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This spring the $2 million Hill Stakes 2026 ran on Saturday, October 10, 2026 over 1900m at Rosehill Gardens as a potential Ladbrokes Cox Plate lead-up and was won in a narrow effort by the 2024 champion Attrition ($6). 

The Hill Stakes 2026 is one of Sydney’s most prestigious middle-distance races and a key fixture of the Sydney Spring Racing Carnival, attracting a quality field of weight-for-age stars chasing elite spring glory. Run at Rosehill Gardens over 1900 metres, the Group 2 Hill Stakes has long served as an important lead-up race to major Australian features including the Cox Plate, King Charles III Stakes, and other premier spring contests. Renowned for drawing proven Group performers, emerging stayers, and established weight-for-age gallopers, the race provides a vital form reference for punters and racing fans following the season’s biggest middle-distance horses. On this page you’ll find everything you need to know about the Hill Stakes, including race history, conditions, prizemoney, records, past winners, results, betting trends, form guides, and the latest news surrounding this historic Group 2 Rosehill feature.

2026 Hill Stakes Results

Stay tuned for the official 2026 Hill Stakes results and finishing order on the $2 million event this spring.

Winning Time: 1:55.89

Winning Margin: 0.25 lengths

Attrition ($6) reclaimed his crown in the 2026 Hill Stakes results at Rosehill, with the Mitchell Freedman-trained seven-year-old producing a determined finish under Jamie Mott to score by a half-neck over the odds-on favourite and last year’s winner Lindermann, while Eliyass was a further three-quarters of a length away in third. Attrition captured the race in 2024 and ran second last year, once again proved the Hill Stakes is his pet event, recording his fifth career victory and taking his earnings beyond $4.3 million. Freedman revealed the race had been a long-term target, praising the tough and ultra-consistent Group 1 winner for continually performing at weight-for-age level, while Mott credited the stable’s ability to perfect the gelding’s preparation after Attrition wore down Lindermann in a thrilling late duel to become a two-time Hill Stakes champion.

2026 Hill Stakes Race Replay

? Race 7 | ATTRITION

KING OF THE HILL AGAIN! ??

ATTRITION reclaims his crown in the Group 2 Toyota Forklifts Hill Stakes! ?@jamieleemott @Freedmanmitch

? Watch Live: @SkyRacingAU & @7horseracing pic.twitter.com/pGq9Reks7k

— Australian Turf Club (@aus_turf_club) October 10, 2026

2026 Hill Stakes Odds & Finishing Order

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

2026 Hill Stakes Tips

Stay tuned for our insider Hill Stakes 2026 Tips on the potential Group 1-bound gallopers to back and sack in the $2 million showdown.

Check out our full 2026 Hill Stakes Predictions & Best Bets now!

Favourite: No. 1 Lindermann

Each Way Danger: No. 3 Attrition

Best Roughie: No. 9 King Pedro

The Hill Stakes runs in early to mid-October as the feature race of Hill Stakes Day at Rosehill Gardens and now offers an impressive $2 million in total prize money. Ahead of the 2023 edition the Hill Stakes distance was dropped from 2000m to 1900m.

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 $6 million Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m) 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), Think It Over (2021), and Lindermann (2025).

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.

The 2024 Hill Stakes form was franked with the runner-up Kovalica returning in the winter of 2025 to run third in Brisbane’s Group 1 Doomben Cup before winning the $1.2 million Group 2 The Q22. The form was further franked with the third placed Royal Patronage going on to win the 2025 Group 1 Canterbury Stakes and run second in the Doncaster Mile.

Trainer Chris Waller won his record extending seventh Hill Stakes trophy in 2025 with Lindermann.

Lindermann went on to frank the 2025 Hill Stakes form with a next-up win in the $750,000 Craven Plate, while the runner-up Attrition finished a game fourth in the Cox Plate results that spring.

In 2026, Lindermann ran second as the beaten favourite as the 2024 Hill Stakes winner Attrition returned to his best to claim the race for a second time.

2026 Hill Stakes
Date:	Saturday, October 10, 2026
Track:	Rosehill Racecourse
Distance:	1900m
Race Type:	Weight-for-age
Status:	Group 2
Prize Money:	$2,000,000

2026 Hill Stakes Betting

Hill Stakes betting is traditionally led by gallopers coming off an earlier Sydney run in races held over the mile.

The latest Hill Stakes 2026 odds and betting links to the markets at Ladbrokes will be available here at Races.com.au as soon as released.

Think It Over ($1.75 in 2021), Montefilia ($3.40 in 2023) and Lindermann ($2.30 in 2025) 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.

Attrition ran second in 2025 before scoring his second Hill Stakes victory at $6 in 2026 defeating the favourite and 2025 champ Lindermann.

2026 Hill Stakes Form

The Hill Stakes form guide is a vital resource for punters analysing one of Sydney’s premier weight-for-age middle-distance races. Run over 1900 metres at Rosehill Gardens, the Group 2 Hill Stakes regularly attracts a high-class field of proven Group performers, Cox Plate hopefuls, and established weight-for-age gallopers building towards the major spring features. The form guide provides detailed information on each runner’s recent performances, barrier draw, jockey and trainer combinations, weight-for-age credentials, track and distance records, and current preparation, helping punters identify the horses best suited to the conditions.

What Punters Should Look for in the Hill Stakes Form Guide:

• Weight-for-age form – Proven performance at weight-for-age level is often one of the strongest indicators of Hill Stakes success.
• 2000m credentials – Horses with strong records at or around 2000m generally hold an advantage in this middle-distance feature.
• Recent Group race form – Look for runners exiting key lead-up races such as the Makybe Diva Stakes, Underwood Stakes, or other elite spring features.
• Rosehill track record – Previous success at Rosehill can be a significant advantage, especially for horses that perform well around the turning circuit.
• Spring preparation profile – Many Hill Stakes winners are third-up or fourth-up in their campaign as they approach peak fitness.
• Barrier draw – An economical run can be crucial over 2000m, making a favourable barrier an important factor to consider.
• Track conditions – Some runners excel on firm tracks, while others are far more effective when there is moisture in the ground.
• Trainer and jockey records – Leading trainers and top riders often target the Hill Stakes with genuine spring carnival contenders.
• Race tempo and speed map – Identifying the likely pace of the race can help determine whether the conditions will favour on-speed runners or horses finishing strongly from the back.
• Future spring targets – Horses using the Hill Stakes as a lead-up to races such as the Cox Plate, King Charles III Stakes, or other major spring contests often bring strong, competitive form into the race.

FULL 2026 HILL STAKES FORM GUIDE

2026 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 2026 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 2026 final field features a compact but class line-up of nine spring stayers including the Chris Waller-trained defending champ Lindermann who won last year’s race by over two lengths.

2026 Hill Stakes Nominations

The early Hill Stakes nominations for 2026 close the Monday of race week and will be listed in full below once announced by Racing NSW.

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: Attrition (2024 & 2026), 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
2026 Hill Stakes	1st	Attrition	1 minute 55.89 seconds (Held over 1900m)
	2nd	Lindermann
	3rd	Eliyass
2025 Hill Stakes	1st	Lindermann	1 minute 55.65 (Held over 1900m)
	2nd	Attrition
	3rd	Maison Louis
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

Hill Stakes FAQs