TJ Smith Stakes

The $3 million TJ Smith Stakes is a Group 1 sprint run at Royal Randwick on Day 1 of The Championships during the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.

2024 TJ Smith Stakes Results

  • 1st: TBD
  • 2nd: TBD
  • 3rd: TBD




The TJ Smith Stakes is a Group 1 race held towards the end of the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival on Day 1 of ‘The Championships’ at Royal Randwick. A 1200m sprint, the TJ Smith Stakes is a weight-for-age event worth a lucrative $3 million in prize money.

For the 2020 edition, the TJ Smith Stakes prizemoney was reduced to $1.25 million to help reduce the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, but was back up to $2.5 million again in 2021 before being boosted to $3 million ahead of the 2023 edition.

This race should not be confused with former The TJ Smith, a Group 1 race run in June during the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival for two-year-olds, now called the JJ Atkins.

The TJ Smith Stakes takes place on Doncaster Mile Day alongside three other Group 1 races with the running of the $4 million Doncaster Mile (1600m), $2 million Australian Derby (2400m), and $1 million ATC Sires Produce Stakes (1400m).

The 2019/20 Australian Racehorse of the Year Nature Strip enjoyed back-to-back wins when successfully defending his title in the 2021 TJ Smith Stakes ahead of his The Everest win that spring in the world’s richest turf race.

In 2022 Nature Strip emulating Chautauqua (2015-17) becoming the second three-time TJ Smith Stakes winner with a runaway three and a half-length win.

The 2022 TJ Smith Stakes form was franked with Nature Strip heading overseas to win England’s Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes by over four lengths at Royal Ascot next start.

Nature Strip returned as favourite in the 2023 TJ Smith Stakes looking to make history, but only managed to run fourth behind Peter Moody’s last-to-first champion I Wish I Win.

I Wish I Win franked the TJ Smith Stakes 2023 form going on to enjoy a strong spring headlined by his second in the $20 million The Everest.

The 2023 TJ Smith runner-up Giga Kick meanwhile won the Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) at his next start that autumn as well as the winter’s Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1200m) in Brisbane.

The $3 million 2024 TJ Smith Stakes runs on Saturday April 6, 2024 on Day 1 of The Championships. 

TJ Smith Stakes 2024
Date: Saturday April 6, 2024
Track: Randwick Racecourse
Distance: 1200m
Conditions: Weight-for-age
Status: Group 1
Prize Money: $3,000,000
Inaugurated: 1997

Because of the position of the TJ Smith Stakes towards the end of the autumn carnival, punters have a range of lead-up races to gauge the fitness and form of the runners before placing their TJ Smith bets.

Good preparation races include the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) run in Melbourne the month before as well as the Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens a fortnight earlier. The last horse to complete the Newmarket Handicap – TJ Smith Stakes interstate double was Lankan Rupee (2014).

The subsequent two TJ Smith Stakes winners following Lankan Rupee also came off a lead-up run in the Newmarket Handicap with back-to-back champion Chautauqua running 2nd in 2015 and 3rd in 2016. Chautauqua made TJ Smith Stakes history in 2017 when successfully defending his dual titles to become the first three-time winner of the sprint classic.

In 2023 I Wish I Win won the TJ Smith Stakes in Sydney off a lead-up third in the Newmarket Handicap results.

Horses may finish up their autumn campaign in Sydney by running in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) held two weeks after the TJ Smith Stakes is run and won.

Recent All Aged Stakes winners to come off a TJ Smith Stakes start include Giga Kick (2nd in 2023), English (3rd in 2016), Hay List (2nd in 2011), and Hot Danish (2nd in 2010).

The latest sprinters to complete the double are Bentley Biscuit (2007) and Shamekha (2005) both trained by Gai Waterhouse, and Trapeze Artist who won the TJ Smith Stakes – All Aged Stakes double in 2018.

2024 TJ Smith Stakes Results

  • 1st: TBD
  • 2nd: TBD
  • 3rd: TBD

2024 TJ Smith Stakes Betting Odds

Early all-in 2024 TJ Smith Stakes odds provided by Ladbrokes.com.au on the hopeful sprinters heading towards the Group 1 classic sprint will be listed below as soon as available.

Nature Strip ($4.20 in 2020, $3.10 in 2021 and $2.30 in 2022) was the last favourite in TJ Smith Stakes betting to salute in his three consecutive victories.

Nature Strip started the $4.80 favourite in the 2023 race, but only managed to run fourth to I Wish I Win who scored an upset at TJ Smith Stakes odds of $9.

CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST ALL-IN 2024 TJ SMITH STAKES ODDS (Post-First Acceptances)

2024 TJ Smith Stakes Form Guide

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL 2024 TJ SMITH STAKES FORM GUIDE

2024 TJ Smith Stakes Tips

Stay tuned for our insider TJ Smith Stakes 2024 betting tips and best bets to be published below the week of the race.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR FULL 2024 TJ SMITH STAKES BEST BETS

  • To Win: TBD

*All odds quoted are provided by Ladbrokes.com.au, correct at time of print and subject to change.

2024 TJ Smith Stakes Field

The TJ Smith Stakes field attracts the autumn’s best sprinters shooting for a share in the lucrative prize money on offer in the Group 1 feature on the opening day of April’s ‘The Championships’ and is released on the Tuesday before Doncaster Mile Day.

The official 2024 TJ Smith Stakes field and barriers are set to be released by Racing NSW on Tuesday April 2, 2024 and will be published in full below.

2024 TJ Smith Stakes First Acceptances

The TJ Smith Stakes first acceptances close in mid-March just under a month out from the event further narrowing down the list of potential sprinters.

The TJ Smith Stakes 2024 first acceptances close at midday on Tuesday the 12th of March, 2024. 

The 2024 TJ Smith Stakes first acceptances drew 39 sprinters led in all-in markets by nine-time Group 1 winning mare Imperatriz looking to atone for her loss in the Newmarket Handicap under the big weight.

Last 10 Horse Sex Age Trainer Hcp Rating
1 1x154149x3 AFT CABIN H 4 James Cummings 106
2 5x11x3128x AIRMAN G 4 Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes 103
3 6x33315x45 BELLA NIPOTINA M 6 Ciaron Maher 114
4 8x32132x12 BRAVE MEAD C 3 Ciaron Maher
5 57x1382x49 BUENOS NOCHES H 4 Matthew Smith 111
6 9464x370x0 CHAIN OF LIGHTNING M 5 Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman 100
7 0x3441x254 COAL CRUSHER G 6 Joseph Pride 109
8 7x11350x61 CYLINDER C 3 James Cummings
9 116545x13x DASHING LEGEND M 4 Joseph Pride 90
10 7x21714x33 ESPIONA M 5 Chris Waller 113
11 1226×11 ESTRIELLA F 3 Ciaron Maher
12 0x8826x16x FRONT PAGE G 7 Matthew Dale
13 11x10x GRAND IMPACT (NZ) H 4 Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) 86
14 2113x6265x HAWAII FIVE OH H 4 Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott 110
15 117x16122x I AM ME M 5 Ciaron Maher
16 51x231x32x I WISH I WIN (NZ) G 5 Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman 117
17 21x1111x12 IMPERATRIZ M 5 Mark Walker 119
18 x1117x7x10 KALLOS G 5 James Cummings
19 1x233x31x8 KING’S GAMBIT C 3 Peter & Paul Snowden
20 111Lx24 LEARNING TO FLY F 3 Annabel Neasham 95
21 11x187x0 LIBERTAD C 3 Annabel Neasham 88
22 x13x5131x6 MAGIC TIME M 4 Grahame Begg
23 363x9054x5 MAZU G 5 Joseph Pride 110
24 0x926x2024 MERITABLE H 5 Mark Minervini 84
25 11x131x OZZMOSIS C 3 Bjorn Baker
26 11x4x108x1 PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE M 5 Grahame Begg 107
27 405x132x26 PRIVATE EYE G 6 Joseph Pride 116
28 8x27415x07 QUEEN OF THE BALL M 4 Michael Freedman 98
29 33x58126x6 QUICK TEMPO G 5 Mark Minervini 90
30 8x147x15x4 REMARQUE G 5 Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes 108
31 150x7527x8 RUTHLESS DAME (NZ) M 4 Ciaron Maher 110
32 0412x7113x SHE DANCES M 4 Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman
33 3211x993x SHINZO C 3 Chris Waller 105
34 8111243×56 STRAIT ACER G 4 Edward Cummings 103
35 13121x1x SUNSHINE IN PARIS M 4 Annabel Neasham 108
36 62725×9573 THE ASTROLOGIST G 7 Leon & Troy Corstens
37 2x11169x68 TIZ INVINCIBLE F 3 Ciaron Maher 92
38 5x5x46555x WILLINGA BEAST M 4 Kris Lees
39 33x3506x32 ZAPATEO M 5 James Cummings 108

Table Credit: Racing Australia.

