The Mackinnon Stakes is a Group 1 race held each year at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne. Run over 2000 metres and worth a total of $1 million in prize money, this great event has become an important part of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival. Hosted on Victoria Derby Day along with a number of other Group 1 events, the Mackinnon Stakes has a long and proud history in Australian thoroughbred racing.

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The Mackinnon Stakes has been run since 1869, although it was known as the Melbourne Stakes until 1936. Over this time, the Mackinnon Stakes has been won by some of the most famous horses in Australian racing, including Rain Lover and Phar Lap who won the Mackinnon – Melbourne Cup double. In recent years, winners of this event include Sirmione in 2007, Thesio in 2008, Scenic Shot in 2009, So You Think in 2010, Glass Harmonium in 2011, and Alcopop in 2012.

In 1877 the Mackinnon Stakes, then the Melbourne Stakes, was won by a horse called Robinson Crusoe. He took this name after being the sole equine survivor of a famous shipwreck in 1876, with a number of other horses bound for the Melbourne Cup lost to the sea. Over the years, this event has been recognised as an important final lead up race for the Melbourne Cup, which has been held on the following Tuesday during recent seasons.

The Mackinnon Stakes is hosted on Victoria Derby Day, along with three other high profile Group 1 events including the Victoria Derby, Coolmore Stud Stakes, and Myer Classic. In recent times, this race has provided four Melbourne Cup winners and two Japan Cup winners, with Rogan Josh being the last horse to win this event before going on to victory in “the race that stops a nation” in 1999.