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The $1 million Premiere Stakes 2026 ran on Saturday October 3, 2026 as part of the bumper Epsom Handicap Day line-up of races as a key The Everest lead-up race and was won in an impressive three-length romp home by Ciaron Maher’s speedy mare Tempted ($1.60F).

The Premiere Stakes 2026 is one of Australia’s most important spring sprint races, attracting a high-quality field of elite short-course performers to Royal Randwick Racecourse in the lead-up to some of the season’s richest contests. Run over 1200 metres at Group 2 level, the race has long been a proven launching pad for champion sprinters targeting major spring features including The Everest, making it a crucial form reference for punters and racing fans alike. Held during the Sydney Spring Racing Carnival, the Premiere Stakes regularly showcases established Group 1 stars, emerging sprint talents, and interstate raiders looking to peak at the right time of year. With a proud history dating back to the 19th century and an honour roll featuring some of Australia’s finest sprinters, the Premiere Stakes remains a key fixture on the national racing calendar. This page features everything you need to know about the Premiere Stakes, including race history, field information, form guides, betting odds, prizemoney, results, and past winners.

2026 Premiere Stakes Results

Stay tuned for the official 2026 Premiere Stakes results and finishing order on Saturday October 3, 2026 on the million-dollar sprint this spring.

Winning Margin: 2.98 lengths

Winning Time: 1:09.39

The 2026 Premiere Stakes results saw Ciaron Maher’s outstanding mare Tempted ($1.60F) stamp herself as a leading contender for The Everest 2026 with a dominant three-length victory in the Group 2 feature over 1200m at Randwick. Sent out the odds-on favourite and ridden by Chad Schofield, the four-year-old settled comfortably before unleashing her trademark turn of foot to race away from Savvy Hallie in second and Marhoona in third, recording her ninth win from just 14 starts. The emphatic performance reaffirmed Tempted’s elite sprinting credentials and provided the perfect lead-up to her highly anticipated Everest rematch with Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising. Connections were full of praise for the Street Boss mare, with the Maher stable confident she is still improving and on track to peak on October 17, while Schofield described her as a “machine” after another devastating display that showcased why she remains one of Australia’s premier sprinters heading into the Spring Racing Carnival’s richest race.

Click here for the full story.

2026 Premiere Stakes Race Replay

"She's going to absolutely torch them in the lead up to the Everest."

Tempted confirms her place as the challenger to Ka Ying Rising in the #TABEverest with an explosive win in the Premiere Stakes at Randwick, putting a gap on Savvy Hallie & Marhoona in the Group 2. @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/4bmQpUHoCC

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) October 3, 2026

2026 Premiere Stakes Odds & Finishing Order

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

2026 Premiere Stakes Tips

Stay tuned for our insider Premiere Stakes 2026 Tips on the key $20 million The Everest lead-up race this season.

Check out our full 2026 Premiere Stakes preview, predictions and best bets now!

Favourite: No. 10 Tempted

Each Way Danger: No. 2 Caballus

Best Roughie: No. 1 Mazu

The Premiere Stakes is held on either the last Saturday in September or the first Saturday in October, traditionally run the day before the NRL Grand Final.

Worth $1,000,000 in prize money, the weight for age event attracts several horses which have already competed in the weight-for-age Missile Stakes. The Premiere Stakes is held on Epsom Handicap Day and shares a race program with the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m), Group 2 Metropolitan Handicap (2400m) and Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m).

The Premiere Stakes now serves as a nice lead-up race for star sprinters set to return to the track and distance in a fortnight’s time for the $20 million Group 1 The Everest race.

Think About It (2023) was the last sprinter to claim the Premiere Stakes – The Everest double.

In 2020 Classique Legend ran second in the Premiere Stakes before winning The Everest, the Premiere Stakes winner Libertini improved on his The Everest eighth to run a subsequent third in Flemington’s Group 1 VRC Sprint Classic that Melbourne Cup Carnival.

The Premiere Stakes winner is also exempt from ballot for the following year’s Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes held at the same track and distance during the autumn in Sydney.

The 2021 Premiere Stakes form was franked with the winner Masked Crusader running second next-up to Nature Strip in that spring’s The Everest results. Masked Crusader returned to run third in the 2022 Premiere Stakes results won by the previous year’s fourth placegetter, Lost And Running.

The 2022 Premiere Stakes runner-up Mazu franked the form running third next-up in that year’s The Everest results before a second in the $3 million Winners Stakes (now Russell Balding Stakes) and 2023 TJ Smith Stakes third upon his return in the autumn. The 2023 Premiere Stakes form was firmly franked by the winner Think About It who backed up to salute in The Everest before a Winners Stakes third.

