Champions Stakes Winners News

Via Sistina Wins Champions Stakes 2024 With Ease!

• 2023 Champions Stakes Results: Atishu and J Mac Beat Duais and Ollie

The information on this page relates to the new-look VRC Champions Stakes (formerly the Mackinnon Stakes), run on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival under weight-for-age conditions over 2000m at Flemington Racecourse from the spring of 2016.

The race was previously held a week earlier on Victoria Derby Day and also ran as the Emirates Stakes on the last day of the Cup Carnival after its move.

Looking at the below Mackinnon Stakes / VRC Champions Stakes winners, prior to the 2016 Emirates Stakes results those listed are the Mackinnon Stakes winners from Derby Day.

For a list of Emirates Stakes winners for the race now known as the Group 1 Champions Mile (1600m) and run on Stakes Day from 2022 – click here.

For more details on the most recent Emirates (Mackinnon) Stakes / VRC Champions Stakes Results & Winners follow the link to our dedicated page.

Notable recent Emirates (Mackinnon) Stakes / VRC Champions Stakes winners include At Talaq (1986), Empire Rose (1988), Better Loosen Up (1990), Danewin (1995), Rogan Josh (1999), Lonhro (2002), Grand ARmee (2004), So You Think (2010), French raider Gailo Chop (2015), and the latest dual champion Zaaki (2021-22).

Via Sistina won the Cox Plate by eight lengths and then the Champions Stakes by 2.75 lengths at her next start when doing the double in 2024.

Past Emirates (Mackinnon) / VRC Champions Stakes Winners

See below for the past Mackinnon Stakes / VRC Champions Stakes winners and from 2016 onwards the Emirates Stakes winners dating back to 2000 complete with the winning trifectas and times.