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The 2026 Boulder Cup is held on Sunday September 20, 2026 as an early Perth Cup lead-up.
The Boulder Cup 2026 is one of Western Australia’s most established staying features, a Listed 2100m contest at Kalgoorlie that plays a crucial role in shaping the region’s spring staying form. Traditionally run during the famous Kalgoorlie Cup Carnival, the race attracts a blend of seasoned stayers, emerging distance prospects and horses building towards the major goldfields staying tests ahead. Punters tracking the latest 2026 Boulder Cup odds and analysing Boulder Cup betting markets rely on this race for early insight into which runners are handling the rise in trip, adapting to the unique Kalgoorlie conditions and showing the strength required to progress deeper into the carnival. This page delivers everything you need to study the field, assess the staying profiles and get set for one of WA’s most influential 2100m contests.
2026 Boulder Cup Odds
See below for the latest Boulder Cup 2026 odds followed by the official finishing order after the event this spring.
2026 Boulder Cup Tips
Stay tuned for our insider Boulder Cup 2026 tips on the popular WA showdown this spring.
The 2026 Boulder Cup is a Listed event held at Kalgoorlie Racecourse around mid-September each year on the Sunday after Sydney’s The Shorts Day program. Run under quality handicap conditions, the Boulder Cup provides country horses with an opportunity to compete against some metropolitan stabled horses. Raced over a distance of 2100m, the Boulder Cup is an ideal step-up for milers. Stayers can also step down relatively easily to the 2100m event. Prior to 2014, the Boulder Cup was raced over 1760m. With $125,000 prize money, the event attracts plenty of local talent each spring.
While the Boulder Cup could form any stage in a variety of spring campaigns, it usually attracts locals who will be hitting the Kalgoorlie track regularly over the season. The Boulder Cup often falls into the sights of horses who are targeting the Kalgoorlie Cup (2300m) and who may have already raced in the Coolgardie Cup. Those top-class horses who perform above expectations might go on to contend the Group 1 Railway Stakes or even the Group 2 Perth Cup.
Sentimental Hero (2nd in 2025) was the last Coolgardie Cup graduate to go onto win the Boulder Cup.
In 2020 the Boulder Cup winner Friar Fox went on to run third in that season’s Kalgoorlie Cup, while Divine Shadow ran second in both events. Friar Fox returned and made Boulder Cup history in 2021 becoming the first back-to-back winner in over 70 years.
Stafford’s Lad (2022) took out both the Boulder Cup and Kalgoorlie Cup races that year. He further franked the form running second in the 2023 Group 2 Perth Cup results the following January.
Sentimental Hero (2025) was the last stayer to complete the Boulder Cup – Kalgoorlie Cup double.
The 2023 Boulder Cup form was franked with the runner-up, Be Optimistic, winning the Kalgoorlie Cup next-up before a second in the summer’s 2024 Perth Cup quinella.
Starry Heights (2024) was the last horse to complete the Boulder Cup – Kalgoorlie Cup double when setting a race record in the opening leg, while Iowa ran second in both events back-to-back that year.
The 2024 Boulder Cup form was further enhanced by the third placegetter Admiration Express who went on to run second in that December’s Group 1 Northerly Stakes (1800m).
Starry Heights returned for a Boulder Cup title defence in 2025 but ultimately ran a distant second to Sentimental Hero.
Sentimental Hero franked the 2025 Boulder Cup form continuing on that summer to finish third in the Group 1 Railway Stakes trifecta.
| Boulder Cup 2026 | |
|---|---|
| Date: | Sunday September 20, 2026 |
| Track: | Kalgoorlie Racecourse |
| Distance: | 2100m |
| Race Type: | Open Quality Handicap |
| Status: | Listed |
| Prize Money: | $125,000 |
2026 Boulder Cup Results
Stay tuned for the official 2026 Boulder Cup results and finishing order and to see what horse may have the Perth Cup race on the radar!
- 1st: TBD
- 2nd: TBD
- 3rd: TBD
Winning Margin: TBD
Winning Time: TBD
2026 Boulder Cup Betting
Betting on the Boulder Cup opens following final acceptances on the Wednesday before the event and will be available at Races.com.au once available through Ladbrokes.
Villeins ($2.15 in 2023) and Starry Heights ($2.40 in 2024) are the latest favourites in Boulder Cup betting to salute for the punters.
Starry Heights returned as the short $2.05 favourite in the 2025 race but finished runner-up to next best in the markets, Sentimental Hero ($2.70).
