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Past Golden Eagle Winners: Complete Golden Eagle Results, History & Honour Roll
The Golden Eagle winners honour roll tells the story of one of Australia’s richest and fastest-rising races. First run in 2019, The Golden Eagle has quickly become a highlight of the Sydney Spring Carnival, attracting elite four-year-olds from Australia, Japan, Europe and New Zealand to compete for a massive $10 million purse over 1500 metres.
Now officially elevated to Group 1 status in 2026, The Golden Eagle has established itself alongside the nation’s premier weight-for-age and handicap features. Run on the same day as the Victoria Derby in Melbourne, the race has produced outstanding performances from stars including Kolding, I’m Thunderstruck, I Wish I Win, Obamburumai, Lake Forest and Autumn Glow who would go on to stamp herself as one of history’s best racehorses.
Below, Races.com.au looks back through the past Golden Eagle winners, key race records, historical trends, and notable results that continue to shape betting on the next Golden Eagle when the 2026 edition runs on Saturday October 31.
What Is The Golden Eagle?
The Golden Eagle is a 1500m set-weights race restricted to four-year-olds. Introduced by Racing NSW in 2019, the race was designed as a flagship event of the Sydney Spring Carnival and quickly became one of the richest age-restricted races in the world.
Golden Eagle Key Facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| First Run | 2019 |
| Distance | 1500m |
| Status | Group 1 (from 2026) |
| Prize Money | $10 million |
| Age Restriction | Four-Year-Olds |
| Current Venue | Royal Randwick |
| Previous Venue | Rosehill Gardens (2019-2024) |
| Race Day | Victoria Derby Day |
The race also forms part of Racing NSW’s Golden Slam, alongside the Golden Slipper for two-year-olds and Golden Rose for three-year-olds.
Past Golden Eagle Winners
Golden Eagle Winners Honour Roll
| Year | Winner | Second | Third | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 2025 | Autumn Glow | Sepals | Evaporate | 1:29.72 |
| 2024 | Lake Forest (GB) | Lazzat (FR) | Tom Kitten | 1:27.98 |
| 2023 | Obamburumai (JPN) | Pericles | Golden Mile | 1:29.26 |
| 2022 | I Wish I Win (NZ) | Fangirl | Gypsy Goddess | 1:28.19 |
| 2021 | I’m Thunderstruck | Count De Rupee | Vangelic | 1:27.90 |
| 2020 | Colette | Icebath | Dawn Passage | 1:32.67 |
| 2019 | Kolding | Sunlight | Mizzy | 1:28.28 |
Golden Eagle Winners by Trainer & Jockey
| Year | Winner | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Autumn Glow | Chris Waller | James McDonald |
| 2024 | Lake Forest | William Haggas | Cieren Fallon |
| 2023 | Obamburumai | Keiji Yoshimura | Josh Parr |
| 2022 | I Wish I Win | Peter Moody | Luke Nolen |
| 2021 | I’m Thunderstruck | Mick Price & Michael Kent Jr | Hugh Bowman |
| 2020 | Colette | James Cummings | Koby Jennings |
| 2019 | Kolding | Chris Waller | Glen Boss |
Famous Golden Eagle Winners
Kolding (2019)
The inaugural Golden Eagle winner was Chris Waller’s classy gelding Kolding, who arrived off an Epsom Handicap victory and became the first horse to complete the famous Epsom Handicap-Golden Eagle double.
Kolding went on to further frank the race by winning the George Main Stakes (2020) and All Aged Stakes (2021).
Colette (2020)
Godolphin mare Colette remains one of the race’s most memorable champions after storming home on a Heavy (9) surface.
She became the first mare to win the race and remains one of only two female winners in Golden Eagle history.
I’m Thunderstruck (2021)
After two years of upset results, punters finally got one right when I’m Thunderstruck ($3.50) became the first favourite to salute.
Fresh off a Group 1 Toorak Handicap victory, the future multiple Group 1 star produced the fastest winning performance in race history and later finished runner-up in both the All-Star Mile and Doncaster Mile.
I Wish I Win (2022)
The Peter Moody-trained New Zealand-bred star delivered one of the strongest performances in the race’s history.
After running fifth in the Toorak Handicap, I Wish I Win exploded late to defeat Fangirl and later enhanced his reputation by winning the 2023 TJ Smith Stakes.
Obamburumai (2023)
Japanese raider Obamburumai made history as the first internationally trained Golden Eagle winner.
The victory represented a major breakthrough for Japan at one of Australia’s richest spring features.
Lake Forest (2024)
The UK’s Lake Forest became the second straight international winner and caused a notable upset at $19 odds.
Trained by William Haggas and ridden by Cieren Fallon, the colt held off French visitor Lazzat while local star Tom Kitten finished third.
The form proved exceptionally strong, with Tom Kitten later winning the 2025 All-Star Mile.
Autumn Glow (2025)
The Chris Waller-trained mare entered the race unbeaten in her campaign following victories in the Toy Show Quality, Theo Marks Stakes and Epsom Handicap.
Starting as the $1.75 odds-on favourite, Autumn Glow dominated the race to score by 1.25 lengths, becoming:
- The second mare to win the race
- The first odds-on favourite to salute
- Waller’s second Golden Eagle winner.
She subsequently franked the form by winning a host of other Group 1 races including the Verry Elleegant Stakes, George Ryder, Winx Stakes and King Charles III Stakes.
