Makybe Diva Stakes 2024

Makybe Diva Stakes

Preview, Trends & Analysis

maykebe divas stakes

The Rundown

Named after three-time Melbourne Cup winning mare Makybe Diva, this race is contested at Flemington over a mile under Weight for Age conditions for horses aged three or older.

Formerly known as the Craiglee Stakes from 1948 to 2006, the race was renamed after the great mare in 2007 and has remained the same since then.

Interestingly, Makybe Diva never actually won this race in her illustrious career, but it was though by the VRC that this be the race to honor her legacy during the spring carnival.

With prize money pool of $750,000 to collect from, this Weight for Age event attracts some of the best milers across the country.

It was dubbed a Group 2 race from 1979 to 2012 and then gained and retained Group 1 status from 2013.

The winner of the race also becomes a ballot exempt horse for the Caulfield Cup.

The Famous Winners and Record Results

The Makybe Diva Stakes stakes its claim to producing some the most famous winners on the Australian thoroughbred scene.

Most recently, champion horses like Humidor (2017), Palentino (2016), Fawkner (2015), Dissident (2014), Melbourne Cup winner Shocking (2010) have been some of the great horses to have won this event.


One of the biggest boil overs in the race occurred in 2019 when Western Australian galloper Gatting sent punters for a spin after he took out the event at $101 with star jockey Jamie Kah in the saddle.

Interestingly, the race can prove a solid formline for the Caulfield Cup as it has since 1993.

Fraar (1993), Sky Heights (1999), Northerly (2002), Mummify (2003), Elvstroem (2004) and Mongolian Khan (2015) have all won this race prior to being triumphant in the Caulfield Cup.

Southern Speed is one of the rare mares to have won this race having been the only horse of her sex to win the Group 1 affair since 1996 when the vent was won by Saleous.

Other star gallopers to have won the race include Jeune (1995), Mahogany (1994), breeding superstar Zabeel (1990), Dulcify (1979), Ming Dynasty (1977) and Light Finger (1965).

The Statistics

The Recent Winners

Year WinnerTrainerJockeyOdds
2022 I’m Thunderstruck Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) Mark Zahra$2.3
2021IncentivisePeter MoodyBrett Prebble$4
2020Fierce ImpactMatthew SmithMark Zahra$4
2019GattingDarren McauliffeJamie Kah$101
2018GruntMick PriceDamien Oliver$10
2017HumidorDarren WeirDamian Lane$12
2016PalentinoDarren WeirMark Zahra$9
2015FawknerRobert HickmottDamien Oliver$5
2014DissidentPeter MoodyBen Melham$2.7
2013ForetellerChris WallerCraig Newitt$26
2012Southern SpeedL. MacDonald & A. GluyasCraig Williams$3.7
2011LittorioNigel BlackistonCraig Williams$41
2010ShockingMark KavanaghMichael Rodd$17

The Questions

When is the Makybe Diva Stakes held?
  • Saturday 10th September, 2022  
Are there any other races on the day?
  • Yes. The Makybe Diva Stakes meeting coincides with a host of Group and Stakes races on the day.

  • The Danehill Stakes (1200 metres), The Cap D’Antibes (1100 metres), The Bobby Lewis Quality (1200 metres) and The Let’s Elope Stakes (1400 metres) are the support events on the card.


How do I bet on the Makybe Diva Stakes?
  • Punch in betdeluxe.com.au to your browser and find your home for all your different types of ways to bet not only on Makybe Diva Stakes but every race across Australia.  
Where does the winner of the Makybe Diva Stakes race next?
  • The winner, placegetters or runners in the Makybe Diva Stakes usually use this race as a platform for the Underwood Stakes (1800 metres) at Caulfield two weeks later and then onto the Turnbull Stakes (2000 metres) at Flemington.

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