The 2024 Premiere Stakes also produced that year’s The Everest winner with the mighty mare Bella Nipotina improving on her third in the Group 2 to win the first official Group 1 edition of The Everest at her next start. She further franked the form taking out that year’s $3 million Russell Balding Stakes (formerly the Winners Stakes) before a Group 1 Champions Sprint third at Flemington during the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

In 2025, Jimmysstar ran second in the Premiere Stakes results before finishing third in The Everest trifecta and then completing the Russell Balding Stakes – CF Orr Stakes double.

The 2026 Premiere Stakes winner, Tempted, had run second in the previous spring’s The Everest.

2026 Premiere Stakes
Date:	Saturday October 3, 2026
Track:	Royal Randwick
Distance:	1200m
Race Type:	Weight-for-age
Status:	Group 2
Prize Money:	$1,000,000

2026 Premiere Stakes Betting

The latest Premiere Stakes 2026 betting odds and market links on the gun sprinters in the race will be listed at Races.com.au as soon as available, pricing from Ladbrokes.

Masked Crusader ($2.50 in 2021), Lost And Running ($2.25 in 2022), Think About It ($1.85 in 2023), Briasa ($2.25 in 2025) and Tempted ($1.60 in 2026) are the last favourites in Premiere Stakes betting to salute for the punters.

There was a notable upset in 2024 with Airman saluting at Premiere Stakes odds of $41.

2026 Premiere Stakes Form

The Premiere Stakes form guide is an essential tool for punters analysing one of Sydney’s premier spring sprint races and a key lead-up to The Everest. Run over 1200 metres at Royal Randwick, the Group 2 feature regularly attracts a star-studded field of elite sprinters, including established Group 1 performers and emerging speed horses on the rise. The form guide provides valuable information on each runner’s recent performances, barrier draw, jockey and trainer combinations, track and distance statistics, and overall fitness, helping punters identify the runners best equipped to handle a high-pressure spring sprint.

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

• Recent sprint form – Horses coming through major lead-up races such as The Shorts, Concorde Stakes, and other Group sprint features often bring the strongest credentials.
• 1200m record – Proven performers at 1200 metres generally have an advantage in a race run at genuine Group class tempo.
• Randwick form – Previous success at Royal Randwick can be a significant asset, particularly for horses suited to the track’s long straight.
• Group race credentials – Sprinters with proven Group 1 and Group 2 form are often among the leading contenders.
• The Everest aspirations – Many runners use the Premiere Stakes as a final lead-up to The Everest, making it a valuable guide for future feature race form.
• Fitness and preparation – Horses peaking second or third-up in their spring campaign often perform strongly at this stage of the season.
• Barrier draw – A favourable draw can help runners secure the right position in transit and avoid unnecessary work.
• Track conditions – Assess whether runners perform best on firm, soft, or heavy ground depending on the expected race day surface.
• Sectional times and finishing speed – Strong late splits often indicate a horse capable of handling the pressure of elite sprint racing.
• Jockey and trainer combinations – Leading stables and top jockeys frequently target the Premiere Stakes with high-quality sprinters.
• Betting market movements – Strong support in betting markets can often provide valuable clues about a horse’s expected performance.
• Weight-for-age form – As a weight-for-age contest, punters should focus on runners with proven form against elite opposition under similar race conditions.

FULL 2026 PREMIERE STAKES FORM GUIDE

2026 Premiere Stakes Field

Each spring the Premiere Stakes, now worth a million in prize money, attracts a star-studded line-up of sprinters. Gallopers may contest the Premiere Stakes field via lead-up runs in races including the Group 2 The Shorts (1100m) at Randwick a fortnight earlier or be kicking off their carnival campaigns first-up in the event.

The official Premiere Stakes 2026 field and barrier draw will be released by Racing NSW on the Wednesday of race week and listed in full below once announced.

The 2026 Premiere Stakes final field is now out featuring a quality line-up of spring sprinters dominated by Ciaron Maher’s brilliant Group 3 Concorde Stakes winning mare Tempted who is odds-on to make it five wins on the trot.

2026 Premiere Stakes Nominations

The early Premiere Stakes nominations for 2026 close the Monday of race week and will be updated below.

The 2026 Premiere Stakes nominations attracted 21 spring sprinters led in all-in betting by the Ciaron Maher-trained odds-on favourite Tempted coming off a Group 3 Concorde Stakes victory on her way to a likely second shot at The Everest.

Premiere Stakes History

First won by Outback in 1972, the Premiere Stakes has a history of double winners including Mr. Innocent in 1999-00 and Joanne in 1991-92.

Other notable Premiere Stakes winners include Kingston Town (1981), Emancipation (1983), and Terravista (2015).

