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Golden Pendant

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Golden Pendant News


The 2026 Golden Pendant runs on Saturday September 26, 2026 as part of Sydney’s popular Golden Rose Stakes Day. 

The Golden Pendant 2026 stands as one of Sydney’s key early spring fillies and mares features, a high-stakes Group 2 showdown run over 1400m at Rosehill that regularly shapes the path toward major races later in the carnival. As a pivotal form guide for elite performers targeting the Golden Eagle, Epsom Handicap and other top-tier spring assignments, the race attracts proven stars and emerging talents alike, delivering fast-run, high-quality contests that punters and racing fans eagerly anticipate each September. With its rich history, strong honour roll and reputation for launching mares into Group 1 success, the Golden Pendant remains a must-watch event on the Sydney racing calendar and a cornerstone of Rosehill’s spring program.

2026 Golden Pendant Odds

See below for the latest Golden Pendant 2026 odds followed by the official finishing order after the event this spring.

2026 Golden Pendant Tips

Stay tuned for our insider Golden Pendant 2026 Tips on the popular Rosehill event for female gallopers this spring.

The Golden Pendant is a Group 2 middle distance sprint held at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse in Sydney. The Golden Pendant was previously known as the Research Stakes and now takes place on Golden Rose Stakes Day. Held in late September during the Sydney Spring Racing Carnival, the Golden Pendant has rapidly grown into a major target for fillies and mares each season due to the boosted stakes on offer.

Raced at set weights and penalties conditions, the Golden Pendant is open only to fillies and mares aged three years and older. With a lucrative $400,000 in prize money on offer, the Golden Pendant is one of the major early spring events hosted by the Australian Turf Club (ATC).

A popular lead-up event to the Golden Pendant is the Group 3 Sheraco Stakes (1200m) held a few weeks earlier at the same track. The Group 3 Tibbie Stakes (1400m) at Newcastle provides another preparatory opportunity a week out from the race.

Mizzy (2019) and Manaal (2025) are the latest mares to do the Sheraco Stakes – Golden Pendant double.

Following the Golden Pendant, the course taken by horses depends entirely on their success in the race and their spring campaign plans.

The Golden Pendant shares the program with a host of other Group status races including the meeting’s marquee race, the Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) for three-year-olds. The other feature event on the card is the Group 2 Shannon Stakes (1500m) for Epsom Handicap-bound gallopers.

Any four-year-old mares out of the Golden Pendant may head towards the $10 million The Golden Eagle (1500m) in November, a race the 2019 Golden Pendant winner Mizzy ran third in the inaugural edition in to Kolding.

The form out of the 2021 Golden Pendant was franked with the winner, Vangelic, going on to run third in that year’s Golden Eagle trifecta, while the runner-up Nimalee returned in the autumn of 2022 to win the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes.

In 2022 Nimalee won the Golden Pendant before a third in that year’s The Invitation race, while the Golden Pendant runner-up Palaisipan further franked the form returning the next winter to win the Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara race in Brisbane in 2023.

The 2023 Golden Pendant winner Espiona franked the form winning that season’s The Invitation after a credible seventh in the $20 million The Everest results. That year’s Golden Pendant runner-up Atishu meanwhile went on to win the Group 1 VRC Champions Stakes (2000m) at Flemington over the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

The Golden Pendant 2024 form was franked with the runner-up, Amelia’s Jewel, going on to also run second in that year’s Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes at Flemington over the Melbourne Cup Carnival. 

Golden Pendant
Date:Saturday September 26, 2026
Track:Rosehill Gardens Racecourse
Distance:1400m
Race Type:3YO&UP F&M SW+P
Status:Group 2
Prize Money:$400,000

2026 Golden Pendant Results

Stay tuned for the official 2026 Golden Pendant results and finishing order and to see what runners may have a Group 1 spring target on the agenda this season. 

  • 1st: TBD
  • 2nd: TBD
  • 3rd: TBD

Winning Margin: TBD

Winning Time: TBD

2026 Golden Pendant Betting 

The spring’s best Golden Pendant 2026 betting odds and market links to Ladbrokes on the Group 2 race for fillies and mares will be available at Races.com.au the week of the race.

Espiona ($2.35 in 2023) was the last favourite in Golden Pendant betting to win.

