The Epsom Handicap 2026 is one of Royal Randwick’s signature mile features, a historic Group 1 1600m handicap that consistently shapes the Sydney spring. Run in early October, the race attracts big-striding milers, in-form handicappers and emerging stars chasing a place on the honour roll. With weights, tempo, and Randwick’s testing rise all playing major roles in the outcome, punters are already tracking key lead-up form and early market shifts. Our Epsom Handicap guide delivers the latest Epsom Handicap odds, race insights, and expert analysis to help you find value and stay ahead of the action in one of Australia’s most influential mile contests.

2026 Epsom Handicap Results

The official Epsom Handicap 2026 Results and Finishing Order will be detailed below when the $1.5 million Sydney event runs on Saturday October 3, 2026.

• 1st: TBD
• 2nd: TBD
• 3rd: TBD

Winning Margin: TBD

Winning Time: TBD

Epsom Handicap Tips

Stay tuned for our insider Epsom Handicap 2026 tips on the $1.5 million mile showdown this spring.

Epsom Handicap News

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• 2026 Epsom Handicap Nominations Led By Well Written
• 2025 Golden Eagle Results: Autumn Glow Wins Again, Remains Undefeated
• 2025 Epsom Handicap Winner Autumn Glow Remains Undefeated
• Epsom Handicap 2025 Tips & Best Bets
• 2025 Epsom Handicap Field & Betting Update: Autumn Glow Favourite in Outside Barrier

The Group 1 Epsom Handicap is the premier handicap event of the Sydney Spring Racing Carnival held in last September or early October annually. Run at Royal Randwick Racecourse, the 1600m open handicap race is one of the two biggest mile races at the course. The other is the Doncaster Handicap held in April during ‘The Championships’.

Held on the same day as the Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m) and the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) for three-year-old fillies, the Epsom Handicap offers $1,500,000 in prize money as of 2021.

It has been dominated by local Sydney milers in recent years including the Chris Waller-trained Boban (2013), He’s Your Man (2014), subsequent Cox Plate winning mare Winx (2015), Happy Clapper (2017), and another Waller star in Autumn Glow (2025).

In 2019 Kolding won the Epsom Handicap before backing up to salute in the inaugural Golden Eagle for four-year-olds.

Autumn Glow (2025) was the last horse to complete the Epsom Handicap – Golden Eagle double.

Top Ranked (2022) took out the Bill Ritchie – Epsom Handicap double after running a dead heat in the Group 1 with Ellsberg, with Rediener repeating the feat becoming the latest horse to do the double in 2023 for Chris Waller.

The Epsom Handicap winner also earns a ballot exemption into the following year’s Group 1 $5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) held in April during Randwick’s The Championships.

The 2022 Epsom Handicap form was franked with Ellsberg backing-up from his dead-heat win to $1 million Five Diamond Prelude – $2 million Five Diamonds double.

As of 2023 the $1 million 7 Stakes (1600m) runs on The Shorts Day in mid-September and offers the winner an Epsom Handicap ballot exemption.

The 2024 Epsom Handicap winner Ceolwulf franked the form with a next up Group 1 King Charles III Stakes win.

The Epsom Handicap 2025 form was firmly franked with the winning mare, Autumn Glow, going on to win her next four starts including the Golden Eagle, and the Verry Elleegant Stakes & George Ryder at elite level the following autumn.

2026 Epsom Handicap Betting

The updated Epsom Handicap 2026 betting markets will be provided for punters here across the Sydney Spring Racing Carnival as lead-up races are run and won. Proven milers at the Randwick track dominate the Epsom Handicap odds each year, as do the in-form Chris Waller-trained hopefuls.

Ceolwulf ($4 in 2024) and Autumn Glow ($1.75 in 2025) are the latest favourites in Epsom Handicap betting to win.

Epsom Handicap Field

2026 Epsom Handicap Form

The Epsom Handicap form guide is the essential breakdown punters use to assess every runner heading into Randwick’s famous Group 1 1600m handicap. It compiles each horse’s recent runs, weight, barrier, jockey, track record, sectional data, and overall spring trajectory, giving punters a clear snapshot of who is suited to the high-pressure Randwick mile. Because the Epsom regularly produces Cox Plate, Golden Eagle and other major spring performers, the form guide is one of the most valuable tools for identifying genuine winning chances.

