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The 2026 Theo Marks Stakes ran on Saturday September 12, 2026 at Rosehill on Run To The Rose Day as a key Epsom Handicap lead-up race and saw the talented Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou-trained favourite Skyhook ($2) put his rivals to bed by over a length on his way to the Golden Eagle.

The Theo Marks Stakes 2026 is one of Sydney’s key early spring form races, and at Group 2 level it consistently attracts a high-class line-up of fresh and returning gallopers looking to launch their campaigns towards the major features ahead. Run over 1300m at Rosehill Gardens, the race has long been a proven springboard into elite company, with past winners going on to claim Group 1 glory later in the carnival. Punters flock to the event each September thanks to its blend of rising stars, seasoned sprinters and versatile milers, making it a crucial guide to races like the Golden Eagle, Epsom Handicap and Premiere Stakes. With strong betting interest, deep form lines and a history of producing standout performances, the Theo Marks Stakes remains a must-watch fixture on the Australian racing calendar and a key race for fans looking to follow the spring storylines from the very start.

2026 Theo Marks Stakes Results

Stay tuned for the official 2026 Theo Marks Stakes results and finishing order on Saturday September 12, 2026 including which horses may have the Epsom Handicap on the radar.

• 1st: No. 6 Skyhook ($2F)
• 2nd: No. 8 Magnatear
• 3rd: Verona Rose

Winning Margin: 1.15 lengths

Winning Time: 1:15.52

Skyhook ($2F) justified his short quote, producing a strong first-up performance to dominate the 2026 Theo Marks Stakes results at Rosehill in 1:15.52, defeating Magnatear and Verona Rose with a sustained high-cruising run that underlined his Golden Eagle credentials. The Written Tycoon four-year-old — already a multiple black-type winner and fourth in last year’s Golden Rose — travelled sweetly for Kerrin McEvoy, who offset the wide draw early before letting the colt roll into his rhythm and finish off in 33.67. Co-trainer Gerald Ryan said the Queensland trip had “done him the world of good”, noting Skyhook has fully matured and now profiles as a genuine Group 1 horse, with options including the Shannon Stakes, Alan Brown and Silver Eagle before the Golden Eagle path is locked in. McEvoy echoed the sentiment, describing Skyhook as bigger, stronger and primed for his best preparation yet, confident there is further improvement to come as he builds toward loftier spring targets. Skyhook currently pays $15 in futures 2026 Golden Eagle betting at Ladbrokes.

2026 Theo Marks Stakes Odds & Finishing Order

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

2026 Theo Marks Stakes Tips

Stay tuned for our insider Theo Marks Stakes 2026 Tips on the spring lead-up this Run To The Rose Day.

Favourite: No. 6 Skyhook

Each Way Danger: No. 5 Midnight In Tokyo

Best Roughie: No. 8 Magnatear

The Theo Marks Stakes takes place during the Sydney Spring Racing Carnival on Run To The Rose Day, which also features the Group 2 The Run To The Rose (1200m) for Golden Rose-bound three-year-olds and recently upgraded Group 2 Sheraco Stakes.

A middle-distance sprint race, the Theo Marks Stakes is open to horses aged three-year-olds and up, is run under quality handicap conditions and is worth $300,000 in prize money. Many runners kick-off their spring in the Theo Marks Stakes field, but a good lead-up race into the event is Randwick’s Group 3 Show County Quality (1200m) and Deploy (2017) was the last to do the double.

Horses that contend the Theo Marks Stakes will often progress onto the Sydney Spring Carnival’s premier events including the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick in early October.

The Theo Marks Stakes / Epsom Handicap is also a popular betting double well worth a look during the carnival and the latest horses to take out both races were Winx (2015) followed a decade later by the also Chris Waller-trained mare Autumn Glow (2025).

The race also now serves as a potential lead-up to the world’s richest turf race, Randwick’s $20 million The Everest (1200m) in October, as well as the both the Silver Eagle (1300m) at Randwick in October and $10 million The Golden Eagle (1500m) for four-year-olds back at Rosehill in November.

The 2021 Theo Marks Stakes form was franked with the third place-getter Big Parade going on to win that year’s $500,000 Sydney Stakes on The Everest Day. Big Parade also finished fourth in that year’s Winners Stakes (now Russell Balding Stakes) before returning in the autumn of 2022 to finish second in the Group 1 The Galaxy.

In 2022 Mr Mozart ran second in both the Theo Marks Stakes and Silver Eagle.

The 2023 Theo Marks Stakes form was franked with the winner Golden Mile running third in that year’s Epsom Handicap trifecta and $10 million The Golden Eagle.

