GROUP ONE FINALES CROWN AN AUTUMN CARNIVAL FOR THE AGES

19 April, 2025

One of the most successful and exciting Sydney Autumn Racing Carnivals in modern history finished today with many of the nation’s highest rated horses winning Group 1 races against international competition.

Over six Saturdays, a total of $46.1 million in prizemoney was distributed to owners, trainers, jockeys and stablehands.

The Carnival featured 18 Group 1 races amongst 48 Blacktype events across 60 races hosted by Racing NSW and the Australian Turf Club.

Eighteen races over the Carnival offered prizemoney of $1 million or more including the $5 million TAB Golden Slipper at Rosehill Gardens and $5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Randwick.

A total of 718 runners competed for three weeks at Rosehill Gardens and three weeks at Royal Randwick, including the 12th running of The Star Championships at Royal Randwick on 5 and 12 April.

A total of 8762 owners attended across the six weeks.

Among many Group 1 highlights from 15 March to 19 April were:

• Via Sistina won a seventh group 1 race for season in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes for jockey James McDonald and trainer Chris Waller
• The Michael Freedman trained Marhoona with Damian Lane aboard won the $5 million TAB Golden Slipper
• Stefi Magnetica for Warwick Farm trainer Bjorn Baker and jockey Jason Collett took out the $4 million The Star Doncaster Mile
• Sydney’s 14-time champion trainer Chris Waller saddled up five Group 1 winners over the carnival ahead of Melbourne’s Matt Laurie with three
• James McDonald won five Group 1 races ahead of Damian Lane on four
• Bjorn Baker added a second Group 1 over the Carnival, winning the $2 million Schweppes Sydney Cup with Arapaho and jockey Rachel King.
• Briasa for Hawkes Racing won the $3 million Asahi Super Dry TJ Smith Stakes – giving young gun jockey Tyler Schiller another career Group 1
• Newcastle trainer Nathan Doyle won his first Group 1 race with Private Harry (Ash Morgan) in the Kia Ora Galaxy – and secured an Everest slot with racing and breeding giant Yulong.

Over the 60 races of the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival, the leading trainer on a 3-2-1 win and place points basis was Chris Waller on 50 points, ahead of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott on 28 points.

The leading rider under the 3-2-1 points basis was James McDonald on 36 points, ahead of Tyler Schiller on 30.

Australian Turf Club Head of Racing and Wagering Nevesh Ramdhani said: “Australia’s best horses, jockeys and trainers have taken on the world at Rosehill Gardens and Royal Randwick in one of the most successful Sydney Autumn Carnivals in many decades.

“We have seen amazing performances highlighted by the win of Via Sistina, one of the world’s highest rated horses, in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes off the back of her Ranvet Stakes and Verry Elleegant Stakes victories.’’

Amongst other races at the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival:

• Know Thyself for trainers Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich with jockey Aaron Bullock won the $1 million Evergreen Turf Country Championships Final at Royal Randwick
• Matcha Latte trained by Sara Ryan and ridden by Ash Morgan took out the $1 million Polytrack Provincial-Midway Championships Final at Royal Randwick

A comprehensive review, results and statistics service for all Group and Blacktype races along with other key feature Sydney races from 1 February to 19 April, encompassing the six-week Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival, can be found at https://www.racingandsports.com.au/transcription/atc/ATC-Media-Service-2024-2025/

Brett de Vine

0419 613 455

bdevine@theATC.com.au