The Group 1 $2 million Spring Champion Stakes is held at Randwick Racecourse in October on the same day as Melbourne's Cox Plate Day card at The Valley.
2024 Spring Champion Stakes Results
- 1st: #1 El Castello
- 2nd: #3 Henlein
- 3rd: #4 Firm Agreement
Spring Champion Stakes News
- 2024 Spring Champion Stakes Field & Betting Update: El Castello Firming Favourite
- Tom Kitten Bolts Home To Dominate 2023 Spring Champion Stakes Results
- 2023 Spring Champion Stakes Field & Betting Update: Punters On Tom Kitten
- VRC Derby Odds Firm on 2022 Spring Champion Stakes Winner Sharp ‘N’ Smart
- Elliptical Leads Spring Champion Stakes 2022 Field & Odds
Held during the prestigious Sydney Spring Racing Carnival the Spring Champion Stakes is a Group 1 race run at Royal Randwick in late September or early October.
2024 Spring Champion Stakes Results
- 1st: #1 El Castello ($3F)
- 2nd: #3 Henlein
- 3rd: #4 Firm Agreement
The Group 1 Victoria Derby on November 2 could be on the spring agenda for the flying Anthony Cummings-trained El Castello ($3F) who made it four straight wins with a powerful victory for the punters in the Spring Champion Stakes 2024 results at Randwick.
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Spring Champoion Stakes 2024 Odds & Results
Moet & Chandon Spring Champion Stakes (G1)
| Runner Details | Win | Place |
|---|---|---|
|
1st
1. El Castello (7)
J: Josh Parr 56.5kg
T: Anthony Cummings |
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2nd
3. Henlein (1)
J: Tommy Berry 56.5kg
T: A & S Freedman |
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3rd
4. Firm Agreement (9)
J: Tom Sherry 56.5kg
T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald |
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|
4th
8. Harlem Queen (6)
J: Sam Clipperton 54.5kg
T: Nathan Doyle |
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5th
10. Pleasure Artist (4)
J: Jason Collett 54.5kg
T: R & W Freedman |
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|
6th
2. Swiftfalcon (10)
J: Jay Ford 56.5kg
T: M, W & J Hawkes |
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|
7th
9. Rag Queen (5)
J: Chad Schofield 54.5kg
T: David Payne |
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|
8th
11. Noises (8)
J: Andrew Adkins 54.5kg
T: Brad Widdup |
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|
9th
7. Flying Argento (2)
J: Zac Lloyd 56.5kg
T: Gary Portelli |
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|
10th
6. Due Calzini (3)
J: Kerrin McEvoy 56.5kg
T: Danielle Seib |
Data retrieved: 12/02/2025 10:31:43 AM (Australia/Brisbane)
The Spring Champion Stakes is run over 2000m under set weight conditions. It is one of the premier races for three-year-olds at the carnival and is worth $2 million.
This middle-distance event attracts fine quality competitors every year and runners may have come via the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) earlier in the spring at Rosehill or the Listed Dulcify Quality (2000m).
Ace High (2017), Shadow Hero (2019), Sharp ‘N’ Smart (2022), and El Castello (2024) are the last horses to complete the Gloaming Stakes – Spring Champion Stakes double.
Previously run earlier in October in 2022 the Spring Champion Stakes was moved to run on the same Saturday as Melbourne’s iconic $5 million Cox Plate at Moonee Valley.
The now Group 2 $2 million The Invitation (1400m) race for fillies and mares, and the Group 2 $1 million Callander-Presnell (1600m) – formerly the Stan Fox Stakes – are the other key races on the new-look Spring Champion Stakes Day card from 2022 onwards.
Horses that perform well in the Spring Champion Stakes may be aimed at some of the other illustrious events held in spring at the Melbourne Racing Carnival including Flemington’s Group 1 VRC Derby (2500m). The last horses to complete the Spring Champion Stakes – VRC Derby double were Monaco Consul (2009) and Ace High (2017).
History was made in 2020 with Montefilia became the first filly to complete the Flight Stakes – Spring Champion Stakes double in the same calendar year. She went on to also run third in that year’s VRC Oaks and the following autumn’s Rosehill Guineas results.
In 2021 the Flight Stakes winning filly Never Been Kissed ran a next-up second in the Spring Champion Stakes results.
The 2021 Spring Champion Stakes form was further franked with the third-placed Alegron running second next-up in the VRC Derby. He also returned the following autumn to place third in the 2022 ATC Derby.
