VRC Oaks Winners: Every Winner Since 1859 and Records

VRC Oaks winners run from Birdswing in 1859 to Strictly Business in 2025, with Briseis, Light Fingers and Jameka among the champion fillies on the honour roll. Here is every winner of the Oaks, with each jockey and trainer, plus the race records, before the 2026 Crown Oaks at Flemington on Thursday 5 November.

The VRC Oaks (2500m), raced as the Crown Oaks for sponsorship, is the feature of the third day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival and the staying Classic for three-year-old fillies. This year’s running on Crown Oaks Day, Thursday 5 November is worth $1 million, with $600,000 to the winner.

Entries close at noon today, Friday 30 October, with acceptances due at 9am on Monday 2 November, so the field will take shape across Derby Day and Melbourne Cup week.

The race is run under set weights and is one of the oldest on the Australian calendar. Below is the full honour roll, checked against the Victoria Racing Club’s official Group 1 honour board and cross-checked with other published winners lists.

VRC Oaks winners: the quick facts

First run: Thursday 10 November 1859, when Birdswing (T. Hutton, trainer W. C. Yuille) won. The VRC records the 1859 and 1860 runnings as walkovers, with only one horse competing, so some winners lists start the race at 1861.
Most recent winner: Strictly Business in 2025, ridden by John Allen and trained by Thomas Carbery.
Most wins by a jockey: seven, shared by Bobbie Lewis (1896 to 1921) and Damien Oliver (1994 to 2021).
Most wins by a trainer in the modern era: Bart Cummings, nine, from Light Fingers in 1964 to Faint Perfume in 2009.
Distance: 1½ miles until 1971, 2400m in 1972 and 2500m since 1973.
Status: a principal race until 1978 and a Group 1 since 1979.

Every VRC Oaks winner since 1859

Each winner is listed with the jockey first, then the trainer, newest first within each decade. Older jockeys and trainers appear as they are recorded on the VRC honour board, and New Zealand-bred winners are listed without the (NZ) suffix.

VRC Oaks winners in the 2020s

2025: Strictly Business (John Allen, Thomas Carbery)
2024: Treasurethe Moment (Damian Lane, Matt Laurie)
2023: Zardozi (James McDonald, James Cummings)
2022: She’s Extreme (Tommy Berry, Anthony Cummings)
2021: Willowy (Damien Oliver, James Cummings)
2020: Personal (Damien Oliver, Tom Dabernig and Ben Hayes)

VRC Oaks winners in the 2010s

2019: Miami Bound (Damien Oliver, Danny O’Brien)
2018: Aristia (Damian Lane, Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra)
2017: Pinot (Stephen Baster, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott)
2016: Lasqueti Spirit (Brenton Avdulla, Lee Curtis)
2015: Jameka (Damien Oliver, Ciaron Maher)
2014: Set Square (Hugh Bowman, Ciaron Maher)
2013: Kirramosa (Nash Rawiller, John Sargent)
2012: Dear Demi (Jim Cassidy, Clarry Conners)
2011: Mosheen (Danny Nikolic, Robert Smerdon)
2010: Brazilian Pulse (Craig Williams, Michael Moroney)

VRC Oaks winners in the 2000s

2009: Faint Perfume (Michael Rodd, Bart Cummings)
2008: Samantha Miss (Hugh Bowman, Kris Lees)
2007: Arapaho Miss (Corey Brown, Pat Carey)
2006: Miss Finland (Craig Williams, David Hayes)
2005: Serenade Rose (Steven King, Lee Freedman)
2004: Hollow Bullet (David Taggart, John McArdle)
2003: Special Harmony (Damien Oliver, Lee Freedman)
2002: Bulla Borghese (Chris Munce, Ron Quinton)
2001: Magical Miss (Steven Arnold, Bart Cummings)
2000: Lovelorn (Brett Prebble, John Hawkes)

VRC Oaks winners in the 1990s

1999: Tributes (Darren Gauci, John Hawkes)
1998: Grand Archway (Opie Bosson, Graeme Rogerson)
1997: Kensington Palace (Damien Oliver, Lee Freedman)
1996: My Brightia (Glen Boss, Len Smith)
1995: Saleous (Darren Beadman, Pat Hyland)
1994: Northwood Plume (Damien Oliver, Damien Oliver)
1993: Arborea (Shane Dye, Clarry Conners)
1992: Slight Chance (Shane Dye, Shane Dye)
1991: Richfield Lady (Greg Childs, Bart Cummings)
1990: Weekend Delight (Jim Cassidy, Bart Cummings)