The Theo Marks Stakes winner in 2024, Encap, would run well in a host of subsequent races including the following autumn’s Doncaster Mile when third to Stefi Magnetica.

After claiming the Theo Marks / Epsom Handicap double in 2025, Autumn Glow further franked the form with her Golden Eagle victory that spring. She returned in 2026 to win a host more races including the Verry Elleegant Stakes, George Ryder and the Winx Stakes.

2026 Theo Marks Stakes
Date:	Saturday September 12, 2026
Track:	Rosehill Gardens Racecourse
Distance:	1300m
Conditions:	3YO & Up – Quality Handicap
Status:	Group 2
Prize Money:	$300,000
Inaugurated:	1946

2026 Theo Marks Stakes Betting

The season’s best Theo Marks Stakes 2026 betting and market links to Ladbrokes will be available at Races.com.au the week of the race.

Arcadia Queen ($1.95 in 2019), Autumn Glow ($1.30 in 2025) and Skyhook ($2 in 2026) are the latest favourites in Theo Marks Stakes betting to salute.

There was a notable upset in 2021 with Chat winning at Theo Marks Stakes odds of $31.

Another upset was on the cards in 2022 with the Chris Waller-trained Kiku winning at $18.

2026 Theo Marks Stakes Form

The Theo Marks Stakes form guide is the race day blueprint punters use to assess every runner’s chances in the 1300m Group 2 at Rosehill, and on Races.com.au it acts as the key reference point for understanding how the field stacks up heading into one of Sydney’s most important early spring contests. The guide brings together all the essential information — recent form, distance stats, track records, barrier draws, speed maps, jockey changes, and trial performances — giving punters a clear snapshot of which horses are peaking, which are improving, and which may be vulnerable.

What the Theo Marks Stakes Form Guide Is:

The form guide is a detailed breakdown of each runner’s credentials for the Theo Marks Stakes, including:

• Recent runs — last-start results, margins, and the strength of the races they’ve been competing in.
• Distance form — how each horse performs at 1300m, a specialist trip that often separates genuine Group performers from those better suited to shorter or longer races.
• Track form — Rosehill can favour horses with tactical speed and previous success at the circuit.
• Barrier draw — crucial in a race where early positioning often determines the finishing order.
• Jockey & trainer stats — strike rates, combinations, and notable changes.
• Trials & jump-outs — especially important for first-up runners launching their spring campaigns.
• Speed map indicators — expected leaders, on-pace runners, and backmarkers.

What Punters Should Look for in the Theo Marks Stakes Form Guide:

• First-up specialists — many Theo Marks winners resume here, so strong trial form and proven fresh records matter.
• 1300m/1400m proven performers — horses with established strength over the distance often outclass those stretching out or dropping back.
• Rosehill track pattern — on-pace runners can be advantaged, especially if the rail is true.
• Class risers vs. established Group horses — identify whether lightly raced types are ready to match seasoned Group 1 performers.
• Speed map pressure — a hot tempo can set up the race for swoopers; a soft lead can hand it to the front-runners.
• Spring targets — horses heading toward the Golden Eagle, Epsom Handicap or Premiere Stakes often peak here.

FULL 2026 THEO MARKS STAKES FORM GUIDE

2026 Theo Marks Stakes Field

The 2026 Theo Marks Stakes field is released by Racing NSW on the Wednesday of race week, the full list of final acceptors to be published below.

The Theo Marks Stakes 2026 final field features capacity line-up of middle-distance gallopers including last start Group 3 Show County Quality winner Midnight In Tokyo with the fitness edge and the resuming triple Group 3 champ Skyhook drawn wide.

No	Last 10	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Barrier	Weight	Probable Weight	Penalty	Hcp Rating
1	16222x640x	ESTADIO MESTALLA (IRE)	Joseph Pride	Adam Hyeronimus	12	58.5kg			108
2	23x453623x	MILITARIZE (NZ)	Chris Waller	James McDonald	11	58kg			107
3	305x40579x	KOVALICA (NZ)	Chris Waller	Tommy Berry	13	57kg			105
4	070261546x	SANDPAPER	Bjorn Baker	Nash Rawiller	4	56.5kg			104
5	2112×50101	MIDNIGHT IN TOKYO	Todd Pollard	Ben Thompson	7	56kg			107
6	345x46121x	SKYHOOK	Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou	Kerrin McEvoy	15	56kg			103
7	2841x3150x	VERONA ROSE	Gary Portelli	Zac Lloyd	9	54.5kg			104
8	561x44331x	MAGNATEAR	Richard & Will Freedman	Ashley Morgan	1	54kg			99
9	497x60029x	ENCAP	Gary Portelli	Ms Rachel King	6	53.5kg			98
10	152221x04x	AHHA AHHA	Chris Waller	Andrew Adkins	5	53kg			100
11	67x603x08x	FIRESTORM (NZ)	Chris Waller	Tyler Schiller	3	53kg			98
12	2025x4123x	GOD’S WINDOW (GB)	Chris Waller	Ms Siena Grima (a)	2	53kg			95
13	379x31138x	LORD OF BISCAY (IRE)	Kris Lees	Dylan Gibbons	8	53kg			95
14	x5243335x1	JUST PARTY	Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou	Ms Alysha Collett	14	53kg			89
15e	6682x5548x	RIVELLINO	Kris Lees	Tim Clark	10	53kg			90

Table Credit: Racing Australia.

