Empire Rose Stakes seeks American flavour with Kentucky connection
An agreement between the Victoria Racing Club and Churchill Downs will see the winner of a key support race to this weekend’s Kentucky Derby given a free ticket to entry into a Melbourne Cup carnival Group 1.
Two of the world’s iconic racing events, the Melbourne Cup carnival and the Kentucky Derby, are set to be linked with the Victoria Racing Club to incentivise American fillies and mares to contest the Empire Rose Stakes.
The 152nd Kentucky Derby is set to be run at Churchill Downs on Saturday, with VRC chief executive Kylie Rogers among the attendees.
The Grade 2 Longines Churchill Distaff Turf Mile, which is run earlier on the Derby day card, will now grant the winner direct entry into the Empire Rose Stakes on the first day of the Flemington carnival in November.
“The Longines Churchill Distaff Turf Mile is a prestigious race, and providing its winner with a guaranteed start in the Empire Rose creates a strong reason for international competitors to target Flemington during the Melbourne Cup carnival.” Rogers said.
“We’ve already seen the appetite from the United States to compete on the biggest stage, most notably with Parchment Party becoming the first American‑trained horse to contest the Lexus Melbourne Cup last year.
“By creating this international pathway into the Empire Rose Stakes, we’re inviting the world’s best fillies and mares to take their place alongside some of Australia’s best.”
The race was won by the Frankie Dettori-ridden Simply In Front in 2025, who later went on to win the Group 1 First Lady Stakes at Keeneland last October. Other recent winners include French-bred pair Chili Flag and Speak Of The Devil, dual winners Beau Recall and Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Tepin.
Churchill Downs is looking to expand its brand presence and recently secured the intellectual property rights for the Preakness Stakes.
Chief executive Bill Mudd said the partnership with the VRC highlighted the shared ambition of both clubs.
“We’re thrilled to partner with the Victoria Racing Club on this international initiative,” he said.
“The Kentucky Derby and the Melbourne Cup are two of racing’s greatest events and we look forward to expanding the partnership of our two iconic institutions.”
Pride Of Jenni has won two of the past three editions of the Empire Rose Stakes, including 2023 which saw the participation of American-bred Princess Grace.
American-bred mares Lighthouse and Con Te Partiro have both won Group 1 races in Australia over the past decade.
The Belmont Gold Cup, run in June, is already a “win-and-you’re-in” race for the Melbourne Cup.
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