2024 TJ Smith Stakes Nominations

The TJ Smith Stakes nominations are taken two months out from the race in early February and attract around 100 hopefuls heading towards the autumn classic run over 1200m at Randwick Racecourse.

The TJ Smith Stakes 2024 nominations close at midday on Tuesday the 13th of February, 2024. 

Sparks will fly in the 2024 TJ Smith Stakes with 62 sprinters making up the early entries. Leading the charge is the mighty Imperatriz, trained by Mark Walker. This eight-time Group 1 champion and queen of the short trip looks to add another jewel to her crown after her upcoming first-up test in the Black Caviar Lightning on February 17th. Standing in her path is the defending champion, I Wish I Win, prepared by the formidable Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman. This speedster will be hungry to retain his title. Adding another layer of excitement is Private Eye, trained by the ever-strategic Joe Pride. This two-time The Everest placegetter has unfinished business and is aiming to finally break through for a major win.

Last 10 Horse Sex Age Trainer Hcp Rating
1 21x154149x AFT CABIN H 4 James Cummings
2 5x11x3128x AIRMAN G 4 Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes
3 32x1165x ARCTIC GLAMOUR F 3 Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou 77
4 236x33315x BELLA NIPOTINA M 6 Ciaron Maher
5 1113x1134x BENEDETTA M 4 Jason Warren 102
6 8x32132x1x BRAVE MEAD C 3 Ciaron Maher
7 3x57x1382x BUENOS NOCHES H 4 Matthew Smith 111
8 81395×11 CABALLUS C 3 Bjorn Baker 90
9 99464x370x CHAIN OF LIGHTNING M 5 Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman
10 3410x3441x COAL CRUSHER G 6 Joseph Pride 109
11 73x206924x CROSSHAVEN G 6 Ben, Will & JD Hayes
12 127x11350x CYLINDER C 3 James Cummings
13 116545x13x DASHING LEGEND M 4 Joseph Pride 90
14 426x78330x DON CORLEONE C 3 Peter & Paul Snowden
15 117x21714x ESPIONA M 5 Chris Waller
16 1226×1 ESTRIELLA F 3 Ciaron Maher
17 2x522x120x FACILE F 3 Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou 80
18 0x8826x16x FRONT PAGE G 7 Matthew Dale
19 11x10x GRAND IMPACT (NZ) H 4 Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr)
20 51x65111x7 GRIFF C 3 Ciaron Maher 106
21 2113x6265x HAWAII FIVE OH H 4 Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott 110
22 117x16122x I AM ME M 5 Ciaron Maher
23 11x3222x I AM UNSTOPPABLE C 3 Lloyd Kennewell & Lucy Yeomans
24 51x231x32x I WISH I WIN (NZ) G 5 Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman 117
25 1121x1111x IMPERATRIZ M 5 Mark Walker
26 9x1117x7x1 KALLOS G 5 James Cummings
27 1x233x31x KING’S GAMBIT C 3 Peter & Paul Snowden 92
28 21x08x4x KRISTILLI F 3 Annabel Neasham 84
29 111Lx LEARNING TO FLY F 3 Annabel Neasham 90
30 11x187x LIBERTAD C 3 Annabel Neasham
31 1x13x5131x MAGIC TIME M 4 Grahame Begg
32 5363x9054x MAZU G 5 Joseph Pride 110
33 0x926x202x MERITABLE H 5 Mark Minervini 85
34 12260×4 MORAVIA C 3 Michael Freedman 87
35 26x1306x NADAL C 3 Ciaron Maher
36 90x12x201x OVERPASS G 5 Bjorn Baker
37 11x131x OZZMOSIS C 3 Bjorn Baker
38 111x4x108x PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE M 5 Grahame Begg
39 x1616x999x PO KARE KARE (NZ) M 5 Bryce Heys 93
40 7x405x132x PRIVATE EYE G 6 Joseph Pride 116
41 28x27415x0 QUEEN OF THE BALL M 4 Michael Freedman
42 833x58126x QUICK TEMPO G 5 Mark Minervini 90
43 x21623123x RECOMMENDATION G 4 Ciaron Maher
44 112x RED RESISTANCE C 3 Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott 88
45 18x147x15x REMARQUE G 5 Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes 108
46 2211x ROLL ON HIGH F 3 Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman
47 0150x7527x RUTHLESS DAME (NZ) M 4 Ciaron Maher 110
48 141x SCHWARZ C 3 John O’Shea
49 0412x7113x SHE DANCES M 4 Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman
50 800x87077x SHELBY SIXTYSIX G 7 Danny Williams 82
51 3211x993x SHINZO C 3 Chris Waller
52 122x21615x SKEW WIFF (NZ) M 4 Mark Walker
53 x18111243x STRAIT ACER G 4 Edward Cummings 106
54 13121x1x SUNSHINE IN PARIS M 4 Annabel Neasham
55 062725x95x THE ASTROLOGIST G 7 Leon & Troy Corstens
56 1x111x113x THINK ABOUT IT G 5 Joseph Pride 118
57 42x11169x TIZ INVINCIBLE F 3 Ciaron Maher 92
58 14x1525x14 VEIGHT C 3 Tony & Calvin McEvoy
59 189x05121x WEST OF DALBY F 3 Benjamin Smith 79
60 1x11x WHAT YOU NEED H 4 Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) 89
61 5x5x46555x WILLINGA BEAST M 4 Kris Lees
62 133x3506x3 ZAPATEO M 5 James Cummings

