The $2 million Hill Stakes is a Group 2 staying event now held at Rosehill Gardens in October and has proved a nice recent guide to the Ladbrokes Cox Plate in Melbourne.
2024 Hill Stakes Results
- 1st: #3 Attrition
- 2nd: #4 Kovalica
- 3rd: #2 Royal Patronage
Hill Stakes News
- 2024 Epsom Handicap Winner Ceolwulf Enormous Late
- 2023 Hill Stakes Field & Betting Market: Montefilia Firming Favourite
- Hill Stakes 2022 Results: Cox Plate-Bound Cascadian Beats Numerian, Montefilia Third
- 2022 Turnbull Stakes Scratchings & Odds Update: Alegron Out
- 2021 Epsom Handicap Day: Randwick Scratchings & Track Report
The Hill Stakes is a Group 2 weight-for-age race held at Sydney’s Randwick Racecourse in mid-October and now offers an impressive $2 million in total prize money.
2024 Hill Stakes Results
- 1st: #3 Attrition ($26)
- 2nd: #4 Kovalica
- 3rd: #2 Royal Patronage
Winning Time: 1 minute 55.23 seconds
Winning Margin: 0.24 lengths
The Mitchell Freedman-trained Attrition ($26) posted a narrow but tough win in the 2024 Hill Stakes results off a gun ride by Beau Mertens who charged home late for the galloper’s first victory since the Toorak Handicap win at Caulfield exactly 12 months prior.
Hill Stakes 2024 Odds & Results
Toyota Forklifts Hill Stakes (G2)
| Runner Details | Win | Place |
|---|---|---|
|
1st
3. Attrition (9)
J: Beau Mertens 59kg
T: Mitchell Freedman |
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|
2nd
4. Kovalica (2)
J: Zac Lloyd 59kg
T: Chris Waller |
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|
3rd
2. Royal Patronage (8)
J: Tim Clark 59kg
T: G Waterhouse & A Bott |
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|
4th
1. Pericles (3)
J: Nash Rawiller 59kg
T: James Cummings |
||
|
5th
5. Nonconformist (4)
J: Harry Coffey 59kg
T: Grahame Begg |
||
|
6th
6. Golden Path (5)
J: Chad Schofield 59kg
T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr |
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|
7th
7. New Endeavour (7)
J: Adam Hyeronimus 59kg
T: G Waterhouse & A Bott |
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|
8th
10. Navajo Peak (1)
J: Kerrin McEvoy 59kg
T: David Payne |
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|
9th
11. Stockman (6)
J: Reece Jones 59kg
T: Joseph Pride |
Data retrieved: 27/06/2025 12:52:59 AM (Australia/Brisbane)
Ahead of the 2023 edition the Hill Stakes distance was dropped from 2000m to 1900m with the event now taking place at Rosehill Gardens on its own feature race meeting.
The event makes a nice race for spring staying types starting to warm-up towards a possible Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival bid and a target race like the Group 1 $5 million Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley at the end of October. Saintly (1996), however, was the last horse to do the Hill Stakes – Cox Plate double.
Horses may come into the Hill Stakes field via a lead-up run in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick – a double recently completed by Trusting (2011), Hartnell (2016) and Think It Over (2021). Hartnell went on to run second to superstar mare Winx in the Cox Plate results of 2016 and third in that year’s Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m).
The Group 1 George Main Stakes previously served as a lead-up and Kolding (2020) was the last horse to complete the George Main Stakes – Hill Stakes double, while in 2021 Think It Over improved on George Main third to win the Hill Stakes. In 2023 the George Main Stakes was moved to later in the month and renamed the King Charles III Stakes.
The Hill Stakes is also one of four lead-up races that offers a $500,000 bonus to any horse that can win it plus Rosehill’s $750,000 Rosehill Gold Cup (2000m) on Golden Eagle Day. Think It Over (2021) was the latest horse to complete the Hill Stakes – Rosehill Gold Cup double.
Think It Over further franked the form out of the 2021 Hill Stakes enjoying an outstanding autumn the following year including his Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) success at 40/1 in 2022.
The 2021 Hill Stakes form was franked with the winner Cascadian continuing his spring campaign with a next-up win as the odds-on favourite in the Group 3 Craven Plate on Caulfield Cup Day. He would return the following autumn and run second in the All-Star Mile before winning the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington in 2023.