Golden Eagle Race Records
Fastest Winning Time
| Horse | Year | Time |
|---|---|---|
| I’m Thunderstruck | 2021 | 1:27.90 |
Largest Winning Margin
| Horse | Year | Margin |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn Glow | 2025 | 1.25 Lengths |
Interestingly, every Golden Eagle from 2019-2023 was won by 0.4 lengths or less.
Shortest-Priced Winner
| Horse | Year | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn Glow | 2025 | $1.75 |
Longest-Priced Winner
| Horse | Year | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Forest | 2024 | $19 |
International Golden Eagle Winners
The Golden Eagle has quickly become an international target.
| Year | Winner | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Obamburumai | Japan |
| 2024 | Lake Forest | Great Britain |
Only two internationally trained horses have won the Golden Eagle to date, but both victories came in consecutive years.
Golden Eagle Winning Trainers
Most Successful Trainer
| Trainer | Wins |
|---|---|
| Chris Waller | 2 |
Waller won with:
- Kolding (2019)
- Autumn Glow (2025)
Golden Eagle Winning Trainers
| Trainer | Winning Horse(s) |
|---|---|
| Chris Waller | Kolding, Autumn Glow |
| James Cummings | Colette |
| Mick Price & Michael Kent Jr | I’m Thunderstruck |
| Peter Moody | I Wish I Win |
| Keiji Yoshimura | Obamburumai |
| William Haggas | Lake Forest |
Golden Eagle Winning Jockeys
No jockey has won the race more than once.
| Year | Winning Jockey |
|---|---|
| 2019 | Glen Boss |
| 2020 | Koby Jennings |
| 2021 | Hugh Bowman |
| 2022 | Luke Nolen |
| 2023 | Josh Parr |
| 2024 | Cieren Fallon |
| 2025 | James McDonald |
No female jockey has won the race to date.
Key Golden Eagle Trends
Best Lead-Up Races
The strongest form references have come from:
| Lead-Up Race | Golden Eagle Winners |
|---|---|
| Epsom Handicap | Kolding (2019), Autumn Glow (2025) |
| Toorak Handicap | I’m Thunderstruck (2021), I Wish I Win (2022) |
| Silver Eagle | Numerous placegetters and contenders |
Barrier Trends
| Barrier | Winners |
|---|---|
| 2 | Obamburumai (2023) |
| 4 | Kolding (2019) |
| 6 | Colette (2020) |
| 8 | I’m Thunderstruck (2021), Lake Forest (2024), Autumn Glow (2025) |
| 10 | I Wish I Win (2022) |
Barrier 8 is the most successful gate with three winners.
Only one winner has started from a double-figure draw: I Wish I Win (10) in 2022.
Favourite Statistics
| Statistic | Result |
|---|---|
| First Favourite to Win | I’m Thunderstruck (2021) |
| Latest Favourite to Win | Autumn Glow (2025) |
| Latest Odds-On Favourite to Win | Autumn Glow ($1.75) |
| Shortest-Priced Winner | Autumn Glow ($1.75) |
| Worst Favourite Result | Funstar – 17th (2020) |
Just two favourites have won from the first seven editions:
- I’m Thunderstruck (2021)
- Autumn Glow (2025)
Bet on the Golden Eagle 2026 Winner
Golden Eagle 2026 Odds
| 1. Sheza Alibi | ||
| 2. Autumn Boy | ||
| 3. Beiwacht | ||
| 4. Skyhook | ||
| 5. Amazing Journey (Not Nominated) | ||
| 6. Apocalyptic | ||
| 7. Attica | ||
| 8. Mr Miller | ||
| 9. Napoleonic | ||
| 10. Beadman | ||
| 11. Decorum | ||
| 12. Matias | ||
| 13. Navy Pilot | ||
| 14. Panova | ||
| 15. Regal Award | ||
| 16. Roulette King | ||
| 17. Salty Pearl | ||
| 18. Sass Appeal | ||
| 19. Sixties | ||
| 20. Within The Law |
Golden Eagle Winners FAQs
Who won the inaugural Golden Eagle?
Kolding won the inaugural Golden Eagle in 2019 for trainer Chris Waller and jockey Glen Boss.
Who won the 2025 Golden Eagle?
Autumn Glow defeated Sepals and Evaporate as the $1.75 favourite under James McDonald.
How many mares have won the Golden Eagle?
Two mares have won with Colette (2020) and Autumn Glow (2025).
How many international horses have won the Golden Eagle?
Two with Obamburumai (Japan, 2023) and Lake Forest (Great Britain, 2024).
Who is the most successful Golden Eagle trainer?
Chris Waller with two victories from Kolding (2019) and Autumn Glow (2025).
What is the fastest Golden Eagle winning time?
I’m Thunderstruck’s 1:27.90 in 2021 remains the race record.
What is the largest Golden Eagle winning margin?
Autumn Glow’s 1.25-length victory in 2025 is the largest in race history.
When did the Golden Eagle become a Group 1?
The race was officially upgraded to Group 1 status in 2026.
Where is the Golden Eagle run?
The race was held at Rosehill Gardens from 2019-2024 before moving to Royal Randwick in 2025.
What age horses can run in the Golden Eagle?
The race is restricted to four-year-old thoroughbreds, making it one of the richest age-specific contests anywhere in the world.