The 2022 Spring Champion Stakes winner Sharp ‘N’ Smart ran second next-up in the Victoria Derby results before a summer campaign the next year in New Zealand that saw him win back-to-back Group 1s including the NZ Derby. He also placed fourth in the 2023 ATC Derby results back in Sydney that autumn.
The Spring Champion 2022 form was further franked with the third-placed filly She’s Extreme going on to win that year’s VRC Oaks at Flemington.
The Spring Champion Stakes 2024 ran on Saturday, October 26, 2024, the same day as Melbourne’s Cox Plate Day card and was won in style by the Anthony Cummings-trained favourite El Castello ($3F) who made it four wins on the trot.Â
| Spring Champion Stakes | |
|---|---|
| Date: | Saturday, October 26, 2024 |
| Track: | Randwick Racecourse |
| Distance: | 2000m |
| Conditions: | 3YO at Set Weights |
| Weights: | Colts & Geldings- 56.5kg / Fillies- 54.5kg |
| Status: | Group 1 |
| Prize Money: | $2,000,000 |
| Inaugurated: | 1971 |
2024 Spring Champion Stakes Finishing Order
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Penalty | Starting Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | EL CASTELLO | Anthony Cummings | Joshua Parr | 7 | 56.5kg | $3F | |||
| 2 | 3 | HENLEIN | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Tommy Berry | 0.36L | 1 | 56.5kg | $5 | ||
| 3 | 4 | FIRM AGREEMENT | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | Tom Sherry | 1.78L | 9 | 56.5kg | $21 | ||
| 4 | 8 | HARLEM QUEEN | Nathan Doyle | Sam Clipperton | 1.99L | 6 | 54.5kg | $8 | ||
| 5 | 10 | PLEASURE ARTIST | Richard & Will Freedman | Jason Collett | 2.16L | 4 | 54.5kg | $10 | ||
| 6 | 2 | SWIFTFALCON | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Jay Ford | 3.36L | 10 | 56.5kg | $3.80 | ||
| 7 | 9 | RAG QUEEN | David Payne | Chad Schofield | 3.9L | 5 | 54.5kg | $14 | ||
| 8 | 11 | NOISES | Brad Widdup | Andrew Adkins | 4.41L | 8 | 54.5kg | $61 | ||
| 9 | 7 | FLYING ARGENTO | Gary Portelli | Zac Lloyd (a) | 7.08L | 2 | 56.5kg | $101 | ||
| 10 | 6 | DUE CALZINI | Danielle Seib | Kerrin McEvoy | 8.52L | 3 | 56.5kg | $101 | ||
| 5 | DUVANA | Chris Waller | Joao Moreira | 0 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
2024 Spring Champion Stakes Betting Odds
The latest Spring Champion Stakes 2024 betting markets on the hopeful three-year-olds facing off in the late Sydney Spring Racing Carnival classic, Spring Champion Stakes odds provided by Ladbrokes.com.au, will be provided here at Races.com.au.
Shadow Hero ($1.90 in 2019), Montefilia ($2.70 in 2020), Profondo ($2.80 in 2021), Tom Kitten ($2.50 in 2023), and El Castello ($3 in 2024) are the latest favourites in Spring Champion Stakes betting to salute for the punters.
2024 Spring Champion Stakes Form Guide
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL 2024 SPRING CHAMPION STAKES FORM GUIDEÂ
2024 Spring Champion Stakes Tips
Stay tuned for our insider Spring Champion Stakes 2024 Tips on the $2 million showdown this spring.
- To Win: #1 El Castello ($4.20 at time of publish) – BET NOW
There’s plenty of money on Swiftfalcon up over 2000m to turn the tables but happy to stick with the airborne El Castello who continues to impress chasing a fourth win on the trot. This in-form Anthony Cummings-trained colt made it a hat-trick last time out with 1.82 lengths to spare on the line in the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m). That race has proved the superior form line heading into the Spring Champion and I see nothing to suggest El Castello can’t keep the victories coming and do the double. He has form around Broadsiding, a livewire chance in Saturday’s Ladbrokes Cox Plate, from the autumn and gets the run of the race in a small field from barrier eight giving him options. Josh Parr knows him well and retains the ride. Ticks plenty of boxes.
2024 Spring Champion Stakes Field
The Spring Champion Stakes field traditionally features many of the same runners as the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) at Rosehill earlier in the spring.
The Gloaming Stakes has produced more Spring Champion Stakes winners than any other lead-up and the double has recently been achieved by El Castello (2024), Sharp ‘N’ Smart (2022), Shadow Hero (2019), Ace High (2017), Vanbrugh (2015), Complacent (2013), and It’s A Dundeel (2012).
