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The latest edition of the Colin Stephen Quality ran on Saturday September 26, 2026 as part of Sydney’s popular Golden Rose Day program with the impressive Bjorn Baker-trained winner So You Are ($2.15F) exempt from The Metropolitan ballot.

The Colin Stephen Quality 2026 is one of Sydney’s traditional staying tests, a Group 3 event run over 2400m at Rosehill that plays a pivotal role in shaping the spring Cups fields and early betting. Held on Golden Rose Day, the race attracts seasoned stayers building toward peak fitness, emerging talents stretching to the trip for the first time, and proven performers chasing ballot exemption pathways into major features. With its long history as a key lead-up to The Metropolitan and other elite staying races, the Colin Stephen Quality offers punters reliable form lines, tactical depth, and strong betting opportunities. As the staying ranks begin to settle each September, this race provides an early snapshot of which horses are ready to step up, and which may be targeting bigger assignments deeper into the carnival.

2026 Colin Stephen Quality Results

Stay tuned for the official 2026 Colin Stephen Quality results and finishing order including which horse gains The Metropolitan ballot exemption.

Winning Margin: 0.24 lengths

Winning Time: 2:28.95

Favourite So You Are ($2.15) continued his rise through the staying ranks with a tough victory in Saturday’s 2026 Colin Stephen Quality results at Rosehill, the Bjorn Baker-trained five-year-old proving too strong under Rachel King to defeat Amplify by a half-neck, with Bella Montagna a further length away in third. The son of So You Think stopped the clock in 2:28.95 and, despite not having everything go his way in the run, showed plenty of grit to secure another black-type success. Baker indicated the improving stayer could now be aimed at some of the spring’s major staying races, including The Metropolitan, the ATC St Leger, and potentially a Melbourne campaign, while King praised the gelding’s developing racecraft and toughness. The performance caught the attention of bookmakers, with Ladbrokes slashing So You Are’s futures quote for The Metropolitan from $51 into $13 and trimming his Melbourne Cup odds from $101 into $51, reflecting growing confidence in his prospects over the longer trips this spring.

Click here for the full story.

2026 Colin Stephen Quality Race Replay

That's a brave win to So You Are in the Colin Stephen Quality! Great ride by @RachelK11 for @BBakerRacing ?@aus_turf_club @WorldPool pic.twitter.com/lA8X5phD2v

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 26, 2026

2026 Colin Stephen Quality Odds & Finishing Order

See below for the latest Colin Stephen Quality 2026 odds followed by the official finishing order after the event this spring.

2026 Colin Stephen Quality Tips

Stay tuned for our insider Colin Stephen Quality 2026 Tips on The Metropolitan Handicap lead-up this spring.

Favourite: No. 2 Bella Montagna

Each Way Danger: No. 1 So You Are

Best Value: No. 4 Amplify

The Colin Stephen Quality is a Group 3 thoroughbred race held during the Sydney Spring Racing Carnival on Golden Rose Stakes Day in late September. Conducted at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse, there are five Group status races on the program including the Group 1 $1 million Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) for three-year-olds and the Group 2 $400,000 Golden Pendant (1400m) for fillies and mares.

The Colin Stephen Quality is a staying event raced over 2400m. A quality handicap for three-year-olds and up, it offers $250,000 in stakes. There are a number of earlier races held at the carnival that Colin Stephen Quality contenders may have previously run in including the Group 3 Newcastle Gold Cup (2300m) or the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) run at Randwick.

The Colin Stephen Quality is the ideal lead-up race to the prestigious Group 2 The Metropolitan (2400m) held the following weekend at Royal Randwick with the winner exempt from both ballot and penalty for the event on Epsom Handicap Day.

No horse since Railings (2005) has completed the Colin Stephen Quality – The Metropolitan Handicap double.

In 2025, the Colin Stephen Quality form held up in The Metropolitan with the runner-up Juja Kibo rounding out the Group 1 trifecta at his next start.

