The AJ Moir Stakes runs on Saturday, September 6, and we look back at the Moir Stakes history and past winners.
Some of Australia’s best sprinters have won the AJ Moir Stakes, and we look at why it’s a must-see race during the Melbourne Spring Carnival.
Recent AJ Moir Stakes Winners
The AJ Moir Stakes has produced some incredible winners over the last 20 years, including Black Caviar, Imperatriz, Apache Cat, Miss Andretti, and Manikato, among others. Kiwi champion Imperatriz scored a brilliant win in 2023, which was a highlight of her career.
Here are the last 20 AJ Moir Stakes winners:
- 2025 – Baraqiel
- 2024 – Mornington Glory
- 2023 – Imperatriz
- 2022 – Coolangatta
- 2021 – Wild Ruler
- 2020 – Pippie
- 2019 – Nature Strip
- 2018 – Viddora
- 2017 – She Will Reign
- 2016 – Extreme Choice
- 2015 – Buffering
- 2014 – Buffering
- 2013 – Samaready
- 2012 – Buffering
- 2011 – Black Caviar
- 2010 – Black Caviar
- 2009 – Apache Cat
- 2008 – Lucky Secret
- 2007 – Miss Andretti
- 2006 – California Dane
- 2005 – Virage De Fortune
The AJ Moir Stakes has earned its reputation as one of Australia’s premier sprint races, attracting some of the best short-distance horses from across the country and New Zealand.
It has become an important fixture on the Melbourne spring racing calendar and often serves as a stepping stone towards some of the season’s biggest Group 1 events, including Sydney’s The Everest.
The race has been won by some truly outstanding sprinters over the years, with Black Caviar, Miss Andretti, Apache Cat, and Imperatriz among the names to feature on the honour roll.
Buffering holds the record for the most AJ Moir Stakes victories, winning the race three times. More recently, the likes of Nature Strip and Imperatriz have continued the tradition of elite sprinters adding their names to the AJ Moir Stakes winners’ list.
Notable AJ Moir Stakes Winners
The AJ Moir Stakes has seen plenty of champion sprinters take their place in the winners’ circle, with names like Schillaci, Manikato, and Placid Ark all featuring prominently in the race’s history.
Manikato was one of Australia’s standout sprinters and a horse that helped set the standard for those who followed. But when it comes to exceptional performances in the Moir Stakes, few can compare with Black Caviar.
Black Caviar produced two brilliant wins in the race. Her wins came before the race was elevated to Group 1 status, meaning her official Group 1 record could easily have looked even more impressive.
The race has also provided a pathway to success on the international stage. Miss Andretti, Black Caviar, and Nature Strip all went on to perform strongly at Royal Ascot, showing that the Moir Stakes can be an important launching pad for Australia’s best sprinters.
AJ Moir Stakes History
The AJ Moir Stakes has a long and proud history, first being run in 1976. It carried the AJ Moir Stakes name through to 1995, when Schweppes became the race’s sponsor.
The race returned to its original name in 2012, before stepping up to Group 1 status the following year.
Buffering holds the record for the most wins with three. Among the jockeys, Damien Oliver leads the way with four wins, beginning with Schillaci in 1992 and finishing with Apache Cat in 2009.