Champions Mile

The Kennedy Champions Mile - formerly known as the Cantala Stakes - is one of three $3 million Flemington Group 1 races contested on Day 4 of the Melbourne Cup Carnival - VRC Champions Stakes Day.

2023 Champions Mile Results

  • 1st: #7 Pride Of Jenni
  • 2nd: #1 Mr Brightside
  • 3rd: #2 Alligator Blood



The Kennedy Champions Mile – formerly known as the Cantala Stakes – is one of Melbourne’s richest 1600m races for the spring with $3 million prize money as of 2022. This Group 1 race is currently a weight-for-age event now held at Flemington on the last day of the Melbourne Cup Racing Carnival.

Previously run the Saturday prior on Victoria Derby Day, the Champions Mile was moved ahead of the 2022 edition and now takes place on the Saturday after the Melbourne Cup, which runs on the first Tuesday of November.

The Champions Mile now shares the race card at HQ with the recently renamed VRC Champions Stakes – formerly the Mackinnon Stakes – which is also now worth $3 million in prize money.

The other key event on the race card is the Group 1 $3 million Champions Sprint (1200m), formerly known as the VRC Sprint Classic and attracting horses out of Sydney’s $20 million The Everest race.

Any fillies and mares targeting the Champions Mile may have an earlier lead-up run in Sydney’s $2 million The Invitation (1400m). In 2021 The Invitation winner Icebath finished a brave next-up second in the event, which was then held as the Cantala Stakes on Derby Day.

The 2022 Champions Mile form was franked the following autumn with the winner Alligator Blood returning to take out the 2023 Futurity Stakes. The 2022 Champions Mile third place-getter Mr Brightside meanwhile further franked the form completing the All-Star Mile / Doncaster Mile double in 2023.

The 2023 Champions Mile winner in an all-the-way upset was Pride Of Jenni who backed-up off a win in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) the Saturday before on Derby Day.

The 2023 Champions Mile ran on Saturday November 11, 2023 as part of the last day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington and was won in a stunning all-the-way upset by the previous weekend’s Empire Rose Stakes winning mare Pride Of Jenni ($13) from the Maher/Eustace stable. 

Champions Mile 2023 – (Formerly the Kennedy Cantala Stakes)
Date: Saturday November 11, 2023
Racecourse: Flemington Racecourse
Distance: 1600m
Race Type: Open Quality
Status: Group 1
Prizemoney: $3,000,000

2023 Champions Mile Results

  • 1st: #7 Pride Of Jenni ($13)
  • 2nd: #1 Mr Brightside
  • 3rd: #2 Alligator Blood

The Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained Pride Of Jenni ($13) was enormous in the lead setting a strong pace up front to go from barrier to box and hold off Mr Brightside and Alligator Blood to record her second Group 1 success in the space of seven days at Flemington in an upset 2023 Champions Mile result on Stakes Day.

Click here to read more on the impressive all-the-way upset in the Champions Mile 2023 by Pride of Jenni.

The Champions Mile 2023 results and finishing order on the event formerly known as the Kennedy Cantala Stakes will be updated below on Saturday November 11, 2023.

2023 Champions Mile Results & Finishing Order

Finish No. Horse Trainer Jockey Margin Bar. Weight Penalty Starting Price
1 7 PRIDE OF JENNI Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Declan Bates 3 57kg $13
2 1 MR BRIGHTSIDE (NZ) Ben, Will & JD Hayes Craig Williams 1.25L 2 59kg $3
3 2 ALLIGATOR BLOOD Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Tim Clark 2.5L 5 59kg $4.20
4 6 FANGIRL Chris Waller James McDonald 2.6L 7 57kg $2.40F
5 3 THE INEVITABLE John Keys Damien Oliver 3.6L 4 59kg $26
6 4 BANKERS CHOICE (NZ) Michael Moroney John Allen 7.35L 6 59kg $81
7 5 VICTORIA ROAD (IRE) Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Blake Shinn 8.1L 1 58kg $19

Table Credit: Racing Australia.

