Latest News

The biggest and most spectacular Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival at Rosehill Gardens and Royal Randwick finished last Saturday with a record number of acceptances since the introduction of The Star Championships in 2014.

James McDonald celebrates as Broadsiding takes out the Moët & Chandon Stakes in the wet conditions at Royal Randwick. Image by Steve Hart Photographics

Over six Saturdays, a record $46.1 million in prizemoney was distributed to owners, trainers, jockeys and stablehands.

The Carnival featured 18 Group 1 races among 48 Black Type events across 58 races hosted by Racing NSW and the Australian Turf Club.

Eighteen races over the Carnival offered prizemoney of $1 million or more including the $5m TAB Golden Slipper at Rosehill Gardens and $5m Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Randwick.

A total of 714 runners competed for three weeks at Rosehill Gardens and three weeks at Royal Randwick, including the 11th running of The Star Championships at Royal Randwick on 6 and 13 April.

This fell just short of the previous record number of runners (723) set last year after two races were abandoned on Saturday. More than 7000 owners attended across the six weeks – another record.

Among many Group 1 highlights from 16 March to 20 April were:

• A thrilling and spectacular front-running display by Pride Of Jenni in a 6.5 length win in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes for jockey Declan Bates and trainer Ciaron Maher

• A record eighth win for legendary trainer Gai Waterhouse and her second with Adrian Bott in the $5m TAB Golden Slipper with filly Lady Of Camelot ridden by Blake Shinn

• The emergence of a new star in racing – Celestial Legend – who took out the $4m The Star Doncaster Mile for master Royal Randwick trainer Les Bridge, young gun jockey Tyler Schiller and Hong Kong-based owner Bon Ho

• Sydney’s 13-time champion trainer Chris Waller saddling up two multiple Group 1 winners over the carnival – Zougotcha ($1m Coolmore Classic and $1m Grainshaker Vodka Queen Of The Turf Stakes) and Riff Rocket ($750,000 Sky Racing Rosehill Guineas and $2m Australian Derby)

• International jockey Andrea Atzeni with an emotional win aboard Circle Of Fire in the $2m Schweppes Sydney Cup for trainer Ciaron Maher

• Renowned trainer Peter Moody in partnership with Katherine Coleman taking out dual Group 1s in the $3m James Squire TJ Smith Stakes (Chain of Lightning/Damian Lane) and $1m The Star Australian Oaks with Autumn Angel and jockey Mark Zahra

• Godolphin’s Broadsiding for James Cummings and James McDonald took out the $1m Moet & Champagne Stakes and Magic Time for Grahame Begg and Michael Dee won the $1.5m Schweppes All Aged Stakes in the carnival’s final two features

Over the 60 races of the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival, the leading trainer on a 3-2-1 win and place points basis was Chris Waller on 53 points, ahead of Ciaron Maher on 29 points. The leading rider under the 3-2-1 points basis was James McDonald on 47 points, ahead of Tommy Berry on 30.

James McDonald was also the leading Group 1-winning jockey with six victories ahead of Damian Lane with two, while Chris Waller was most successful Group 1 trainer with five ahead of Ciaron Maher two, James Cummings two and Moody/Coleman two.

Australian Turf Club Head of Racing and Wagering, James Ross said: “The 2024 Sydney Autumn Carnival has been one of the best in recent times, with a record number of acceptances in 942.

“Horses, jockeys and trainers from around the world have come to Sydney to compete with our very best in Chris Waller, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, and Ciaron Maher, and star local riders such as James McDonald and Blake Shinn battling with the likes of Ryan Moore, Zac Purton, Andrea Atzeni and Tom Marquand.

“Pleasingly, we have hosted more than 7000 owners across these racedays including celebrating with industry the 11th running of The Star Championships.

“We especially thank racing participants for their support of Sydney’s world-class racing at Rosehill Gardens and Royal Randwick at this record-breaking Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.

“It is also fantastic to conclude with the National Pony Racing Finals and we are proud of our effort along with Thoroughbred Industry Careers and The Agency to provide a platform for the next generation of racing stars.”

Among other races at the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival:

• Territory Express for Kembla trainer Paul Niceforo and apprentice jockey Zac Lloyd won the $1m Polytrack Provincial-Midway Championships Final at Royal Randwick

• Asgarda, trained at Wagga Wagga by Doug Gorrel and ridden by Kayla Nisbet, won the $1m Newhaven Park Country Championships Final at Royal Randwick

• Zougotcha prepared by Chris Waller easily took out the Queen of the Autumn with 42 points - Queen of the Autumn Points Score

A comprehensive review, results and statistics service for all Group and Black Type races along with other key feature Sydney races from 3 February to 20 April, encompassing the six-week Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival, can be found at - racingandsports.sydneyautumn24