History and Event Timeline for the Sapphire
1974 Race first run as the Sir Arthur Rylah Sapphire Classic on 7 February 1974 over 513m. Race is worth $1,450 to the winner, Bristol Sue
1976 Prizemoney increases to $3,600 to the winner
1986 1985 Melbourne Cup winner Sydney Dingaan becomes the only dog to take the Melbourne Cup – Sapphire Classic double
1987 Race distance decreased to 511m
1989 Race is run twice, in January as the Sandown Sapphire Classic, and in July as the Sandown Auction Classic
1990 Race is renamed the Sandown Sapphire Classic and moved to April. Prizemoney increases to $8,000 to the winner
1995 Prizemoney increases to $14,000 to the winner
1996 Race elevated to Group 3 status. Prizemoney increases to $15,000. Race distance increases to 515m following Sandown Park track reconstruction
1997 Race elevated to Group 2 status. Prizemoney increases to $30,000 to the winner. Legendary sire Token Prince takes out the race
1999 Ashlee Jeannine wins the race in 29.74 seconds – a race record
2000 Race elevated to Group 1 status. Prizemoney increases to $40,000 to the winner. Dutchy’s Angel equals Ashlee Jeannine’s race record 29.74
2002 Race is renamed the Sapphire Crown Classic and conditions changed to bitches only. The race is also moved to November and is included in Sandown’s Superdog series. Prizemoney increases to $50,000 to the winner
2003 AGRA Hall of Famer Bogie Leigh claims her third Group race win for the year in taking out the event by a race record 7.5 lengths
2004 Sandown introduces a $10,000 bonus to any bitch who can win the G1 Laurels Classic – G1 Sapphire Crown Classic double. After taking out the Laurels Classic by 7.25 lengths in 29.58, Paua To Burn completes the double after starting the Sapphire Crown Classic a $1.60 favourite
2005 After beginning well from the awkward box 5, Paua To Burn blitzes her rivals and defends her Sapphire Crown Classic title by a race record 10.25 lengths. The win was Paua To Burn’s fourth Group 1 victory
2006 Betty’s Angel wins her first Group 1, with litter sister Leprechaun Pace running third. Betty’s Angel would go on to win the Group 1 Schweppes Melbourne Cup, defeating another litter sister, Miss Mini Mouse.
2007 The final becomes a family affair with Que Sera Sera winning for Angela Langton and brother-in- law Robert Britton training both One Tree Hill and Tasman Queen into the placings
2008 Queen Lauryn overcomes a number of off-track issues to win her first Group 1 in dominant display from box 2.
2009 Victorian and Australian Greyhound of the Year Cindeen Shelby added another Group 1 trophy to the mantel piece with a convincing win in a fast 29.72 a race record.
2010 Race not run due to a change in the AGRA calendar and was held over to its new time slot in June 2011 replacing the Laurels which was moved to December.
2011 Evergreen sprinter Amakler Girl ($7.40) upstaged her younger rivals when as the oldest runner in the field, she jumped straight to the lead from box one and was never headed, she defeated fast-finishing favourite Tonneli Bale ($3.60) by 1¼ lengths in 29.70.
2012 Jason Thompson’s golden 2012 continued when Peggy May led all the way to claim the 2012 Group 1 Macro Meats Sapphire Crown. Showing her customary early speed, she led into the first turn and raced away down the back to win in race record time of 29.42.
2013 Xylia Allen confirmed her status as one of the most exciting greyhounds in the country when she sensationally won the Macro Meats Sapphire Crown in one of the runs of the year at Sandown Park she recorded 29.48 and ran down favourite Punch One Out.
2014 South Australian sprinter Oakvale Destiny became Jeff Britton’s first Sapphire winner, his brother Robert had won the event in 1990 with Ravello and partner Angela Langdon with Que Sera Sera in 2007.
2015 All distance Sandown star Lamia Bale was the brilliant winner in 2015 the versatile multi group winner proved way too good against her own sex in a race record time of 29.23.
2016 A fairytale was completed when Narralee staved off her rivals to take out the 2016 Group 1 Sapphire Crown. Narralee ($11.80) exploded out of box 2 to lead clearly from the wide running Shared Equity and favourite Folio Bale. As the trio battled for position down the back straight Narralee held her head. Folio Bale ($2.40) threatened danger turning for home but Narralee held on to win by a head in 29.47.
2017 Maja Mahi Mahi ($7.70) upstaged one of the best fields to ever contest the Group 1 Sapphire Crown (515m) with a tenacious victory. The black bitch was quickly into stride from box two and was able to punch up and hold the lead on the inside of dual group 1 winner Striker Light ($3.00) in the charge around the first turn. Down the back, the bonny bitch was once again challenged – this time by group 2 Laurels heroine Up Hill Jill ($4.20) (box five). However, coming off the back Maja Mahi Mahi slipped into top gear and despite rolling wide in the home straight, she was too strong for Up Hill Jill when scoring by half a length in 29.67.
2018 Harry Manolitsis was no stranger to Group 1 glory heading into the 2018 Sapphire Crown, having bred and raced 2016 Golden Easter Egg hero Moreira. But the Pearcedale owner/trainer received one of his greatest thrills in greyhound racing when lightly raced speedster Elevated was a brilliant all-the-way winner of the prestigious female Classic. Elevated was best to begin, taking her potentially awkward alley out of the equation, and after breaking clear of roughie Envy Heist ($25.60) approaching the home turn she increased her advantage in the home straight, defeating Angela Langton’s outsider Go Seek Heidi ($26.30) by 3.74 lengths in 29.29sec.
2019 Versatile star Neo Cleo claimed her second Group 1 trophy and improved her perfect record for champion trainer Robert Britton to five from five with a gutsy victory in the Sapphire Crown Final. Despite drawing six for the Sapphire Final, Neo Cleo started $2.30 favourite, ahead of Crimson Vixen ($3.50) and Golden Easter Egg winner Zipping Bailey ($4.80). Outsider Miss Innings ($40.40) led on the first turn with Neo Cleo negotiating traffic and a check in a tight run to the corner that saw fancied duo Zipping Bailey and Crimson Vixen out of play. Neo Cleo joined Miss Innings approaching the home bend and powered clear to defeat another roughie in Go Seek Heidi ($40.50) by 1.11 lengths in 29.68sec, with Miss Innings holding on for third. (515m), the middle leg of Sandown’s Group 1 triple header on Friday night.
2020 – Black Opium finally shed her bridesmaid tag with victory in the group 1 Sapphire Crown at Sandown Park. A firm favourite throughout the series, Black Opium was made to work hard for the win after only beginning fairly and settling third behind Aston Silk and Spring Fair through the first turn. Black Opium swept past Spring Fair down the back straight and set off in pursuit of her kennelmate, switching to the rails as they swung for home and powering to the line for a through for a ¾ length victory in 29.57, much to the relief of handler Seona Thompson.
2021 – Qwara Bale was ‘coronated’ as Australia’s sprinting queen in tonight’s Group 1 Sapphire Crown final (515m) at Sandown Park. Prepared by Victoria’s leading trainer Andrea Dailly, Qwara Bale produced a powerhouse performance in the $100,000 to-the-winner event. Jumping well from the awkward ‘green’ alley (Box 6), Qwara Bale positioned third early, around six lengths behind her tearaway kennelmate and G1 Australian Cup finalist Shima Classic. But the recent G2 Warrnambool Cup winner came with a withering finishing burst to land her 13th – and most important – win from 22 starts. She’s also four from four over this track/distance. Qwara Bale ($3.40) defeated the gallant Carry On Star ($17.20) by 0.8 lengths, with Shima Classic ($3.20F) a further 1.2 lengths away third in a slick 29.27sec. (She was the fastest heat winner in 29.28sec.).
2022 – Wow She’s Fast became just the tenth greyhound in history to surpass $1million in prize money when taking out tonight’s $152,500 Group 1 Sapphire Crown (515m) at Sandown Park. The Sapphire Crown is a sprint race open to female greyhounds, and Wow She’s Fast made it her own, notching win number 11 and a $100,000 first prize in her 16th start. Trained by Jackie Greenough, Wow She’s Fast burst on the scene in September last year when winning by more than 20 lengths on debut at Sandown Park in 29.06sec, the fastest win ever recorded by a maiden. And tonight she almost broke the clock again, leading all the way from box 5 in a devastating 28.82sec, after registering a flying first split of 5.03sec. Her winning time was the second quickest ever recorded at Sandown and just half a length of Aston Rupee’s 28.79sec track record.
2023 – Certainly the 2023 winner nobody would begrudge Baby Jaycee and veteran Heathcote trainer Bob Douglas breaking a G1 hoodoo in the star-studded $160,500 Group 1 Sportsbet Sapphire Crown (515m). In a vintage renewal of the female feature, Magic Muffin (box 1) went to the boxes $3.60 favourite, shading country cups ‘Queen’ Kelsey Bale (box 4) at $3.70, Baby Jaycee (box 6) $3.90 and defending champion Wow She’s Fast (box 7) at $4.30. Striving to add to her world record prizemoney tally of $2,389,995, Wow She’s Fast came out running to lead rounding the first turn, but the race changed complexion dramatically when she was checked and put out of play. Baby Jaycee then railed to the front and held Magic Muffin at bay, scoring by half a length in 29.70sec, with Kelsey Bale finishing third. Ironically, Baby Jaycee, a daughter of Bernardo and Leprechaun Storm, was bred by Paul Bartolo and wife Diane, who train runner-up Magic Muffin.
2024 – Des Douch celebrated his first Group 1 training victory at Sandown Park on Thursday night when Here Comes Milli took an early lead and maintained it to secure a significant win in the prestigious $160,500 Sportsbet Sapphire Crown Final (515m). From box number six, priced at $6, in the $100,000 feature race, the daughter of Bernardo and Brueghelino burst from the wide draw, cutting across the field. She established a dominant lead and took full command, showcasing her most impressive performance to date. She won by nearly two lengths, outpacing Granny Roses and Cruising Debbie, and clocked a time of 29.39 seconds, marking the first Group 1 victory for both the greyhound and the trainer.
SAPPHIRE CROWN HONOUR ROLL
The Sapphire Classic was first run in 1974 as an age restricted race for dogs and bitches. The event was relaunched in 2002 as the Sapphire Crown Classic bitches only feature. Listed below is the impressive list of past winners.
| Date | Winner | Trainer | Dist | Boxes | Margin | Time | Second | Track |
| inaugurated as the Sir Arthur Rylah Sapphire Classic | ||||||||
| 1974 | Bristol Sue | Alec Reid | 513m | ? | ? | 31.11sec | ? | S/PK |
| 1975 | Dynamic Dean | Paul Hogan | 513m | ? | ? | 30.67sec | ? | S/PK |
| 1976 | Tawny Brad | Greg Durham | 513m | ? | ? | 30.82sec | ? | S/PK |
| 1977 | Overflow Love | Pat Haas | 513m | ? | ? | 31.09sec | ? | S/PK |
| 1978 | Rubin Caine | Ted Sallows | 513m | ? | ? | 30.77sec | ? | S/PK |
| 1979 | Monica’s Mist | John Hellingman | 513m | ? | ? | 30.74sec | ? | S/PK |
| 1980 | Worthy Weston | Brian Jacobson | 513m | ? | ? | 30.93sec | ? | S/PK |
| 1981 | Shamrock Flight | Kevin McCabe | 513m | ? | ? | 31.06sec | ? | S/PK |
| 1982 | Wynlee Spirit | Alan Roberts | 513m | ? | ? | 31.17sec | ? | S/PK |
| 1983 | Rocky Pyramid | Fred Ladd | 513m | ? | ? | 30.65sec | ? | S/PK |
| 1984 | Currency Lass | Ned Bryant | 513m | 5,1,8 | 1-1/2L | 31.10sec | Sarah’s Sanction | S/PK |
| 1985 | Rembrandt | John Hose | 513m | 1,2,4 | Head | 31.06sec | Silver Jim | S/PK |
| 1986 | Sydney Dingaan | Ned Bryant | 513m | 8,1,2 | 3L | 30.82sec | Hawk Machine | S/PK |
| 1987 | Rothwell | Keith Anderson | 511m | 2,3,1 | 2-1/2L | 30.63sec | Tidi Taipan | S/PK |
| 1988 | Hogan | Len Ketelaar | 511m | 5,1,7 | 1/2L | 31.02sec | Barbariot | S/PK |
| run twice in 1989 – (JAN) Sandown Sapphire Classic – (JUL) Sandown Auction Classic | ||||||||
| 1989 | Super Gun | Edwin Baumgartner | 511m | 5,7,4 | 3L | 30.81sec | Boilover Ash | S/PK |
| 1989 | Dapto Brandi | Darren Murray | 511m | 7,1,6 | 3L | 30.77sec | Black Pirate | S/PK |
| renamed as the Sandown Sapphire Classic in 1990 – moved to April – PM increases to $8,000 to-the-winner | ||||||||
| 1990 | Ravello | Robert Britton | 511m | 4,6,1 | 6-1/2L | 30.82sec | Royal Overdraft | S/PK |
| 1991 | Heza Mullrook | Keith Kent | 511m | 3,1,8 | 4-1/2L | 30.42sec | Lawray | S/PK |
| 1992 | Dashing Eagle | Robert Douglas | 511m | 4,2,1 | 4L | 30.31sec | Superfly Guy | S/PK |
| 1993 | Magnacarter | William McNally | 511m | 5,7,4 | Neck | 30.60sec | On The Payroll | S/PK |
| 1994 | Stylish Raider | Kevin Byng | 511m | 1,3,2 | 3-1/2L | 30.33sec | Kid Giant | S/PK |
| prizemoney increased to $14,000-to-the-winner | ||||||||
| 1995 | Ben’s Surprise | Len Ketelaar | 511m | 8,4,5 | 2L | 30.34sec | Bahama Image | S/PK |
| race elevated to G3 status – PM increased to $15K – distance increases to 515m following track reconstruction | ||||||||
| 1996 | Sarah’s Deano | Marion Siakew | 515m | 1,3,7 | 3-1/2L | 30.30sec | Young Darren | S/PK |
| race elevated to Group 2 status – Prizemoney increases to $30K to-the-winner | ||||||||
| 1997 | Token Prince | Michael Abbot | 515m | 1,4,8 | 2-1/2L | 30.31sec | Royal Currency | S/PK |
| 1998 | Time Framer | Philip Newman | 515m | 3,2,8 | Neck | 30.12sec | Denver’s Memory | S/PK |