In 2018 Santa Ana Lane set a record time of 1:07.45 winning the Premiere Stakes ahead of a Group 1 VRC Sprint Classic win in Melbourne later that spring.

The Premiere Stakes gained Group 2 status in 1997 and has been run and won at Royal Randwick since 2011.

In 2022 the Premiere Stakes offered $1 million in stakes for the first time.

The 2023 Premiere Stakes winner Think About It went on to salute next start in the world’s richest turf race adding his name to the list of The Everest champions.

Tempted (2026) was the last Premiere Stakes winning mare.

Premiere Stakes results since 2000, along with winning times, are listed below.

Premiere Stakes Results

Year	Place	Horse	Time
2026 Premiere Stakes	1st	Tempted	1 minute 9.39 seconds
	2nd	Savvy Hallie
	3rd	Marhoona
2025 Premiere Stakes	1st	Briasa	1 minute 7.98 seconds
	2nd	Jimmysstar
	3rd	Mazu
2024 Premiere Stakes	1st	Airman	1 minute 9.73 seconds
	2nd	Mazu
	3rd	Bella Nipotina
2023 Premiere Stakes	1st	Think About It	1 minute 8.70 seconds
	2nd	Hawaii Five Oh
	3rd	Bella Nipotina
2022 Premiere Stakes	1st	Lost And Running	1 minute 12.26 seconds
	2nd	Mazu
	3rd	Masked Crusader
2021 Premiere Stakes	1st	Masked Crusader	1 minute 8.33 seconds
	2nd	Standout
	3rd	Embracer
2020 Premiere Stakes	1st	Libertini	1 minute 7.60 seconds
	2nd	Classique Legend
	3rd	Deprive
2019 Premiere Stakes	1st	Brutal	1 minute 10.00 seconds
	2nd	Home Of The Brave
	3rd	Classique Legend
2018 Premiere Stakes	1st	Santa Ana Lane	1 minute 7.45 seconds (R)
	2nd	Shoals
	3rd	In Her Time
2017 Premiere Stakes	1st	In Her Time	1 minute 8.2 seconds
	2nd	English
	3rd	Clearly Innocent
2016 Premiere Stakes	1st	Takedown	1 minute 8.2 seconds
	2nd	Our Boy Malachi
	3rd	Danish Twist
2015 Premiere Stakes	1st	Terravista	1 minute 9.10 seconds
	2nd	Rebel Dane
	3rd	That’s A Good Idea
2014 Premiere Stakes	1st	Famous Seamus	1 minute 9.86 seconds
	2nd	Charlie Boy
	3rd	Wouldn’t It Be Nice
2013 Premiere Stakes	1st	Arinosa	1 minute 9.37 seconds
	2nd	Dystopia
	3rd	Famous Seamus
2012 Premiere Stakes	1st	Red Tracer	1 minute 9.67 seconds
	2nd	Satin Shoes
	3rd	Emotional Circus
2011 Premiere Stakes	1st	Neeson	1 minute 10.2 seconds
	2nd	Hurtle Myrtle
	3rd	Love Conquers All
2010 Premiere Stakes	1st	Hot Danish	1 minute 09.87 seconds
	2nd	Trader
	3rd	Cardinal Virtue
2009 Premiere Stakes	1st	Mentality	1 minute 10.46 seconds
	2nd	Kroner
	3rd	Phelan Ready
2008 Premiere Stakes	1st	Triple Honour	1 minute 10.13 seconds
	2nd	Captain Bax
	3rd	Reigning To Win
2007 Premiere Stakes	1st	German Chocolate	1 minute 9.87 seconds
	2nd	Solo Flyer
	3rd	Fashions Afield
2006 Premiere Stakes	1st	Paratroopers	1 minute 10.29 seconds
	2nd	Imana
	3rd	Johan’s Toy
2005 Premiere Stakes	1st	Shania Dane	1 minute 8.83 seconds
	2nd	Dance Hero
	3rd	Spark Of Life
2004 Premiere Stakes	1st	Spark Of Life	1 minute 9.8 seconds
	2nd	Into The Night
	3rd	Century Kid
2003 Premiere Stakes	1st	Thorn Park	1 minute 9.02 seconds
	2nd	Patezza
	3rd	Excellerator
2002 Premiere Stakes	1st	Century Kid	1 minute 9.35 seconds
	2nd	Ancient Song
	3rd	Shogun Lodge
2001 Premiere Stakes	1st	On Type	1 minute 10.3 seconds
	2nd	Padstow
	3rd	Century Kid
2000 Premiere Stakes	1st	Mr. Innocent	1 minute 8.97 seconds
	2nd	Celestial Choir
	3rd	Adam

Premiere Stakes FAQs