Overview
This page was last updated on November 4, 2026
The 2026 VRC Champions Stakes runs on Saturday November 7 at Flemington on the last day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival offering $3 million in prize money.
- Race Date: 07/11/2026
- Race Status: Group 1
- Race Conditions: Weight-For-Age; 3YOs & Upwards
- Race Venue: Flemington, VIC
- Prize Money: $3,000,000
- Distance: 2000m
- Track Conditions: Good4 - showers
- Rail Position: Out 9m Entire Circuit.
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VRC Champions Stakes 2026 Results
| 5. Birdman (1) 59kgx6132 | |||
| 1. Cosmic Crusader (10) 59kg32141 | |||
| 3. Sir Delius (7) 59kg1x446 | |||
| 10. Aeliana (4) 57kgx0233 | |||
| 11. Treasurethe Moment (2) 57kg40257 | |||
| 4. Attrition (9) 59kg90319 | |||
| 6. Land Legend (8) 59kgx0010 | |||
| 2. Light Infantry Man (5) 59kgx4820 | |||
| 7. Von Hauke (3) 59kg3x700 | |||
| 9. Omni Man (6) 59kg543x3 | |||
| 8. Sabaj (10)SCRATCHED: | |||
The Champions Stakes 2026 stands as one of the headline features of the Australian racing calendar, bringing together the nation’s best weight-for-age performers for a blockbuster showdown on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington Racecourse. Formerly known as the Mackinnon Stakes, the race now forms a key part of Champions Day, offering elite gallopers the opportunity to cement their place among the season’s stars. With a rich history and honour roll featuring some of the sport’s greatest horses, the Champions Stakes consistently attracts a world-class field of proven Group 1 winners, emerging champions, and international talent competing for glory at racing headquarters.
As one of the premier weight-for-age contests of the spring, the race is a major focus for punters analysing the latest Champions Stakes betting markets and searching for value among the leading contenders. The current Champions Stakes 2026 odds provide important insight into the runners attracting support, while market movements can reveal which horses are peaking at the right time following key lead-up races including the Cox Plate, Turnbull Stakes, and Might And Power Stakes. On this page, you’ll find everything you need to know about the Champions Stakes, including race history, field, betting markets, form guide, latest Champions Stakes odds, results, and expert analysis ahead of one of Flemington’s most prestigious Group 1 events.
2026 VRC Champions Stakes Results
Stay tuned for this spring’s official 2026 Champions Stakes results including which horse wins the Champions Stakes at Flemington on Saturday, November 7, 2026.
- 1st: TBD
- 2nd: TBD
- 3rd: TBD
Winning Margin: TBD
Winning Time: TBD
VRC Champions Stakes Tips
Stay tuned for our exclusive VRC Champions Stakes 2026 Tips on the $3 million feature race of Stakes Day at Flemington this spring!
Favourite: No. 1 Cosmic Crusader
Each Way Danger: No. 5 Birdman
Best Roughie: No. 11 Treasurethe Moment
| 5. Birdman (1) 59kgx6132 | ||
| 1. Cosmic Crusader (10) 59kg32141 | ||
| 11. Treasurethe Moment (2) 57kg40257 |
VRC Champions Stakes News
- Pride Of Jenni Rewrites the Record Books with Historic Third Straight Feehan Stakes Triumph
- Via Sistina Wins 2025 Cox Plate in Thrilling Waller Quinella
- Ceolwulf Goes Back-to-Back in 2025 King Charles III Stakes
- Via Sistina Wins Champions Stakes 2024 With Ease!
- Via Sistina Leads Star-Studded 2024 Champions Stakes Field & Odds
The 2026 VRC Champions Stakes is a weight-for-age classic run the Saturday after the Melbourne Cup each November.
In 2022 the race formerly known as the Mackinnon Stakes was renamed the VRC Champions Stakes and the prize money boosted to $3 million.
Held on the new-look VRC Champions Stakes Day or ‘Family Day’ card at Flemington, the VRC Champions Stakes is the feature race on the final day of the four-day Melbourne Cup Carnival and shares the card with the Group 1 Champions Sprint (1200m) – formerly the VRC Sprint Classic – for spring sprinters. In 2022 the Cantala Stakes was renamed the Group 1 Champions Mile (1600m) and moved from the Derby Day card the Saturday prior to add further prestige to the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
The Mackinnon Stakes / VRC Champions Stakes is usually targeted by horses who have previously contested the Ladbrokes Cox Plate a fortnight before at The Valley. The Cox Plate – Mackinnon Stakes (Champions Stakes) double is a popular punt with So You Think (2010) and Via Sistina (2024 & 2025) the latest to do the double.
