Some facts about the Group One $2.25 million BMW (2400m) to be run at Rosehill on Saturday.
* First run in 1963 when won by Maidenhead.
* From 1963-76 was a Quality Handicap.
* Until 1990 was the HE Tancred Stakes, until 1995 The BMW, until 2002 Mercedes Classic.
* In 1964 was run over 10 furlongs (2000m).
* Some greats of the Australasian turf have won the race including Tails (1972), Apollo Eleven (1973), Hyperno (1978), Kingston Town (1980), Bonecrusher (1986), Beau Zam (1988), Octagonal (1996, 1997), Might And Power (1998), Tie The Knot (1999, 2000), Ethereal (2002), Makybe Diva (2005), Eremein (2006), Tuesday Joy (2008).
* Tie The Knot and Octagonal are the only horses to win the race consecutively.
* In the last 21 years won six times by three-year-olds, 10 times by four-year-olds, three times by five-year-olds and twice by six-year-olds.
* Six horses have completed the Ranvet Stakes-BMW double: Alibhai (1985), Myocard (1987), Beau Zam (1988), Stony Bay (1995), Tie The Knot (2000) and Eremein (2006). Zavite gets the chance to join them on Saturday.
* In the last 21 years seven colts or entires have won, 10 geldings and four mares.
* Ethereal (2002), Might And Power (1998) and Makybe Diva (2005) won The BMW after taking out the Melbourne Cup the previous spring.
* Trainers who have won the race with runners this year: Gai Waterhouse – Descarado (Stony Bay 1995, Tuesday Joy 2008); Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes – Maluckyday (Fiumicino 2009). John Hawkes also won with Freemason (2003), Curata Storm (2001) and Octagonal (1996-97) before he started training in partnership with his sons.
* Jockeys who have won the race with rides this year: Glen Boss – Zavite (Makybe Diva 2005, Eremein 2006); Damien Oliver – Cedarberg (Blutigeroo 2007); Craig Williams – Laristan (Littorio 2010).
AAP TURF
