Chances are you're about to lose.
For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
The Magic Night Stakes is a Group 3 race run at Rosehill Gardens offering a Golden Slipper ballot exemption to the winning two-year-old filly.
Magic Night Stakes News
Held during the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival in March, the Magic Night Stakes is a Group 3 sprint for two-year-old fillies. As a set weights race, the fillies are required to carry 55.5kg over the 1200m distance at Rosehill Racecourse. Worth $250,000 in prize money, the event is run on Coolmore Classic Day.
2026 Magic Night Stakes Results
Stay tuned for the official 2026 Magic Night Stakes results and finishing order at Rosehill on Saturday March 14, 2026 and to see if any fillies will back-up in the Golden Slipper field.
- 1st: No. 3 Pembrey ($2.05F)
- 2nd: No. 2 Lumbini
- 3rd: No. 1 By Choice
Winning Margin: 1.37 lengths
Winning Time: 1:10.72
A quick back-up into the $5 million Golden Slipper field looks likely for Tony Gollan’s progressive Prague filly Pembrey ($2.05F) who was rated to perfection by ace hoop James McDonald to salute for the punters in the 2026 Magic Night Stakes results. Improving on her lead-up fifth in the Sweet Embrace Stakes, the well-backed top fancy jumped clean out the gates and was allowed to roll forward and lead. Despite showing greenness wobbling her way down the straight looking a sitting duck, she showed good fight going through the gears and holding on to win by 1.37 lengths with connections now keen to pay the late entry fee for her to contest the world’s richest race for 2YOs. Pembrey has firmed in from $51 to $15 in futures Golden Slipper odds at Ladbrokes.com.au.
| 3. Pembrey (7) J: James McDonald56.5kg 15T: Tony Gollan | ||
| 2. Lumbini (1) J: Adam Hyeronimus56.5kg 127T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | ||
| 1. By Choice (4) J: Tim Clark56.5kg 1533T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | ||
| 11. Ciaron’s Star (3) J: Chad Schofield56.5kg 316T: Ciaron Maher | ||
| 4. Hardanger (6) J: Tommy Berry56.5kg 334T: Michael Freedman | ||
| 9. Ektifire (8) J: Craig Williams56.5kg 5T: Anthony & Sam Freedman | ||
| 6. Wave Blaster (2) J: Alysha Collett56.5kg 49T: Tracey Bartley | ||
| 10. Hellenic Belle (5) J: Zac Lloyd56.5kg T: Annabel & Rob Archibald |
The meeting is headlined by the Group 1 $1,000,000 Coolmore Classic (1500m) for fillies and mares. Other support races held on the card include the Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes (1500m), the Group 2 Ajax Stakes (1500m), and the Group 3 Pago Pago Stakes (1200m) which is the colts & gelding’s equivalent to the Magic Night Stakes.
The Magic Night Stakes winner is exempt from ballot for the Group 1 $5 million Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) that is held in one week’s time. It is a final chance for fillies to make the field for the world’s richest two-years-old race.
The last Golden Slipper winner to back-up off a Magic Night Stakes run was Kiamichi (2019) who did the double, and a number of Magic Night Stakes graduates have also placed in the Golden Slipper in recent years.
In 2017 the Magic Night Stakes winner Tulip went on to run third in the Golden Slipper trifecta, as did Sunlight in 2018. Sunlight would also continue on to win three Group 1 races over the next 12 months with victories in the Coolmore Stud Stakes (2018), Newmarket Handicap (2019) and William Reid Stakes (2019).
The 2022 Magic Night Stakes form was franked with the winning filly She’s Extreme going on to run second in that year’s Group 1 Inglis Sires’ before a win in the Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) over a mile. She further franked the form returning in the spring for placings in the Group 1 Flight Stakes (2nd) and Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (3rd) before a big win in Melbourne’s Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m).
The Magic Night Stakes 2026 ran on Saturday March 14, 2026 as a last-minute Golden Slipper lead-up for the two-year-old fillies and was won by Tony Gollan’s Queensland raider Pembrey ($2.05F).Â
| 2026 Magic Night Stakes | |
|---|---|
| Date: | Saturday March 14, 2026 |
| Track: | Rosehill Racecourse, Sydney |
| Distance: | 1200m |
| Race Type: | 2YO Fillies Set Weights 55.5kg |
| Status: | Group 3 |
| Prize money: | $250,000 |
2026 Magic Night Stakes Betting
The updated Magic Night Stakes 2026 betting odds on the Golden Slipper Stakes-bound fillies will be listed here at Races.com.au with market links to Ladbrokes.com.au the week of the race.
Arcaded ($2.90 in 2021), She’s Extreme ($3.50 in 2022), Steel City ($3 in 2023) and Pembrey ($2.05 in 2026) are the last favourites in Magic Night Stakes betting to salute for the punters.
2026 Magic Night Stakes Form
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL 2026 MAGIC NIGHT STAKES FORM GUIDE
2026 Magic Night Stakes Tips
Stay tuned for our insider Magic Night Stakes 2026 Tips on the late Slipper lead-up for fillies.
