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The Grand Prix Stakes is a Group 3 race held at Eagle Farm Racecourse in late December having been moved from its previous position on Kingsford Smith Cup Day.
Grand Prix Stakes News
The Grand Prix Stakes is a Group 3 race held annually at Eagle Farm Racecourse from 2017 having previous been run at Doomben.
2025 Grand Prix Stakes Results
Stay tuned for the official 2025 Grand Prix Stakes results and finishing order this summer.
- 1st: No. 3 Matias ($7)
- 2nd: No. 6 Agent Zero
- 3rd: No. 1 Tambeloa
Winning Margin: 1.29 lengths
Winning Time: 1:49.10
Matias ($7) turned in a booming performance to claim victory in the 2025 Grand Prix Stakes results at Eagle Farm on Saturday, storming home out wide and putting a real gap on his rivals late. After being allowed to settle early, the Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou trained Snitzel gelding unleashed a powerful wide run, surging past the field to score a runaway victory 1.29 lengths clear of Agent Zero.
It was a huge step forward for the progressive three-year-old, who arrived off a Hawkesbury maiden win and had endured some tough luck earlier in the prep. Jockey Michael Rodd admitted he wasn’t sure what to expect but was left stunned by how strongly Matias attacked the line, calling the win “really impressive”.
The performance has now sparked talk of a Sydney autumn carnival campaign, with Ryan considering giving the gelding a short break before targeting bigger races next year.
Grand Prix Stakes 2025 Results
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1st
3. Matias (7)
J: Michael Rodd 57kg
T: Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou |
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2nd
6. Agent Zero (8)
J: Angela Jones 57kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
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3rd
1. Tambeloa (6)
J: Cejay Graham 57kg
T: Kristen Buchanan |
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4th
13. Highgrove Rose (4)
J: Damien Thornton 55kg
T: Jack Bruce |
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5th
14. State Opera (5)
J: Daniel Moor 55kg
T: Tony Gollan |
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6th
4. Mr Worthington (2)
J: Ron Stewart 57kg
T: Joe Gleeson |
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7th
5. Toby's Trusty (1)
J: Brandon Lerena 57kg
T: William Kropp |
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8th
11. Bird Whistle (11)
J: Braith Nock 55kg
T: Brett & Georgie Cavanough |
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9th
2. John Dory (3)
J: Ryan Maloney 57kg
T: Chris Waller |
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10th
7. Lyneham (12)
J: Martin Harley 57kg
T: Chris & Corey Munce |
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11th
10. Sevilo (14)
J: Dylan Turner 57kg
T: Paul Shailer |
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12th
12. Nightline (10)
J: Mark Du Plessis 55kg
T: Tony & Maddysen Sears |
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13th
9. Giapponese (9)
J: Robbie Dolan 57kg
T: Stephen Lee |
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14th
8. Kozak Prince (13)
J: Jake Bayliss 57kg
T: Jamie Bayliss |
Once held on the Kingsford-Smith Cup race day in May over the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival, the race was moved to summer time slot in 2019. Officially there were two 2019 Grand Prix Stakes, the first held in the winter and won by Fun Fact and the second contested at the end of December and taken out by Chains Of Honour.
The Grand Prix Stakes is open only to three-year-old staying types, the set weights showdown now offering a lucrative $300,000 in total prize money.
It is currently contested over 1800m as of 2024 having previously been run over 2100m and 2200m.
The event once held Group 2 status and when run in the winter served as a good guide to the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) run back at the Eagle Farm track a fortnight later on Stradbroke Handicap Day.
The latest horses to complete the Grand Prix Stakes – Queensland Derby double in the same year were Brambles (2012) and Hawkspur (2013), while in 2016 Eagle Way won the Queensland Derby on the back of a Grand Prix second. In 2018 the Grand Prix Stakes winner Heavenly Thought ran second in the Queensland Derby next start.
Kovalica meanwhile won the 2022 Grand Prix Stakes before success in the 2023 Queensland Derby the following winter.
The 2021 Grand Prix Stakes form was franked with the winner Gypsy Goddess returning in the autumn of 2022 to run third in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) and second in the Group 1 ATC Oaks (2400m) in Sydney. She then went on to win Brisbane’s Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2400m) in the winter before a third in the spring in the $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) as a four-year-old.
The 2022 Grand Prix Stakes winner Kovalica went on to win the 2023 Group 2 Queensland Guineas the following autumn before a third in the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) and victory in the 2023 Queensland Derby. He further franked the form in the spring of 2023 running second in Sydney’s Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m).