This spring the $2 million Hill Stakes 2024 ran on Saturday, October 12, 2024 over 1900m at Rosehill Gardens and saw the Mithcell Freedman-trained Attrition ($26) salute in an impressive upset for his first win since Melbourne’s Group 1 Toorak Handicap 12 months earlier.
| 2024 Hill Stakes | |
|---|---|
| Date: | Saturday, October 12, 2024 |
| Track: | Rosehill Racecourse |
| Distance: | 1900m |
| Race Type: | Weight-for-age |
| Status: | Group 2 |
| Prize Money: | $2,000,000 |
2024 Hill Stakes Finishing Order
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Penalty | Starting Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | ATTRITION | Mitchell Freedman | Beau Mertens | 9 | 59kg | $26 | |||
| 2 | 4 | KOVALICA (NZ) | Chris Waller | Zac Lloyd (a) | 0.24L | 2 | 59kg | $4.40 | ||
| 3 | 2 | ROYAL PATRONAGE (FR) | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tim Clark | 2.23L | 8 | 59kg | $3.90F | ||
| 4 | 1 | PERICLES | James Cummings | Nash Rawiller | 3.66L | 3 | 59kg | $4.20 | ||
| 5 | 5 | NONCONFORMIST | Grahame Begg | Harry Coffey | 3.88L | 4 | 59kg | $10 | ||
| 6 | 6 | GOLDEN PATH (NZ) | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Chad Schofield | 4.05L | 5 | 59kg | $4.60 | ||
| 7 | 7 | NEW ENDEAVOUR (IRE) | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Adam Hyeronimus | 4.47L | 7 | 59kg | $13 | ||
| 8 | 10 | NAVAJO PEAK | David Payne | Kerrin McEvoy | 5.69L | 1 | 59kg | $41 | ||
| 9 | 11 | STOCKMAN (NZ) | Joseph Pride | Reece Jones | 6.17L | 6 | 59kg | $151 | ||
| 13 | HINGED | Chris Waller | Tommy Berry | 0 | ||||||
| 12 | REDSTONE WELL (IRE) | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | Tom Sherry | 0 | ||||||
| 9 | BERKSHIRE SHADOW (GB) | Ciaron Maher | Joshua Parr | 0 | ||||||
| 8 | ADELAIDE RIVER (IRE) | Kris Lees | Dylan Gibbons | 0 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
2024 Hill Stakes Betting
Hill Stakes betting is traditionally led by gallopers coming off an earlier Sydney run in races held over the Randwick mile.
The latest Hill Stakes 2024 odds and betting links to the markets at Ladbrokes.com.au will be available here at Races.com.au as soon as released.
Think It Over ($1.75 in 2021) and Montefilia ($3.40 in 2023) are the latest favourites in Hill Stakes betting to salute for the punters.
There was a notable upset in 2024 with Attrition saluting at Hill Stakes odds of $26.
2024 Hill Stakes Form
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL 2024 HILL STAKES FORM GUIDE
2024 Hill Stakes Tips
Stay tuned for our insider Hill Stakes 2024 Tips on the potential Group 1-bound gallopers to back and sack in the $2 million showdown.
- To Win: #1 Pericles ($4.40 at time of publish) – BET NOW
Open and intriguing line-up in the lucrative Hill Stakes in Sydney but sticking with Pericles here back north to get the job done and frank the form out of Caulfield’s Underwood Stakes. The consistent James Cummings-trained son of Street Boss ran third to Buckaroo there over 1800m third-up off a big win at The Valley. Buckaroo went on with it when narrowly denied the Turnbull win last weekend by stablemate Via Sistina and think those form lines will stack up here in the Hill Stakes. Good gate four draw with Nash Rawiller in the saddle. Dually accepted also in the mix for the Group 1 Toorak where he is drawn wide. If he runs here though he can win.
2024 Hill Stakes Field
The Hill Stakes field attracts a quality line-up of gallopers each spring, many of which head south later during the carnival to contest the Melbourne majors like the Cox Plate.
The official 2024 Hill Stakes field of final acceptances and barrier draw will be released on the Wednesday leading-up to the race and will be published in full below.
The Hill Stakes 2024 final field features a class line-up of stars led in betting by the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Royal Patronage on the quick back-up off a third in the Epsom Handicap here last weekend.
Click here to read more on the key runners in the 2024 Hill Stakes field and betting market.
