Historic Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival Ends with a Waller Full Of Group 1s

18 April, 2026

An historic six-week Sydney Autumn Carnival concluded today as Sydney’s champion trainer finished as he started – with more Group 1 glory.

Trainer Chris Waller chalked up ten Group 1s for the Carnival, with victory in the $1 million Moët & Chandon Champagne Stakes in Fireball (Tim Clark), and Beiwacht (Nash Rawiller) in the $1.5 million Schweppes All Aged Stakes.

Waller won at least one Group 1 race on each of the six Saturdays of the Carnival from 14 March to 18 April.

James McDonald ended the Carnival on 135 career Group 1 wins, just weeks after he broke the all-time record of 131 on TAB Golden Slipper Day at Rosehill Gardens.

The Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival featured 18 Group 1 races amongst 48 Blacktype events across 60 races.

Eighteen of those races 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.

Australian Turf Club Chief Executive Steve McMahon said today’s finale capped six weeks of world-class racing at Rosehill Gardens and Royal Randwick.

“We have witnessed an historic and most memorable Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival with some of the best horses, jockeys and trainers of anywhere in the world,’’ Mr McMahon said.

“James McDonald breaking the all-time Group 1 record on TAB Golden Slipper Day will be an occasion remembered for decades to come.

“The win of Sheza Alibi in the Doncaster Mile was astonishing for those on course as she threw down the gauntlet to Autumn Glow as the new rising superstar of racing.

“Rachel King becoming the first female jockey to win the ATC Australian Derby in its 165-year history was another magic and rare moment.

“Sydney’s 15-time premiership winning trainer Chris Waller continues to set new marks every Carnival, and deserves special praise and congratulations for his stable this Autumn.’’

“ATC Members and all racegoers on track saw many other incredible races and moments including a thrilling TAB Golden Slipper taken out by Guest House, an epic clash between Aeliana and Dubai Honour in the Tancred, and Sir Delius’ huge win in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

“The ATC has also been hugely excited to continue to elevate the raceday experience on course in what has been the most successful Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival in recent memory.’’

Amongst milestones and point scores were:

• MULTIPLE GROUP 1 WINNING HORSES: AELIANA (2)
• MULTIPLE GROUP 1 WINNING JOCKEYS: JAMES MCDONALD (8), ZAC LLOYD (3)
• MULTIPLE GROUP 1 WINNING TRAINERS: CHRIS WALLER (10)
• JOCKEY POINTS SCORE (3-2-1): JAMES MCDONALD (58), ZAC LLOYD (37), RACHEL KING (25)
• TRAINER POINTS SCORE (3-2-1-): CHRIS WALLER (84), GAI WATERHOUSE & ADRIAN BOTT (20), BJORN BAKER and CIARON MAHER (tied 17).

Among many Group 1 highlights at Rosehill Gardens and Royal Randwick:

• Sir Delius scored in the $5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes for jockey Craig Williams and trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott – bringing the unbeaten run of star mare Autumn Glow to an end
• Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr colt Guest House won the $5 million TAB Golden Slipper – giving young gun jockey Zac Lloyd his first win in the race
• The $4 million Doncaster Mile was won by boom three-year-old filly Sheza Alibi with a stunning last to first 4.25 length romp
• Trainer Bjorn Baker created more family history – winning his first $2 million ATC Australian Derby in his own right with Green Spaces and jockey Rachel King, the first female rider to win the race
• Joliestar for Waller and McDonald won a fifth career Group 1 in the “Everest of The Autumn”, the $3 million Asahi Super Dry TJ Smith Stakes

In other races at the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival:

• Chidiac for father/daughter trainers Brett and Georgie Cavanough and superstar jockey Zac Purton won the $1 million Evergreen Turf Country Championships Final at Royal Randwick
• Lord of Biscay ridden by James McDonald took out the $1 million Provincial-Midway Championships Final at Royal Randwick, trainer Kris Lees’ sixth win in just 12 runnings of the race

A comprehensive review, results and statistics service for all Group and Blacktype races along with other key feature Sydney races from 31 January to 18 April, encompassing the six-week Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival, can be found at

https://www.racingandsports.com.au/transcription/atc/ATC-Media-Service-2025-2026/

AUSTRALIAN TURF CLUB MEDIA CONTACT:

Brett de Vine

0419 613 455

bdevine@theATC.com.au