The latest edition of the 2025 Grand Prix Stakes ran on Saturday December 20, 2025 at Eagle Farm Racecourse in Brisbane and was won in a big late run out wide by the Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou trained improver Matias ($7).
Grand Prix Stakes Info: | |
Date: | Saturday December 20, 2025 |
Track: | Eagle Farm Racecourse |
Distance: | 1800m (as of 2024) |
Race Type: | 3YOs – Set Weights |
Status: | Group 3 |
Prizemoney: | $300,000 |
2025 Grand Prix Stakes Betting
The season’s top Grand Prix Stakes 2025 betting odds will be open at Ladbrokes.com.au on the now summer racing feature in Brisbane will be provided here at Races.com.au the week of the race.
Chains Of Honour ($1.90 in 2019), The Elanora ($2.35 in 2020), at the time undefeated Tarzino filly Gypsy Goddess ($1.24 in 2021), and the Chris Waller-trained Kovalica ($1.45 in 2022) are the latest favourites in Grand Prix Stakes betting to salute for the punters.
There was a notable upset in 2023 however with Encoder winning at Grand Prix Stakes odds of $12.
2025 Grand Prix Stakes Form Guide
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL 2025 GRAND PRIX STAKES FORM GUIDE
2025 Grand Prix Stakes Tips
Stay tuned for our insider Grand Prix Stakes 2025 Tips on the Brisbane summer showdown this season.
To Win: No. 2 John Dory
JOHN DORY (3) is deserving favourite in this year’s Grand Prix Stakes, and I am more than happy to back the punters’ pick to continue the good start to his career.
Hailing from the Gold Coast base of master horseman Chris Waller, this son of form VRC Derby champion Ace High is bred to stay and looks every chance to see out the 1800m without a worry.
From his three starts to date he has yet to run worse than second so is showing the right consistency and class to earn his shot at a Group 3 now.
Broke his maiden status two back over 1550m at Canterbury beating Matias by nearly a length off a game on-speed performance, and that form was subsequently franked with the runner-up going on to salute at Newcastle.
This guy went to Doomben for the City To Surf over a mile on December 6 and was denied by a narrow margin in a thrilling finish when giving all the weight away carrying 60kg but never giving up.
Ryan Maloney – who is riding in terrific fashion right now – comes aboard in place of Tommy Berry and the draw is ideal.
Drops back to 57kg at set weights, is expected to be on pace again and is fit enough now to see it out.
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9th
2. John Dory (3)
J: Ryan Maloney 57kg
T: Chris Waller |
2025 Grand Prix Stakes Field
The Grand Prix Stakes field attracts a gun field of three-year-old stayers heading towards the following winter’s Queensland Derby.
The Grand Prix Stakes 2025 Final Field & Barriers are set for release on the Wednesday of race week and will be published in full below once announced by Racing Queensland.
The 2025 Grand Prix Stakes field features a full line-up of potential Derby hopefuls including Group 1 fourth placed Tambeloa.
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Probable Weight | Penalty | Hcp Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3315943 | TAMBELOA | Kristen Buchanan | Ms Cejay Graham | 7 | 57kg | 76.5 | ||
| 2 | 212 | JOHN DORY (NZ) | Chris Waller | Ryan Maloney | 3 | 57kg | 67 | ||
| 3 | 55×221 | MATIAS | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Michael Rodd | 8 | 57kg | 64 | ||
| 4 | 453×314610 | MR WORTHINGTON | Joe Gleeson | Ron Stewart | 2 | 57kg | 63 | ||
| 5 | 1 | TOBY’S TRUSTY | William Kropp | Brandon Lerena | 1 | 57kg | 62 | ||
| 6 | 544×621 | AGENT ZERO | Ciaron Maher | Ms Angela Jones | 9 | 57kg | 61 | ||
| 7 | 6×15 | LYNEHAM | Chris & Corey Munce | Martin Harley | 13 | 57kg | 60 | ||
| 8 | 40×4140 | KOZAK PRINCE | Jamie Bayliss | Jake Bayliss | 14 | 57kg | 59 | ||
| 9 | 345×21 | GIAPPONESE | Stephen Lee | Robbie Dolan | 10 | 57kg | 58 | ||
| 10 | 32577 | SEVILO (NZ) | Paul Shailer | Dylan Turner | 15 | 57kg | |||
| 11 | 1×42 | BIRD WHISTLE | Brett & Georgie Cavanough | Braith Nock (a) | 12 | 55kg | 69 | ||
| 12 | 2161 | NIGHTLINE (NZ) | Tony & Maddysen Sears | Mark Du Plessis | 11 | 55kg | 67 | ||
| 13 | 360×221 | HIGHGROVE ROSE | Jack Bruce | Damien Thornton | 5 | 55kg | 61 | ||
| 14 | 68×5719 | STATE OPERA | Tony Gollan | Daniel Moor | 6 | 55kg | 60 | ||
| 15e | 7x421L | FAR CRY | Troy Pascoe | 4 | 55kg | 58 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
2025 Grand Prix Stakes Nominations
Early nominations for the Grand Prix Stakes race in 2025 close the Monday of race week and will be updated below once available.
