Challenge Stakes (New Zealand)

Group I race
Mudgway Stakes

Location	Hastings Racecourse Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
Inaugurated	1991
Race type	Thoroughbred - Flat racing
Website	Hawke's Bay Racing
Race information
Distance	1400m (7 furlongs)
Track	Grass, left-handed
Qualification	Three-year-olds and up
Weight	Weight for Age
Purse	NZ$200,000

The Challenge Stakes (formerly Mudgway Stakes) is a Thoroughbred horse race run at Hastings Racecourse in Hawke's Bay and is New Zealand's first Group One race of the season. It is run over a distance of 1400m on the first Saturday in September.

The race's timing, weight-for-age conditions and the reliably dry weather of the region at that time of the year combine to ensure that the race sees one of the strongest fields assembled in any race all season as a number of horses heading towards a campaign in Australia choose it as a starting point.

As a result, the winners list for the last few years is extraordinarily strong for a New Zealand race. Included among the winners are champion mare Sunline, the brilliant Xcellent and Australian visitor and subsequent European Group 1 winner Starcraft. Seachange is the only dual winner of the race.

As hard as it is to believe by looking at the winners list, the race was only given Group 2 status until 2003, when Miss Potential took out the first Group 1 running of the race.

The race is often used by Spring Classic contenders, with that race being run a month later over 2040m. Along with the 1600m Windsor Park Plate, these races form the Hawke's Bay Triple Crown.

Winners of the Challenge Stakes

Year	Winner
2011	Mufhasa
2010	Keep The Peace
2009	Tavistock
2008	Fritzy Boy
2007	Seachange
2006	Seachange
2005	Xcellent
2004	Starcraft
2003	Miss Potential
2002	Sunline
2001	Fritz
2000	Cent Home
1999	Hero
1998	Batavian
1997	Pakaraka Star
1996	Vialli
1995	Marconee
1994	Snap
1993	Calm Harbour
1992	Surfers Paradise
1991	Rough Habit
1990	Flying Luskin
1989	Catering King
1988	Poetic Prince
1987	Field Dancer
1986	Catering King
1985	Shagolvin