2023 Champions Mile Odds

Champions Mile betting odds open months in advance of the race with all-in markets on the potential milers targeting the $3 million event released by online bookmakers.

The season’s latest Champions Mile 2023 Odds and market links to Ladbrokes.com.au will be available below as soon as available.

There was a notable upset in 2023 with Pride Of Jenni winning at Champions Mile odds of $13.

CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST 2023 CHAMPIONS MILE ODDS (Final Field)

2023 Champions Mile Tips

Stay tuned for our insider Champions Mile 2023 Tips on the $3 million middle-distance feature on Stakes Day this spring!

  • To Win: #1 Mr Brightside ($3 at time of publish) – BET NOW

Small field, but what a race! We have a genuine line-up of mile stars here led by Mr Brightside who can bounce back here. The Team Hayes-trained galloper won five on the trot including his opening three this prep before back-to-back seconds he is out to atone for here. Beat Alligator Blood by 1.5 lengths in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at this track and trip then went up to Sydney and finished a distant second to  Chris Waller’s runaway winner Fangirl in the King Charles III Stakes with excuses. Was huge at The Valley flashing up the inside late to nearly beat Romantic Warrior right on the line in the Group 1 Cox Plate (2000m). Back to a mile (15:10-1-1) and Flemington and he’s rock hard fit and will be hard to hold out.

2023 Champions Mile Form Guide

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL 2023 CHAMPIONS MILE FORM GUIDE

If you are serious about your betting, you will need a good Champions Mile Form Guide to help in your analysis of the runners. Follow the link to our dedicated page that gives you a run down on the Champions Mile form guide, how to read the information provided in the guide and where to go for the best Champions Mile form guide each season.

2023 Champions Mile Field

The Champions Mile field – formerly known as the Kennedy Cantala field – is normally comprised of the horses from the Group 2 Crystal Mile (1600m) run at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate Day in late October and graduates of the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) run at Caulfield at the start of October on Caulfield Guineas Day. Fierce Impact (2019) was the last galloper to complete the Toorak Handicap – Kennedy Cantala double in a single season.

The official Champions Mile 2023 Final Field & Barriers are set for release on the Wednesday leading-up to Champions Stakes Day at Flemington, the full list of milers to be published in full below once announced.

The 2023 Champions Mile field features a diminutive but top class line-up of stars including Cox Plate runner-up Mr Brightside, Chris Waller’s runaway King Charles III Stakes winning mare Fangirl and the reigning champ Alligator Blood from the Waterhouse/Bott stable.

Click here to read more on the key runners in the 2023 Champions Mile field and betting markets.

No Last 10 Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Probable Weight Penalty Hcp Rating
1 5211×11122 MR BRIGHTSIDE (NZ) Ben, Will & JD Hayes Craig Williams 2 59kg 118
2 x140x42113 ALLIGATOR BLOOD Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Tim Clark 5 59kg 118
3 111113×287 THE INEVITABLE John Keys Damien Oliver 4 59kg 107
4 362598×735 BANKERS CHOICE (NZ) Michael Moroney John Allen 6 59kg 103
5 241111×739 VICTORIA ROAD (IRE) Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Blake Shinn 1 58kg 109
6 x3227x1317 FANGIRL Chris Waller James McDonald 7 57kg 117
7 x4298x6261 PRIDE OF JENNI Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Declan Bates 3 57kg 108

Table Credit: Racing Australia. 

2023 Champions Mile Nominations

The early Champions Mile Nominations close the Monday of race week and will be updated right here once early entries are confirmed.

The 2023 Champions Mile nominations feature 16 hopefuls including a host of dual nominees including Cox Plate runner-up Mr Brightside, Alligator Blood who was a brave third in the same $5 million lead-up at Moonee Valley, and the Chris Waller-trained King Charles III Stakes winning mare Fangirl.