2025 Grand Prix Stakes nominations extended until 10:00am – 16/12/2025
| Last 10 | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | Ballot | Hcp Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 544×621 | AGENT ZERO | G | 3 | Ciaron Maher | 61 | |
| 2 | 48x5555x73 | ARTISTIC ENDEAVOUR | G | 3 | Kelly Schweida | ||
| 3 | 1×42 | BIRD WHISTLE | F | 3 | Brett & Georgie Cavanough | ||
| 4 | 345×21 | GIAPPONESE | C | 3 | Stephen Lee | ||
| 5 | 360×221 | HIGHGROVE ROSE | F | 3 | Jack Bruce | 61 | |
| 6 | 212 | JOHN DORY (NZ) | G | 3 | Chris Waller | 67 | |
| 7 | 40×4140 | KOZAK PRINCE | G | 3 | Jamie Bayliss | 59 | |
| 8 | 6×15 | LYNEHAM | C | 3 | Chris & Corey Munce | 60 | |
| 9 | 55×221 | MATIAS | G | 3 | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | ||
| 10 | 453×314610 | MR WORTHINGTON | C | 3 | Joe Gleeson | 63 | |
| 11 | 2161 | NIGHTLINE (NZ) | F | 3 | Tony & Maddysen Sears | 67 | |
| 12 | 32577 | SEVILO (NZ) | C | 3 | Paul Shailer | ||
| 13 | 68×5719 | STATE OPERA | F | 3 | Tony Gollan | 60 | |
| 14 | 3315943 | TAMBELOA | C | 3 | Kristen Buchanan | 76 | |
| 15 | 71 | TAP HIGH | G | 3 | Kerry Taplin | 62 | |
| 16 | 1 | TOBY’S TRUSTY | G | 3 | William Kropp | 62 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
Grand Prix Stakes History
The Grand Prix Stakes was originally held at Eagle Farm before being shifted to Doomben Racecourse in 2010.
From 2017 onward the race returned to its inaugural home and joined the Kingsford Smith Cup Day card. Inaugurated in 1971 when Mode won, a number of renowned horses can be found among the Grand Prix Stakes results. These include Balmerino (1976), Surround (1977), Kingston Town (1980), and Sirmione (2007).
After the 2019 Grand Prix Stakes was run and won in the winter, Racing Queensland moved the Group 3 race to the summer making for two 2019 editions. The race’s prize money was also increased to $250,000 and the Grand Prix Stakes was given its own feature race meeting in December.
The Grand Prix Stakes race distance has changed multiple times and was again decreased from 2200m to 2100m in 2021.
In 2024 the Grand Prix Stakes distance was again reduced this time to 1800m.
Grand Prix Stakes Race Distance
| Period | Distance |
|---|---|
| 1971-72 | 1.5 miles |
| 1973-74 | 2400m |
| 1975-82 | 2200m |
| 1983 | 2232m |
| 1984-89 | 2200m |
| 1990 | 2244m |
| 1991 | 2225m |
| 1992-2001 | 2200m |
| 2002 | 2144m |
| 2003 | 2140m |
| 2004-09 | 2100m |
| 2009-2020 | 2200m |
| 2021-2023 | 2100m |
| 2024-onwards | 1800m |
Once a Group 2 race (1979-2005) the Grand Prix Stakes lost its rating and since 2006 has been run as a Group 3 race. In spite of its reduced status, the Grand Prix Stakes still attracts some very good horses from all around each year. Recent winners of the Grand Prix Stakes – Queensland Derby double include Brambles (2012) and Hawkspur (2013).
In 2022 the odds-on favourite Kovalica saluted for the punters in a record time of 2 minutes 9.59 seconds and returned in 2023 to win the Queensland Guineas – Queensland Derby double.
Grand Prix Stakes results since 2000 are listed below.