Hill Stakes 2024 Odds & Results
Toyota Forklifts Hill Stakes (G2)
| Runner Details | Win | Place |
|---|---|---|
|
1st
3. Attrition (9)
J: Beau Mertens 59kg
T: Mitchell Freedman |
||
|
2nd
4. Kovalica (2)
J: Zac Lloyd 59kg
T: Chris Waller |
||
|
3rd
2. Royal Patronage (8)
J: Tim Clark 59kg
T: G Waterhouse & A Bott |
||
|
4th
1. Pericles (3)
J: Nash Rawiller 59kg
T: James Cummings |
||
|
5th
5. Nonconformist (4)
J: Harry Coffey 59kg
T: Grahame Begg |
||
|
6th
6. Golden Path (5)
J: Chad Schofield 59kg
T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr |
||
|
7th
7. New Endeavour (7)
J: Adam Hyeronimus 59kg
T: G Waterhouse & A Bott |
||
|
8th
10. Navajo Peak (1)
J: Kerrin McEvoy 59kg
T: David Payne |
||
|
9th
11. Stockman (6)
J: Reece Jones 59kg
T: Joseph Pride |
Data retrieved: 27/06/2025 12:52:59 AM (Australia/Brisbane)
2024 Hill Stakes Nominations
The early Hill Stakes nominations for 2024 close the Monday of race week and will be listed in full below once announced by Racing NSW.
| Last 10 | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | Ballot | Weight | True Weight | Penalty | Hcp Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | x11253x212 | MR BRIGHTSIDE (NZ) | G | 7 | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | 1 | 59kg | 118 | ||
| 2 | x62572x313 | PERICLES | G | 5 | James Cummings | 2 | 59kg | 111 | ||
| 3 | 67x154x133 | ROYAL PATRONAGE (FR) | H | 6 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | 3 | 59kg | 109 | ||
| 4 | 201x80x274 | ATTRITION | H | 5 | Mitchell Freedman | 4= | 59kg | 107 | ||
| 5 | 4095365×34 | KOVALICA (NZ) | G | 5 | Chris Waller | 4= | 59kg | 107 | ||
| 6 | 8402x074x3 | NONCONFORMIST | G | 8 | Grahame Begg | 6 | 59kg | 106 | ||
| 7 | 46×7851113 | GOLDEN PATH (NZ) | G | 5 | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | 7= | 59kg | 104 | ||
| 8 | 09x7622x03 | NEW ENDEAVOUR (IRE) | G | 5 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | 7= | 59kg | 104 | ||
| 9 | 6x2555x727 | HINGED | M | 6 | Chris Waller | 7= | 57kg | 104 | ||
| 10 | 8221x90x40 | ADELAIDE RIVER (IRE) | H | 5 | Kris Lees | 10 | 59kg | 103 | ||
| 11 | 6x5089x630 | BERKSHIRE SHADOW (GB) | G | 6 | Ciaron Maher | 11 | 59kg | 101 | ||
| 12 | 58x58610x5 | FANCY MAN (IRE) | G | 7 | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | 12= | 59kg | 100 | ||
| 13 | 80x47000x6 | NAVAJO PEAK | G | 6 | David Payne | 12= | 59kg | 100 | ||
| 14 | x073650x00 | STOCKMAN (NZ) | G | 8 | Joseph Pride | 12= | 59kg | 100 | ||
| 15 | 3483284732 | POUNDING | G | 6 | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | 15= | 59kg | 98 | ||
| 16 | 1625×00317 | REDSTONE WELL (IRE) | G | 6 | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | 15= | 59kg | 98 | ||
| 17 | x10x162x47 | JENNILALA | M | 5 | Ciaron Maher | 17 | 57kg | 96 | ||
| 18 | 73x7287x05 | DANISH FORTUNE | G | 7 | Darren McLeod | 18 | 59kg | 83 | ||
| 19 | 33310×1166 | MEDATSU (NZ) | G | 4 | Chris Waller | 19 | 58kg | 75 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
Hill Stakes History
First held in 1921 and won by Beauford, the Hill Stakes was originally a ten-furlong race which was then changed to 1750m up until 1990 and again in 2001. In 2011 the race began to be run over 2000m. The race was not held in 2007 however there have been plenty of double winners in this event including Phar Lap.
In 2021 the Hill Stakes prize money was doubled to $1 million in stakes.
Hill Stakes double winners: Desert War (2005-06), Toi Port (1963-64), Redcraze (1956-57), Hydrogen (1952-53), Yaralla (1942-43), Gold Rod (1938-39), Chatham (1933-34), Peter Pan III (1932, 35), Phar Lap (1930-31), Limerick (1927-28), and The Hawk (1923,25).
In 2023 the Hill Stakes was moved from Randwick over 2000m to Rosehill over 1900m with stakes increased to an impressive $2 million.