2026 Theo Marks Stakes Nominations

The 2026 Theo Marks Stakes nominations are out the Monday leading-up to the race and the early entries will be published right here.

	Last 10	Horse	Sex	Age	Trainer	Hcp Rating
1	152221x04x	AHHA AHHA	M	5	Chris Waller	100
2	595x4180x6	DESERT LIGHTNING (NZ)	G	7	Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman
3	497x60029x	ENCAP	G	6	Gary Portelli	98
4	16222x640x	ESTADIO MESTALLA (IRE)	G	8	Joseph Pride
5	67x603x08x	FIRESTORM (NZ)	M	6	Chris Waller	98
6	2025x4123x	GOD’S WINDOW (GB)	G	6	Chris Waller	95
7	x5243335x1	JUST PARTY	G	5	Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou	89
8	305x40579x	KOVALICA (NZ)	G	7	Chris Waller	105
9	379x31138x	LORD OF BISCAY (IRE)	G	7	Kris Lees	95
10	561x44331x	MAGNATEAR	G	7	Richard & Will Freedman	99
11	2112×50101	MIDNIGHT IN TOKYO	M	7	Todd Pollard	107
12	23x453623x	MILITARIZE (NZ)	G	6	Chris Waller	107
13	6682x5548x	RIVELLINO	H	4	Kris Lees	90
14	1126x82x1	RUINATION	G	4	Michael Freedman	76
15	4x1240x115	RUN HARRY RUN	G	6	Ben, Will & JD Hayes	100
16	070261546x	SANDPAPER	G	7	Bjorn Baker	104
17	345x46121x	SKYHOOK	H	4	Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou
18	24431x121x	SUN GOD (GB)	G	6	Chris Waller	105
19	2841x3150x	VERONA ROSE	M	5	Gary Portelli	104

Table Credit: Racing Australia.

Theo Marks Stakes History

Shannon won the first Theo Marks Stakes when it was inaugurated in 1946. Beginning as a Principal race run over 7 furlongs, the race distance was converted to 1400m in 1973 with Australia’s adoption of the metric system. Following this in 1979 the race status was elevated to a Group 2 event. In 1985 the race distance was shortened to 1300m and then to 1280m in 1990. Run twice over 1280m it was increased back to 1300m in 1992.

The most notable recent Theo Marks Stakes winner was the 2015 champion Winx who would retire with a record-breaking four Cox Plate victories to her name.

The 2021 edition of the Theo Marks Stakes was run at Kembla Grange having moved from Rosehill due to COVID-19.

Autumn Glow (2025) was the last Theo Marks Stakes winning mare.

