Empire Rose Stakes 2025 Preview
Empire Rose Stakes 2025 Preview
The Empire Rose Stakes 2025 returns to Flemington as the premier mile for fillies and mares during the Melbourne Cup Carnival. Attracting elite female gallopers from across Australia and New Zealand, this contest is once again set to be a highlight on Derby Day.
What is the Empire Rose Stakes?
The Empire Rose Stakes is a Group 1 race for fillies and mares aged three years and older, run over 1,600 metres at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne. Held on the first day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival in late October or early November, it’s a key middle-distance event for female stayers during the spring carnival.
When is the Empire Rose Stakes 2025?
The Empire Rose Stakes 2025 will be run on Saturday 1st October at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne.
Who Won Last Year’s Empire Rose Stakes?
The 2024 Empire Rose Stakes was won in striking fashion by Atishu. Waller’s talented mare stormed home late to claim victory, adding her name to an honour roll that includes Pride of Jenni, Icebath, and Colette.
Empire Rose Stakes Race History
First contested in 1988, the Empire Rose Stakes commemorates Empire Rose, the legendary mare and 1988 Melbourne Cup winner. Since its inauguration, the event has become a pivotal Group 1 mile for Australia’s top-class female gallopers.
Previous Winners of the Empire Rose Stakes
The 2024 race was won by Atishu whilst in 2023, Pride of Jenni took out the race, followed by Icebath in 2022. Colette scored in 2021, and Shout The Bar was the winner in 2020. Melody Belle prevailed in 2019, with Shillelagh claiming victory in 2018. The race has seen some top-class stayers and middle-distance runners over the years, including Shoals in 2017.
Odds & Tips for Empire Rose Stakes 2025
The Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) headlines the action for the mares at Flemington on Derby Day, and while star names Pride Of Jenni ($5.50) and Fangirl ($4) dominate early markets, our experts reckon both look vulnerable based on their recent King Charles III Stakes efforts in Sydney.
Pride Of Jenni can be brilliant on her day but when there is pressure up front she could be hard to trust in this field — while Fangirl has struggled when the Maher mare is in the same race. That opens the door for a new star to make the leap to elite level this spring.
Leica Lucy ($6.00) and Idle Flyer ($7.50) both could fit that mould, each in good form and have strong finishes, while On Display ($31.00) could be worth an each way bet as she might pick them up with her strong late sectionals. Damask Rose ($12.00) can also improve if she finds a clear path. You should forgive and forget her last effort.
But the PickaBookie.com.au experts are siding with Lazzura ($12.00) — drawn out wide where 13 of the past 14 Empire Rose winners have started, and perfectly placed if prepared to sit back and not get caught up with a fight for the early lead. She’s tough, and looks ready to bounce back into the winner’s enclosure.
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