Held on the final major race day of the prestigious Sydney Spring Racing Carnival, the Spring Champion Stakes is one of four elite Group 1 events on Epsom Handicap Day at the Royal Randwick in early October. Stars of the turf entertain the crowds in the other Group 1 races – Epsom Handicap (1600m), The Metropolitan (2400m) and Flight Stakes (1600m).
The Spring Champion Stakes is run over 2000m under set weight conditions. It is the premier race for three-year-olds at the carnival and is worth $300 000. This middle distance event attracts fine quality competitors every year and runners may have come via the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) two weeks before at Rosehill, or the listed Dulcify Quality (2000m).
Horses that perform well in the Spring Champion Stakes may then be aimed at some of the other illustrious events held in spring at the Melbourne Racing Carnival including the Group 2AAMI Vase (2040m) on Cox Plate Day or the Group 2 Sandwon Guineas (1600m) in mid November.
| Spring Champion Stakes | |
|---|---|
| Date: | Early October |
| Track: | Randwick Racecourse |
| Distance: | 2000m |
| Conditions: | 3YO at Set Weights |
| Weights: | Colts & Geldings- 56.5kg / Fillies- 54.5kg |
| Status: | Group 1 |
| Prize Money: | $300 000 |
| Inaugurated: | 1971 |
Spring Champion Stakes History
The Spring Champion Stakes is one of the younger thoroughbred races conducted in Australia, first run in 1971 when Gay Icarus claimed victory. It began as a principal race run over 2000m and reached Group 1 status in 1979. For one year in 2001 the race distance was set at 1800m.
A number of champion gallopers have got their start in the Spring Champion Stakes. Classy winners include Universal Prince (2000), Dignity Dancer (1998), Tie The Knot (1997), Nothin? Leica Dane (1995), Kinjite (1991) and Kingston Town (1979).
| Spring Champion Stakes Records | |
|---|---|
| Time Record (for 2000m): | 2:00.43 set by Dignity Dancer in 1998. |
| Most Successful Jockey: | R. Quinton won four times with Gold Brick (1973), Veloso (1982), Sir Dapper (1983) and Easter (1985). |
Recent Spring Champion Stakes Winners
| Year | Place | Horse | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Spring Champion Stakes |
1st | Erewhon | 2 minutes 2.95 seconds |
| 2nd | Retrieve | ||
| 3rd | Shootoff | ||
| 2009 Spring Champion Stakes |
1st | Monaco Consul | 2 minutes 9.9 seconds |
| 2nd | Gathering | ||
| 3rd | Viking Legend | ||
| 2008 Spring Champion Stakes |
1st | Sousa | 2 minutes 6.2 seconds |
| 2nd | Predatory Pricer | ||
| 3rd | Excelltastic | ||
| 2007 Spring Champion Stakes |
Race Not Held | ||
| 2006 Spring Champion Stakes |
1st | Teranaba | 2 minutes 4.5 seconds |
| 2nd | All Black Gold | ||
| 3rd | He?s No Pie Eater | ||
| 2005 Spring Champion Stakes |
1st | Hotel Grand | 2 minutes 4.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Pendragon | ||
| 3rd | Duelled | ||
| 2004 Spring Champion Stakes |
1st | Savabeel | 2 minutes 7.2 seconds |
| 2nd | Outback Prince | ||
| 3rd | Cedar Manor | ||
| 2003 Spring Champion Stakes |
1st | Niello | 2 minutes 3.4 seconds |
| 2nd | November Dreaming | ||
| 3rd | Tsuimai | ||
| 2002 Spring Champion Stakes |
1st | Platinum Scissors | 2 minutes 4.3 seconds |
| 2nd | Soprana | ||
| 3rd | Maskerado | ||
| 2001 Spring Champion Stakes |
1st | Viking Ruler | 1 minute 49.5 seconds |
| 2nd | Evander | ||
| 3rd | Silver Baron | ||
| 2000 Spring Champion Stakes |
1st | Universal Prince | 2 minutes 5.1 seconds |
| 2nd | Falls The Shadow | ||
| 3rd | Go Bint | ||