The 2025 Champions Stakes runs on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia the TAB NZ have all the top Champions Stakes tips and odds!
Champions Stakes Info
- 2025 Champions Stakes Date: Saturday the 8th of November 2025
- Track Location: Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Distance: 2,000m
- Conditions: Weight-For-Age
- Status: Group 1
- Prize Money (AUD): $3,000,000
- First Run: 1869
- Reigning Champions Stakes Winner: Via Sistina (2024)
Looking for the latest Champions Stakes odds, expert racing tips and race history? The TAB NZ have all the insider insights to make informed bets on the Champions Stakes race this Melbourne Cup Carnival!
The Group 1 Champions Stakes is a crucial test for Australia’s top middle-distance racehorses as they race at Flemington Racecourse on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival in November.
To maximise your winnings, arm yourself with the latest Champions Stakes odds and tips.
TAB NZ provides in-depth analysis, form guides, and betting insights to help you navigate the competitive field of spring contenders that may be coming off runs in some of the country’s biggest races including the Cox Plate.
Whether you’re a seasoned punter or new to betting on the horse races in Australia, our comprehensive Champions Stakes coverage has everything you need.
Ready for Spring racing glory? Back your Champions Stakes champion with TAB NZ this season!
Champions Stakes Fast Facts
- Last mare to win the Champions Stakes: Via Sistina (2024)
- Last multiple Champions Stakes winner: Zaaki (2021-22)
- Last favourite to win the Champions Stakes: Via Sistina ($1.60 in 2024)
- Last three-year-old Champions Stakes winner: Casual Pass in 2003
- Notable Fact: Casual Pass (2003) became just the sixth three-year-old in history to win the event!
Champions Stakes betting takes place on the popular VRC Champions Stakes race – registered as the LKS Mackinnon Stakes – which is held at Flemington Racecourse on a Saturday in early November annually.
Champions Stakes odds are offered on the esteemed, weight-for-age, Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival Group 1 event, and the field attracts a host of quality middle-distance or staying horses coming off the country’s biggest spring races.
The event is held as part of a bumper meeting to close out the four-day Melbourne Cup Carnival taking place on the Saturday after the world-famous Melbourne Cup race on the first Tuesday of November.
The Group 1 VRC Champions Stakes is one of Australia’s most popular horse races and has been run and won since 1869 when Glencoe won the then Melbourne Stakes.
It was known as the Melbourne Stakes from its inauguration in 1869 to 1936 and is officially registered as the Mackinnon Stakes.
The race is named in honour of Lauchlan Kenneth Scobie (“L.K.S.”) MacKinnon (1861–1935), a former chairman of the Victoria Racing Club (VRC).
The Champions Stakes holds a special place in racing history due to the number of subsequent or reigning Cox Plate, Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup winners that have won the event.
Taking place at arguably Australia’s most famous racecourse, Flemington, the Champions Stakes was originally held on Victoria Derby Day, the opening day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival. However, in 2016, the Victoria Racing Club (VRC) repositioned it to headline the final day of the carnival to attract the Cox Plate graduates.
Concurrently, the Cantala Stakes (then known as the Emirates Stakes and the previous feature of the final day) was moved to Victoria Derby Day. Following this swap, the race was simply known as the Emirates Stakes until 2017.
In 2022, the race was rebranded as the VRC Champions Stakes, a change made to align with the new “Champions Day” branding for the entire race meeting, replacing the former “Stakes Day” designation.
The Champions Stakes distance has remained at the current 2,000m consistently since its first running.
It gained Group 1 status in 1979 the year Dulcify won.
Champions Stakes Day
Champions Stakes Day 2025 at Flemington Racecourse is set to be a spectacular finale to the Melbourne Cup Carnival, taking place on Saturday, 8 November 2025. Here’s a comprehensive overview of what to expect:
🏇 Feature Races
Champions Stakes Day showcases three prestigious Group 1 races, each offering $3 million in prize money 1:
- Champions Stakes (2000m) – A weight-for-age classic for elite middle-distance horses.
