Autumn racing calendar: Mapping out the season’s premier races

As the weather cools down and leaves change colour, the autumn carnival season is upon us. For racing enthusiasts, this is one of the most exciting times of the year. Top horses, jockeys and trainers from around the country and overseas converge for the major autumn racing carnivals across Australia. 

Australia is one of the most popular horse racing hubs in the world. And where there’s horse racing, there’s also betting. According to the 2023 Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) study, 75% of adults gambled in the last twelve months, and 38% of individuals who regularly or occasionally wagered spent money on horse racing. 

Whether for fun or profit, mapping out the key dates and feature races is essential to ensure you catch all the highlights of the autumn calendar.

Here are some of the feature races to look forward to this season. 

1. Sydney Autumn Carnival

Thoroughbred wagering in the country is a highly popular sport, with a turnover of around AUD$29 billion in 2022. The autumn carnival season, in particular, sees the richest races and finest Thoroughbreds converge across the country’s east coast for world-class racing. 

If you want a complete rundown of all the races happening in this season, check out this page discussing the most notable Sydney Autumn Carnival dates. It contains valuable information on all feature races in Sydney and beyond.

Alternatively, you’ll find the following headline carnivals and races to lock into your calendar. (Some are tentative dates but deemed updated as of this writing.)

• Randwick Guineas Day (March 9, Saturday)

A part of Randwick Guineas Day, the Canterbury Stakes is staged at the Royal Randwick Racecourse. It’s a middle-distance marathon for sprinters over three years old. With AUD$1 million at stake, it prepares premium horses for the other Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival competitions. 

• Coolmore Classic Day (March 16, Saturday) 

This Group 1 handicap sprint runs at the Rosehill Racecourse in Western Sydney and offers AUD$1 million in prize money. Nominations are expected to be finalised by March 11. 

• Golden Slipper Day (March 23, Saturday) 

The Golden Slipper Stakes is one of the five races that happen on this day and promises up to AUD$5 million in total payoff. It’s one of the most notable competitions in the Australian racing calendar, alongside the world-famous Melbourne Cup, Cox Plate and the Caulfield Cup. 

Other notable races during this day are the George Ryder Stakes, the Galaxy Stakes, the Ranvet Stakes and the Rosehill Guineas. So head on to the Rosehill Racecourse to see some action. 

• The Championships Day 1 (April 6, Saturday) and Day 2 (April 13, Saturday) 

The Championships take place at Royal Randwick Racecourse. It’s the richest racing carnival in the Southern Hemisphere and includes the Queen Elizabeth Stakes Day. It boasts over AUD$4 million in prize money—drawing the best horses and jockeys from Australia and worldwide. Runners compete at weight-for-age terms over 2,000 metres. The exclusive 10-horse field sees the entire season boil down to finding the champion of champions. 

• TJ Smith Stakes (April 6, Saturday)

This AUD$3 million race happens on the first day of the Championships on the Royal Randwick Racecourse. It’s a Group 1 sprint run under weight-for-age conditions spanning 1,200 metres. 

• Australian Derby (April 6, Saturday)

The Australian Derby is the pinnacle classic race for three-year-olds transitioning into staying stars of the future. Run over a gruelling 2,400 metres on the Royal Randwick Racecourse, the Derby tests the most promising young Thoroughbreds hoping to secure a spot in elite-level races and snag the AUD$2 million prize money.

• Sydney Cup (April 13, Saturday)

Day 2 of the Championships highlights the AUD$2 million Sydney Cup. The race is run on the 3,200-metre length of the Royal Randwick Racecourse. Like the Melbourne Cup, the Sydney Cup has been around since the 19th century, holding its maiden race in 1862. 

• Champagne Stakes (April 20, Saturday) 

Champagne Stakes is another Group 1 marathon run on the Royal Randwick Racecourse. Unlike the Sydney Cup, however, two-year-old Thoroughbreds will only cover 1,600 metres. A total of AUD$1 million awaits the winners. 

2. Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival 

Melbourne is also home to top-class horse racing events from March and April. During these months, the city comes alive for a sensational Autumn Racing Carnival hosted at famous tracks like Flemington and Caulfield.

• The Australian Guineas (March 2, Saturday) 

The winner of this race qualifies for the All-Star Mile and shares AUD$1 million with other top performers. This Group 1 race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds is held at Flemington. As mentioned, Flemington Racecourse is also home to the prestigious Melbourne Cup, where up to two-fifths of Australian adults participate in betting for fun or serious money yearly. 

• Newmarket Handicap (March 9, Saturday)

Top horses will also gather in the famed racecourse for the AUD$1.5 million Newmarket Handicap. This race, also called the ‘straight six,’ is a battle of speed and stamina, where the fastest sprinter on the 1,200-metre track is declared the winner. 

• All-Star Mile (March 16, Saturday)

This unique racing model lets the public choose the competing horses. The selected sprinters will battle it out in 10 races at Caulfield Racecourse’s 1,600-metre track. Winners stand to claim the AUD$5 million prize—making it one of the world’s highest-paying mile races. 

• Australian Cup (March 30, Saturday) 

Also held during the Melbourne Carnival is the time-honoured Australian Cup run over Flemington Racecourse’s 2,000-metre turf. Drawing talent from across Australia and New Zealand at weight-for-age conditions, it helps decide the season’s best middle-distance horse. The fastest runners get AUD$3 million.

Get prepared!

This is just an overview of the key dates, races, and carnivals of the exciting Australian Autumn Racing Calendar. Always visit your favourite racing sites for updated information. Once you’ve chosen the events you want to participate in, plan your schedule to catch all the highlights, whether on track or on screen. 

Don’t miss the most sensational racing season featuring elite horses and drama on and off the turf. Enjoy Australia’s Autumn Carnival season!

Category: Racing