The official 2024 Spring Champion Stakes Final Field & Barriers are announced by Racing NSW on the Wednesday of race week and will be provided in full below once released.
The 2024 Spring Champion Stakes field features 11 potential Derby hopes with Gloaming Stakes winner El Castello after his fourth on the trot this prep while the runner-up in that key lead-up, Swiftfalcon, if favourite from the outside alley to turn the tables.
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Probable Weight | Penalty | Hcp Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 328×111 | EL CASTELLO | Anthony Cummings | Joshua Parr | 8 | 56.5kg | 85 | ||
| 2 | 521×112 | SWIFTFALCON | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Jay Ford | 11 | 56.5kg | 80 | ||
| 3 | 13×626 | HENLEIN | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Tommy Berry | 1 | 56.5kg | 75 | ||
| 4 | 213 | FIRM AGREEMENT | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | Tom Sherry | 10 | 56.5kg | 73 | ||
| 5 | 5388×510 | DUVANA | Chris Waller | Joao Moreira | 4 | 56.5kg | 66 | ||
| 6 | 38219×839 | DUE CALZINI | Danielle Seib | Kerrin McEvoy | 3 | 56.5kg | 59 | ||
| 7 | 6x8x683 | FLYING ARGENTO | Gary Portelli | Zac Lloyd (a) | 2 | 56.5kg | |||
| 8 | 34×112 | HARLEM QUEEN | Nathan Doyle | Sam Clipperton | 7 | 54.5kg | 86 | ||
| 9 | 13x6x074 | RAG QUEEN | David Payne | Chad Schofield | 6 | 54.5kg | 71 | ||
| 10 | 412 | PLEASURE ARTIST | Richard & Will Freedman | Jason Collett | 5 | 54.5kg | 70 | ||
| 11 | 8×2112 | NOISES | Brad Widdup | Andrew Adkins | 9 | 54.5kg | 66 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.Â
2024 Spring Champion Stakes Nominations
Nominations for the Spring Champion Stakes in 2024 are taken the Monday of race week and the full list of early entries will be published below.
2024 Spring Champion Stakes nominations extended until 11:00am – 22/10/2024.
| Last 10 | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | Hcp Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 38219×839 | DUE CALZINI | G | 3 | Danielle Seib | 59 |
| 2 | 5388×510 | DUVANA | C | 3 | Chris Waller | 66 |
| 3 | 328×111 | EL CASTELLO | C | 3 | Anthony Cummings | 85 |
| 4 | 213 | FIRM AGREEMENT | G | 3 | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | 73 |
| 5 | 6x8x683 | FLYING ARGENTO | G | 3 | Gary Portelli | |
| 6 | 34×112 | HARLEM QUEEN | F | 3 | Nathan Doyle | 86 |
| 7 | 13×626 | HENLEIN | C | 3 | Anthony & Sam Freedman | 75 |
| 8 | 8×74218 | KOSUKE | C | 3 | Gregory McFarlane | 60 |
| 9 | 8×2112 | NOISES | F | 3 | Brad Widdup | 66 |
| 10 | 412 | PLEASURE ARTIST | F | 3 | Richard & Will Freedman | 70 |
| 11 | 13x6x074 | RAG QUEEN | F | 3 | David Payne | 71 |
| 12 | 521×112 | SWIFTFALCON | G | 3 | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | 80 |
| 13 | 4897×26115 | TENBURY WELLS | C | 3 | Brad Widdup | 69 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
Spring Champion Stakes History
The Spring Champion Stakes is one of the younger thoroughbred races conducted in Australia, and it was first run in 1971 when Gay Icarus claimed victory. It began as a principal race run over 2000m and reached Group 1 status in 1979. For one year in 2001 the race distance was set at 1800m.
A number of champion gallopers have got their start in the Spring Champion Stakes. Classy winners include Universal Prince (2000), Dignity Dancer (1998), Tie The Knot (1997), Nothin’ Leica Dane (1995), Kinjite (1991), and Kingston Town (1979).
