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The Champions Stakes results showcase the outcome of one of Australia’s most prestigious weight-for-age races, run over 2000 metres at Flemington on Champions Day. Formerly known as the Mackinnon Stakes, the Group 1 Champions Stakes boasts a rich history and an honour roll featuring some of the sport’s greatest horses, making it a key race for punters, racing fans, and form students to follow each spring. Reviewing past Champions Stakes race results can provide valuable insight into the types of horses that succeed in the event, from proven Group 1 performers to elite middle-distance stars peaking at the right time during the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
The latest Champions Stakes 2026 results will include the official finishing order, winning margin, race time, jockey, trainer, and post-race analysis following Flemington’s feature weight-for-age showdown. Historical Champions Stakes results are also a useful form reference for identifying recurring trends, successful lead-up races, and the calibre of horse typically required to win at the highest level. Here you’ll find current and past Champions Stakes race results, helping you track the history of this iconic Group 1 contest and its champion winners.
2026 VRC Champions Stakes Results
Stau tuned for the official 2026 VRC Champions Stakes results, finishing order and what horse is crowned the 2026 Champions Stakes winner when the race runs at Flemington on Saturday, November 7, 2026.
- #5 Birdman
- #1 Cosmic Crusader
- #3 Sir Delius
Bet on the 2026 Champions Stakes Results
Betting odds on the Champions Stakes Results for the latest edition of the Melbourne Cup Carnival classic will be available 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 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.
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 2026 Champions odds at Ladbrokes.
- 2024 Champions Stakes Results
- 2023 Champions Stakes Results
- 2022 VRC Champions Stakes Results
- 2021 Mackinnon Stakes Results
- 2019 Mackinnon Stakes Results
- 2018 Mackinnon Stakes Results
- 2017 Emirates Stakes Results
- 2016 Emirates Stakes Results
- 2015 Mackinnon Stakes Results
- 2014 Mackinnon Stakes Results
- 2013 Mackinnon Stakes Results
- 2012 Mackinnon Stakes Results
- 2011 Mackinnon Stakes Results
- 2010 Mackinnon Stakes Results
- 2009 Mackinnon Stakes Results
*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).
In 2024 the Chris Waller-trained mare Via Sistina made history winning the Cox Plate by eight lengths and then the Champions Stakes by 2.75 lengths!
Via Sistina successfully defended her Champions Stakes title in 2025 to become the latest dual champion.
Recent Emirates (Mackinnon) Stakes / VRC Champions Stakes Results
| Year | Winner | Runner-Up | Third | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 2025 | Via Sistina | Zambardo | Tom Kitten | TBD |
| 2024 | Via Sistina | Atishu | Without A Fight | 2:07.91 |
| 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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