Recent Theo Marks Stakes Winners

Year	Place	Horse	Time
2026 Theo Marks Stakes	1st	Skyhook	1 minute 15.52 seconds
	2nd	Magnatear
	3rd	Verona Rose
2025 Theo Marks Stakes	1st	Autumn Glow	1 minute 16.12 seconds
	2nd	General Salute
	3rd	Pier
2024 Theo Marks Stakes	1st	Encap	1 minute 16.67 seconds
	2nd	Bases Loaded
	3rd	Boom Torque
2023 Theo Marks Stakes	1st	Golden Mile	1 minute 16.35 seconds
	2nd	The Inevitable
	3rd	Waterford
2022 Theo Marks Stakes	1st	Kiku	1 minute 16.62 seconds
	2nd	Mr Mozart
	3rd	Prime Candidate
2021 Theo Marks Stakes(Run at Kembla Grange)	1st	Chat	1 minute 17.35 seconds
	2nd	Embracer
	3rd	Big Parade
2020 Theo Marks Stakes	1st	Wild Planet	1 minute 15.73 seconds
	2nd	Funstar
	3rd	Ranier
2019 Theo Marks Stakes	1st	Arcadia Queen	1 minute 14.96 seconds
	2nd	Trope
	3rd	Gem Song
2018 Theo Marks Stakes	1st	Home Of The Brave	1 minute 19.34 seconds
	2nd	D’Argento
	3rd	Trapeze Artist
2017 Theo Marks Stakes	1st	Deploy	1 minute 14.92 seconds
	2nd	Egg Tart
	3rd	Euro Angel
2016 Theo Marks Stakes	1st	Mackintosh	1 minute 17.11 seconds
	2nd	Counterattack
	3rd	Southern Legend
2015 Theo Marks Stakes	1st	Winx	1 minute 15.77 seconds
	2nd	Sons of John
	3rd	Ninth Legion
2014 Theo Marks Stakes	1st	Cluster	1 minute 23.34 seconds
	2nd	Bull Point
	3rd	Ninth Legion
2013 Theo Marks Stakes	1st	Riva De Lago	1 minute 21.67 seconds
	2nd	Solzhenitsyn
	3rd	Your Honour
2012 Theo Marks Stakes	1st	Ambidexter	1 minute 22.29 seconds
	2nd	Fat Al
	3rd	Dystopia
2011 Theo Marks Stakes	1st	Master Of Design	1 minute 16.79 seconds
	2nd	Torio’s Quest
	3rd	Fast Clip
2010 Theo Marks Stakes	1st	More Joyous	1 minute 22.16 seconds
	2nd	Rothesay
	3rd	Drumbeats
2009 Theo Marks Stakes	1st	Racing To Win	1 minute 22.1 seconds
	2nd	Rock Kingdom
	3rd	Triple Honour
2008 Theo Marks Stakes	1st	Hurried Choice	1 minute 17.1 seconds
	2nd	Forensics
	3rd	Ice Chariot
2007 Theo Marks Stakes	Race Not Held
2006 Theo Marks Stakes	1st	Racing To Win	1 minute 16.5 seconds
	2nd	New Edge
	3rd	Regal Cheer
2005 Theo Marks Stakes	1st	Paratroopers	1 minute 16.8 seconds
	2nd	Perfect Promise
	3rd	Outback Prince
2004 Theo Marks Stakes	1st	Falkirk	1 minute 17.7 seconds
	2nd	Grand Armee
	3rd	Private Steer
2003 Theo Marks Stakes	1st	Fiery Venture	1 minute 16.3 seconds
	2nd	Grand Armee
	3rd	Osca Warrior
2002 Theo Marks Stakes	1st	Defier	1 minute 15.7 seconds
	2nd	Phoenix Park
	3rd	Carael Boy
2001 Theo Marks Stakes	1st	Shogun Lodge	1 minute 16.8 seconds
	2nd	Fouardee
	3rd	Belle Du Jour
2000 Theo Marks Stakes	1st	Hire	1 minute 17.1 seconds
	2nd	Landsighting
	3rd	Shogun Lodge

Theo Marks Stakes FAQs

What is the Theo Marks Stakes?
The Theo Marks Stakes is a Group 2 race run over 1300m at Rosehill Gardens each September, featuring quality sprinters and milers kicking off their spring campaigns.

When is the Theo Marks Stakes held?
The race takes place annually in early September as part of the Sydney Spring Racing Carnival. The 2026 edition is scheduled for Saturday the 12th of September.

What distance is the Theo Marks Stakes run over?
The Theo Marks Stakes is contested over 1300 metres.

What age and class of horses can run in the Theo Marks Stakes?
The race is open to three-year-olds and up under quality handicap conditions, typically attracting proven Group performers and emerging spring hopefuls.

Where is the Theo Marks Stakes run?
The race is held at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse in Sydney.

What type of horses usually win the Theo Marks Stakes?
Horses with strong 1400m form, tactical speed, and proven fresh records often perform best. Many winners go on to contest major Group 1 races later in the carnival.

How important is the Theo Marks Stakes for spring form?
Very. The race is a key early spring guide, with winners and placegetters often progressing to the Golden Eagle, Epsom Handicap, Premiere Stakes and other major features.

Who are some notable Theo Marks Stakes winners?
Past winners include top-class gallopers who have gone on to claim Group 1 success, cementing the race as a launching pad for elite performers. Among the standout Theo Marks Stakes winners are Autumn Glow (2025), Arcadia Queen (2019), Winx (2015), More Joyous (2010), and two-time hero Racing To Win (2006 and 2009).

How can I bet on the Theo Marks Stakes?
Australia’s major bookmaker Ladbrokes offer fixed odds markets, futures betting, and race day markets on the Theo Marks Stakes.

Is there early Theo Marks Stakes betting available?
Yes. Futures markets typically open the Monday of race week following the official Theo Marks Stakes nominations allowing punters to secure value before final fields are declared.

Does the Theo Marks Stakes impact Golden Eagle betting?
Absolutely. Strong performances often see runners firm sharply in Golden Eagle betting markets, making the Theo Marks a key lead-up race.