Colin Stephen Quality
Date:	Saturday September 26, 2026
Track:	Rosehill Gardens Racecourse
Distance:	2400m
Conditions:	3YO & Up – Quality Handicap
Status:	Group 3
Prize Money:	$250,000
Inaugurated:	1870

2026 Colin Stephen Quality Betting

Stay tuned for the top Colin Stephen Quality 2026 betting odds and Group 3 market links to Ladbrokes made available here at Races.com.au the week of the race.

Stayers trained by Gai Waterhouse often dominate the Colin Stephen Quality betting markets as she has claimed the race 10 times most recently with Grove Ferry in 2022.

Julienas ($2.60 in 2013), Entente ($4.60 in 2021) and So You Are ($2.15 in 2026) are the latest favourites in Colin Stephen Quality betting to salute for the punters.

2026 Colin Stephen Quality Form

The Colin Stephen Quality form guide is the essential tool punters use to break down every runner in the Group 3 staying feature at Rosehill, helping identify which horses are ready to run out a strong 2400m and which may be using the race as a stepping-stone toward bigger spring targets. Because the Colin Stephen sits at a crucial point in the Sydney staying calendar, the form guide gives punters a clear snapshot of fitness, stamina, race shape and suitability — all vital in a race that often leads directly into The Metropolitan.

The form guide provides a full profile of each runner’s recent performances, staying credentials, preferred track conditions, racing pattern, and trainer/jockey combinations. It highlights how each horse maps into a 2400m contest, whether they’ve been building through the grades, and how their spring preparation aligns with major staying features. For punters tracking The Metropolitan and other long-distance races, the Colin Stephen Quality form guide is one of the most reliable analytical tools of the early carniva

What Punters Should Look for on the Colin Stephen Quality Form Guide:

• Staying ability — Horses proven at 2000m–2400m or showing strong late strength in recent runs are typically advantaged. Look for runners who finish off strongly at the end of their races.
• Fitness progression — Many winners peak third-up or fourth-up. Punters should check whether each horse is deep enough into their prep to handle a genuine staying test.
• Rosehill record — Horses with previous success at Rosehill or strong form on similar turning tracks often perform well.
• Speed map — The Colin Stephen can be tactically run. Identify leaders, on pacers and backmarkers to understand which horses will get the right run over 2400m.
• Trainer & jockey combinations — Top staying stables such as Chris Waller, Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott, and Ciaron Maher frequently target this race. Punters should note stable form and key rider changes.
• Sectional strength — Horses with strong closing sectionals at 2000m often translate that strength to 2400m when fit and well.
• Spring targets — Many runners use the Colin Stephen as a final tune-up for The Metropolitan. Horses with ambitious campaigns often arrive forward enough to win here.

FULL 2026 COLIN STEPHEN QUALITY FORM GUIDE

2026 Colin Stephen Quality Field

The Colin Stephen Quality 2026 field of final acceptances and barrier draw are released by Racing NSW on the Wednesday leading up to Golden Rose Day and traditionally feature The Metropolitan-bound stayers.

The 2026 Colin Stephen Quality final field features a compact line-up of just seven stayers including Bjorn Baker’s last start Listed Tatt’s Cup winner So You Are giving all the weight away to his rivals.

2026 Colin Stephen Quality Nominations

Early nominations on the Colin Stephen Quality in 2026 are taken the Monday of race week.

Colin Stephen Quality History

The Colin Stephen Quality is a time-honoured Sydney feature having first been run and won back in 1870 when it was inaugurated as the Spring Stakes.

The race has held its current Group 3 status since 1987.

A host of turf greats have claimed Colin Stephen Quality victory throughout history including Carbine (1890), Wakeful (1902), Poseidon (1907), triple champion Poitrel (1918-20), Phar Lap (1930-31), Peter Pan (1935), Flight (1944), Hydrogen (1953), and Gunsynd (1972).