Table Credit: Racing Australia. 

TJ Smith Stakes History

The TJ Smith Stakes is one of the youngest Sydney races, first run in 1997. Mahogany won the inaugural race, which was then called the Endeavour Stakes and only held listed status. The following year in 1998, the race was renamed in honour of the renowned trainer Tommy Smith and also received Group 3 status. The event worked its way up quickly, elevated to Group 2 status in 2003 and only two years later in 2005 gained Group 1 status.

A host of champion sprinters have won the TJ Smith Stakes over the years including Black Caviar (2011 and 2013), triple hero Chautauqua (2015-17), and the Chris Waller-trained star Nature Strip (2020, 2021, 2022) who emulated the ‘Grey Flash’ as the event’s second three-time winner.

A new TJ Smith Stakes record was set in 2018 by the three-year-old winner Trapeze Artist who flew home in 1 minute 8.29 seconds, surpassing the previous best time in the event from Black Caviar in 2011.

Black Caviar’s trainer Peter Moody would return over a decade later and win the 2023 edition of the TJ Smith Stakes with I Wish I Win.

See below for the full TJ Smith Stakes results dating back to 2000.

TJ Smith Stakes Records
Race Record: 1:8.29 seconds – set by Trapeze Artist (2018)
Most Successful Jockey: Tommy Berry – 3 wins on Chautauqua (2015-17)

Recent TJ Smith Stakes Winners

Year Place Horse Time
2024
TJ Smith Stakes
1st TBD TBD
2nd TBD
3rd TBD
2023
TJ Smith Stakes
1st I Wish I Win 1 minute 11.79 seconds
2nd Giga Kick
3rd Mazu
2022
TJ Smith Stakes
1st Nature Strip 1 minute 12.33 seconds
2nd Eduardo
3rd Paulele
2021
TJ Smith Stakes
1st Nature Strip 1 minute 10.09 seconds
2nd Masked Crusader
3rd Eduardo
2020
TJ Smith Stakes
1st Nature Strip 1 minute 11.18 seconds
2nd Santa Ana Lane
3rd Redzel
2019
TJ Smith Stakes
1st Santa Ana Lane 1 minute 10.65 seconds
2nd Osborne Bulls
3rd Sunlight
2018
TJ Smith Stakes
1st Trapeze Artist 1 minute 8.29 seconds
2nd Redzel
3rd In  Her Time
2017
TJ Smith Stakes
1st Chautauqua 1 minute 12.44 seconds
2nd English
3rd Fell Swoop
2016
TJ Smith Stakes
1st Chautauqua 1 minute 10.1 seconds
2nd Fell Swoop
3rd Chautauqua
2015
TJ Smith Stakes
1st Chautauqua 1 minute 11.04 seconds
2nd Lord Of The Sky
3rd Terravista
2014
TJ Smith Stakes
1st Lankan Rupee 1 minute 12.1 seconds
2nd Rebel Dane
3rd Buffering
2013
TJ Smith Stakes
1st Black Caviar 1 minute 9.7 seconds
2nd Epaulette
3rd Bel Sprinter
2012
TJ Smith Stakes
1st Master of Design 1 minute 8.8 seconds
2nd Rain Affair
3rd Hallowell Belle
2011
TJ Smith Stakes
1st Black Caviar 1 minute 8.7 seconds
2nd Hay List
3rd Triple Honour
2010
TJ Smith Stakes
1st Melito 1 minute 9.2 seconds
2nd Hot Danish
3rd Mic Mac
2009
TJ Smith Stakes
1st Takeover Target 1 minute 9 seconds
2nd Northern Meteor
3rd Apache Cat
2008
TJ Smith Stakes
1st Apache Cat 1 minute 11.8 seconds
2nd Reigning To Win
3rd Takeover Target
2007
TJ Smith Stakes
1st Bentley Biscuit 1 minute 10.6 seconds
2nd Black Ink
3rd Virage De Fortune
2006
TJ Smith Stakes
1st Red Oog 1 minute 9.8 seconds
2nd Glamour Puss
3rd Snitzel
2005
TJ Smith Stakes
1st Shamekha 1 minute 12.1 seconds
2nd Fastnet Rock
3rd Only Words
2004
TJ Smith Stakes
1st Dilly Dally 1 minute 9.9 seconds
2nd Legally Bay
3rd Mistegic
2003
TJ Smith Stakes
1st Spinning Hill 1 minute 10.7 seconds
2nd Yell
3rd Bel Esprit
2002
TJ Smith Stakes
1st Phoenix Park 1 minute 10.3 seconds
2nd Fair Embrace
3rd Spinning Hill
2001
TJ Smith Stakes
1st Century Kid 1 minute 9.8 seconds
2nd Spinning Hill
3rd Flavelon
2000
TJ Smith Stakes
1st Shy Hero 1 minute 39.3 seconds
2nd Easy Rocking
3rd High Rolling