Each Way: No. 4 Hardanger
HARDANGER (9) remains a maiden after her opening three starts but looks overs to potentially break through here. Not sure if she’s the best filly in the field but she’s well-tried, honest and has a touch of class bringing in the right form lines to suggest another Top 3 run isn’t out of the question at a good price. The bonny brown from the Michael Freedman yard ran third behind a nice colt in Warwoven (who I’ve tipped to win the Pago one race later on Saturday’s card) at Randwick on debut in December and she’s been good in her two runs this time in. Fresh she crossed third in the Group 3 Widden Stakes here at Rosehill before running fourth without disgrace only 1.26 lengths beaten by the winner Spicy Miss at a big quote in a tight Group 2 Sweet Embrace Stakes finish. Similar line-up here and, while the gate makes things a little tricky, Tommy Berry is likely to let her settle back before she launches late. Watch for her in the final furlong.
|
4. Hardanger (6)
J: Tommy Berry56.5kg
334T: Michael Freedman
|
2026 Magic Night Stakes Field
The Magic Night Stakes field features a host of smart young fillies eyeing a run in the following weekend’s Golden Slipper field.
The 2026 Magic Night Stakes field and barriers will be released by Racing NSW on the Wednesday of race week and published in full below.
The Magic Night Stakes 2026 final field features a promising line-up of potential Golden Slipper bound fillies including the Tony Gollan-trained Pembrey coming off a close fifth in the Group 2 Sweet Embrace Stakes and By Choice from the Waterhouse/Bott yard who ran third in both the Magic Millions 2YO Classic at the Gold Coast and Sweet Embrace at her latest two.
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Probable Weight | Penalty | Hcp Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1533 | BY CHOICE | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tim Clark | 4 | 56.5kg | Â | Â | Â |
| 2 | 127 | LUMBINI | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Adam Hyeronimus | 1 | 56.5kg | Â | Â | Â |
| 3 | 15 | PEMBREY | Tony Gollan | James McDonald | 10 | 56.5kg | Â | Â | Â |
| 4 | 334 | HARDANGER | Michael Freedman | Tommy Berry | 9 | 56.5kg | Â | Â | Â |
| 5 | 1 | LAGUNANINI | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | Nash Rawiller | 8 | 56.5kg | Â | Â | Â |
| 6 | 49 | WAVE BLASTER | Tracey Bartley | Ms Alysha Collett (late alt) | 2 | 56.5kg | Â | Â | Â |
| 7 | 3 | AFFARI | Chris Waller | Kerrin McEvoy | 6 | 56.5kg | Â | Â | Â |
| 8 | 9 | ZOO DAZZLER | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Jason Collett | 12 | 56.5kg | Â | Â | Â |
| 9 | 5 | EKTIFIRE | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Craig Williams | 11 | 56.5kg | Â | Â | Â |
| 10 | Â | HELLENIC BELLE | Annabel & Rob Archibald | Zac Lloyd | 7 | 56.5kg | Â | Â | Â |
| 11 | 316 | CIARON’S STAR | Ciaron Maher | Chad Schofield | 3 | 56.5kg |  |  |  |
| 12 | Â | ARREST WARRANT | Mark Cross | Andrew Adkins | 5 | 56.5kg | Â | Â | Â |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
2026 Magic Night Stakes Nominations
The early Magic Night Stakes nominations for 2026 close the Monday ahead of the event.
2026 Magic Night Stakes nominations extended until 11:00am (AEDT) – 10/03/2026
| Â | Last 10 | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | Hcp Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | AFFARI | F | 2 | Chris Waller | Â |
| 2 | 1533 | BY CHOICE | F | 2 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Â |
| 3 | 5 | EKTIFIRE | F | 2 | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Â |
| 4 | 334 | HARDANGER | F | 2 | Michael Freedman | Â |
| 5 | Â | HELLENIC BELLE | F | 2 | Annabel & Rob Archibald | Â |
| 6 | 1 | LAGUNANINI | F | 2 | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | Â |
| 7 | 127 | LUMBINI | F | 2 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Â |
| 8 | 15 | PEMBREY | F | 2 | Tony Gollan | Â |
| 9 | 49 | WAVE BLASTER | F | 2 | Tracey Bartley | Â |
| 10 | 9 | ZOO DAZZLER | F | 2 | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Â |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
Magic Night Stakes History
First held in 1978, the Magic Night Stakes was won by Jubilee Walk under M. Johnston.
Notable recent Magic Night Stakes winners include next-up Golden Slipper winner Kiamichi (2019), subsequent three-time Group 1 winning sprinter Sunlight (2018), Tulip (2017) who went on to run third next-up in the Golden Slipper Stakes, Speak Fondly (2015), Gold Edition (2006), and Victory Vein (2002).
Trainer James Cummings won three straight editions of the Magic Night Stakes from 2019-2021 headed by his subsequent Golden Slipper champion Kiamichi (2019).