Recent Colin Stephen Quality Winners

Year	Winner	Trainer/s	Jockey	Weight	Time
2026	So You Are	Bjorn Baker	Rachel King	58.5 kgs	2:28.95
2025	Piggyback	Ciaron Maher	Tim Clark	55.5 kgs	2:28.98
2024	First Light	Chris Waller	Tommy Berry	54 kgs	2:29.22
2023	Athabascan	John O’Shea	Tom Sherry	55 kgs	2:29.13
2022	Grove Ferry	Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott	Tim Clark	55 kgs	2:29.34
2021	Entente	Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott	Tim Clark	56.5 kgs	2:27.36
2020	Attorney	Matthew Smith	Jason Collett	54 kgs	2:29.90
2019	Stampede	Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott	Adam Hyeronimus	59 kgs	2:29.87
2018	Miss Admiration	Mick Price	Jay Ford	53 kgs	2:29.55
2017	Auvray	Richard Freedman	Glyn Schofield	57 kgs	2:30.35
2016	Allergic	John O’Shea	James McDonald	58 kgs	2:30.88
2015	Amelie’s Star	Peter Moody	Joshua Parr	56.5 kgs	2:30.84
2014	Deane Martin	Bruce Wallace	Brenton Avdulla	55 kgs	2:29.51
2013	Julienas	Gai Waterhouse	Nash Rawiller	59 kgs	2:30.56
2012	Kelinni	Chris Waller	Glyn Schofield	55.5 kgs	2:30.48
2011	Lamasery	David Vandyke	Brenton Avdulla	57 kgs	2:29.93
2010	No Wine No Song	Kevin Moses	Jim Cassidy	58 kgs	2:30.45
2009	Mr Clangtastic	Marc Conners	Craig Agnew	57 kgs	2:29.85
2008	Get Up Jude	Diane Poidevin Laine	Blake Shinn	53 kgs	2:31.15
2007	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2006	Exinite	Kris Lees	Larry Cassidy	52.5 kgs	2:28.80
2005	Railings	John Hawkes	Darren Beadman	55.5 kgs	2:32.55
2004	Don Raphael	Kerry Parker	Glen Boss	56.5 kgs	2:29.83
2003	Outlaws	John Hawkes	Darren Beadman	53.5 kgs	2:29.17
2002	Red Trinket	Gai Waterhouse	Chris Munce	54 kgs	2:30.52
2001	Dress Circle	Gai Waterhouse	Lenny Beasley	52 kgs	2:14.92
2000	Coco Cobanna	Gai Waterhouse	Chris Munce	55.5 kgs	2:31.41

Colin Stephen Quality FAQs

What is the Colin Stephen Quality?
The Colin Stephen Quality is a Group 3 staying race run over 2400m at Rosehill Gardens on Golden Rose Day. It is a key early spring test for horses progressing toward major staying features.

When is the Colin Stephen Quality held?
The race is run in late September as part of the Sydney Spring Racing Carnival. The 2026 edition is scheduled for Saturday September 26, 2026.

What distance is the Colin Stephen Quality?
The Colin Stephen Quality is contested over 2400 metres, making it an important stamina test for stayers.

Who can run in the Colin Stephen Quality?
The race is open to three-year-olds and up, though it typically attracts seasoned stayers deep into their preparations.

What type of race is the Colin Stephen Quality?
It is a Group 3 handicap, providing a competitive platform for horses aiming to secure their place in upcoming Group 1 staying races.

Where is the Colin Stephen Quality held?
The race takes place at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse in Sydney.

Why is the Colin Stephen Quality important?
The Colin Stephen is a proven lead-up to the Metropolitan Handicap and other major staying events, offering punters reliable form lines and insight into which horses are ready to run out a strong 2400m.

What are common lead-up races to the Colin Stephen Quality?
Typical lead-ups include the Kingston Town Stakes, Premier’s Cup, and various 2000m staying events earlier in the spring.

Where can I find Colin Stephen Quality tips?
Expert selections and betting insights are available in our Colin Stephen Quality tips section above as well as over at the Ladbrokes Racing Blog.

Where can I see Colin Stephen Quality results?
Full finishing order, margins, times, and replay information can be found in our Colin Stephen Quality results hub at the top of this page post-race.