- VRC Champions Mile (1600m) – A premier mile race, returning to Stakes Day after being held on Derby Day.
- Champions Sprint (1200m) – A high-speed contest for the season’s top sprinters.
Additional races include:
- Group 2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m) – For mares.
- Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) – A staying test that often attracts horses balloted out of the Melbourne Cup field.
🎉 Event Highlights
- Hospitality & Experiences: From the Skyline Lounge with panoramic views to the Kirin Ichiban Pavilion and The 350 Collective, there are premium dining and viewing options for every taste.
- Family Day: The event is also known as “Family Day,” featuring entertainment and activities suitable for all ages.
- Fashion & Fun: Expect vibrant fashion, gourmet food, and a festive atmosphere to close out Cup Week in style.
Get the best Champions Stakes Day racing odds for Melbourne, racing stats, previews, form and insider tips on races like the meeting’s feature Group 1 races now at the TAB NZ!
Expert Tips on the 2025 Champions Stakes
Stay tuned for our expert tips and Champions Stakes betting predictions ahead of this year’s Group 1 feature at Flemington.
To Win: TBD
Champions Stakes Tips
Champions Stakes tips on which horse will win the next edition of the event flood in as the countdown to the important Flemington race heats up.
Champions Stakes tips on what horse will win the Champions Stakes this year are highly sought after by smart punters and racing fans every season.
When looking at Champions Stakes race tips it is important to consider factors including:
- What horses in the Champions Stakes field are proven over the distance?
- Who the key Champions Stakes trainers and jockeys are and what horses they have in the Champions Stakes field this year?
- Champions Stakes barrier statistics and where your Champions Stakes betting selections are drawn.
- Champions Stakes horses that are coming off a lead-up run in a key preparatory race like the Cox Plate.
How long does it take to know if you placed a winning Champions Stakes race tip? The event itself takes just over 2 minutes for competing horses to run the 2,000m trip depending on track conditions.
The official Champions Stakes winner and winning Champions Stakes trifecta are known shortly after unless there is a protest or a photo-finish Champions Stakes result.
Who holds the Champions Stakes race record? The race record for the Champions Stakes was set by Horlicks in 1989 when they won in 2 minutes 00:30 seconds.
What are the best Champions Stakes lead-up races to look at when placing a Champions Stakes bet?
Horses traditionally contest the Champions Stakes off earlier spring lead-up in races including the season’s opening Group 1 event the Winx Stakes at Randwick in August, Flemington’s Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) held in mid-September, the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) also run at HQ, Sydney’s Group 2 $2 million Hill Stakes (1900m), and the iconic Group 1 Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley at the end of October.
Via Sistina (2024) was the last horse to complete the Winx Stakes – Champions Stakes double.
Via Sistina (2024) was the last horse to complete the Turnbull Stakes – Champions Stakes double.
Via Sistina (2024) was the last horse to complete the Cox Plate – Champions Stakes double.
Desert War (2006) was the last horse to complete the Hill Stakes – Champions Stakes double in the same year.
Internationally Bred Horses in the Champions Stakes
Betting on the internationally bred horses in the field is more and more popular as Champions Stakes tips favour the proven overseas foaled runners who have an excellent recent record in the event.
Looking back over the Champions Stakes history and statistics shows that 12 winners since 2000 were bred outside of Australia, most recently Via Sistina (IRE) in 2024.
New Zealand-bred horses also have a good record in the Champions Stakes and make a good tip in the event.
There have been four New Zealand-bred Champions Stakes winners since the year 2000, most recently Atishu (2023).
Champions Stakes Tips for a Trifecta
Champions Stakes tips for a trifecta cover the first three horses to officially go past the finishing post in the Champions Stakes results.
The horse to finish on top of the Champions Stakes trifecta is your Champions Stakes winner, the runner who outstayed all their rivals and finished in the fastest time.
Placing a Champions Stakes trifecta exotic bet on the race is a great way to add to the thrill and potentially be rewarded with a generous pay-out.
