The 2025 All-Star Mile, in its inaugural Group 1 running, witnessed a stunning upset as Godolphin‘s Tom Kitten defeated the equal favourite, Mr Brightside, at Flemington on Saturday.

Tom Kitten beating Mr Brightside home in the 2025 All-Star Mile results. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

Ben Melham delivered a masterful ride, guiding the James Cummings-trained Tom Kitten to victory in a tight finish.

“He came back really good, this horse. His second prep as a gelding and James Cummings and Godolphin, they’re such good conditioners of this calibre of horse heading to these big races,” Melham told Racing.com.

Tom Kitten, a four-year-old son of Harry Angel, settled fifth on the turn before unleashing a powerful late surge to win the $2.5 million race.

This victory marked his second Group 1 triumph, following his Spring Champion Stakes win in 2023, and his first turf win since August of the previous year.

“He’s got a lot of ability. A lot of things never went to plan with him,” Godolphin stable representative Nacim Dilmi said.

“He’s had many luckless races and this prep, the guys at Osborne Park said earlier, the way he has been going we knew he was in for a good prep, and he sure has.”

Tom Kitten’s victory was a reversal of fortune from his previous start, where he finished a close second to Mr Brightside in the Futurity Stakes.

This time, he turned the tables in a thrilling finish.

“He pulled up so well from the Futurity,” Dilmi said. “We were very confident coming into this race. Never underestimate Mr Brightside. He’s the best miler in the world and, gee, at the top of the straight the way he was travelling, we knew he’d put up a good fight and he sure did all the way to the end.”

Mr Brightside ($2.70EF), who won the 2023 All-Star Mile, looked poised for victory when he challenged the leader, Rise At Dawn, 300m from the finish.

However, Tom Kitten ($4.60) and Light Infantryman ($26) launched late challenges, resulting in a dramatic finish.

Tom Kitten prevailed in a head-to-head battle, edging out Mr Brightside on the line.

“He was obviously very unlucky the other day. In another hop he probably (would have) beats Mr Brightside. He had the cheaper run, and he has probably bounced out of it better. I was confident he could come here and beat Brightside today but he just has a few antics on the barriers and stepped a bit ordinary, but it worked out really well for us. I was able to suck up for a little bit straightening and when I let him down I knew he’d be there for me,” Melham continued.

Light Infantryman finished third, while Another Wil, the other equal favourite also prepared by Ciaron Maher, finished fourth after encountering traffic issues the closing stages.

“He’s really genuine now. I know he’s got a bit of a bad rap but he’s run a lot of good races. He’s run into stiff competition. For him to put another big one on the mantlepiece is a great effort by the horse and the stable. We know how much the Sheikh contributes to the industry, and I love riding for them. They’re professional and very astute. They get their horses right on the big days,” Melham concluded.

Tom Kitten is now set to contest the Group 1 $2.5 million Australian Cup (2000m) on March 29 back at Flemington.

“Now it is onwards to the Australian Cup. 2000-metres and he’ll put in another good fight,” Dilmi confirmed.

Tom Kitten is now at $5 for the Australian Cup in futures markets at Ladbrokes.

2025 The All-Star Mile Results 

Table Credit: Racing Australia.

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