RECORD NUMBERS TARGET THE CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Championships has attracted record first acceptances
March 8, 2023
A total of 731 first acceptors – a record for The Star Championships at Royal Randwick – have been received by Racing NSW and the Australian Turf Club ahead of the tenth running of the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival showpiece.
The number of first acceptors in 2023 exceed the previous record of 698 by almost five per cent and are a significant increase of 10 per cent on last year’s 661.
Australian Turf Club Executive General Manager Racing and Wagering James Ross said:
“Australia’s highest rated horse and eight-time Group 1 winner Anamoe leads a stellar list of record-breaking numbers of first acceptances for The Championships.
“Three-time defending TJ Smith Stakes champion and world’s best sprinter Nature Strip along with Everest champion Giga Kick headline a group of the world’s best sprinters in the TJ Smith Stakes.
“The Championships will also showcase world-class trainers and jockeys including international stars alongside Australia’s best jockeys and emerging talents in the saddle.’’
Two of the largest increases in first acceptances are in the Group 1 $5 million Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes with 81 entries (up 36) and the Group 1 $2 million Schweppes Sydney Cup, which also has 81 acceptors.
A total of 80 horses remain in contention for the Group 1 $4 million The Star Doncaster Mile and 53 horses in the $3 million TJ Smith Stakes.
The number of first acceptors for all ten Championships races are listed on the table below.
Amongst the total nominations across the ten races are entries from New Zealand (28), United Kingdom (13) and Japan (1).
Trainers with the highest number of second acceptors are Ciaron Maher & David Eustace with 81 followed by Chris Waller (59) and Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott (50).
Full list for Day 1 Championships races: https://racing.racingnsw.com.au/FreeFields/Nominations.aspx?Key=2023Apr01,NSW,Royal%20Randwick
Full list for Day 2 Championships races: https://racing.racingnsw.com.au/FreeFields/Nominations.aspx?Key=2023Apr08,NSW,Royal%20Randwick
| First Acceptances The Star Championships | |
| The Star Doncaster Mile | 80 |
| TJ Smith Stakes | 53 |
| Australian Derby | 44 |
| Inglis Sires’ | 93 |
| Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes | 81 |
| Schweppes Sydney Cup | 81 |
| The Star Australian Oaks | 55 |
| Queen of the Turf | 83 |
| Arrowfield Sprint | 78 |
| Percy Sykes Stakes | 84 |