The full Magic Night Stakes results going back to 2000 are listed in the table below.
Magic Night Stakes Winners
Year |
Place |
Horse |
Time |
| 2026 Magic Night Stakes | 1st | Pembrey | 1 minute 10.72 seconds |
| 2nd | Lumbini | ||
| 2nd | By Choice | ||
| 2025 Magic Night Stakes | 1st | Memo | 1 minute 10.60 seconds |
| 2nd | Dream Side | ||
| 2nd | Alabama Magic | ||
| 2024 Magic Night Stakes | 1st | Drifting | 1 minute 10.76 seconds |
| 2nd | Fly Fly | ||
| 2nd | Chateau Miraval | ||
| 2023 Magic Night Stakes | 1st | Steel City | 1 minute 10.08 seconds |
| 2nd | Blanc De Blanc | ||
| 2nd | August Bloom | ||
| 2022 Magic Night Stakes | 1st | She’s Extreme | 1 minute 12.17 seconds |
| 2nd | Magic Carpet | ||
| 2nd | Swift Sweet | ||
| 2021 Magic Night Stakes | 1st | Arcaded | 1 minute 10.29 seconds |
| 2nd | Jamaea | ||
| 2nd | Robodira | ||
| 2020 Magic Night Stakes | 1st | Thermosphere | 1 minute 13.62 seconds |
| 2nd | Time Is Precious | ||
| 3rd | Jemss | ||
| 2019 Magic Night Stakes | 1st | Kiamichi | 1 minute 13.24 seconds |
| 2nd | Crystal Falls | ||
| 3rd | Athiri | ||
| 2018 Magic Night Stakes | 1st | Sunlight | 1 minute 10.74 seconds |
| 2nd | Cristobal | ||
| 3rd | Sweet Ava | ||
| 2017 Magic Night Stakes | 1st | Tulip | 1 minute 12.01 seconds |
| 2nd | Alizee | ||
| 3rd | Memento | ||
| 2016 Magic Night Stakes | 1st | Calliope | 1 minute 9.78 seconds |
| 2nd | Omei Sword | ||
| 3rd | Twist Tops | ||
| 2015 Magic Night Stakes | 1st | Speak Fondly | 1 minute 11.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Perignon | ||
| 3rd | Italy | ||
| 2014 Magic Night Stakes | 1st | Bring Me The Maid | 1 minute 12.7 seconds |
| 2nd | Peggy Jean | ||
| 3rd | Sultry Feeling | ||
| 2013 Magic Night Stakes | 1st | Scandiva | 1 minute 11.2 seconds |
| 2nd | Shahad | ||
| 3rd | Major Conquest | ||
| 2012 Magic Night Stakes | 1st | Ichihara | 1 minute 10.7 seconds |
| 2nd | Cavalry Rose | ||
| 3rd | Flying Schnitzel | ||
| 2011 Magic Night Stakes | 1st | Altar | 1 minute 11.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Pane In The Glass | ||
| 3rd | Aerobatics | ||
| 2010 Magic Night Stakes | 1st | Willow Creek | 1 minute 11.1 seconds |
| 2nd | More Strawberries | ||
| 3rd | Celts | ||
| 2009 Magic Night Stakes | 1st |
Indian Ocean | 1 minute 10.76 seconds |
| 2nd | Marquardt | ||
| 3rd | Shawnee Girl | ||
| 2008 Magic Night Stakes | 1st |
Portillo | 1 minute 11.91 seconds |
| 2nd | Sugar Babe | ||
| 3rd | Delta Girl | ||
| 2007 Magic Night Stakes | 1st |
Downhill Racer | 1 minute 10.75 seconds |
| 2nd | Camarilla | ||
| 3rd | Gamble Me | ||
| 2006 Magic Night Stakes | 1st |
Gold Edition | 1 minute 11.56 seconds |
| 2nd | Nediym’s Glow | ||
| 3rd | Catechuchu | ||
| 2005 Magic Night Stakes | 1st |
Media | 1 minute 9.38 seconds |
| 2nd | Carry On Cutie | ||
| 3rd | Blizzardly | ||
| 2004 Magic Night Stakes | 1st |
Alizes | 1 minute 9.46 seconds |
| 2nd | Tahni Girl | ||
| 3rd | Monsoon Wedding | ||
| 2003 Magic Night Stakes | 1st |
Shamekha | 1 minute 10.57 seconds |
| 2nd | Bella Corona | ||
| 3rd | Soak Up The Sun | ||
| 2002 Magic Night Stakes | 1st |
Victory Vein | 1 minute 9.96 seconds |
| 2nd | Calaway Gal | ||
| 3rd | Stratica | ||
| 2001 Magic Night Stakes | 1st |
Hosannah | 1 minute 10.28 seconds |
| 2nd | Hanky Panky | ||
| 3rd | Breezer | ||
| 2000 Magic Night Stakes | 1st |
Preserve | 1 minute 11.43 seconds |
| 2nd | Blab | ||
| 3rd | Ateates | ||
next to go
