Bookmakers
News
Field
Past Winners
Ajax Stakes
Group Two Betting Guide
| Date: | Saturday, March 15, 2025 |
| Location: | Rosehill Gardens – Sydney, New South Wales |
| Prize Money: | $300,000 |
| Distance: | 1500m |
The Ajax Stakes is a Group 2 race run over 1500m under quality handicap conditions at Rosehill by the Australian Turf Club.
Introduced in 1974 and named after Hall of Fame champion Ajax, the race is a key lead-up to the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m), with the winner receiving a ballot exemption.
Four horses have completed the Ajax–Doncaster Mile double, with It’s Somewhat (2017) the most recent.
Initially run over 1200m, the Ajax Stakes shifted to 1400m (1979-1983) before settling at 1500m in 1984.
The Ajax Stakes gained Listed status in 1980, became Group 3 in 1984, and was upgraded to Group 2 in 2006.
The last mare to win was Sea Pictures (1986), while three horses—Catalan Opening, Confiscate, and It’s Somewhat—have claimed dual victories.
The 2024 Ajax Stakes, worth $300,000, was won by Democracy Manifest, defeating Territory Express and Detonator Jack.
Notable past winners include Grand Armee, Soho Square, Poetic King, Messene, Fifty Stars, and I Am Superman.
2025 Ajax Stakes betting odds
Odds for the Ajax Stakes as of March 10 – Courtesy of Neds
- Ducasse Win $6.00 Place $2.25
- Sandpaper Win $6.00 Place $2.25
- Iowna Merc Win $8.50 Place $2.88
- With Your Blessing Win $9.00 Place $3.00
- West Of Africa Win $10.00 Place $3.25
- Willaidow Win $10.00 Place $3.25
- Freedom Rally Win $11.00 Place $3.50
- Rediener Win $11.00 Place $3.50
- New Energy Win $15.00 Place $4.50
- Pericles Win $15.00 Place $4.50
- Matcha Latte Win $17.00 Place $5.00
- Glint Of Silver Win $26.00 Place $7.25
- Hezashocka Win $26.00 Place $7.25
- Just Fine Win $26.00 Place $7.25
- Just Folk Win $26.00 Place $7.25
- New Endeavour Win $26.00 Place $7.25
- Scarlet Oak Win $26.00 Place $7.25
- Sibaaq Win $26.00 Place $7.25
- Sounds Of Heaven Win $34.00 Place $9.25
- Von Hauke Win $34.00 Place $9.25
- Our Gold Hope Win $51.00 Place $13.50
- Williamsburg Win $51.00 Place $13.50
How to bet on the Ajax Stakes
All of our top horse betting sites have markets for the Ajax Stakes.
Most of the Sydney Autumn Carnival races have markets opened well in advance and the Group 2 Ajax Stakes is no exception.
Neds Code GETON
Neds
Only orange bookie!
Review
18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit today. “GETON is not a bonus code. Neds does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. Full terms.
BlondeBet Signup Code GETON
BlondeBet
Blonde Boosts – Elevate your prices!
Review
18+ Gamble Responsibly. WHAT ARE YOU REALLY GAMBLING WITH? full terms.
Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING
Dabble
You Better Believe It
Review
18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms.
Recommended!
Picklebet
Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race.
Review
18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms.
PlayUp
Aussie-owned horse racing specialists!
Review
18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms.
Bet365 Signup Code GETON
Bet365
World Favourite!
Review
18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms.
BoomBet
Daily Racing Promotions – Login to view!
Review
18+ Gamble responsibly. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place. Full terms.
UniBet
Unibet offer daily promotions to registered and logged in customers only
Review
18+. Gamble Responsibly. Chances are you are about to lose. Full terms.
Betfair Australia
Australia’s only betting exchange
Review
What are you prepared to lose today? Set a deposit limit. Full terms.
