Matriarch Stakes

The Matriarch Stakes is a Group 2 race run under Set Weights and Penalty conditions for four year old and up mares at Flemington conducted by the Victoria Racing Club.

The Matriarch Stakes is run over 2000m. It was first run in 1986 and was won by Iola.

This is the feature mares staying race over the carnival.

Through some sponsors names, it is registered as the Matriarch Stakes.

The Matriarch Stakes was a Listed race from 1995 to 2000, 2001 to 2004 a Group 3 then Group 2 from 2005 to now.

It has always been run at the 2000m.

Lucia Valentina is the most famous winner of the Matriarch Stakes having won a Turnbull at the same course and distance then six months later won the $4m Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick.

Kenedna returned to her best to win in 2018 and then would a Queen Of The Turf, Doomben Cup and O'Shea Stakes the next Autumn. Atishu also won a Queen Of The Turf after her 2022 win.

Oceanex won in 2019 and she would also win the Andrew Ramsden in May meaning she gained automatic entry into the Melbourne Cup.

Many mares run either in the Myer Classic/Empire Rose Stakes or on Cup day and back up over the 2000m.

The Matriarch Stakes was worth $300,000 in 2024.

Notable winners of the Matriarch Stakes include Atishu (2022), Kenedna (2018), Lucia Valentina (2015), Suavito (2014), Purple (2009), Demerger (2004), Piper Star (2001), Laebeel (1998), Gold City (1996), Big Colony (1991/1992) and Bassie's Pride (1990).

The 2023 Matriarch Stakes was won by Deny Knowledge from Osmose and Amokura.