VRC Oaks winners in the 1980s

1989: Tristanagh (Jim Cassidy, Bart Cummings)
1988: Research (Mick Dittman, Clarry Conners)
1987: Sandy’s Pleasure (Jim Cassidy, Neville Begg)
1986: Diamond Shower (Jim Cassidy, Brian Mayfield-Smith)
1985: My Tristram’s Belle (Noel Harris, Alan Jones)
1984: Spirit Of Kingston (G. Willetts, R. E. Hoysted)
1983: Taj Eclipse (Darren Gauci, Bart Cummings)
1982: Rom’s Stiletto (Pat Hyland, Jim Moloney)
1981: Rose Of Kingston (Roy Higgins, R. E. Hoysted)
1980: November Rain (Ron Quinton, Neville Begg)

VRC Oaks winners in the 1970s

1979: Brava Jeannie (M. Goreham, Geoff Murphy)
1978: Scomeld (Mick Dittman, N. R. Dawson)
1977: Show Ego (Harry White, Tommy Smith)
1976: Surround (A. Trevena, Geoff Murphy)
1975: Denise’s Joy (J. Duggan, Tommy Smith)
1974: Leica Show (Roy Higgins, Bart Cummings)
1973: Bonnybel (R. Mallyon, K. Chilby)
1972: Toltrice (Harry White, John Hawkes)
1971: Kiss Me Cait (Roy Higgins, Tommy Smith)
1970: Sanderae (Roy Higgins, Bart Cummings)

VRC Oaks winners in the 1960s

1969: Goliette (N. Mifflin, S. L. Fartch)
1968: Double Steel (A. McLean, C. A. Wilson)
1967: Chosen Lady (G. Lane, Tommy Woodcock)
1966: Farmer’s Daughter (J. J. Miller, A. Macdonald)
1965: Gipsy Queen (A. Burton, V. Warke)
1964: Light Fingers (Roy Higgins, Bart Cummings)
1963: Jingle Bells (B. Gilders, D. Judd)
1962: Arctic Star (Frank Reys, R. J. Hutchins)
1961: Indian Summer (J. Thompson, A. N. McCoy)
1960: Lady Sybil (G. Lane, A. Smerdon)

VRC Oaks winners in the 1950s

1959: Mintaway (W. Williamson, J. J. Burnard)
1958: Chicola (W. Williamson, R. G. Chapman)
1957: Amarco (G. Lane, T. Woodcock)
1956: Innesfell (Ron Hutchinson, G. H. Murfitt)
1955: Evening Peal (G. Podmore, E. D. Lawson)
1954: Lady Mogambo (W. Camer, E. J. Jenkins)
1953: Waltzing Lady (P. Glennon, F. C. Jones)
1952: Waterlady (George Moore, Tommy Smith)
1951: Lady Havers (A. Ward, P. B. Quinlan)
1950: True Course (W. Williamson, F. Hoysted)

VRC Oaks winners in the 1940s

1949: Chicquita (Scobie Breasley, A. Lopes)
1948: Grey Nurse (S. Ralph, J. W. McCurley)
1947: Nizam’s Ring (E. Swinton, J. W. McCurley)
1946: Sweet Chime (W. Cook, Maurice McCarten)
1945: Cherie Marie (Scobie Breasley, W. Duncan)
1944: Provoke (H. Badger, F. W. Hoysted)
1943: Three Wheeler (Scobie Breasley, L. Robertson)
1942: East End (V. Hartney, E. Fisher)
1941: Primavera (W. Cook, W. K. Jeffery)
1940: Session (Darby Munro, P. Riddle)

VRC Oaks winners in the 1930s

1939: Triode (Darby Munro, J. Mulcahy)
1938: French Gem (Maurice McCarten, R. Sinclair)
1937: Prairie Moon (R. Wilson, P. E. Muschialli)
1936: Siren (Darby Munro, B. R. Payten)
1935: Nalda (K. Voitre, L. Robertson)
1934: Alinura (C. Boorn, H. Jenkins)
1933: Golden Hair (T. Webster, O. Cox)
1932: Protea (G. Newton, C. H. Mustey)
1931: Gallantic (F. Dempsey, J. Holt)
1930: Barbette (S. Tomison, L. Robertson)

