Horse Racing

The Warwick Stakes is a quality Group 2 race held at the very start of the esteemed Sydney Spring Racing Carnival. The feature event of Warwick Stakes Day at the Warwick Farm in August, the race is run over 1400m under weight-for-age conditions and is worth $175,000.

Runners in the Warwick Stakes may have previously competed in the Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m WFA) the week before at Rosehill or the Group 3 Missile Stakes (1100m WFA) three weeks prior. So it is always a good tip to watch for the dominant horses in these earlier weight-for-age events as an indication for your Warwick Stakes bets.

It is an exciting and often hard-to-predict race because of the range of entries it attracts. Good local sprinters and in form winter types compete alongside some classy interstate sprinters as well as staying types seeking a race with a bit more distance.

Warwick Stakes entries may progress on to the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) in two weeks time if they are looking for a middle distance WFA event, or even the illustrious Group 1 George Main Stakes (1600m WFA) in September. The Warwick Stakes / George Main Stakes is a popular betting double at the carnival and horses to claim victory in both races include Lonhro (2003) and Defier (2002).

Warwick Stakes History

The Warwick Stakes has a long and rich history dating back to its inaugural race in 1923 when Sunburst won. It started out as a principal race run over seven furlongs and the distance was converted to 1400m in 1972. Not long after in 1979 the event reached Group 2 status, one year before the mighty Kingston Town won his first of an eventual three successive Warwick Stakes in 1980. For one year in 2001 the race distance was decreased to 1300m and the event was not held in 2007 due to the equine virus.

Many quality horses have graced the Warwick Stakes and notable winners include Racing To Win (2008), Lonhro (2003 & 2001), Sunline (1991), Super Impose (1991 & 1990) and Groucho (1989).

Recent Warwick Stakes Winners