Racing History Awaits At Rosehill Gardens For J Mac And 70th TAB Golden Slipper

18 March, 2026

An historic sporting moment looms at Rosehill Gardens this Saturday for the 70^th running of the Group 1 $5 million TAB Golden Slipper on Australia’s biggest day of Group 1 racing.

Sydney’s nine-time premiership champion jockey James McDonald needs just two more Group 1 wins to break the all-time Australasian riding record, with five Group 1 races run this Saturday.

Amongst his rides is the undefeated Autumn Glow – the rising superstar of Australian racing – as Chris Waller’s wonder mare aims for an 11^th consecutive victory in the Group 1 $1 million The Agency George Ryder Stakes.

The iconic $5 million TAB Golden Slipper is the racing centrepiece of Saturday, with a capacity 16 starters running in the world’s richest race for two-year-olds.

The Australian Turf Club will provide a host of celebrations across the course.

Members will be able to purchase a drink for just 70c after the running of the TAB Golden Slipper.

The Living End perform a concert after the last race which is all included in General Admission tickets.

Australian Turf Club Interim CEO Steve McMahon said Saturday promised to be amongst the most memorable days in Sydney racing history.

“Whether it be history awaiting J Mac, the excitement of Autumn Glow’s fabulous winning streak, or the 70^th TAB Golden Slipper with wall-to-wall Group 1 racing and entertainment, Rosehill Gardens will host a momentous raceday,’’ Mr McMahon said.

“The ATC is marking this magical 70^th anniversary with a special 70-cents offer for Members, along with all of the atmosphere and on-course attractions that Carnival days are renowned.

“Five Group 1 races on the one day only happens once a year and Saturday promises to create history that will be talked about and remembered for decades to come.

“Saturday offers all of Sydney a rare chance to be a part of that racing and sporting history.’’

Public transport travel across the Sydney network of buses, trains, light rail and ferries is all included for ATC Members cards and all general admission ticket holders.

Full fields for all ten races at Rosehill Gardens are available here and full TAB markets for all races here.

The five Group 1 races offer an array of clashes and a cavalcade of Australia’s best horses, including:

• A wide-open betting market in the TAB Golden Slipper, with filly Chayan at $5.50 TAB early favourite for trainers Annabel and Rob Archibald and jockey Craig Williams. Warwoven trained by Bjorn Baker is at $8 TAB, with jockey Rachel King aiming to become the first female winning rider in the race’s storied history.
• Chris Waller’s star mare Aeliana in the Ranvet Stakes is the first of McDonald’s Group 1 rides and is a hot $1.80-$1.70 TAB Fixed Odds favourite for J Mac to equal the record, followed in betting by Sir Delius at $2.80-$3 TAB for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, and jockey Craig Williams.
• McDonald then rides Autumn Boy ($2.30-$2 TAB) in the Sky Racing Guineas, taking on Observer ($2.80-$3.20 TAB) for Ciaron Maher and Craig Williams in another highly anticipated match race between the pair.
• It is followed by perhaps a pinnacle moment – McDonald partners with Autumn Glow ($1.25 TAB) who is being compared to the immortal Winx – in the $1 million The Agency George Ryder Stakes.
• The final Group 1 on the day is the $1 million Kia Ora Galaxy with a capacity field of 14 sprinters headed in TAB Fixed Odds markets by Grafterburners at $4 for trainer Kelly Schweider and jockey Zac Lloyd.

For all racing, ticketing and general information go to theraces.com.au.

AUSTRALIAN TURF CLUB MEDIA CONTACT:

Brett de Vine

0419 613 455

bdevine@theATC.com.au