The Melbourne Racing Club is pleased to confirm 1,456 nominations have been received for the 2026 edition of the $2 million Group 1 Sportsbet Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), Victoria’s richest premier race for two-year-olds to be run on Saturday 21 February.
“The Sportsbet Blue Diamond Stakes is a key destination on the juvenile racing calendar, attracting the country's most precocious young talent and emerging stars,” said Josh Rodder, MRC Racing & Media Executive. “Looking at our impressive list of entries at this stage, the 2026 edition is sure to be an exciting battle of emerging stars in a fast-paced, high-stakes showcase of speed, breeding, and brilliance.”
Topping the list of nominated stallions are champion sires I Am Invincible, with an impressive 77 of his progeny nominated and Snitzel with 63 nominations. First Season sire Home Affairs lit up the sales ring earlier this year with his first crop of yearlings, and confidence in the young stallion is reflected through 62 nominees.
Last year’s champion first-season sire Ole Kirk, from the family of the legendary Black Caviar, has also made an early mark, producing smart 2yos in his first season with O’Ole and Prestige Forever – we may have a repeat dose with his 30 nominations. . Extreme Choice, former Blue Diamond winner, and sire of last year’s winner Devil Night is represented by 26 entries.
The 2026 nominations also feature strong representation from leading stables. Lindsay Park (Ben, JD and Will Hayes) has nominated 85 horses as it chases a record-extending ninth Blue Diamond title, having most recently won with Little Brose in 2023. The Hayes family legacy includes ten Blue Diamond victories, with David Hayes holding the training record with six wins, following triumphs by his father Colin (three) and brother Peter (one).
On the back of the success of Devil Knight, Yulong Investments look set to make their presence felt with an incredible 145 entries, while rivals Ciaron Maher and Chris Waller are seeking to claim their first ever Blue Diamond winner with 132 and 118 nominations respectively.
Renowned 2yo black type trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott are poised to continue their dominance with 111 entries, as Team Hawkes, fresh off their 2025 win, nominate 28 in pursuit of back-to-back glory. Runner-up in the 2025 edition, Anthony and Sam Freedman have 72 hopefuls in the mix, displaying a serious show of intent.
Since Tolerance won the inaugural running in 1971, the Blue Diamond has become a launchpad for future champions and influential sires, including Redoute’s Choice, Bel Esprit, and Extreme Choice.
With such a deep and diverse pool of talent nominated for 2026, the race promises to deliver another thrilling chapter in the Blue Diamond’s rich history.
Key Dates:
- 1st Acceptances close: 12pm (AEST) Tuesday 11th November
- First Late Entry: Any horse not previously nominated may be nominated in the Sportsbet Blue Diamond Stakes before 12 NOON on Tuesday, 11 November, 2025 accompanied by a fee of $5,500.
- Final declarations close: 12pm (AEST) Tuesday 17th February
MRC Release
