{"id":80862,"date":"2022-03-14T15:00:30","date_gmt":"2022-03-14T05:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/betting-info\/?p=2918"},"modified":"2026-03-09T16:11:54","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T06:11:54","slug":"black-opal-stakes-winners","status":"publish","type":"betting-info","link":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/betting-info\/black-opal-stakes-winners\/","title":{"rendered":"Black Opal Stakes Winners"},"content":{"rendered":"

From the race’s inauguration in 1973 to 2026 below we have a list of past Black Opal Stakes<\/a> winners of the Group 3 Canberra race that serves as a lead-up into Sydney’s $5 million Golden Slipper Stakes.<\/p>\n

\"2022
2022 Black Opal Stakes winner Queen Of The Ball (pictured at Moonee Valley). Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

View additional details of the Black Opal Stakes winners from 2000 – the present including the winning jockeys, trainers and times while a complete list of past Black Opal winning two-year-olds can be found further down the page.<\/p>\n

Catbird (1999) is the only Black Opal Stakes winner to date to go on and win the famous Golden Slipper race<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The 2022 Black Opal Stakes winner Queen Of The Ball saluted as the $2.80 favourite to win her way into the Golden Slipper field for Richard & Michael Freedman.<\/p>\n

The Black Opal Stakes 2023 winner Autumn Ballet<\/strong> ($4.40) from the Waterhouse\/Bott stable became the latest filly to take out the Canberra Group 3 and made history as the race’s first ever debutant winner.<\/p>\n

The 2024 Black Opal Stakes winner is was the Peter & Paul Snowden-trained Holmes A Court ($7)\u00a0<\/strong>who improved on a Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude third placing to dominate the Canberra event with a 1.45 length victory.<\/p>\n

The 2025 Black Opal Stakes winner was the Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou\u2019s well-bred Farnan colt King Of Pop ($3.90)<\/strong> who made it two-from-two to remain undefeated following a narrow but convincing win after wearing down another son of Farnan, Farcited, to salute ahead of a likely Golden Slipper bid.<\/p>\n

The 2026 Black Opal Stakes winner was the locally-trained Preview winning two-year-old All Too Hard gelding Music Time at $4 <\/strong>for trainer Graz Vella with jockey Pierre Boudvillain aboard on 56kg from barrier 12 to salute by 1.72 lengths on a Soft (7) track in a time of 1:10.71.<\/p>\n