VRC Oaks winners in the 1920s

1929: Lineage (W. Scanlon, R. Sinclair)
1928: Opera Queen (A. Adams, Jim Cummings)
1927: Ninbela (F. Dempsey, H. McCalman)
1926: Lanson (W. Duncan, E. H. Clyde)
1925: Redshank (J. Daniels, F. Foulsham)
1924: Miss Disraeli (F. Dempsey, F. Musgrave)
1923: Frances Tressady (F. Dempsey, W. Foulsham)
1922: Scarlet (A. Wood, H. W. Torr)
1921: Furious (Bobbie Lewis, F. J. Marsden)
1920: Mufti (W. Foulsham, J. Mulcahy)

VRC Oaks winners in the 1910s

1919: Hyades (F. Bullock, N. Scobie)
1918: Stagegirl (K. Bracken, J. Patterson)
1917: Folly Queen (B. Deely, Walter Hickenbotham)
1916: Thana (A. Shanahan, S. S. Martin)
1915: Rosanna (Bobbie Lewis, James Scobie)
1914: Carlita (Bobbie Lewis, J. Moore)
1913: Mint Sauce (Bobbie Lewis, James Scobie)
1912: Moe (Bobbie Lewis, James Scobie)
1911: Wilari (G. Lambert, W. R. Risby)
1910: Styria (W. H. Smith, J. Siely)

VRC Oaks winners in the 1900s

1909: Lady San (W. H. Smith, J. Siely)
1908: Nushka (Cyril Bolton, W. S. Hickenbotham)
1907: Lady Rylstone (G. Ross, H. Munro)
1906: Yabba Gabba (J. Barden, J. W. Noud)
1905: Lady Wallace (F. Hickey, J. Burton)
1904: Red Streak (B. Carslake, W. S. Hickenbotham)
1903: Sweet Nell (Bobbie Lewis, James Scobie)
1902: Fishery (E. Turner, W. S. Hickenbotham)
1901: Beanba (F. Kuhn, I. Earnshaw)
1900: Haulette (E. Cleal, I. Earnshaw)

VRC Oaks winners in the 1890s

1899: Nitre (J. Wilson Jnr, J. Wilson)
1898: Symmetry (H. J. Morrison, H. Munro)
1897: Eleusive (H. J. Morrison, H. Munro)
1896: Thunder Queen (Bobbie Lewis, T. Keily)
1895: Auraria (J. Stevenson, J. H. Hill)
1894: Regina (E. Simmons, W. Kelso)
1893: The Dauphine (C. Moore, S. G. Cook)
1892: Etra Weenie (C. Moore, J. Wilson Jnr)
1891: Tiraillerie (Percy White, Percy Martin)
1890: Litigant (J. Anwin, T. Wilson)

VRC Oaks winners in the 1880s

1889: Spice (Tom Hales, T. Payten)
1888: Pearlshell (M. O’Brien, T. Lamond)
1887: Dainty (E. Gorry, T. Brown)
1886: The Nun (J. Fiddes, J. D. Robertson)
1885: Uralla (Tom Hales, M. Fennelly)
1884: Venetia (J. Wilkinson, J. Monaghan)
1883: Quality (E. Power, J. Morrison)
1882: Vaucluse (J. Williamson, J. Monaghan)
1881: Royal Maid (Tom Hales, J. Wilson)
1880: Sapphire (W. Huxley, M. Fennelly)

VRC Oaks winners in the 1870s

1879: Petrea (W. Yeomans, J. Wilson)
1878: Melita (W. Yeomans, J. Wilson)
1877: Pardon (Tom Hales, J. Wilson)
1876: Briseis (Tom Hales, J. Wilson)
1875: Maid Of All Work (W. Wilson, J. Wilson)
1874: Gaslight (S. Davis, P. Dowling)
1873: Rose d’Amour (H. Lewis, John Tait)
1872: Sunshine (J. Wilson Jnr, J. Wilson)
1871: Formosa (W. Yeomans, W. Yeomans)
1870: Florence (C. Stanley, John Tait)

VRC Oaks winners in the 1860s

1869: Kestrel (R. Waterman, W. Pearson)
1868: My Dream (T. Duffy, J. Wilson)
1867: Sylvia (J. Morrison, W. Filgate)
1866: Sea Gull (J. Morrison, W. Filgate)
1865: Lady Heron (E. Redman, W. Filgate)
1864: Illumination (J. Morrison, P. Dowling)
1863: Aruma (E. Bishop, W. Lang)
1862: Modesty (E. Bishop, D. Robinson)
1861: Palestine (R. Waterman, George Watson)
1860 (walkover): Flying Colours (W. Treacey, George Watson)

