There are many top-level horse races in Australia. Here, we’re looking specifically at Australian Group 1 races in Sydney.
We check out the history of these major Group races, the types of racing at Rosehill and Randwick, major annual Australian Group 1 races in Sydney and we also answer your top questions. Please feel free to check the Group 1 horse races in Australia.
History of Australian Group 1 Races in Sydney
The first approved racing meet in Sydney was held in Hyde Park in October 1810. After that, the first Turf Club was started in March of 1825. Randwick began racing in 1860, while the first Sydney Cup was staged in 1866.
Traditionally within Aussie horse racing, top stakes races were known as ‘black type’ events. In the late 1970’s, grouping and grading was introduced.
Now, Australian Group 1 races in Sydney mirror classifications of races around the world.
Types of Australian Group 1 Races
The term Group 1 tells you that a race is rated at the very top level for quality.
Within this classification races are split into various categories, such as:
- Distance – Group 1 races in Sydney are staged between 1200m and 3200m.
- Age – some races are for 2-year-olds or 3-year-olds only, others are ‘all-aged’.
- Sex – some races are for fillies and mares only.
- Type – some races are handicaps, others are ‘weight-for-age’.
Once entries are made, many factors can influence results. The field barrier draw is one, which there is no recourse for should your horse be drawn badly.
Annual Australian Group 1 Races
We know about the major races in Melbourne, such as the Caulfield Cup, the Cox Plate and the Melbourne Cup. Sydney too however has some of the best races around.
Randwick Group 1 Races
Randwick Racecourse has 20 of Sydney’s Group 1’s, staged between late February and early October. Read more about the Group 1 horse races at Randwick.
Millions of dollars in prize money is shared out across these races, the main ones being:
- Randwick Guineas. A million-dollar event for three-year-olds over 1600m in March. The winner then qualifies for the Australian Derby.
- Doncaster Mile. Known also as the Doncaster Handicap. A $3m race offering ballot exemption for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
- TJ Smith Stakes. The TJ Smith is a $2.5m sprint over 1200 metres in April.
- Australian Derby. For 3yo’s only, the Australian Derby is run over 2400m in April.
- Queen Elizabeth Stakes. A weight-for-age race over 2000 metres. This race has a purse of $4m.
- Sydney Cup. A 3200m open handicap. This is a great prep race for the Melbourne Cup.
Rosehill Group 1 Races
Rosehill doesn’t have as many top races as Randwick, but does boast these beauties (for more information read our page about the Group 1 horse races at Rosehill):
- Golden Slipper. A top sprint race for the two-year-olds over 1200m, worth more than $5m.
- Tancred Stakes. Run over 2400m and worth $1.5m, the Tancred is for three-year-olds and over and offers entry into the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and the Sydney Cup.
Summary
There are some fine Australian Group 1 races in Sydney. Some of the best horses now head to that territory, some staging their entire campaigns there, others using it as prep for the Spring Carnival in Melbourne.
29 of the country’s top-level events are staged in Sydney. The Golden Slipper, the Australian Derby, the Doncaster Handicap and the Queen Elizabeth Stakes in fact are among the most valuable races in the world.
FAQ
Your top questions answered about Australian Group 1 races in Sydney.
Group 1 racing is at the very top level of the sport. Such ‘stakes’ races are known as ‘Grade 1’s in North America. An Australian Group 1 is simply a race classified as among the best in the world, held at a course in Australia.
There are 74 Group One races. Each racing carnival has a number of Group 1’s.
Yes. The Melbourne Cup at Flemington is both a handicap and a Group 1 event.
