March 23, 2019

The Australian Turf Club today hosted its biggest and most successful Longines Golden Slipper Day at Rosehill Gardens in more than 20 years, watched by tens of millions of people around the world.

A crowd of 24,532 were on course in Western Sydney to see Kiamichi win the world’s richest race for two-year-olds, the Group 1 $3.5 million Longines Golden Slipper, in the 63rd running of Sydney’s iconic race.

Kiamichi is trained by James Cummings for the Godolphin team and was ridden by Victorian jockey Damian Lane.

Godolphin also owned the second horse Microphone, trained by Cummings, and third placegetter Lyre, trained by Anthony Freedman.

The Longines Golden Slipper was telecast to more than 60 countries on Sky Racing with a viewing audience of 56 million people, as well as to millions of people across Australia by SKY and Channel 7.

The huge crowd on track at Rosehill Gardens was treated after the last race to a 45-minute concert from one of Australia’s favourite entertainers, rock and roll legend Jimmy Barnes.

Australian Turf Club Chief Executive Jamie Barkley said Western Sydney had showcased the city’s world-class racing to a global audience.

“Western Sydney has rocked and celebrated Rosehill Gardens’ biggest day this century,” Mr Barkley said.

“The crowd created an electric atmosphere from the very first race and then a thrilling crescendo for the Longines Golden Slipper.

“Sydney racing is riding a new wave of success and popularity and Western Sydney has fully embraced it.”

Earlier in the day on Australia’s biggest day of Group 1 racing the world’s highest rated horse Winx won the Group 1 $1 million The Agency George Ryder Stakes.

It was the wonder mare’s final run on her home track at Rosehill Gardens and her 32nd consecutive victory.

Winx is due to farewell world racing at Royal Randwick on Saturday 13 April in the $4 million Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes.