The 2026 Behemoth Stakes runs on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at Morphettville
The Behemoth Stakes (formerly Spring Stakes) runs on Saturday, August 8, at Morphettville, which is South Australia’s first stakes race of the season.
Named after two-time champion Behemoth, who lived up to his name, it has become an important stakes race, not only for racing in Adelaide, but as a Melbourne Spring Carnival guide.
They’ll go hammer and tong over the 1200m sprint, and it’s one of the most exciting races on the early-spring calendar. Behemoth Stakes odds are available at TAB, and check out our full betting guide below.
2026 Behemoth Stakes Odds
Stay tuned for the latest Behemoth Stakes odds and betting markets, including all-in and final field betting.
Behemoth Stakes Tips
TAB has all your Behemoth Stakes tips available for the feature race at Morphettville. The spring sprinters get their campaigns underway in Adelaide, and it’s a great target for a first-up run.
Some of South Australia’s best sprinters have won the Behemoth Stakes, and we’re looking forward to seeing who wins this year. Our Behemoth Stakes tips are released the week of the race, so stay tuned for our top Behemoth Stakes picks.
2026 Behemoth Stakes Tips
Our 2026 Behemoth Stakes tips will be published when the final field is released, but punters can bet into all-in markets, which is a good way to secure early value.
As is the case with most stakes races in Adelaide, it takes a good thoroughbred to win this race. There have been some quality winners over the last few years, including back-to-back winners Behemoth and See You in Heaven.
Despite being the starting point for bigger things later in the year, the Behemoth Stakes attracts a top-level field of local runners, and the Victorians have started to come to South Australia with their eyes on the prize.
It does clash with the Missile Stakes in Sydney, but the Behemoth Stakes holds its own as a good option for SA and Victorian runners. We recommend looking at runners with a good first-up record, and experience winning over 1200-1400m, and it tends to be a gruelling encounter.
For more in-depth Behemoth Stakes tips, be sure to check out our race preview before the race.
Behemoth Stakes Race Info
- Date: Saturday, August 8, 2026
- Track: Morphettville, Adelaide, South Australia
- Distance: 1200m
- Conditions: WTA (Weight-for-age)
- Status: Group 3
- Prize Money: $150,000
- First Run: 1970
- Current Champion: Queman
2026 Behemoth Stakes Results
The Behemoth Stakes 2026 results and full finishing order will be published after the race is run on Saturday, August 8.
Behemoth Stakes Betting
It has long been a race dominated by favourites, which is why it’s one of our most-respected races on the SA Racing calendar. Four of the last six winners have paid under $5.50, including namesake Behemoth, who paid $5.50 and $3.80 when winning in 2020 and 2021.
See You in Heaven also went back-to-back in 2023 and 2024, paying $3.30 and $3.20. Therefore, it pays to look for runners that are fancied in Behemoth Stakes betting markets, and there are often big betting moves on race day
There have been two winners at double-figure odds in recent history, with Calypso Reign paying $11 in 2022 and Mio Dio winning at $13 in 2017. However, punters should look at runners paying between $3-$7.
Most of the recent winners have fallen into this price range. There is still value betting on runners at these odds, and it’s always an even betting field for the Behemoth Stakes.
2026 Behemoth Stakes Field
The 2026 Behemoth Stakes field is released on the Wednesday before the race. We will have the updated final field once released by Racing SA.
Behemoth Stakes Barrier Statistics
There is no true barrier bias for the Behemoth Stakes, which makes the barrier draw less important than most sprint races.
Queman won from barrier 6 last year, but there were three scratchings from the field of 10. It’s typically a small field, so drawing wider on the track isn’t a big negative, especially at Morphettville.
See You in Heaven won twice from barrier 10, and Calypso Reign won in barrier 9. Behemoth won from barriers 3 and 4, which didn’t suit the big sprinter, but he managed to get clear racing room.
In the last 15 years, only two winners have drawn barrier 1. Three winners have drawn in barrier 10, so the barrier draw doesn’t hold too much importance. Punters often get value odds for runners with wide draws.
Behemoth Stakes Form Guide
Form comes from many places for the Behemoth Stakes, but owning a good record in South Australia during the major carnival is a good form guide.
Thoroughbreds with form during The Goodwood Carnival have raced well in the Behemoth Stakes, including See You in Heaven. Having a good finish in higher grades always bodes well, but this race can be a stepping stone for a rising star.
2019 winner Dalasan got the better of Scales of Justice on the way to bigger targets, so the lighter-weighted runners can’t be ruled out. We also fancy 4YO runners, who have only just turned four, so they’re strong and ready to give punters a sight.
2026 Behemoth Stakes Form Guide
Our form analysts will have a 2026 Behemoth Stakes form guide available during the week of the race.
Recent Behemoth Stakes Winners
| Year | Winner | Runner-Up | Third | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 2025 | Queman | Recommendation | Lingani | 1:11.61 |
| 2024 | See You in Heaven | My Khalifa | Air Assault | 1:12.67 |
| 2023 | See You in Heaven | Savatoxl | Manhatten Times | 1:14.14 |
| 2022 | Calypso Reign | Pindaric | Pimm’s Party | 1:13.94 |
| 2021 | Behemoth | Beau Rossa | Ritratto | 1:13.24 |
| 2020 | Behemoth | Dalasan | Kemelpasa | 1:10.80 |
| 2019 | Dalasan | Scales of Justice | Waging War | 1:10.43 |
| 2018 | Dollar for Dollar | Hard Empire | Inn Keeper | 1:12.02 |
| 2017 | Mio Dio | Lord Aspen | Casino Wizard | 1:13.68 |
| 2016 | Beirut | Riziz | Rocket Commander | 1:13.57 |
| 2015 | Red Eclipse | Whitlam | Richie’s Vibe | 1:12.78 |
FAQ
How do I bet on the 2026 Behemoth Stakes?
Bet online or via the latest iOS/Android apps with TAB. The first step is to create an account at TAB. The process is quick and easy! Once you’ve created your account, you can make a deposit. Next up, head to the racing page and find the race and runner that’s right for you.
Which horse will win the 2026 Behemoth Stakes?
We have the latest Behemoth Stakes tips at TAB. Check out our form guide for all the latest info, betting guide, and latest race tips.
When is the Behemoth Stakes 2026?
The 2026 Behemoth Stakes is set to run at Morphettville on Saturday, August 8, as the first Group race of the South Australian racing season
What is the prize money for the Behemoth Stakes 2026?
The 2026 Behemoth Stakes prize money is set at $150,000.
Where is the Behemoth Stakes 2026?
The 2026 Behemoth Stakes will run at Morphettville in Adelaide, which is located at 79 Morphett Rd, Morphettville, 5043
What distance is the Behemoth Stakes run over?
The Behemoth Stakes is run over 1200 metres, which is ideally targeted at runners with 1000-1400m form.
How many horses run in the Behemoth Stakes?
Field sizes can vary slightly year‑to‑year, but the Behemoth Stakes typically attracts a compact field of around 8-10 runners.
Who won the 2025 Behemoth Stakes?
The 2025 Behemoth Stakes was won by Queman for Shane and Cassie Oxlade, and ridden by Connor Murtagh.