This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team.

Spring Racing

Military Mission Fires in 2023...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field �...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field & Odds Update: Vow And Declare Defends Title

Danny O’Brien’s 2019 Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare continues to show a...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbott...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbottom Stakes Field & Betting Markets

Bjron Baker’s The Everest performer Overpass is tipped to return to winning...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 R...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 Race Field & Betting

The Chris Waller-trained Pierro four-year-old Osipenko is firm favourite in...

2023 Railway Stakes Field ...

2023 Railway Stakes Field & Betting Update: Tuvalu Narrow Favourite

The Lindsey Smith-trained top-weight Tuvalu is narrow favourite in the latest...

Horse Racing Today

2024 Coolmore Classic Winner Z...

2024 All-Star Mile Results: Pr...

2024 All-Star Mile Results: Pride Of Jenni Beats Mr Brightside by 2 Lengths

Pride Of Jenni was enormous running her rivals ragged with a blistering...

2024 Pago Pago Stakes Results:...

2024 Pago Pago Stakes Results: McEvoy’s Dublin Down on Golden Slipper Bid

Dublin Down is into Saturday week’s 2024 Golden Slipper field after a gutsy...

Magic Night Winner Drifting Fi...

Magic Night Winner Drifting Firms in Golden Slipper 2024 Betting

Drifting did plenty right to win the 2024 Magic Night Stakes at Rosehill on...

Randwick Guineas 2024 Results:...

Randwick Guineas 2024 Results: Celestial Legend Nudges out Militarize on the Line

Celestial Legend put the writing on the wall for a huge year ahead with the...

Race Results

2024 Coolmore Classic Winner Zougotcha Dives Late to Salute

2024 All-Star Mile Results: Pride Of Jenni Beats Mr Brightside by 2 Lengths

2024 Pago Pago Stakes Results: McEvoy’s Dublin Down on Golden Slipper Bid

Randwick Guineas 2024 Results: Celestial Legend Nudges out Militarize on the Line

2024 Canterbury Stakes Results: Lady Laguna Upsets Think About It, Espiona Third

Race Previews

2024 Golden Slipper Stakes Field & Barriers: Storm Boy Draws Two

Magic Night Winner Drifting Firms in Golden Slipper 2024 Betting

Zougotcha Heads 2024 Coolmore Classic Field & Odds

2024 All-Star Mile Field & Betting Update: Mr Brightside Odds-On

2024 Adelaide Cup Field & Betting Update: The Map Leads the Way

Fields & Form

2024 Golden Slipper Stakes Field & Barriers: Storm Boy Draws Two

Zougotcha Heads 2024 Coolmore Classic Field & Odds

2024 All-Star Mile Field & Betting Update: Mr Brightside Odds-On

2024 Adelaide Cup Field & Betting Update: The Map Leads the Way

2024 Randwick Guineas Field & Odds Update: Militarize Set to Strike Second-Up