Incentivise provided another strong example in 2021 when winning this race before taking out the Caulfield Cup.

Its position on the calendar makes it a key stepping stone towards races such as the Turnbull Stakes, Underwood Stakes, Caulfield Cup, and Melbourne Cup.

Notable Makybe Diva Stakes Winners

The Makybe Diva Stakes honour roll reads like a who’s who of Australian racing.

Among the earlier champions are Comic Court, Light Fingers, Rain Lover, Dulcify, Zabeel, Mahogany, and Jeune, while more recent winners include Northerly, Weekend Hussler, Fawkner, Humidor, Grunt, and Incentivise.

Northerly’s 2002 victory is particularly notable. The champion subsequently went on to win the Cox Plate that spring. Sky Heights also completed a notable Makybe Diva Stakes/Caulfield Cup double in 1999. 

The 2019 edition produced one of the biggest upsets in the race’s history when Gatting scored at odds of $101.

Makybe Diva Stakes History

The Makybe Diva Stakes is one of the highlights of the early Melbourne Spring Carnival, bringing together some of Australia’s best weight-for-age horses over the famous Flemington mile.

With a roll of honour featuring champions such as Northerly, Zabeel, Mahogany, Jeune, and Weekend Hussler, the race has long been an important test of class. In more recent years, its reputation has been enhanced by winners such as Shocking, Incentivise, and Mr Brightside.

The race has a history stretching back more than 75 years. First held in 1948 as the Craiglee Stakes, it was originally run over 2000 metres before being reduced to 1600 metres in 1965. 

The event was renamed the Makybe Diva Stakes in 2007 in honour of the legendary mare who won three consecutive Melbourne Cups. It was elevated from Group 2 to Group 1 status in 2013.

Who will take out the next edition of the Makybe Diva Stakes? Check out the latest Makybe Diva Stakes odds.

Latest Makybe Diva Stakes 2026 Odds