2026 Boulder Cup Form
The Boulder Cup form guide is the essential tool punters use to assess every runner lining up in Kalgoorlie’s historic 2100m Listed staying feature. As a key race of the Goldfields racing carnival, the form guide compiles each horse’s recent performances, staying credentials, track suitability and overall campaign progression. With many runners targeting the major Kalgoorlie staying races, the Boulder Cup form guide gives punters a clear snapshot of which horses are building towards peak fitness and who is best suited to the unique conditions of the region.
What Punters Should Look for on the Boulder Cup Form Guide:
- Staying ability — look for horses with strong 2000m+ form or proven stamina.
- Kalgoorlie track experience — the sand-based surface and long straight reward horses familiar with the circuit.
- Fitness progression — many runners peak third-up or fourth-up into this race.
- Weight and handicaps — well-weighted stayers often get their chance in Listed company.
- Tempo and speed map — on-pace runners can be hard to run down at Kalgoorlie, but strong closers excel if the tempo is genuine.
- Stable intent — leading WA stables often target this race as part of a planned staying campaign.
FULL 2026 BOULDER CUP FORM GUIDE
Want to discover value runners using smart form suggestions?
Form Genius is a powerful form analysis tool that makes doing the form easy by getting through mountains of data at the touch of a button! Ask it anything and get fast, form-based answers on any runner, jockey or trainer in any race. Use the smart prompts for deep insights and to sharpen your punting even further.
Ask Form Genius...
- Which runner has the best trainer/jockey combo at Kalgoorlie?
- Which runner has the best form on this track?
- Which runners are mapped as leaders in the Boulder Cup?
Want to discover value runners using smart form suggestions?
Form Genius is a powerful form analysis tool that makes doing the form easy by getting through mountains of data at the touch of a button! Ask it anything and get fast, form-based answers on any runner, jockey or trainer in any race. Use the smart prompts for deep insights and to sharpen your punting even further.
Get Free Access to Form Genius Now2026 Boulder Cup Field
The 2026 Boulder Cup field will be officially released on Wednesday of race week and published below.
Boulder Cup History
The Boulder Cup has a long and storied history. Held in the gold-mining town of Kalgoorlie, the Boulder Cup and other Kalgoorlie races have long been an intrinsic part of the local sporting culture. Kalgoorlie Racecourse is one of the best country tracks in Western Australia, which ensures that the better listed and country events remain there.
Notable Boulder Cup winners include Opening Twist (2001), Hotel Casuarina (2005) and Gondorff (2010). Reverend Lovejoy was able to take out victory in 2009 over Gondorff and then return in 2011 to win the race again over celebrated WA gelding Kincaple.
Prince Of Pop placed second in 2000 and was able to come back in 2003 for a third place. Mercedario has two third places, in 2002 and 2004. You’ll often notice the same local horses popping up in the results from year to year. Starting in 2014, the Boulder Cup changed to 2100m as opposed to 1760m.
In 2021 Friar Fox made Boulder Cup history becoming the first successive champion since Trectratic (1946-47).
Starry Heights (2024) holds the current Boulder Cup record winning in 2 minutes 08.24 seconds.
Boulder Cup winners, top results and winning times since 2000 are listed below.
Boulder Cup Results
| Year | Place | Horse | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Boulder Cup | 1st | TBD | TBD |
| TBD | |||
| 3rd | TBD | ||
| 2025 Boulder Cup | 1st | Sentimental Hero | 2 minutes 12.97 seconds |
| Starry Heights | |||
| 3rd | Ryewood | ||
| 2024 Boulder Cup | 1st | Starry Heights | 2 minutes 08.24 seconds (R) |
| Iowa | |||
| 3rd | Admiration Express | ||
| 2023 Boulder Cup | 1st | Villeins | 2 minutes 10.18 seconds |
| Be Optimistic | |||
| 3rd | Dancing Jack | ||
| 2022 Boulder Cup | 1st | Stafford’s Lad | 2 minutes 09.45 seconds |