2026 Golden Pendant Form

The Golden Pendant form guide is the essential race day reference punters use to assess every runner in the Group 2 Golden Pendant at Rosehill — a key 1400m spring feature for fillies and mares. It brings together the critical information that shapes betting decisions, race shape predictions, and confidence levels heading into one of Sydney’s most influential early spring contests.

The form guide is a detailed breakdown of each runner’s credentials: their recent performances, preferred conditions, racing pattern, jockey and trainer combinations, and how they map into the race. Because the Golden Pendant often features proven Group performers resuming or second-up, the guide helps punters identify which mares are ready to peak and which may be using the race as a stepping stone toward bigger targets.

What Punters Should Look for on the Golden Pendant Form Guide:

  • Recent form — Look for mares who have run well at Group level in their last few starts or have strong second-up records. The Golden Pendant regularly rewards horses with proven class and consistency.
  • Distance suitability — The 1400m trip is a specialist distance. Punters should favour mares with strong form between 1200m–1600m, especially those who finish strongly at the end of their races.
  • Track & conditions — Rosehill can play differently depending on rail position and weather. Check each runner’s record at Rosehill and their performance on good, soft, or heavy ground.
  • Speed map — The Golden Pendant often features genuine tempo. Identify leaders, on-pacers, and backmarkers to understand which runners will get the right run. Mares drawn well and able to settle in the first half of the field are historically advantaged.
  • Jockey & trainer stats — Top stables like Chris Waller and Bjorn Baker frequently target this race. Punters should note jockey changes, stable form, and successful partnerships.
  • Sectional times — Horses with strong late splits in recent starts often excel in the Golden Pendant, especially those capable of producing a sharp 400m burst off a solid tempo.
  • Spring targets — Many runners are heading toward the Golden Eagle, Epsom Handicap, or other Group races. Mares with ambitious campaigns often arrive well-prepared and forward enough to win here.

FULL 2026 GOLDEN PENDANT FORM GUIDE

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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.

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2026 Golden Pendant Field

The Golden Pendant field attracts a quality line-up of fillies and mares each season, many of which come out of either the Group 3 Sheraco Stakes (1200m) at the track a fortnight earlier or from a run against the boys in the Group 2 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) on the same lead-up program.

Espiona (2nd in 2023), Makarena (4th in 2024) and Manaal (1st in 2025) who did the double are the latest Sheraco Stakes graduates to win the Golden Pendant.

The official Golden Pendant 2026 Final Field & Barriers will be released by Racing NSW on the Wednesday leading-up to the race and will be published in full below.

2026 Golden Pendant Nominations

The 2026 Golden Pendant nominations close on the Monday leading-up to Golden Rose Stakes Day and will be available right here once early entries are released.

Golden Pendant History

Originally known as the Research Stakes, the Golden Pendant was named after 1989 Australian Champion Racehorse of the Year, Research. As a three-year-old, she was the only filly to win the ATC Derby-ATC Oaks double (four days apart). Her 1988 season as a three-year-old saw Research take out the majority of three-year-olds only races. At four years old, Research dropped off somewhat in skill and is largely remembered for her three-year-old season.

The Golden Pendant has only existed since 2011, when the Research Stakes first ran under the new name. Since then, the Golden Pendant has received considerable injections of prize money and is now one of the richest Group 3 races in Australia. Following much expectation, the Australian Racing Board elected to elevate the Golden Pendant to Group 2 status in 2015. The Research Stakes was inaugurated in 1996.

Prior to the 2012 edition, the Golden Pendant was raced over 1200m.

Notable Golden Pendant/Research Stakes winners include Fiddlestick (1996), Hot Danish (2009), More Joyous (2012), and Tycoon Tara (2016).

Golden Pendant results and winning times since 2000 are provided below.

