The Caulfield Guineas is a Melbourne Racing Club Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race held over 1600 metres (1 mile) at set weights for three-year-old horses at Caulfield Racecourse, Melbourne, Australia. Total prize money is A$3 million.
The race is held annually on the second Saturday in October and forms part of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival at Caulfield Racecourse. The Guineas, as the race is known, starts the three-day Caulfield carnival; the G1 Toorak Handicap, G1 Caulfield Stakes and the fillies equivalent, the G1 The Thousand Guineas was also historically held on Guineas day, before moving to the first Saturday after the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
History
During World War II the race was run at Flemington Racecourse.
Regarded as one of the blue riband events for three-year-olds, the Guineas is regarded as a stallion making race for the winner, and has been won by a host of star gallopers who have gone on to multiple G1 success. These included Starspangledbanner (2010 G1 Oakleigh Plate, 2010 G1 Golden Jubilee Stakes), Whobegotyou (2009 G1 Yalumba Stakes), Weekend Hussler (six other G1 races including 2007 G1 Ascot Vale Stakes, 2008 G1 Randwick Guineas and 2008 G1 George Ryder Stakes). Earlier winners include celebrated champion sires Lonhro (2001, 11 G1 wins) and Redoute's Choice (1999, 4 G1 wins). Looking further back, other outstanding winners include Mahogany (1993, 8 G1 wins), Red Anchor (1984, 4 G1 wins), champion sprinter Manikato (12 official G1 wins, 18 wins in races that are classified as G1 today), 2YO Triple Crown winner Luskin Star (1977, 4 G1 wins), Surround (1976, first and only filly to win the weight-for-age championship of Australasia, the Cox Plate), Vain (1969, 6 G1 wins and champion sire), Storm Queen (1966, 5 G1 wins), the inaugural Australian Racing Hall of Fame inductee Tulloch (1957, 14 G1 wins), and Ajax (14 G1 wins and fellow Australian Racing Hall of Fame inductee).
Distance
1881–1971 - 1 mile (~1600 metres) 1972 onwards - 1600 metres (1 mile)
Grade
1886–1978 - Principal race
1979 onwards - Group 1
Double winners
Thoroughbreds that have won the Caulfield Guineas – W. S. Cox Plate double: Star Affair (1965), Rajah Sahib (1968), †Surround (1976), Red Anchor (1984) Thoroughbreds that have won the Caulfield Guineas – Victoria Derby double: Wallace (1895), †Lady Wallace (1905), Patrobas (1915), Eusebius (1918), Rampion (1926), Liberal (1932), Theo (1934), Lucrative (1940), Great Britain (1942), Tulloch (1957), Coppelius (1962), Sovereign Red (1980), Grosvenor (1982), Red Anchor (1984), Mahogany (1993), Helenus (2002)