Held at Flemington Racecourse on the first Saturday of November, the VRC Champions Stakes is a 2000m weight for age race.
The 2021 Mackinnon Stakes form was franked with the winner Zaaki, scratched from that year’s Cox Plate as the favourite on race morning, going on to win the following year’s then $5 million The All-Star Mile in 2022.
Zaaki returned in 2022 off a lead-up fourth in the Cox Plate and became the latest back-to-back Mackinnon Stakes / Champions Stakes winner.
The 2023 Champions Stakes was won in an upset by the Chris Waller-trained mare Atishu on the quick back-up off a second on Derby Day in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m).
Atishu returned to win the 2024 Empire Rose Stakes before a second in that year’s VRC Champions Stakes results behind her eight-length Cox Plate winning stablemate Via Sistina.
Via Sistina went on to frank the 2024 Champions Stakes form when returning in 2025 to win a host more Group 1 races including Sydney’s $5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the autumn.
Via Sistina completed the Cox Plate – Champions Stakes double for the second time in 2025 with the latter turning out to be the mighty mare’s swansong race before retirement.
2026 VRC Champions Stakes Betting
The 2026 VRC Champions Stakes betting odds on the event formerly known as the Mackinnon Stakes will be available at Ladbrokes and published here at Races.com.au for you to lock in your 2026 VRC Champions Stakes betting tips in at the right price.
Check out our VRC Champions Stakes Betting page for more information on the bet types available and how to pick the VRC Champions Stakes results this Cup Carnival.
Arcadia Queen ($2.45 in 2020), Zaaki ($2.25 in 2021) – who also returned and won the 2022 Champions Stakes at $8 odds – and Via Sistina ($1.60 in 2024 & $1.80 in 2025) are the last Champions Stakes favourites to salute for the punters.
VRC Champions Stakes Field
2026 Champions Stakes Form Guide
The Champions Stakes form guide is an essential resource for punters analysing one of Australia’s most prestigious weight-for-age races and the headline staying feature on Champions Day at Flemington. Run over 2000 metres under weight-for-age conditions, the Group 1 Champions Stakes attracts an elite field of proven Group 1 performers, Cox Plate contenders, international raiders, and middle-distance stars looking to end their spring campaigns on a winning note. The form guide provides detailed information on each runner’s recent performances, track and distance statistics, barrier draw, jockey and trainer combinations, speed ratings, sectional times, and betting market movements. By studying the Champions Stakes form guide, punters can identify which runners possess the class, fitness, and weight-for-age credentials required to excel in one of the toughest races of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
What Punters Should Look for in the Champions Stakes Form Guide:
- Weight-for-age form – The Champions Stakes is run under weight-for-age conditions, making proven performers at the elite level particularly dangerous.
2000m credentials – Horses with a strong record at 2000m often have the perfect blend of stamina and acceleration required to win at Flemington.
Flemington form – Previous success at Flemington is a major advantage, particularly for horses proven over the famous 2000m layout and long straight.
Lead-up race form – Key lead-up races often include the Cox Plate, Turnbull Stakes, Caulfield Stakes, Underwood Stakes, Makybe Diva Stakes, and King Charles III Stakes.
Group 1 performances – Horses with a proven record in Group 1 company generally have the class required to compete in the Champions Stakes.
Recent sectionals – Strong late-closing splits and powerful finishing bursts are often key indicators of horses ready to peak on Champions Day.
Barrier draw – While less influential than in sprint races, barriers can affect settling positions and race tactics over the 2000m journey.
Track conditions – Assess whether runners produce their best performances on firm ground or when there is give in the track.
Racing pattern – Understanding which runners prefer to lead, sit on pace, or finish strongly can help identify how the race shape is likely to unfold.
Trainer and jockey combinations – Champions Stakes winners are often prepared and ridden by Australia’s leading trainers and jockeys targeting Flemington’s biggest races.
Interstate and international form – Comparing form lines from Sydney, Melbourne, and overseas can help uncover runners capable of measuring up at Group 1 level.
Betting market support – Significant movements in the Champions Stakes betting markets can often indicate stable confidence and expected race day performance.
FULL 2026 VRC CHAMPIONS STAKES FORM GUIDE
2026 VRC Champions Stakes Nominations
Early nominations for the VRC Champions Stakes 2026 are taken on the Monday of race week – one day before the coveted Melbourne Cup Day card at Flemington.