Golden Pendant Results

YearPlaceHorseTime
 
2026
Golden Pendant
1stTBDTBD
2ndTBD
3rdTBD
 
2025
Golden Pendant
1stManaal1 minute 22.12 seconds
2ndGerringong
3rdFirestorm
 
2024
Golden Pendant
1stMakarena1 minute 23.12 seconds
2ndAmelia’s Jewel
3rdArctic Glamour
 
2023
Golden Pendant
1stEspiona1 minute 22.35 seconds
2ndAtishu
3rdBanana Queen
 
2022
Golden Pendant
1stNimalee1 minute 23.04 seconds
2ndPalaisipan
3rdPippali
 
2021
Golden Pendant
1stVangelic1 minute 22.58 seconds
2ndNimalee
3rdEntriviere
 
2020
Golden Pendant
1stSubpoenaed1 minute 22.59 seconds
2ndEmeralds
3rdJen Rules
 
2019
Golden Pendant
1stMizzy1 minute 22.58 seconds
2ndChampagne Cuddles
3rdDyslexic
 
2018
Golden Pendant
1stShumookh1 minute 23.09 seconds
2ndChampagne Cuddles
3rdPrincess Posh
 
2017
Golden Pendant
1stDaysee Doom1 minute 23.75 seconds
2ndDixie Blossoms
3rdOmei Sword
 
2016
Golden Pendant
1stTycoon Tara1 minute 22.60 seconds
2ndDixie Blossoms
3rdPearls
 
2015
Golden Pendant
1stPeeping1 minute 23 seconds
2ndTwo Blue
3rdBerry Delicious
 
2014
Golden Pendant
1stArabian Gold1 minute 22.7 seconds
2ndCatkins
3rdMy Sabeel
 
2013
Golden Pendant
1stSharnee Rose1 minute 23.1 seconds
2ndRed Tracer
3rdBennetta
 
2012
Golden Pendant
1stMore Joyous1 minute 25.4 seconds
2ndSkyerush
3rdForarainyday
 
2011
Golden Pendant
1stScreen1 minute 09.9 seconds
2ndGybe
3rdOfcourseican
 
2010
Research Stakes
1stTrim1 minute 09.8 seconds
=2ndMontana Flyer
=2ndGirl Hussler
 
2009
Research Stakes
1stHot Danish1 minute 10.6 seconds
2ndMadame Pedrille
3rdBeaucoup
 
2008
Research Stakes
1stJudged1 minute 11.1 seconds
2ndIlluminates
3rdNediyms Dream
 
2007
Research Stakes
1stRace Not Held
2nd
3rd
 
2006
Research Stakes
1stCoolroom Candidate1 minute 11.1 seconds
2ndNapa Sky
3rdKakakakatie
 
2005
Research Stakes
1stFumble1 minute 09.5 seconds
2ndBattle Maiden
3rdOne In A Million
 
2004
Research Stakes
1stBesame Mucho1 minute 10.6 seconds
2ndChatelaine
3rdCovet Thee
 
2003
Research Stakes
1stClassy Dane1 minute 10.4 seconds
2ndForum Floozie
3rdGold Lottey
 
2002
Research Stakes
1stMica’s Pride1 minute 09.2 seconds
2ndAncient Song
3rdRare Insight
 
2001
Research Stakes
1stLa Rieuse1 minute 10.7 seconds
2ndWinona
3rdGentle Genius
 
2000
Research Stakes
1stSpinning Hill1 minute 11.1 seconds
2ndBrief Kiss
3rdPerfect Halo

Golden Pendant FAQs

What is the Golden Pendant?
The Golden Pendant is a Group 2 race for fillies and mares run over 1400m at Rosehill Gardens each September. It is a key early spring feature in Sydney and often leads into major Group 1 targets later in the carnival.

When is the Golden Pendant run?
The Golden Pendant is traditionally held in late September as part of the Rosehill Spring Racing Carnival. The 2026 edition is scheduled for Saturday September 26, 2026.

Who can run in the Golden Pendant?
The race is restricted to fillies and mares, typically attracting proven Group performers and emerging spring contenders.

What distance is the Golden Pendant?
The Golden Pendant is run over 1400 metres, a specialist distance that suits strong on-pace mares and those with a sharp turn of foot.

What type of race is the Golden Pendant?
It is a Group 2 event run under set weights plus penalties, making it an important form race for mares progressing toward higher-grade features.

Where is the Golden Pendant held?
The race is run at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse in Sydney.

Why is the Golden Pendant important?
The Golden Pendant is a proven spring launching pad, with many winners progressing to major races such as the Golden Eagle, Epsom Handicap, and other Group 1 events.

Who trains Golden Pendant winners?
Top Sydney stables such as Chris Waller, Bjorn Baker, and Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott regularly target the race.

What are common Golden Pendant lead-up races?
Key lead-ups include the Sheraco Stakes, Theo Marks Stakes, and various early spring 1200m–1400m mares’ races.

Where can I find Golden Pendant tips and predictions?
You can access expert analysis, betting previews, race day selections in our Golden Pendant tips section above and over at the Ladbrokes Australia Racing Blog.

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