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The Champions Stakes field is always one of the most anticipated final fields of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, bringing together an elite line-up of weight-for-age performers for Flemington’s premier 2000m championship event. Formerly known as the Mackinnon Stakes, the Group 1 Champions Stakes regularly attracts Cox Plate contenders, proven Group 1 winners, interstate stars, and international challengers, resulting in a field packed with class and depth. With no handicap conditions to influence the weights, the race often serves as a genuine test of ability, showcasing some of the best middle-distance horses in training.
The official Champions Stakes 2026 field provides punters with the crucial information needed to assess the race, including the final runners, barrier draw, jockey bookings, trainers, and emergency acceptances. Studying the Champions Stakes final field can help identify key contenders, favourable barrier positions, race tempo scenarios, and emerging betting opportunities ahead of Champions Day. Here you’ll find the latest Champions Stakes field, final acceptances, scratchings, and runner-by-runner information for one of the most prestigious Group 1 races on the Australian racing calendar.
2026 Champions Stakes Field
Check out the official VRC Champions Stakes Field 2026 below complete with the Champions Stakes barrier draw as soon as it is released on the Wednesday of race week.
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.
| Entrant | Last 6 | Sex | Barrier | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. Cosmic Crusader
J: William Pike
T: Andrea Leek |
132141 | G | 10 | 59kg | |
|
2. Light Infantry Man
J: Mark Zahra
T: Ciaron Maher |
5×4820 | G | 5 | 59kg | |
|
3. Sir Delius
J: Craig Williams
T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott |
31×446 | H | 7 | 59kg | |
|
4. Attrition
J: Jamie Mott
T: Mitchell Freedman |
x90319 | H | 9 | 59kg | |
|
5. Birdman
J: Ben Melham
T: Chris Waller |
1×6132 | G | 1 | 59kg | |
|
6. Land Legend
J: Ethan Brown
T: Ciaron Maher |
9×0010 | G | 8 | 59kg | |
|
7. Von Hauke
J: Damian Lane
T: Cliff Brown |
03×700 | G | 3 | 59kg | |
| 8. Sabaj (10) Scratched: | |||||
|
9. Omni Man
J: Dylan Browne Mcmonagle
T: Joseph O’brien |
8543×3 | G | 6 | 59kg | |
|
10. Aeliana
J: James McDonald
T: Chris Waller |
1×0233 | M | 4 | 57kg | |
|
11. Treasurethe Moment
J: Daniel Stackhouse
T: Matt Laurie |
x40257 | M | 2 | 57kg | |
Bet on the 2026 Champions Stakes Field
As soon as the VRC Champions Stakes 2026 field and betting markets are out, you’ll be able to back your tips on the race below.
Champions Stakes 2026 Results
| 5. Birdman (1) 59kgx6132 | |||
| 1. Cosmic Crusader (10) 59kg32141 | |||
| 3. Sir Delius (7) 59kg1×446 | |||
| 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) 59kg3×700 | |||
| 9. Omni Man (6) 59kg543×3 | |||
| 8. Sabaj (10)SCRATCHED: | |||
The VRC Champions Stakes field faces off on a Saturday in early to mid-November on the closing Melbourne Cup Carnival meeting at Flemington Racecourse, four days after the famous Melbourne Cup.
Formerly known as the Mackinnon Stakes, the Champions Stakes field runs over 2000m under weight-for-age conditions chasing a share in the $3 million prize money on offer in the classic as of 2022.
Open to horses aged three-years-old and above, the Champions Stakes field is released the Wednesday before the race each year following the Champions Stakes nominations on the Monday.
Futures Champions Stakes betting is often open at bookmakers around the country like Ladbrokes a few weeks out from VRC Champions Stakes Day.
For a guide on what horses to back in the Champions Stakes field, check out our Champions Stakes Tips page.
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