TAB Epsom And NRL Grand Final Just The Ticket For Bumper Sydney Long Weekend

1 October, 2025

The 160^th running of the Group 1 $1.5 million TAB Epsom at Royal Randwick, a stellar support card and free entry for NRL Grand Final ticket holders are part of a huge long weekend of racing and rugby league in Sydney.

Saturday’s TAB Epsom Day also includes the Group 1 $750,000 Asahi Super Dry Metropolitan and Group 1 $750,000 Darley Flight Stakes, along with a host of TAB Everest runners in the Group 2 $1 million Precise Air Premiere Stakes.

The 10-race card also sees the first two-year-old races of the season – the Group 3 $250,000 Arrowfield Breeders Plate and Group 3 $250,000 Keeneland Gimcrack Stakes.

NRL Grand Final ticketholders will receive a link and codeword or can QR code their digital ticket at GATE B for free entry to Royal Randwick this Saturday.

ATC Members will have a $1.60 beverage offer loaded onto their cards to celebrate the 160^th running of the TAB Epsom to purchase a beer, wine, bubbles or soft drink after the feature race.

Australian Turf Club Interim CEO Steve McMahon said Saturday at Royal Randwick offered world-class racing and a backdrop of free entertainment and fun on the long weekend.

“Saturday is Sydney’s signature sporting long weekend with a spectacular card of Group 1 racing on a historic day for Royal Randwick,’’ Mr McMahon said.

“We are delighted to offer ATC Members the cheapest drink in Sydney all weekend – 160 cents for a one-off beer, wine or soft drink after the 160^th Epsom is run and won.

“We also welcome NRL Grand Final ticket holders to the races for free on a day packed with events and atmosphere across all areas of Royal Randwick.’’

Travel on all forms of public transport including the light rail which stops directly at Royal Randwick is all included in general admission tickets as well as for ATC Members.

And to end a huge day of racing and fun, a 45-minute concert with popular DJ group Bag Raiders will be held in the Theatre Of The Horse – also all included in general admission tickets.

A rising superstar of Australian racing in Autumn Glow – unbeaten in six starts for trainer Chris Waller and to be ridden by Kerrin McEvoy – is a $2.10 TAB favourite in the Group 1 $1.5 million TAB Epsom.

Pericles for Bjorn Baker and Josh Parr is at $7 TAB Fixed Odds followed by Willydoit (Ciaron Maher/Tommy Berry) at $8, for a massive group of owners with syndicator MyRacehorse.

Ceolwulf trained by Joe Pride and ridden by Chad Schofield is next at $9 as that trio look to win back-to-back TAB Epsoms.

Only seven horses in the 160-year history of the TAB Epsom have won the race twice.

MyRacehorse are also owners of boom filly Apocalyptic – a $1.90 TAB favourite in the Group 1 $750,000 Darley Flight Stakes for trainer Michael Freedman and Tommy Berry.

Apocalyptic has won two of three legs of the four-leg Princess Series which will see her win the overall honour.

Next in betting in the race are Tupakara at $5.50 (Annabel & Rob Archibald/Ethan Brown), Within The Law at $7.50 (Bjorn Baker/Jason Collett) and Queen Of Clubs at $8.50 (Gary Portelli/Nash Rawiller).

A wide-open betting race in the Group 1 Asahi Super Dry Metropolitan sees Soul Of Spain for Chris Waller and Zac Lloyd open a $5 TAB favourite ahead of stablemate Birdman at $7 for Kerrin McEvoy.

Sydney’s 15-time premiership winner Waller has three other runners in the race which he has won six times previously.

Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott have topweight Vauban ($9 TAB and Tim Clark) as Gai aims to win a record tenth Asahi Super Dry Metropolitan including a second victory with Adrian.

TAB Everest slot runner Briasa is a $2.30 TAB favourite in the Group 2 $1 million Precise Air Premiere Stakes for Hawkes Racing and jockey Tyler Schiller.

Two other TAB Everest slots in Private Harry ($2.80) for Nathan Doyle and Tim Clark and Jimmysstar ($4.60 TAB) Ciaron Maher and Ethan Brown make for a cracking renewal of the race which will further define the TAB Everest market.

Full fields for all races at Royal Randwick are available here and full TAB Markets here.

For all racing, hospitality, general and full ticketing information for Saturday and upcoming racedays across the Sydney Everest Carnival visit www.theraces.com.au

AUSTRALIAN TURF CLUB MEDIA CONTACT:

Brett de Vine

0419 613 455

bdevine@theATC.com.au