The event was formerly known as the Bernard van Cutsem Stakes.
It was named in memory of Bernard van Cutsem, a successful racehorse trainer who died in 1975.
The race was renamed the Superlative Stakes in 1991 to honour Superlative, a splendidly tough two-year-old in 1983, trained by Bill O'Gorman and owned by Mrs Poh-Lian Yong, who won the July Stakes and Flying Childers Stakes, and 'reached the frame' in three Group 1 contests - Prix Robert Papin(2nd), Middle Park Stakes(2nd), Dewhurst Stakes(4th).
[1] For a period the Superlative Stakes held Listed status.
It is currently staged on the final day of Newmarket's three-day July Festival meeting.