The 2026 Champions Stakes nominations are now out featuring 24 weight-for-age stars led in all-in betting by Andrea Leek’s flying Cox Plate hero Cosmic Crusader and the two Chris Waller-trained placegetters in that same key lead-up Birdman and Aeliana.
2026 VRC Champions Stakes Final Field
The Mackinnon Stakes field is now known as the VRC Champions Stakes field as of 2022 and attracts the best weight-for-age spring gallopers coming off a lead-up run in the Group 1 Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m) over the same distance and run under the same conditions two weeks earlier at Moonee Valley.
The Cox Plate produced 12 winners from 2008 – 2025 most recently Zaaki (4th in 2022) for his second Mackinnon Stakes victory and Chris Waller’s brilliant mare Via Sistina (2024 & 2025) who twice did the double.
The official VRC Champions Stakes 2026 Final Field & Barriers are announced on the Wednesday of race week and will be available in full below once announced.
The 2026 Champions Stakes field is now out featuring a cracking line-up of WFA champions led in betting by the Cox Plate winning Cosmic Crusader drawn the outside alley (11) chasing the double Via Sistina completed in both 2024 and 2025.
| No | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Barrier | Weight | Age | Sex | Last Starts | Prize Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cosmic Crusader | William Pike | Andrea Leek | 10 | 59kg | 6 | G | 32141 | $6,796,020 |
| 2 | Light Infantry Man | Mark Zahra | Ciaron Maher | 5 | 59kg | 7 | G | x4820 | $5,916,148 |
| 3 | Sir Delius | Craig Williams | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | 7 | 59kg | 5 | H | 1x446 | $4,924,283 |
| 4 | Attrition | Jamie Mott | Mitchell Freedman | 9 | 59kg | 7 | H | 90319 | $4,371,700 |
| 5 | Birdman | Ben Melham | Chris Waller | 1 | 59kg | 5 | G | x6132 | $3,301,809 |
| 6 | Land Legend | Ethan Brown | Ciaron Maher | 8 | 59kg | 6 | G | x0010 | $2,093,517 |
| 7 | Von Hauke | Damian Lane | Cliff Brown | 3 | 59kg | 7 | G | 3x700 | $1,118,300 |
| 8 | Sabaj | Blake Shinn | Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | 10 | 59kg | 5 | G | x0071 | $913,795 |
| 9 | Omni Man | Dylan Browne Mcmonagle | Joseph O'brien | 6 | 59kg | 4 | G | 543x3 | $185,402 |
| 10 | Aeliana | James McDonald | Chris Waller | 4 | 57kg | 5 | M | x0233 | $5,190,475 |
| 11 | Treasurethe Moment | Daniel Stackhouse | Matt Laurie | 2 | 57kg | 5 | M | 40257 | $4,462,212 |
VRC Champions Stakes Barrier & Speedmap
VRC Champions Stakes History
First run in 1869, the first winner of the Mackinnon Stakes was the famous racehorse Glencoe. Named after former VRC chairman L.K.S. Mackinnon, the event has seen many winners go on to win the Melbourne Cup including At Talaq in 1986, Empire Rose in 1998, Let’s Elope in 1991 and Rogan Josh in 1999.
The triple win was claimed by Wakeful after winning the Mackinnon Stakes three years in a row in 1901 to 1903. However, plenty of horses have managed to dually win the race including Eurythmic in 1920-21; Phar Lap in 1930-31; Peter Pan in 1932, 1934; Beau Vite in 1940-41; Tranquil Star in 1944-45; Comic Court in 1949-50; Rising Fast in 1954-55; Belmura Lad in 1980-81; Zaaki in 2021-22; and Via Sistina 2024-25.
The Mackinnon Stakes was originally known as the Emirates Stakes prior to being renamed in 2016. In 2016 the former Mackinnon Stakes race was renamed the Emirates Stakes and moved from Derby Day to Mackinnon Stakes Day during the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
In 2022 the Mackinnon Stakes was renamed the Champions Stakes.
In 2024 Via Sistina completed the Cox Plate – Champions Stakes double winning the former by eight lengths and the latter by 2.75! She repeated the double in 2025.