Last 10 Horse Sex Age Trainer Ballot Weight True Weight Penalty Hcp Rating
1 5211×11122 MR BRIGHTSIDE (NZ) G 6 Ben, Will & JD Hayes 1 59kg 118
2 x140x42113 ALLIGATOR BLOOD G 7 Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott 2 59kg 118
3 x3227x1317 FANGIRL M 5 Chris Waller 3 57kg 117
4 41x217x326 ZAAKI (GB) G 9 Annabel Neasham 4 59kg 116
5 x216Px5202 ATISHU (NZ) M 6 Chris Waller 5 57kg 110
6 111141×310 LEGARTO (NZ) M 4 Ken & Bev Kelso 6 57kg 109
7 241111×739 VICTORIA ROAD (IRE) H 4 Ciaron Maher & David Eustace 7 58kg 109
8 1023421511 CEPHEUS (GB) G 7 Matthew Dunn 8 59kg 109
9 3950×61146 MUSTANG VALLEY (NZ) M 5 Andrew Forsman 9 57kg 108
10 x4298x6261 PRIDE OF JENNI M 6 Ciaron Maher & David Eustace 10 57kg 108
11 34113×2150 PINSTRIPED G 5 Enver Jusufovic 11 59kg 107
12 111113×287 THE INEVITABLE G 8 John Keys 12 59kg 107
13 26844×4078 HINGED M 5 Chris Waller 13 57kg 105
14 113553×404 NUGGET (GB) G 7 Ciaron Maher & David Eustace 14 59kg 105
15 362598×735 BANKERS CHOICE (NZ) G 6 Michael Moroney 15 59kg 103
16 0x44496x24 JUST FOLK G 7 Gavin Bedggood 16 59kg 102

Table Credit: Racing Australia. 

Champions Mile Betting

Kennedy Cantala betting – now Champions Mile betting – is always hugely popular as the race runs on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival meeting and features a star-studded field of milers and past Group 1 winners. Check out our dedicated Champions Mile betting page for everything to do with enjoying a punt on the $3 million dollar feature including tips for the Champions Mile Trifecta.

Kennedy Cantala / Champions Mile Winners

Check out our dedicated Kennedy Cantala / Champions Mile Results page for a full list of the past Kennedy Cantala / Champions Mile winners.

YEAR WINNER 2ND 3RD TIME
2023 Pride Of Jenni Mr Brightside Alligator Blood 1:34.75
2022 Alligator Blood Tuvalu Mr Brightside 1:35.6
2021 Superstorm Icebath Cascadian 1:35.2
2020 Yulong Prince Cascadian Rock 1:34.5
2019 Fierce Impact Fifty Stars Cascadian 1:38.2
2018 Best Of Days Le Romain Peaceful State 1:33.6
2017 Shillelagh Tom Melbourne Wyndspelle 1:35.0
2016 Le Romain McCreery Tivaci 1:34.9
2015 Turn Me Loose Politeness Rock Sturdy 1:36.2
2014 Hucklebuck Lucky Hussler The Cleaner 1:34.6
2013 Boban Smokin’ Joey Speediness 1:36.5
2012 Happy Trails Fawkner Secret Admirer 1:35.9
2011 Albert The Fat King’s Rose Secret Admirer 1:36.0
2010 Wall Street Dao Dao Chasm 1:36.7
2009 All American So You Think Gold Salute 1:33.9
2008 All Silent Sea Battle Mimi Lebrock 1:35.8
2007 Tears I Cry Bird Dancer Shinzig 1:35.2
2006 Divine Madonna Niconero Valedictum 1:35.5
2005 Valedictum Infinite Grace Shania Dane 1:34.9
2004 Sky Cuddle Lad Of The Manor Skewiff 1:39.1
2003 Titanic Jack True Glo Crawl 1:34.7
2002 Scenic Peak Crawl Excellerator 1:33.4
2001 Desert Eagle Emission La Bella Dama 1:37.3
2000 Testa Rosaa Weasel Will Crawl 1:35.5

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