Tom Kitten Wins Back-to-Back All-Star Mile Titles at Flemington

Tom Kitten made history at Flemington, becoming the first horse to win consecutive Group 1 Sharp EIT The All-Star Mile and leaving connections with an immediate campaign choice: Doncaster, Dubai, or Hong Kong. The Godolphin-owned five-year-old gelding, ridden by Craig Williams, prevailed in a thrilling finish in the $2 million 1600-metre feature on Super Saturday, March 7, 2026.

The race, staged before a crowd of 15,570 at Flemington, saw Tom Kitten start as the $3.90 favourite and carry 59kg. Williams positioned the gelding in fourth, stalking the early leader Pride Of Jenni as she bowled along in front, then produced a late surge to get the verdict over fast-finishing Evaporate, with Pride Of Jenni clinging to third. Several reports describe the margin to Evaporate as a short neck, while DarleyEurope recorded a long head; the official race book will confirm the exact margin.

Craig Williams reflected on the ride and past near-misses, saying, “And this horse beat me last year in this race on Brightside. Because we haven't got Brightside now, if you can't beat them, join them, I thought.” He added, “He's just a big, strong individual and he knows it. He's content and we saw it today under race pressure.” Williams’ victory completes his personal quest for a first All-Star Mile success after previous runner-up finishes.

Co-trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman have overseen Tom Kitten since the stable change from his former handler, and Sam Freedman paid tribute to the horse’s consistency and the team: “He’s a remarkable horse. He’s been to the top for a long time.” Freedman also stressed campaign options, saying, “I feel he's best fresh at a mile. We might see him in the Doncaster more likely than the Australian Cup. He's also entered in Dubai and Hong Kong, so there’s plenty of options for him. The beauty of him is he's an easy horse to work with and I’m just rapt for the whole crew.”

Evaporate gave the Hayes team another big run, with trainer Will Hayes summing up the effort: “Our boy ran a great race. We are so proud of his effort. Hats off to the Freedmans and Craig Williams as Tom Kitten ran an incredible race. We threw everything at it.” Ciaron Maher was similarly complimentary of Pride Of Jenni’s free-running performance that secured third after leading for much of the mile.

Tom Kitten’s victory is his third at the highest level and moves his record to eight wins and eight placings from 31 starts, with career earnings reported at A$7,525,650. Bred by Darley, he is by Harry Angel out of Transfers, a family that includes Stakes winners, and his sire Harry Angel boasts strong global numbers, including 268 winners and more than $28 million in progeny earnings.

VRC Chief Executive Kylie Rogers praised the day, saying, “Super Saturday delivered everything we could have asked for – an extraordinary back-to-back All-Star Mile champion, a brilliant upset win by Caballus in the Yulong Newmarket Handicap, and an atmosphere at Flemington that was remarkable from start to finish. Watching Tom Kitten defend his All-Star Mile title in front of such a passionate crowd was incredible, and we can't wait to close out what has been a memorable Flemington Autumn Carnival on TAB Australian Cup Day on 28 March.” The Freedmans and connections now turn quickly to mapping a spring and autumn program that will test whether Tom Kitten can translate Flemington back-to-back glory into a broader international campaign.