VRC Champions Stakes Previous Race Winners
Look through the winners of the Champions Stakes since 2020.
| Year | Place | Horse | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Champions Stakes |
1st | Via Sistina | 2 minutes 7.91 seconds |
| 2nd | Zambardo | ||
| 3rd | Tom Kitten | ||
| 2025 Champions Stakes |
1st | Via Sistina | 2 minutes 7.91 seconds |
| 2nd | Zambardo | ||
| 3rd | Tom Kitten | ||
| 2024 Champions Stakes |
1st | Via Sistina | 2 minutes 1.86 seconds |
| 2nd | Atishu | ||
| 3rd | Without A Fight | ||
| 2023 Champions Stakes |
1st | Atishu | 2 minutes 2.01 seconds |
| 2nd | Duais | ||
| 3rd | Young Werther | ||
| 2022 Champions Stakes |
1st | Zaaki | 2 minutes 2.00 seconds |
| 2nd | Mo’unga | ||
| 3rd | Hezashocka | ||
| 2021 Mackinnon Stakes |
1st | Zaaki | 2 minutes 2.94 seconds |
| 2nd | Cascadian | ||
| 3rd | Mo’unga | ||
| 2020 Mackinnon Stakes |
1st | Arcadia Queen | 2 minutes 3.53 seconds |
| 2nd | Fifty Stars | ||
| 3rd | Melody Belle | ||
Champions Staks FAQs
What is the Champions Stakes?
The Champions Stakes is a prestigious Group 1 weight-for-age race run over 2000 metres at Flemington Racecourse on Champions Day, the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival. Formerly known as the Mackinnon Stakes, it attracts many of Australia’s best middle-distance horses.
When is the Champions Stakes run?
The Champions Stakes is traditionally held on Champions Day in November, concluding the Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington and serving as one of the final elite weight-for-age contests of the spring.
How far is the Champions Stakes?
The Champions Stakes is conducted over 2000 metres, a classic middle-distance journey that tests both stamina and acceleration.
What conditions is the Champions Stakes run under?
The race is conducted under weight-for-age conditions, meaning horses carry allocated weights based on age and sex rather than handicap ratings.
How much prize money does the Champions Stakes offer?
The Champions Stakes offers $3 million in total prize money and ranks among the richest and most prestigious races held during the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.
Which lead-up races are important for the Champions Stakes?
Key lead-up races often include the Cox Plate, Turnbull Stakes, Might And Power Stakes, Underwood Stakes, Makybe Diva Stakes, and other major Group 1 weight-for-age events.
Which trainers have enjoyed success in the Champions Stakes?
Some of Australia’s leading trainers, including Chris Waller, Ciaron Maher, David Hayes, Bart Cummings, and Lee Freedman, have prepared Champions Stakes winners.
Why is Flemington form important in the Champions Stakes?
Flemington’s spacious layout and famous long straight suit certain horses better than others, making previous Flemington form a valuable reference when assessing the field.
What should punters look for when betting on the Champions Stakes?
Punters should focus on weight-for-age form, recent Group 1 performances, proven 2000m ability, Flemington form, barrier draws, race tempo, and recent betting market movements when analysing the race.
Which horses are best suited to the Champions Stakes?
The race is generally won by elite middle-distance horses with proven Group 1 credentials, strong weight-for-age form, and the ability to produce a sharp turn of foot over 2000 metres.
Has the Champions Stakes always been known by that name?
No. The race was traditionally run as the Mackinnon Stakes before becoming the Champions Stakes as part of the Melbourne Cup Carnival’s Champions Series revamp.
Where can I find the latest Champions Stakes odds and betting markets?
You can find the latest Champions Stakes odds from Ladbrokes, betting updates, form guide, field, tips, and market analysis right here on Races.com.au in the lead-up to the race.
Want to discover value runners using smart form suggestions?
Form Genius is a powerful form analysis tool that makes doing the form easy by getting through mountains of data at the touch of a button! Ask it anything and get fast, form-based answers on any runner, jockey or trainer in any race. Use the smart prompts for deep insights and to sharpen your punting even further.
Ask Form Genius...
- Which runner has the best trainer/jockey combo at Flemington?
- Which runner has the best form on this track?
- Which runners are mapped as leaders in the Champions Stakes?
Want to discover value runners using smart form suggestions?
Form Genius is a powerful form analysis tool that makes doing the form easy by getting through mountains of data at the touch of a button! Ask it anything and get fast, form-based answers on any runner, jockey or trainer in any race. Use the smart prompts for deep insights and to sharpen your punting even further.
Get Free Access to Form Genius Now| VRC Champions Stakes (Mackinnon Stakes) 2026 | |
|---|---|
| Date: | Saturday, November 7, 2026 |
| Track: | Flemington Racecourse |
| Distance: | 2000m |
| Race Type: | Weight-For-Age |
| Status: | Group 1 |
| Prize Money: | $3,000,000 |
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