Black Opal Stakes Winners 2000 \u2013 the Present<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Year<\/th>\nHorse – Age\/Gender<\/th>\nJockey<\/th>\nWeight (kgs)<\/th>\nTrainer\/s<\/th>\nBarrier<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
MUSIC TIME (AUS) <\/b>2G<\/td>\nPIERRE BOUDVILLAIN<\/td>\n56.0<\/td>\nGRATZ VELLA<\/td>\n12<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
KING OF POP (AUS) <\/b>2C<\/td>\nZAC LLOYD<\/td>\n56.0<\/td>\nGERALD RYAN & STERLING ALEXIOU<\/td>\n4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
HOLMES A COURT (AUS) <\/b>2C<\/td>\nTOMMY BERY<\/td>\n56.0<\/td>\nPETER & PAUL SNOWDEN<\/td>\n5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
AUTUMN BALLET (AUS) <\/strong>2F<\/td>\nTIM CLARK<\/td>\n54.0<\/td>\nGAI WATERHOUSE & ADRIAN BOTT<\/td>\n4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
QUEEN OF THE BALL (AUS)<\/strong> 2F<\/td>\nRACHEL KING<\/td>\n55.0<\/td>\nR & M FREEDMAN<\/td>\n12<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
KALASHNIKOV (AUS)<\/strong> 2C<\/td>\nJAMES MCDONALD<\/td>\n56.0<\/td>\nP & P SNOWDEN<\/td>\n2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
BARBARIC (AUS)<\/strong> 2C<\/td>\nK MCEVOY<\/td>\n56.0<\/td>\nP & P SNOWDEN<\/td>\n3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
PIN SEC (AUS)<\/strong> 2F<\/td>\nJASON COLLETT<\/td>\n54.0<\/td>\nJAMES CUMMINGS<\/td>\n1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ENCRYPTION (AUS)<\/strong> 2C<\/td>\nG SCHOFIELD<\/td>\n56.0<\/td>\nJAMES CUMMINGS<\/td>\n2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
TRAPEZE ARTIST (AUS)<\/strong> 2C<\/td>\nTIM CLARK<\/td>\n56.0<\/td>\nGERALD RYAN<\/td>\n10<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
DEFCON (AUS)<\/strong> 2C<\/td>\nB SHINN<\/td>\n56.0<\/td>\nP & P SNOWDEN<\/td>\n8<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
TAKEDOWN (AUS)<\/strong> 2G<\/td>\nJ FORD<\/td>\n56.0<\/td>\nGARY MOORE<\/td>\n6<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LUCKY RAQUIE (AUS)<\/strong> 2F<\/td>\nG SCHOFIELD<\/td>\n54.0<\/td>\nGERALD RYAN<\/td>\n10<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
CRITERION (NZ)<\/strong> 2C<\/td>\nG SCHOFIELD<\/td>\n56.0<\/td>\nDAVID PAYNE<\/td>\n13<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
EPAULETTE (AUS)<\/strong> 2C<\/td>\nK MCEVOY<\/td>\n56.0<\/td>\nPETER SNOWDEN<\/td>\n7<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
YOU’RE CANNY (AUS)<\/strong> 2G<\/td>\nR BENSLEY<\/td>\n56.0<\/td>\nGRATZ VELLA<\/td>\n9<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
DECISION TIME (AUS)<\/strong> 2G<\/td>\nN RAWILLER<\/td>\n56.0<\/td>\nCLARRY CONNERS<\/td>\n4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
DELAGO BOLT (AUS)<\/strong> 2G<\/td>\nC MUNCE<\/td>\n56.0<\/td>\nGARY PORTELLI<\/td>\n11<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
SARTHEMARE (AUS)<\/strong> 2F<\/td>\nT ANGLAND<\/td>\n54.0<\/td>\nNEVILLE LAYT<\/td>\n7<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
DOWN THE WICKET (AUS)<\/strong> 2G<\/td>\nL BEASLEY<\/td>\n56.0<\/td>\nGARY PORTELLI<\/td>\n3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
AL SAMER (AUS)<\/strong> 2C<\/td>\nHUGH BOWMAN<\/td>\n56.0<\/td>\nT R MARTIN<\/td>\n1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
UBER (AUS)<\/strong> 2G<\/td>\nS POLLARD<\/td>\n56.0<\/td>\nDAVID PAYNE<\/td>\n4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
HANDSOME RANSOM (AUS)<\/strong> 2C<\/td>\nC W BROWN<\/td>\n56.0<\/td>\nPAUL SUTHERLAND<\/td>\n1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
PLANCHET (AUS)<\/strong> 2C<\/td>\nD BEADMAN<\/td>\n56.0<\/td>\nJOHN HAWKES<\/td>\n7<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
CORAL SALUTE (NZ)<\/strong> 2G<\/td>\nJ CASSIDY<\/td>\n55.0<\/td>\nGARY PORTELLI<\/td>\n3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
PEMBLETON (AUS)<\/strong> 2G<\/td>\nL V CASSIDY<\/td>\n55.0<\/td>\nJOHN MORRISEY<\/td>\n3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Complete List of Past Black Opal Stakes Winners<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Year<\/th>\nWinner<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
2026<\/td>\nMusic Time<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2025<\/td>\nKing Of Pop<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2024<\/td>\nHolmes A Court<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2023<\/td>\nAutumn Ballet<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2022<\/td>\nQueen Of The Ball<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2021<\/td>\nKalashnikov<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2020<\/td>\nBarbaric<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2019<\/td>\nPin Sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2018<\/td>\nEncryption<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2017<\/td>\nTrapeze Artist<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2016<\/td>\nDefcon<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2015<\/td>\nTakedown<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2014<\/td>\nLucky Raquie<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2013<\/td>\nCriterion<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2012<\/td>\nEpaulette<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2011<\/td>\nYou’re Canny<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2010<\/td>\nDecision Time<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2009<\/td>\nDelago Bolt<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2008<\/td>\nSarthemare<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2007 (Race Not Held)<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2006<\/td>\nDown The Wicket<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2005<\/td>\nAl Samer<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2004<\/td>\nUber<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2003<\/td>\nHandsome Ransom<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2002<\/td>\nPlanchet<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2001<\/td>\nCoral Salute<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2000<\/td>\nPembleton<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1999<\/td>\nCatbird<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1998<\/td>\nSpeed Week<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1997<\/td>\nFraud<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1996<\/td>\nPaint<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1995<\/td>\nZadok<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1994<\/td>\nSt. Covet<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1993<\/td>\nDanger<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1992<\/td>\nClan O’Sullivan<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1991<\/td>\nSormani<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1990<\/td>\nUnspoken Word<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1989<\/td>\nMarks Gain<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1988<\/td>\nComely Girl<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1987<\/td>\nMaizcay<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1986<\/td>\nJust Blooming<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1985<\/td>\nNew Atlantis<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1984<\/td>\nSpirit Of Kingston<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1983<\/td>\nBrummel Who<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1982<\/td>\nBeans<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1981<\/td>\nChinese Treasure<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1980<\/td>\nNasau<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1979<\/td>\nStar Grace<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1978<\/td>\nGold Mosaic<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1977<\/td>\nBlazing Saddles<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1976<\/td>\nBianca<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1975<\/td>\nSilver Shadow<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1974<\/td>\nRoyal Brittania<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1973<\/td>\nRich Reward<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":70,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"categories":[10165,2],"hub_post_cat":[],"class_list":["post-80862","betting-info","type-betting-info","status-publish","hentry","category-group-3-races","category-horse-racing"],"acf":{"md_tip_date":"","md_tip_date_end":"","md_market_url":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/betting-info\/80862","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/betting-info"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/betting-info"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/betting-info\/80862\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=80862"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=80862"},{"taxonomy":"hub_post_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hub_post_cat?post=80862"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}