The Kembla Grange Classic, registered as the Keith F Nolan Classic, is an Illawarra Turf Club Group 3 Thoroughbred horse race, for three-year-old fillies, at set weights with penalties, over a distance of 1600 metres, held annually at Kembla Grange Racecourse in New South Wales, Australia in March. Total prize money for the race is A$200,000 including trophies.

Kembla Grange Classic
registered as the Keith F Nolan Classic
Group 3 race
LocationKembla Grange Racecourse
Inaugurated2003 (Listed Race)
Race typeThoroughbred - flat
SponsorCarlton Draught (2022)
Race information
Distance1,600 metres
SurfaceTurf
TrackRight-handed
QualificationThree year old fillies
WeightSet weights with penalties
PurseA$200,000 (2022)

History edit

The registered race is named after Keith F. Nolan, founding chairman of the Illawarra Turf Club and was instrumental in saving the Kembla Grange racecourse and establishing it as one of the premier provincial race tracks in New South Wales.[1] The Illawarra Turf Club named a new grandstand after him - the Keith F. Nolan Stand - and named a feature race, the Keith F. Nolan Classic.[1] Keith F. Nolan died in 2005 at the age of 76.[1]

Name edit

  • 2003–2015 - Keith F Nolan Classic
  • 2016 - Arrowfield Kembla Grange Classic[2]

Grade edit

  • 2003–2009 - Listed Race
  • 2010 onwards - Group 3[3]

Venue edit

The 2011 race was run at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse after the scheduled race meeting at Kembla Grange was abandoned due to the track condition.[4] The distance of the race at Rosehill was 1800 metres.[5]

The 2022 race was run at Goulburn Racecourse.

Winners edit

  • 2023 - Pavitra[6]
  • 2022 - Pretty Amazing[7]
  • 2021 - Miravalle[8]
  • 2020 - Asiago[9]
  • 2019 - Pohutukawa[10]
  • 2018 - Luvaluva[11]
  • 2017 - Dawn Wall[12]
  • 2016 - Single Gaze[13]
  • 2015 - Slightly Sweet[14]
  • 2014 - Zanbagh[15]
  • 2013 - Cameo[16]
  • 2012 - Appearance[17]
  • 2011 - Brazilian Pulse[5]
  • 2010 - Slapstick[18]
  • 2009 - Allez Wonder[19][20]
  • 2008 - Bernicia[21]
  • 2007 - Hot Danish[22]
  • 2006 - Pasikatera[23]
  • 2005 - Ponte Piccolo[24]
  • 2004 - La Nikita[25]
  • 2003 - Ain't Seen Nothin'[26]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "Vale - Mr Keith Nolan". Racing NSW. Thououghbed News (Australia). 25 November 2005. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  2. ^ Cohen, Mitch (15 September 2015). "Classic facelift boosts Kembla's biggest day". Illawarra Mercury. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
  3. ^ Driscoll, Mike (8 July 2009). "Keith F Nolan Classic to become Group 3". Illawarra Mercury. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  4. ^ Burnett, Rob (24 March 2011). "Brazilian Pulse (NZ) waltzing towards Keith F Nolan Classic". Thououghbed News (Australia). Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  5. ^ a b "2011 Result – Keith F Nolan Classic (held 26 March 2011)". breednet.com. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  6. ^ "2023 Result – Peroni Kembla Grange Classic (held 10 March 2023)". racingpost.com. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  7. ^ "2022 Result – Carlton Draught Kembla Grange Classic (held 11 March 2022)". breednet.com. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
  8. ^ "2021 Result – Carlton Draught Kembla Grange Classic (held 12 March 2021)". breednet.com. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  9. ^ "2020 Result – Carlton Draught Kembla Grange Classic (held 13 March 2020)". breednet.com. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  10. ^ "2019 Result – Carlton Draught Kembla Grange Classic (held 15 March 2019)". breednet.com. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
  11. ^ "2018 Result – Carlton Draught Kg Classic (held 15 March 2018)". breednet.com. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  12. ^ "2017 Result – Arrowfield Classic (held 10 March 2017)". breednet.com. Retrieved 10 March 2017.
  13. ^ "2016 Result – Arrowfield Classic (held 11 March 2016)". breednet.com. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  14. ^ "2015 Result – Keith F Nolan Classic (held 13 March 2015)". breednet.com. Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  15. ^ "2014 Result – Keith F Nolan Classic (held 23 March 2014)". breednet.com. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  16. ^ "2013 Result – Mercury Keith Nolan Classic (held 24 March 2013)". breednet.com. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  17. ^ "2012 Result – Illawarra Mercury Keith Nolan (held 25 March 2012)". breednet.com. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  18. ^ "2010 Result – Keith F. Nolan Classic (held 21 March 2010)". breednet.com. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  19. ^ "2009 Result – The Illawarra Mercury Keith F. Nolan Classic (held 22 March 2009)". Racing Vic. (Aus.). Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  20. ^ Roots, Chris (22 March 2009). "Bart's filly flies in Keith F Nolan Classic". Illawarra Mercury. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  21. ^ "2008 Result – The Illawarra Mercury Keith F. Nolan Classic (held 6 April 2008)". Racing Vic. (Aus.). Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  22. ^ "2007 Result – Lakeline Butchery Keith F. Nolan Classic (held 21 March 2007)". Racing Vic. (Aus.). Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  23. ^ "2006 Result – Lakeline Butchery Keith F. Nolan Classic (held 29 March 2006)". Racing Vic. (Aus.). Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  24. ^ "2005 Result – K F Nolan 3YOF Classic (held 9 March 2005)". Racing Vic. (Aus.). Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  25. ^ "2004 Result – K F Nolan 3YOF Classic (held 24 March 2004)". Racing Vic. (Aus.). Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  26. ^ "2003 Result – K F Nolan 3YOF Classic (held 2 April 2003)". Racing Vic. (Aus.). Retrieved 10 March 2015.