Champions Stakes Results

2023 VRC Champions Stakes Results

  • 1st: #10 Atishu
  • 2nd: #9 Duais
  • 3rd: #3 Young Werther



2023 VRC Champions Stakes Results

  • 1st: #10 Atishu ($8.50)
  • 2nd: #9 Duais
  • 3rd: #3 Young Werther

The Chris Waller-trained Atishu ($8.50) improved on her lead-up second in the Empire Rose Stakes behind subsequent Champions Mile winner Pride Of Dubai, relishing the quick back-up and extra distance to power home late over a quality field to score an upset win in the 2023 Champions Stakes results.

Click here to read more on the big win by Atishu in the VRC Champions Stakes 2023 in the final Group 1 of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

Stay tuned for the official 2023 Mackinnon Stakes results and finishing order, the $3 million showdown run as the VRC Champions Stakes.

2023 Champions Stakes Results & Finishing Order

Finish No. Horse Trainer Jockey Margin Bar. Weight Penalty Starting Price
1 10 ATISHU (NZ) Chris Waller James McDonald 5 57kg $8.50
2 9 DUAIS Edward Cummings Damien Oliver 1.75L 3 57kg $7
3 3 YOUNG WERTHER (NZ) Danny O’Brien Billy Egan 1.95L 6 59kg $51
4 1 ZAAKI (GB) Annabel Neasham Ms Jamie Kah 2.05L 10 59kg $4.40
5 7 BUCKAROO (GB) Joseph O’Brien Blake Shinn 2.15L 8 59kg $26
6 11 PROWESS (NZ) Roger James & Robert Wellwood Mark Zahra 2.65L 4 56.5kg $5.50
7 2 HUETOR (FR) Peter & Paul Snowden Kerrin McEvoy 2.85L 11 59kg $61
8 8 MONTEFILIA Chris Waller Michael Dee 3.25L 1 57kg $26
9 4 WEST WIND BLOWS (IRE) Simon & Ed Crisford Jamie Spencer 3.35L 2 59kg $2.80F
10 5 ZEYREK (FR) Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes Ben Melham 4.85L 7 59kg $61
11 6 PINSTRIPED Enver Jusufovic Ben Allen 5.35L 9 59kg $81

Table Credit: Racing Australia.


The Group 1 $3 million VRC Champions Stakes (2000m) – formerly known as the Mackinnon Stakes – is a weight-for-age showdown previously run and won on the first Saturday of November, which is the last of the Flemington Cup Carnival race days taking place four days after the iconic Melbourne Cup.

The Mackinnon Stakes / Champions Stakes results over the past decade have been dominated by single-figure fancies in the Champions Stakes betting markets, although the favourites don’t have the best record saluting for the punters during that time.

Former Emirates Stakes results & winners for the race this event took over can be found here.

Bet on the 2023 Champions Stakes Results

Betting odds on the Champions Stakes Results for the latest edition of the Melbourne Cup Carnival classic will be available below.

CLICK HERE TO BET ON THE 2023 VRC CHAMPIONS STAKES RESULTS (Final Field)

Past Emirates / Mackinnon Stakes / Champions Stakes Results

Past Emirates Stakes, Mackinnon Stakes and Champions Stakes results can help in your Champions Stakes tips for the current season, as you can see the ages and lead-up races the winners came via.

Have a look through the latest *Emirates (Mackinnon) Stakes Results and VRC Champions Stakes (as the race will be known from 2022 onwards) below for a guide to which weight-for-age runners to back or sack in the 2023 Champions odds at Ladbrokes.com.au.

*Note: From 2016-2017 the Mackinnon Stakes was known as the Emirates Stakes 

*From 2022 onwards the race is run as the VRC Champions Stakes

Mackinnon Stakes / Champions Stakes Winners

Many of the old Mackinnon Stakes winners would back-up and run in the iconic Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) three days later at Flemington Racecourse. Because the race is now run as the Champions Stakes four days after Melbourne Cup Day, the Champions Stakes winners are likely paddock-bound before returning in the autumn.

Notable recent winners of the old Mackinnon Stakes include two-time hero Zaaki (2021 & 2022), Irish mare Magic Wand (2019), French raider Gailo Chop (2015), star dual Cox Plate winner So You Think (2010), Grand Armee (2004), subsequent ace sire Lonhro (2001), and that year’s Melbourne Cup winner Rogan Josh (1999).

Recent Emirates (Mackinnon) Stakes / VRC Champions Stakes Results

Year First Second Third Time
2023 Atishu Duais Young Werther 2:02.01
2022 Zaaki Mo’unga Hezashocka 2:02.00
2021 Zaaki Cascadian Mo’unga 2:02.94
2020 Arcadia Queen Fifty Stars Melody Belle 2:03.53
2019 Magic Wand Melody Belle Hartnell 2:01.82
2018 Trap For Fools Latrobe Extra Brut 2:02.31
2017 Tosen Stardom Happy Clapper It’s Somewhat 2:01.22
2016 Awesome Rock Hauraki Seaburge 2:02.49
2015 Gailo Chop Rising Romance Contributer 2:03.5
2014 Happy Trails He’s Your Man Farraaj 2:02.2
2013 Side Glance Dear Demi Moriarty 2:03.5
2012 Alcopop Glass Harmonium Ocean Park 2:01.2
2011 Glass Harmonium Mourayan Rekindled Interest 2:02.7
2010 So You Think Descarado Ginga Dude 2:04.9
2009 Scenic Shot Miss Maren Viewed 2:03.4
2008 Thesio Barbaricus Sirmione 2:03.8
2007 Sirmione Princess Coup Zipping 2:02.3
2006 Desert War Growl Aqua dAmore 2:02.3
2005 Lad Of The Manor Our Smoking Joe Lachlan River 2:01.7
2004 Grand Armee Confectioner Vouvray 2:00.9
2003 Casual Pass Pentastic Fields Of Omagh 2:05.8
2002 Lonhro Royal Code Distinctly Secret 2:02.6
2001 La Bella Dama Hill Of Grace Emission 2:01.5
2000 Oliver Twist Camarena Slavonic 2:05.4

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