A Champions Stakes trifecta is only successful if the three horses in your bet finish in the exact order you predict. Punters may choose instead to box their trifecta bets on the Champions Stakes to cover more finishing options and increase the chances of winning.
Adding the favourite into your Champions Stakes trifecta bet is a top tip as the favourites have a strong recent strike-rate running in the money.
Key Champions Stakes Statistics and Insights
Place an informed bet on this year’s Champions Stakes by considering the following key statistics and insights:
- Win Rates: Horses with high win rates in similar races are strong contenders for the Champions Stakes. Our Champions Stakes betting tips available at the TAB NZ Punters Lounge provide detailed win rate statistics.
- Place Percentages: Evaluate horses with consistent place percentages, indicating reliability and competitiveness. Champions Stakes race tips offer comprehensive data on place percentages.
- Barrier Success Rates: Horses starting from barriers 3-8 have historically shown a higher success rate in the Champions Stakes.
Bet on the 2025 Champions Stakes now!
Past Champions Stakes Results
Recent Champions Stakes winners, jockeys, trainers, barriers, and weights carried to victory dating back to the year 2005 are detailed in the below table.
| Year | Winner – Age/Gender
Breeding |
Jockey | Weight (kgs) | Trainer/s | Barrier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VIA SISTINA (IRE) 6M FASTNET ROCK (AUS) – NIGH (IRE) GALILEO (IRE) |
JAMES MCDONALD | 57.0 | CHRIS WALLER | 3 | |
| ATISHU (NZ) 6M SAVABEEL (AUS) – POSY (NZ) NO EXCUSE NEEDED (GB) |
JAMES MCDONALD | 57.0 | CHRIS WALLER | 5 | |
| ZAAKI (GB) 7G LEROIDESANIMAUX (BRZ) – KESARA (GB) SADLER’S WELLS (USA) |
JAMIE MELHAM | 59.0 | ANNABEL NEASHAM | 1 | |
| ZAAKI (GB) 6G LEROIDESANIMAUX (BRZ) – KESARA (GB) SADLER’S WELLS (USA) |
JAMES MCDONALD | 59.0 | ANNABEL NEASHAM | 8 | |
| ARCADIA QUEEN (AUS) 5M PIERRO (AUS) – ARCADIA (AUS) REDOUTE’S CHOICE (AUS) |
L CURRIE | 57.0 | G & A WILLIAMS | 5 | |
| MAGIC WAND (IRE) 4F GALILEO (IRE) – PRUDENZIA (IRE) DANSILI (GB) |
RYAN MOORE | 57.0 | A P O’BRIEN | 9 | |
| TRAP FOR FOOLS (AUS) 5G POET’S VOICE (GB) – OLD MONEY (AUS) OLD SPICE (AUS) |
J ALLEN | 59.0 | JARROD MCLEAN | 8 | |
| TOSEN STARDOM (JPN) 6H DEEP IMPACT (JPN) – ADMIRE KIRAMEKI (JPN) END SWEEP (USA) |
DAMIAN LANE | 59.0 | DARREN WEIR | 4 | |
| AWESOME ROCK (AUS) 5H FASTNET ROCK (AUS) – AWESOME PLANET (AUS) GIANT’S CAUSEWAY (USA) |
S BASTER | 59.0 | Leon & Troy Corstens | 8 | |
| GAILO CHOP (FR) 4G DEPORTIVO (GB) – GRENOBLE (FR) MARIGNAN (USA) |
B MELHAM | 59.0 | A DE WATRIGANT | 4 | |
| HAPPY TRAILS (AUS) 7G GOOD JOURNEY (USA) – MADAME FLURRY (AUS) PERUGINO (USA) |
DAMIEN OLIVER | 59.0 | PAUL BESHARA | 12 | |
| SIDE GLANCE (GB) 6G PASSING GLANCE (GB) – AVERAMI (GB) AVERTI (IRE) |
J P SPENCER | 59.0 | ANDREW BALDING | 6 | |
| ALCOPOP (AUS) 8G JEUNE (GB) – IOTA OF LUCK (AUS) BLEVIC (AUS) |
CRAIG WILLIAMS | 59.0 | JAKE STEPHENS | 5 | |
| GLASS HARMONIUM (IRE) 5H VERGLAS (IRE) – SPRING SYMPHONY (IRE) DARSHAAN (GB) |
DAMIEN OLIVER | 59.0 | MICHAEL MORONEY | 2 | |
| SO YOU THINK (NZ) 4H HIGH CHAPARRAL (IRE) – TRIASSIC (NZ) TIGHTS (USA) |
S W ARNOLD | 58.0 | BART CUMMINGS | 8 | |