Ladbrokes
Ladbrokes offer daily promotions to registered and logged in customers only
Review
18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit today. “GETON is not a bonus code. Ladbrokes does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. Full terms.
Ajax Stakes News
Democracy Manifest bursts over the top in Ajax Stakes
Rosehill full racing tips & best odds | Coolmore Classic Day 2024
Cepheus causes upset in Ajax Stakes
Rosehill racing tips, value bets & quaddie | March 11, 2023
Just Folk causes minor upset in the Ajax Stakes
Rosehill Gardens race-by-race betting preview & tips | 12/03/22
2025 Ajax Stakes Final Field
| No. | Silks | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
|||||
| 2 |  |
|||||
| 3 |  |
|||||
| 4 |  |
|||||
| 5 |  |
|||||
| 6 |  |
|||||
| 7 |  |
|||||
| 8 |  |
|||||
| 9 |  |
|||||
| 10 |  |
|||||
| 11 |  |
|||||
| 12 |  |
|||||
| 13 |  |
|||||
| 14 |  |
|||||
| 15 |  |
|||||
| 16 |  |
Previous Ajax Stakes Fields
-
No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 
CepheusMatthew DunnNash Rawiller1359kg2 
Detonator Jack Ciaron Maher Jason Collett 2 58kg 3 
Phearson Brad Widdup Tom Sherry 3 56.5kg 4 
Bold Mac Chris Waller Tommy Berry 11 56kg 5 
Democracy Manifest Chris Waller James McDonald 5 56kg 6 
Just Folk Gavin Bedggood Michael Dee 14 56kg 7 
Palmetto John Sargent Adam Hyeronimus 9 56kg 8 
Welwal Chris Waller Kerrin McEvoy 10 55kg 9 Hezashocka Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) Tom Marquand 1 54kg 10 
Caesars Palace Anthony Cummings Chad Schofield 12 54kg 11 
Glory Daze Ciaron Maher Dylan Gibbons 8 53kg 12 
Robusto Chris Waller Tyler Schiller 4 53kg 13 
Amor Victorious Bjorn Baker Rachel King 7 53kg 14 
Territory Express Paul Niceforo Zac Lloyd 6 53kg
2024 Ajax Stakes result
1st – Democracy Manifest (+500)
2nd – Territory Express (+330)
3rd – Detonator Jack (+110)
Recent runnings of the Ajax Stakes:
-
Democracy Manifest ($6.50) showed a blistering turn-of-foot to secure victory in the 2024 Group 2 Ajax Stakes (1500m). He was unsuited to the shorter trip in the Group 3 Liverpool City Cup (1300m) first-up into the campaign at Randwick a fortnight ago, but bounced back to his brilliant best, thundering down the outside to claim a gallant Territory Express ($21.00) in the shadows of the post. The race was run at a break-neck tempo courtesy of race favourite Amor Victorious ($5.00) striding across to sit on the outside of Phearson ($10.00) throughout, as the leading pair looked to clear out on their rivals early. It was to their detriment as they both faded when the whips were cracking, while the Ciaron Maher-trained Detonator Jack ($6.00) burst between horses getting to the front, leaving him as a sitting duck for Territory Express and Democracy Manifest, with the latter reigning supreme.
-
Nash Rawiller and Matthew Dunn combined for success with Cepheus in the 2023 Group 2 Ajax Stakes at Rosehill. Rawiller pinged the lids and never let up heading for home best, leaving his rivals chasing a long way out. The Chris Waller-trained Waterford looked to loom like the winner down the outside with Brett Prebble aboard, but was never able to head Cepheus who continued to bolt along. Caesars Palace ran on well into third without a lot of luck in the straight, while Bandersnatch was the best of the rest landing fourth spot at the finish.
