[close]

With contacts from around the world, Racing and Sports provides something no other website can - information and form prior to a race with news and views after a race. This is both written, audio and visual. As a result, our appeal is unmatched.

As the most sought after tool for your international racing and punting needs, Racing and Sports has dedicated coverage in various sections to help you navigate the global sport.

We have Singapore/Malaysia, UK/Ireland/Europe, Hong Kong/Macau, South Africa, Japan, USA plus other international jurisdictions.

Stick with Racing and Sports for everything you need to know in the racing game.

Racing

2025 Archer Stakes: Race History

A major historical change came up with the moving of the Archer Stakes run at Flemington on Saturday.

POINT KING winning the Lexus Archer Stakes
POINT KING winning the Lexus Archer Stakes Picture: Colin Bull / Sportpix

It isn't now the last chance to make the Cup field like Shocking did. Who wins the 2025 Archer Stakes (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday?

2025 ARCHER STAKES - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

The Archer Stakes is a Group 3 race run under Quality Handicap conditions for the stayers at Flemington conducted by the Victoria Racing Club.

The Archer Stakes is run over 2500m. It was first run in 1869 and was won by Aurora.

Previously it was the last chance to make the Melbourne Cup with the winner exempt from ballot. However the race has been moved 7 weeks earlier in the carnival now.

This race has had numerous name changes but was the Hotham Handicap all the way until 1978. It became the Lexus Stakes in 2009 and the Archer Stakes in 2022.

Until 1971 the race was a mile and a half but became 2500m from 1972.

The Hotham Handicap was a Principal Race then a Group 3 1979/1980, Group 2 1981 to 2003 then downgraded to Group 3 from 2004.

The most famous history of the Hotham Handicap is the triple dead heat in 1956 between Fighting Force, Ark Royal and Pandie Sun.

Not been a good race for the mares with the most recent being Pindi in 1994.

Those to do the Hotham Handicap/Melbourne Cup double include Shocking (2009), Brew (2000), Think Big (1974), Baystone (1958), Foxzami (1949), Sirius (1944), Dark Felt (1943), White Nose (1931), King Ingoda (1922) and Nimblefoot (1870).

Ashrun's win in 2020 made it 5 of the last 12 to internationally based horses.

The Archer Stakes was worth $300,000 in 2025.

Notable winners of the Archer Stakes include Kalapour (2023), Great House (2021), Downdraft (2019), A Prince Of Arran (2018), Maluckyday (2010), Shocking (2009), Maybe Better (2006), Brew (2000), Mount Olympus (1990), Sea Legend (1986), Chagemar (1983/1984), Think Big (1974), Scotch And Dry (1972), Tails (1969), Baystone (1958), Fighting Force/Ark Royal/Pandie Sun (1956), Foxzami (1949), Dark Marne (1947), Sirius (1944), Dark Felt (1943), Catalogue (1939), Spear Chief (1938), White Nose (1931), Shadow King (1929), King Ingoda (1922) and Nimblefoot (1870).

The 2024 Archer Stakes was won by Point King from Hit The Road Jack and Berkshire Breeze.


Racing and Sports

Check out our FREE Interactive Speed Maps for meetings in nine countries each and every day.