VRC Oaks winners in the 1850s

1859 (walkover): Birdswing (T. Hutton, W. C. Yuille)

VRC Oaks records: jockeys

Seven wins: Bobbie Lewis (Thunder Queen 1896, Sweet Nell 1903, Moe 1912, Mint Sauce 1913, Carlita 1914, Rosanna 1915 and Furious 1921). His four in a row from 1912 to 1915 is a record run.
Seven wins: Damien Oliver (Northwood Plume 1994, Kensington Palace 1997, Special Harmony 2003, Jameka 2015, Miami Bound 2019, Personal 2020 and Willowy 2021), including three straight to finish his tally.
Five wins: Tom Hales (1876, 1877, 1881, 1885 and 1889), Roy Higgins (1964, 1970, 1971, 1974 and 1981) and Jim Cassidy (1986, 1987, 1989, 1990 and 2012).
Four wins: F. Dempsey (1923, 1924, 1927 and 1931).
Current riders on the board include James McDonald (Zardozi 2023), Damian Lane (Aristia 2018 and Treasurethe Moment 2024), Hugh Bowman (Samantha Miss 2008 and Set Square 2014), Tommy Berry (She’s Extreme 2022) and John Allen (Strictly Business 2025).

VRC Oaks records: trainers

Nine wins: Bart Cummings (Light Fingers 1964, Sanderae 1970, Leica Show 1974, Taj Eclipse 1983, Tristanagh 1989, Weekend Delight 1990, Richfield Lady 1991, Magical Miss 2001 and Faint Perfume 2009), including three in a row from 1989 to 1991.
Four wins: Tommy Smith (1952, 1971, 1975 and 1977) and James Scobie (1903, 1912, 1913 and 1915).
Three wins: Lee Freedman (1997, 2003 and 2005), John Hawkes (1972, 1999 and 2000) and Clarry Conners (1988, 1993 and 2012).
Two wins: Ciaron Maher, in back-to-back years with Set Square (2014) and Jameka (2015), and James Cummings, with Willowy (2021) and Zardozi (2023).
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott won with Pinot in 2017, and the honour board’s early decades show J. Wilson with six wins between 1868 and 1881.

The Cummings family and the Oaks

No family has a stronger hold on the race. Jim Cummings trained Opera Queen to win in 1928, his son Bart won nine, Bart’s son Anthony won with She’s Extreme in 2022, and Bart’s grandson James has won twice for Godolphin, with Willowy in 2021 and Zardozi in 2023. That is 13 VRC Oaks winners across three generations of trainers.

The VRC Oaks and Victoria Derby double

Fillies can also run in the Victoria Derby, and the VRC honour boards show nine that won the Derby and the Oaks in the same year: Flying Colours (1860), Sea Gull (1866), Florence (1870), Briseis (1876), Lady Wallace (1905), Wilari (1911), Carlita (1914), Furious (1921) and Frances Tressady (1923). Frances Tressady is the last filly to win the Derby, so the double has not been done for more than a century.

Oaks winners who won the Melbourne Cup

Briseis completed one of the great weeks in Australian racing in 1876, winning the Derby, the Melbourne Cup and the Oaks as a three-year-old. Auraria also won the Melbourne Cup and the Oaks in the same spring in 1895. Two more Oaks winners came back the next year to win the Cup as four-year-olds: Evening Peal (Oaks 1955, Cup 1956) and Light Fingers (Oaks 1964, Cup 1965), the latter giving Bart Cummings the first of his 12 Melbourne Cups. Our Melbourne Cup winners list has the full story of the race that stops a nation.

Famous VRC Oaks winners

Light Fingers is one of the best-loved fillies in Australian racing for her Oaks and Cup double with Roy Higgins and Bart Cummings. Jameka, Ciaron Maher’s 2015 winner, went on to win the Caulfield Cup the following spring, while Pinot gave Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott the race in 2017. Damien Oliver’s hat-trick on Miami Bound, Personal and Willowy from 2019 to 2021 took him to seven wins, matching the record Bobbie Lewis reached with Furious in 1921, exactly 100 years earlier. For more of the spring’s greats, see our Cox Plate winners honour roll.

Who joins the VRC Oaks winners list in 2026?

The 2026 winner will be crowned on Thursday 5 November, two days after the Melbourne Cup. For form on every filly once the field is finalised, open TSB’s free Racing Form Guide.

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