| No Apology | |||
| 3rd | He’s A Parker | ||
| 2021 Boulder Cup | 1st | Friar Fox | 2 minutes 09.47 seconds |
| 2nd | Bella’s Idol | ||
| 3rd | Living The Dream | ||
| 2020 Boulder Cup | 1st | Friar Fox | 2 minutes 11.73 seconds |
| 2nd | Divine Shadow | ||
| 3rd | Major Mambo | ||
| 2019 Boulder Cup | 1st | Gangbuster | 2 minutes 09.91 seconds |
| 2nd | First Affair | ||
| 3rd | Touch Of Silver | ||
| 2018 Boulder Cup | 1st | First Affair | 2 minutes 10.21 seconds |
| 2nd | State Prosecutor | ||
| 3rd | Gloryland | ||
| 2017 Boulder Cup | 1st | Already Famous | 2 minutes 09.17 seconds |
| 2nd | Shinta Mani | ||
| 3rd | Gloryland | ||
| 2016 Boulder Cup | 1st | Don’tgetcaught | 2 minutes 08.42 seconds |
| 2nd | Cougar Express | ||
| 3rd | Ihtsahymn | ||
| 2015 Boulder Cup | 1st | Ask Me Nicely | 2 minutes 12.12 seconds |
| 2nd | Already Famous | ||
| 3rd | Woodsville | ||
| 2014 Boulder Cup | 1st | Red Blast | 2 minutes 08.11 seconds |
| 2nd | Ram Jam | ||
| 3rd | True Gold | ||
| 2013 Boulder Cup | 1st | Fanicio | 1 minute 45.52 seconds |
| 2nd | Barnsley Lad | ||
| 3rd | Amelias Dancer | ||
| 2012 Boulder Cup | 1st | Belora | 1 minute 45.23 seconds |
| 2nd | Amelias Dancer | ||
| 3rd | Amelia Storm | ||
| 2011 Boulder Cup | 1st | Reverend Lovejoy | 1 minute 45.98 seconds |
| 2nd | Kincaple | ||
| 3rd | Battle Emblem | ||
| 2010 Boulder Cup | 1st | Gondorff | 1 minute 45.94 seconds |
| 2nd | Admiring | ||
| 3rd | Inarticulate | ||
| 2009 Boulder Cup | 1st | Reverend Lovejoy | 1 minute 47.12 seconds |
| 2nd | Gondorff | ||
| 3rd | Impact Rating | ||
| 2008 Boulder Cup | 1st | Mr Diagnosis | 1 minute 48.21 seconds |
| 2nd | Goldtown | ||
| 3rd | Stormblitz | ||
| 2007 Boulder Cup | 1st | Impact Rating | 1 minute 45.88 seconds |
| 2nd | Friar’s Touch | ||
| 3rd | I Command | ||
| 2006 Boulder Cup | 1st | Scenic Assault | 1 minute 46.97 seconds |
| 2nd | Moodometer | ||
| 3rd | Black Tom | ||
| 2005 Boulder Cup | 1st | Hotel Casuarina | 1 minute 45.30 seconds |
| 2nd | Priceless Matt | ||
| 3rd | Chenille Prince | ||
| 2004 Boulder Cup | 1st | My Thornbird | 1 minute 46.07 seconds |
| 2nd | Blevvo | ||
| 3rd | Mercedario | ||
| 2003 Boulder Cup | 1st | Space Age | 1 minute 49.07 seconds |
| 2nd | Priceless Matt | ||
| 3rd | Prince Of Pop | ||
| 2002 Boulder Cup | 1st | Lawmaker | 1 minute 47.71 seconds |
| 2nd | Eastern Standard | ||
| 3rd | Mercedario | ||
| 2001 Boulder Cup | 1st | Opening Twist | 1 minute 48.49 seconds |
| 2nd | Face Your Fears | ||
| 3rd | Stage Whisper | ||
| 2000 Boulder Cup | 1st | Never Blue | 1 minute 47.74 seconds |
| 2nd | Prince Of Pop | ||
| 3rd | Waters Rising | ||
Boulder Cup FAQs
What is the Boulder Cup?
The Boulder Cup is a Listed 2100m staying feature held at Kalgoorlie during the iconic Goldfields racing carnival, showcasing WA’s proven and emerging stayers.
When is the Boulder Cup held?
The race is traditionally run in September, forming a key part of Kalgoorlie’s spring racing program. The 2026 edition is scheduled for Sunday September 20, 2026.
What distance is the Boulder Cup run over?
The Boulder Cup is run over 2100 metres, a genuine staying trip that tests stamina, strength and adaptability to Kalgoorlie’s unique surface.
Where is the Boulder Cup held?
The race takes place at Kalgoorlie Racecourse, known for its sand-based track and long straight that rewards tough, grinding stayers.
Who can run in the Boulder Cup?
The race is open to stayers suited to 2000m+, often featuring a mix of seasoned campaigners and horses progressing through WA’s spring staying ranks.
Is the Boulder Cup an important lead-up race?
Yes — it is a major stepping-stone towards the Kalgoorlie Cup and other Goldfields staying features.
Does the Boulder Cup produce future staying winners?
Regularly. Horses who perform strongly here often progress to peak later in the carnival over longer trips.
Where can I find Boulder Cup odds and market movers?
Updated prices, market trends, betting insights and Boulder Cup odds are available at Ladbrokes after the final acceptances are announced.
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