-
Just Folk secured themselves a start in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile after a good win in the 2022 Group 2 Ajax Stakes over 1500m at Rosehill Gardens. Sent out as a $7 chance, the Josh Julius-trained galloper finished off too strongly to win by a neck. The five-year-old gelding had been racing well this preparation, putting the writing on the wall last start after a seventh in the Group 1 C.F. Orr Stakes. Ridden by Jason Collett, Just Folk proved too strong for Ellsberg and Kiku in the Group 2 event.
Previous winners of the Ajax Stakes
| Ajax Stakes Past Winners | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Horse | Jockey | Trainer |
| 2024 | Democracy Manifest | James McDonald | Chris Waller |
| 2023 | Cepheus | Nash Rawiller | Matthew Dunn |
| 2022 | Just Folk | Jason Collett | Josh Julius |
| 2021 | I Am Superman | Kerrin McEvoy | Peter & Paul Snowden |
| 2020 | Imaging | James McDonald | Chris Waller |
| 2019 | Fifty Stars | Jye McNeil | David & Ben Hayes & Tom Dabernig |
| 2018 | Comin’ Through | Michael Walker | Chris Waller |
| 2017 | It’s Somewhat | William Buick | John O’Shea |
| 2016 | It’s Somewhat | Sam Clipperton | John O’Shea |
| 2015 | Burbero | Brodie Loy | Bjorn Baker |
| 2014 | Messene | James McDonald | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes |
| 2013 | Havana Rey | Glyn Schofield | Bjorn Baker |
| 2012 | Niagara | Tommy Berry | Gai Waterhouse |
| 2011 | Pureness | Glen Boss | Gai Waterhouse |
| 2010 | Brilliant Light | Jay Ford | Kerry Parker |
| 2009 | Solo Flyer | Corey Brown | Anthony Cummings |
| 2008 | All Silent | Jeff Lloyd | Grahame Begg |
| 2007 | High Cee | Zac Purton | Bart Cummings |
| 2006 | Malcolm | Darren Beadman | John Hawkes |
| 2005 | River to the Sea | Dale Spriggs | Diane Poidevin Laine |
| 2004 | True Glo | Damien Oliver | Lee Freedman |
| 2003 | Grand Armee | Jim Cassidy | Gai Waterhouse |
| 2002 | Mowerman | Corey Brown | John Hawkes |
| 2001 | Galiano | Craig Agnew | Paul O’Sullivan |
| 2000 | Normal Practice | Mathew Cahill | Danny Williams |
Ajax Stakes winners pre-2000
| Ajax Stakes Past Winners Pre 2000 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Horse | ||
| 1999 | Confiscate | ||
| 1998 | Confiscate | ||
| 1997 | Catalan Opening | ||
| 1996 | Catalan Opening | ||
| 1995 | Protara’s Bay | ||
| 1994 | Poetic King | ||
| 1993 | Soho Square | ||
| 1992 | Alderson | ||
| 1991 | From The Planet | ||
| 1990 | Windsor’s Pal | ||
| 1989 | Jondolar | ||
| 1988 | Imprimatur | ||
| 1987 | Mac’s Treasure | ||
| 1986 | Sea Pictures | ||
| 1985 | Royal Troubador | ||
| 1984 | Vite Cheval | ||
| 1983 | C’Est Si Bon | ||
| 1982 | Winter’s Dance | ||
| 1981 | Thumb Print | ||
| 1980 | Lowan Star | ||
| 1979 | Lloyd Boy | ||
| 1978 | Count Rajan | ||
| 1977 | Tiger Town | ||
| 1976 | Wayne’s Bid | ||
| 1975 | Helmsman | ||
| 1974 | Tontonan | ||
Recommended!
Take It To The Neds Level
Home of the Neds Toolbox
18+ Gamble Responsibly
Full terms
Punters Prefer Blondes
It’s a fact, Blondes have more fun
18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE?.
Say Hey to the social bet!
You Better Believe It
18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE?.
Full terms.
Next Gen Racing Betting
Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race.
18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with?
It Pays To Play
New online bookmaker
18+ Gamble Responsibly