Grand Prix Stakes Results
Year |
Place |
Horse |
Time |
| 2025 Grand Prix Stakes | 1st | Matias | 1:49.10 |
| 2nd | Agent Zero | ||
| 3rd | Tambeloa | ||
| 2024 Grand Prix Stakes | 1st | Beau Dazzler | 1:52.44 (Run over 1800m) |
| 2nd | Sun Worshipper | ||
| 3rd | Madame Lexis | ||
| 2023 Grand Prix Stakes | 1st | Encoder | 2:12.81 |
| 2nd | Kirikan | ||
| 3rd | Imezaaki | ||
| 2022 Grand Prix Stakes | 1st | Kovalica | 2:09.59 (R) |
| 2nd | Noah ‘N’ A Deel | ||
| 3rd | Kandos Cosmos | ||
| 2021 Grand Prix Stakes | 1st | Gypsy Goddess | 2:11.57 |
| 2nd | Balmaurice | ||
| 3rd | Ironic Miss | ||
| 2020 Grand Prix Stakes | 1st | The Elanora | 2:16.70 |
| 2nd | Toscanini | ||
| 3rd | Atonement | ||
| 2019 (Summer) Grand Prix Stakes | 1st | Chains Of Honour | 2:17.59 |
| 2nd | Mission Phoenix | ||
| 3rd | Mosshiki | ||
| 2019 (Winter) Grand Prix Stakes | 1st | Fun Fact | 2:16.07 |
| 2nd | Angel Of Heaven | ||
| 3rd | Home Made | ||
| 2018 Grand Prix Stakes | 1st | Heavenly Thought | 2:14.22 |
| 2nd | Han Xin | ||
| 3rd | Dark Dream | ||
| 2017 Grand Prix Stakes | 1st | Order Again | 2:22.3 |
| 2nd | Volatile Mix | ||
| 3rd | Violate | ||
| 2016 Grand Prix Stakes | 1st | Mackintosh | 2:16.4 |
| 2nd | Eagle Way | ||
| 3rd | Howard Be Thy Name | ||
| 2015 Grand Prix Stakes | 1st | Upham | 2:04.6 |
| 2nd | Redoutable Heart | ||
| 3rd | Master Of Arts | ||
| 2014 Grand Prix Stakes | 1st | Vilanova | 2:14.5 |
| 2nd | Pinstripe Lane | ||
| 3rd | Rudy | ||
| 2013 Grand Prix Stakes | 1st | Hawkspur | 2:16.3 |
| 2nd | Rhythm To Spare | ||
| 3rd | Honorius | ||
| 2012 Grand Prix Stakes | 1st | Brambles | 2:16.1 |
| 2nd | Vatuvei | ||
| 3rd | Red Shift | ||
| 2011 Grand Prix Stakes | 1st | Turnitup | 2:18.0 |
| 2nd | Mr Light Blue | ||
| 3rd | Alma’s Fury | ||
| 2010 Grand Prix Stakes | 1st | Kutchinsky | 2:17.0 |
| 2nd | The Hombre | ||
| 3rd | Landlord | ||
| 2009 Grand Prix Stakes | 1st | Saint Minerva | 2:19.4 |
| 2nd | Markus Maximus | ||
| 3rd | The Grogoch | ||
| 2008 Grand Prix Stakes | 1st | Bell Academy | 2:14.9 |
| 2nd | Teary Eyed | ||
| 3rd | Petushki | ||
| 2007 Grand Prix Stakes | 1st | Sirmione | 2:10.3 |
| 2nd | My Centurion | ||
| 3rd | Currigee | ||
| 2006 Grand Prix Stakes | 1st | Ice Chariot | 2:10.5 |
| 2nd | Kincharm | ||
| 3rd | Just Grand | ||
| 2005 Grand Prix Stakes | 1st | Spuruson | 207.6 |
| 2nd | Willy Leica | ||
| 3rd | Atapi | ||
| 2004 Grand Prix Stakes | 1st | Reclaim | 2:08.9 |
| 2nd | Dodgem | ||
| 3rd | Russian Pearl | ||
| 2003 Grand Prix Stakes | 1st | Half Hennessy | 2:11.4 |
| 2nd | General Minolta | ||
| 3rd | Mahtoum | ||
| 2002 Grand Prix Stakes | 1st | Distinctly Secret | 2:11.7 |
| 2nd | Cassimir | ||
| 3rd | Arlington Road | ||
| 2001 Grand Prix Stakes | 1st | Reenact | 2:14.6 |
| 2nd | Air War | ||
| 3rd | Feed The Meter | ||
| 2000 Grand Prix Stakes | 1st | Make Mine Magic | 2:14.6 |
| 2nd | Freemason | ||
| 3rd | Fairway | ||
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