A growing feature on the Australian racing calendar, Special Condition races are becoming hugely popular with incredible prize money on offer for these Group-exempt events.

The first and most famous of these Special Condition races was The Everest, introduced by Racing NSW in 2017. This unique buy-in horse racing event is the richest turf race in the world worth $15 million in prize money as of 2020.

More and more Special Condition races that each have their own specific set of ballot conditions and restrictions are being added the both the spring and autumn racing carnivals each season.

Along with Sydney’s The Everest held each October at Royal Randwick, the other most popular Special Condition race held in Australia is the $5 million The All-Star Mile (1600m) run during the autumn at various tracks in Melbourne.

In 2022 Racing NSW added two more $2 million Special Conditions feature races to the growing Sydney Spring Racing Carnival line-up.

The Big Dance will run on Melbourne Cup Day at Randwick each year and eligibility is via a run in 25 selected Country Cup races throughout the year.

The following Saturday in Sydney, 2022 will host the inaugural $2 million The Five Diamonds (1800m) for five-year-old horses.