More recently standout Spring Champion Stakes winners include Montefilia (2020), Ace High (2017), and Yankee Rose (2016).
| Spring Champion Stakes Records | |
|---|---|
| Time Record (for 2000m): | 2:00.1 set by Hampton Court (2014) |
| Most Successful Jockey: | R. Quinton won four times with Gold Brick (1973), Veloso (1982), Sir Dapper (1983) and Easter (1985). |
Recent Spring Champion Stakes Winners
| Year | Place | Horse | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Spring Champion Stakes |
1st | El Castello | 2 minutes 03.05 seconds |
| 2nd | Henlein | ||
| 3rd | Firm Agreement | ||
| 2023 Spring Champion Stakes |
1st | Tom Kitten | 2 minutes 01.28 seconds |
| 2nd | Cap Ferrat | ||
| 3rd | Ganbare | ||
| 2022 Spring Champion Stakes |
1st | Sharp ‘N’ Smart | 2 minutes 07.56 seconds |
| 2nd | Elliptical | ||
| 3rd | She’s Extreme | ||
| 2021 Spring Champion Stakes |
1st | Profondo | 2 minutes 01.75 seconds |
| 2nd | Never Been Kissed | ||
| 3rd | Alegron | ||
| 2020 Spring Champion Stakes |
1st | Montefilia | 2 minutes 01.47 seconds |
| 2nd | Lion’s Roar | ||
| 3rd | Bucharest | ||
| 2019 Spring Champion Stakes |
1st | Shadow Hero | 2 minutes 00.79 seconds |
| 2nd | Castelvecchio | ||
| 3rd | Battenburg | ||
| 2018 Spring Champion Stakes |
1st | Maid Of Heaven | 2 minutes 5.59 seconds |
| 2nd | Aramayo | ||
| 3rd | Thinkin’ Big | ||
| 2017 Spring Champion Stakes |
1st | Ace High | 2 minutes 3.94 seconds |
| 2nd | Tangled | ||
| 3rd | Sully | ||
| 2016 Spring Champion Stakes |
1st | Yankee Rose | 2 minutes 2.4 seconds |
| 2nd | Swear | ||
| 3rd | Prized Icon | ||
| 2015 Spring Champion Stakes |
1st | Vanbrugh | 2 minutes 2.8 seconds |
| 2nd | I’m Belucci | ||
| 3rd | Man Of Choice | ||
| 2014 Spring Champion Stakes |
1st | Hampton Court | 2 minutes 0.19 seconds |
| 2nd | First Seal | ||
| 3rd | Sweynesse | ||
| 2013 Spring Champion Stakes |
1st | Complacent | 2 minutes 3.34 seconds |
| 2nd | Criterion | ||
| 3rd | Savvy Nature | ||
| 2012 Spring Champion Stakes |
1st | It’s A Dundeel | 2 minutes 2.63 seconds |
| 2nd | Proisir | ||
| 3rd | Honorius | ||
| 2011 Spring Champion Stakes |
1st | Doctor Doom | 2 minutes 5.88 seconds |
| 2nd | Darci Be Good | ||
| 3rd | Sangster | ||
| 2010 Spring Champion Stakes |
1st | Erewhon | 2 minutes 2.95 seconds |
| 2nd | Retrieve | ||
| 3rd | Shootoff | ||
| 2009 Spring Champion Stakes |
1st | Monaco Consul | 2 minutes 9.9 seconds |
| 2nd | Gathering | ||
| 3rd | Viking Legend | ||
| 2008 Spring Champion Stakes |
1st | Sousa | 2 minutes 6.2 seconds |
| 2nd | Predatory Pricer | ||
| 3rd | Excelltastic | ||
| 2007 Spring Champion Stakes |
Race Not Held | ||
| 2006 Spring Champion Stakes |
1st | Teranaba | 2 minutes 4.5 seconds |
| 2nd | All Black Gold | ||
| 3rd | He?s No Pie Eater | ||
| 2005 Spring Champion Stakes |
1st | Hotel Grand | 2 minutes 4.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Pendragon | ||
| 3rd | Duelled | ||
| 2004 Spring Champion Stakes |
1st | Savabeel | 2 minutes 7.2 seconds |
| 2nd | Outback Prince | ||
| 3rd | Cedar Manor | ||
| 2003 Spring Champion Stakes |
1st | Niello | 2 minutes 3.4 seconds |
| 2nd | November Dreaming | ||
| 3rd | Tsuimai | ||
| 2002 Spring Champion Stakes |
1st | Platinum Scissors | 2 minutes 4.3 seconds |
| 2nd | Soprana | ||
| 3rd | Maskerado | ||
| 2001 Spring Champion Stakes |
1st | Viking Ruler | 1 minute 49.5 seconds |
| 2nd | Evander | ||
| 3rd | Silver Baron | ||
| 2000 Spring Champion Stakes |
1st | Universal Prince | 2 minutes 5.1 seconds |
| 2nd | Falls The Shadow | ||
| 3rd | Go Bint | ||