What Punters Should Look for in the Epsom Handicap Form Guide:

• Handicap weights — The Epsom is a true handicap, so weight plays a major role. Lightly weighted, in-form runners often get their chance.
• Randwick mile form — Horses proven at Randwick, especially over 1600m, are a major tick given the testing rise to the line.
• Sectional strength — Strong late splits in lead-up runs indicate a horse ready to peak under handicap conditions.
• Lead-up races — The Tramway Stakes and Bill Ritchie Handicap often provide the strongest form lines.
• Barrier draw — Inside gates help on-pacers control the race, while swoopers need a draw that allows clean air and momentum.
• Tempo and map — The Epsom is usually run at a genuine tempo. Identifying who leads, who rolls forward and who gets the perfect stalking run is crucial.
• Market moves — Early firmers, especially those dropping in weight or improving second-up/third-up, are worth respecting.

FULL 2026 EPSOM HANDICAP FORM GUIDE

2026 Epsom Handicap Nominations & Weights

The 2026 Epsom Handicap nominations are taken on Monday the 7th of September 2026 about four weeks out from the race.

The Epsom Handicap 2026 weights will be declared on Monday the 14th of September 2026.

The 2026 Epsom Handicap nominations have been released and feature 92 hopeful milers including the currently undefeated Stephen Marsh-trained New Zealand mare Well Written who made it six from six in $3 million The Kiwi race across the Tasman in early March and Chris Waller’s reigning Rosehill Guineas champ Autumn Boy.

Click here to read more on the key Epsom Handicap 2026 nominees.

Table Credit: Racing Australia.

2026 Epsom Handicap Final Field

Each year the Epsom Handicap field is announced on the Tuesday of race week and features the season’s top-class milers coming off lead-up runs in races including the Group 2 Shannon Stakes (1500m) held at Rosehill the week before.

Horses out of the Epsom Handicap field often go onto run in other Group 1 races heading south for the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.

The official Epsom Handicap 2026 Final Field & Barriers will be published in full below once announced by Racing NSW on the Tuesday of race week.

Epsom Handicap History

The Epsom Handicap was first won by Dundee in 1863 and has quite a few dual winners including Toi Port in 1963-64, Super Impose in 1990-91 and Desert War in 2004-05. Due to the Equine Flu, the race was not held in 2007.

In 2015 Winx won the Epsom Handicap, the third straight champion for trainer Chris Waller, and went on to make history taking out Melbourne’s Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at weight-for-age next start. Winx made Cox Plate history with a record four wins in the classic from 2015-18.

The current Epsom Handicap race record of 1:32.73 seconds was set by Hartnell in 2018.

For just the third time in the race’s history the 2022 Epsom Handicap resulted in a dead heat between Top Ranked and Ellsberg.

Trainer Chris Waller won his fifth Epsom Handicap in 2023 running the quinella with Rediener and Kovalica.

Waller returned for a sixth success in 2025 with Autumn Glow is the latest Epsom Handicap winning mare. 

Epsom Handicap Previous Race Winners

Recent winners of the Group 1 Epsom Handicap are detailed below along with the placegetters and winning times.

Epsom Handicap FAQs

What is the Epsom Handicap?
The Epsom Handicap is a historic Group 1 1600m handicap run at Royal Randwick in early October and is one of Sydney’s most important spring mile features.

When is the Epsom Handicap held?
The race takes place on the first Saturday of October, during the peak of the Sydney Spring Racing Carnival. The 2026 edition is set to run on Saturday October 3.

Where is the Epsom Handicap run?
The Epsom is held at Royal Randwick, home to some of Australia’s most prestigious Group 1 races.

What distance is the Epsom Handicap?
The race is run over 1600 metres, making it a true test of speed, stamina and tactical positioning.

How many horses run in the Epsom Handicap?
The Epsom typically attracts a full field of 18 runners, reflecting its status as one of the most sought-after Group 1 handicaps.

What type of horses contest the Epsom Handicap?
Proven milers, in-form handicappers and emerging spring stars regularly target the race.

What are the key lead-up races?
The Tramway Stakes, Theo Marks Stakes and Bill Ritchie Handicap often provide the strongest form lines into the Epsom.

Is the Epsom Handicap a reliable spring form race?
Yes — Epsom runners frequently progress to the Cox Plate, Golden Eagle, and other major spring features.

Where can I find Epsom Handicap odds?
Updated odds are available as soon as markets open at Ladbrokes, with price shifts driven by weights, lead-up form and stable confidence.