| 1999 | Ashlee Jeannine | Peter Giles | 515m | 8,5,7 | 2-3/4L | 29.74sec | Heady Park | S/PK |
| race elevated to Group 1 status – Prizemoney increases to $40K to-the-winner | ||||||||
| 2000 | Dutchy’s Angel (VIC) | Thomas Dailly | 515m | 2,8,3 | 6-1/2L | 29.74sec | Hotshow Ben | S/PK |
| 2001 | Let It Be (VIC) | Neil Dicks | 515m | 4,2,3 | 3-3/4L | 29.75sec | Ourgil Greer | S/PK |
| race renamed as the Sapphire Crown Classic – becomes bitches only race – P/M increase to $50K to-the-winner | ||||||||
| 2002 | Bye For Now (VIC) | Ian Dann | 515m | 4,7,8 | 1-3/4L | 30.00sec | Star Witch | S/PK |
| 2003 | Bogie Leigh (QLD) | Tony Brett | 515m | 8,1,4 | 7-1/2L | 30.07sec | Georgia Brown | S/PK |
| 2004 | Paua To Burn (NSW) | Steve Bruce White | 515m | 8,4,7 | 3-1/4L | 29.85sec | Kalimna Rose | S/PK |
| 2005 | Paua To Burn (NSW) | Steve Bruce White | 515m | 5,1,6 | 10-1/4L | 29.82sec | Dynamo Gypsy | S/PK |
| 2006 | Betty’s Angel (VIC) | Paul Bartolo | 515m | 7,6,5 | 5L | 29.86sec | Ja Ja | S/PK |
| 2007 | Que Sera Sera (VIC) | Angela Langton | 515m | 8,7,4 | 1-1/2L | 29.91sec | One Tree Hill | S/PK |
| 2008 | Queen Lauryn (QLD) | Tony Brett | 515m | 2,4,8 | 4-1/4L | 29.79sec | Amelia Bale | S/PK |
| 2009 | Cindeen Shelby (VIC) | Kelvyn Greenough | 515m | 1,8,3 | 2-1/4L | 29.72sec | Flash Of Light | S/PK |
| RACE NOT HELD FOR 2010 | ||||||||
| 2011 | Amakler Girl (VIC) | Robert Stack | 515m | 1,6,2 | 1-3/4L | 29.70sec | Tonneli Bale | S/PK |
| 2012 | Peggy May (VIC) | Jason Thompson | 515m | 3,2,4 | 3L | 29.42sec | Witch’s Potion | S/PK |
| PM increase to $75K to-the-winner | ||||||||
| 2013 | Xylia Allen (VIC) | Graeme Bate | 515m | 6,1,4 | 0.06L | 29.48sec | Punch One Out | S/PK |
| 2014 | Oakvale Destiny (SA) | Jeffrey Britton | 515m | 5,8,1 | 1.00L | 29.91sec | Oakvale Flyer | S/PK |
| 2015 | Lamia Bale (VIC) | Steven Collins | 515m | 6,1,2 | Head | 29.23sec | Angie Rocks | S/PK |
| 2016 | Narralee (VIC) | Stephen Creighton | 515m | 2,1,5 | 0.25L | 29.47sec | Folio Bale | S/PK |
| 2017 | Maja Mahi Mahi (VIC) | Ashlee Terry | 515m | 2,5,3 | 0.05L | 29.67sec | Up Hill Jill | S/PK |
| 2018 | Go Seek Heidi (VIC) | Angela Langton | 515m | 6,8,3 | 0.50L | 29.55sec | Envy Heist | S/PK |
| 2019 | Neo Cleo (VIC) | Robert Britton | 515m | 6,5,8 | 1.11L | 29.68sec | Go Seek Heidi | S/PK |
| 2020 | Black Opium (VIC) | Jason Thompson | 515m | 4,5,6 | 0.75L | 29.57sec | Aston Silk | S/PK |
| PM increase to $100K to-the-winner | ||||||||
| 2021 | Qwara Bale (VIC) | Andrea Dailly | 515m | 6,4,3 | 0.83L | 29.27sec | Carry On Star | S/PK |
| 2022 | Wow She’s Fast (VIC) | Jacqueline Greenough | 515m | 5,3,4 | 7.59L | 28.82sec | Let’s Win Coin | S/PK |
| 2023 | Baby Jaycee (VIC) | Robert Douglas | 515m | 6,1,4 | 0.59L | 29.70sec | Magic Muffin | S/PK |
| 2024 | Here Comes Milli (VIC) | Des Douch | 515m | 6,2,1 | 1.50L | 29.39sec | Granny Roses | S/PK |