Recent Hill Stakes Winners
| Year | Place | Horse | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Hill Stakes |
1st | Attrition | 1 minute 55.23 seconds (Held over 1900m) |
| 2nd | Kovalica | ||
| 3rd | Royal Patronage | ||
| 2023 Hill Stakes |
1st | Montefilia | 1 minute 55.88 seconds (Held over 1900m) |
| 2nd | Hoo Ya Mal | ||
| 3rd | Protagonist | ||
| 2022 Hill Stakes |
1st | Cascadian | 2 minutes 6.61 seconds |
| 2nd | Numerian | ||
| 3rd | Montefilia | ||
| 2021 Hill Stakes |
1st | Think It Over | 2 minutes 3.12 seconds |
| 2nd | Shared Ambition | ||
| 3rd | Cepheus | ||
| 2020 Hill Stakes |
1st | Kolding | 2 minutes 1.26 seconds |
| 2nd | Avilius | ||
| 3rd | Fierce Impact | ||
| 2019 Hill Stakes |
1st | Verry Elleegant | 2 minutes 5.03 seconds |
| 2nd | Samadoubt | ||
| 3rd | Life Less Ordinary | ||
| 2018 Hill Stakes |
1st | Ace High | 2 minute 2.57 seconds |
| 2nd | It’s Somewhat | ||
| 3rd | Egg Tart | ||
| 2017 Hill Stakes |
1st | Classic Uniform | 1 minute 49.98 seconds (over 1800m) |
| 2nd | Embley | ||
| 3rd | Mackintosh | ||
| 2016 Hill Stakes |
1st | Hartnell | 2 minutes 4.11 seconds |
| 2nd | Who Shot Thebarman | ||
| 3rd | Storm The Stars | ||
| 2015 Hill Stakes |
1st | Preferment | 2 minutes 6.81 seconds |
| 2nd | Magic Hurricane | ||
| 3rd | Complacent | ||
| 2014 Hill Stakes |
1st | Junoob | 2 minutes 6.12 seconds |
| 2nd | Criterion | ||
| 3rd | Bagman | ||
| 2013 Hill Stakes |
1st | Moriarty | 2 minutes 3.62 seconds |
| 2nd | Glencadam Gold | ||
| 3rd | Masked Marvel | ||
| 2012 Hill Stakes |
1st | Lamasery | 2 minutes 6.25 seconds |
| 2nd | Mourayan | ||
| 3rd | Lights Of Heaven | ||
| 2011 Hill Stakes |
1st | Trusting | 2 minutes 2.93 seconds |
| 2nd | Hawk Island | ||
| 3rd | Tullamore | ||
| 2010 Hill Stakes |
1st | Descarado | 1 minute 56.48 seconds |
| 2nd | Triple Honour | ||
| 3rd | Purple | ||
| 2009 Hill Stakes |
1st | Miss Marielle | 1 minute 56.13 seconds |
| 2nd | Pacino | ||
| 3rd | Roman Emperor | ||
| 2008 Hill Stakes |
1st | Fiumicino | 1 minute 57.38 seconds |
| 2nd | Dealer Principal | ||
| 3rd | Hurrah | ||
| 2007 Hill Stakes |
Race Not Held | ||
| 2006 Hill Stakes |
1st | Desert War | 1 minute 56.28 seconds |
| 2nd | Eremein | ||
| 3rd | Grand Zulu | ||
| 2005 Hill Stakes |
1st | Desert War | 1 minute 56.67 seconds |
| 2nd | Portland Singa | ||
| 3rd | Dizelle | ||
| 2004 Hill Stakes |
1st | Natural Blitz | 1 minute 56.62 seconds |
| 2nd | Vouvray | ||
| 3rd | Just Polite | ||
| 2003 Hill Stakes |
1st | Excellerator | 1 minute 56.84 seconds |
| 2nd | Platinum Scissors | ||
| 3rd | Carnegie Express | ||
| 2002 Hill Stakes |
1st | Dress Circle | 1 minute 56.63 seconds |
| 2nd | Bedouin | ||
| 3rd | Republic Lass | ||
| 2001 Hill Stakes |
1st | Mulan Princess | 1 minute 47.02 seconds |
| 2nd | Altiero | ||
| 3rd | Dottoressa | ||
| 2000 Hill Stakes |
1st | Pasta Express | 1 minute 57.83 seconds |
| 2nd | Pravda | ||
| 3rd | Padfoot Charlie | ||
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