The Adrian Knox Stakes is a Group 3 race for three year old fillies, held each year during April at Randwick Racecourse. This event takes place over a distance of 2000 metres and is worth $125,000 in prize money.
The Adrian Knox Stakes is held on popular Derby Day, with a range of other Group races also run on the same day. Derby Day also includes Group 1 events the AJC Australian Derby, TJ Smith Stakes, and AJC Sires Produce Stakes. Group 2 races on the day include the Chairman’s Handicap and Sapphire Stakes. The winner for the Adrian Knox Stakes is exempt from ballot for the Group 1 AJC Australian Oaks.
The Adrian Knox Stakes is named in honour of the late Adrian Knox, former Club Chairman of the Australian Jockey Club and Chief Justice of the High Court. Recent winners of this event include Raise in 2008, Miss Darcey in 2009, Speedy Natalie in 2010, Crafty Irna in 2011, and Full Of Spirit in 2012. Full Of Spirit won the 2012 edition ahead of Plumm in second place and Secret Liason in third.
Some of the possible lead up races for the Adrian Knox Stakes include the Group 1 Australasian Oaks at Morphetville Racecourse and the 1800 metre Group 3 Keith F Nolan Classic. Many horses from this event are likely to go straight on to the Group 1 AJC Oaks, a race held in August which forms a popular betting double with this event.
In recent years, some of the horses who have won the Adrian Knox Stakes and AJC Oaks double include Republic Lass in 2002, Wild Iris in 2004, and Rena’s Lady in 2007. The Adrian Knox Stakes has been run since 1948, becoming a Group 3 event for the first time in 1986. This event was known as the AJC Princess Handicap up until 1987.