| SCENIC SHOT (AUS) 7G SCENIC (IRE) – SWEEPSHOT (AUS) DR GRACE (NZ) |
S SCRIVEN | 59.0 | D MORTON | 6 | |
| THESEO (AUS) 5G DANEWIN (AUS) – OZONE SAND (USA) L’ENJOLEUR (CAN) |
N RAWILLER | 59.0 | MS G WATERHOUSE | 2 | |
| SIRMIONE (AUS) 4G ENCOSTA DE LAGO (AUS) – WORLD GUIDE (NZ) DEFENSIVE PLAY (USA) |
P MERTENS | 58.5 | BART CUMMINGS | 10 | |
| DESERT WAR (AUS) 6G DESERT KING (IRE) – HIGH HEELS (AUS) CAN’T FIGHT FATE (AUS) |
C MUNCE | 58.0 | MS G WATERHOUSE | 7 | |
| LAD OF THE MANOR (NZ) 6G ZABEEL (NZ) – MATRONA (USA) WOODMAN (USA) |
G CHILDS | 58.0 | ROGER HOYSTED | 3 |
Champions Stakes Betting Info
Champions Stakes betting is open months ahead of the Group 1 spring race, formerly known as the Mackinnon Stakes, down under at the TAB NZ.
We offer pre-nomination Champions Stakes betting odds throughout the year that are known as futures Champions Stakes odds online.
All-In Champions Stakes betting markets are then available following the official Champions Stakes nominations taken the Monday of race week.
Betting on the Champions Stakes field is then available following final acceptances which close on the Wednesday of race week.
Betting on the Champions Stakes often favours the season’s best Cox Plate graduates who have a great Champions Stakes record, plus the Sydney raiders who have a strong strike-rate over their local Victorian counterparts in the Melbourne Cup Carnival showdown.
Champions Stakes race betting traditionally focuses on the Australian-trained middle-distance horses with the majority having already run top three in a previous spring Group 1 race.
For the best online betting on the Champions Stakes, consider tipping a horse to win both the Champions Stakes and another Group 1 race over the carnival in a spring double!
Champions Stakes Field
The Champions Stakes field attracts a line-up of top-line horses each season with runners coming from mainly local Sydney and Melbourne stables.
Champions Stakes Acceptance Dates
It is crucial to take note of when the Champions Stakes field is out, what time Champions Stakes nominations close and the official Champions Stakes acceptance dates when placing a Champions Stakes bet online as horses may drop out of the race and bets may be cancelled.
See below for the official Champions Stakes field dates for 2025.
- 2025 Champions Stakes Nominations: Close on Monday, November 3, 2025, at 12:00pm (Melbourne time).
- 2025 Champions Stakes Final Field: Revealed on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at 9:30am (Melbourne time).
- 2025 Champions Stakes Barrier Draw: Conducted on Wednesday, November 5, 2025.
Where can you bet on the Champions Stakes?
The best place to bet on this year’s Champions Stakes race is through the TAB NZ online.
Champions Stakes Odds
Champions Stakes odds and online betting tips on the Champions Stakes are dominated by proven Group 1 horses, the older runners in the race who have a great recent record over their younger counterparts and graduates out of the Ladbrokes Cox Plate.
Where can I find the Champions Stakes odds?
For the latest odds and updates on the Champions Stakes, TAB NZ is your go-to source. They provide real-time odds fluctuations, ensuring you have the most current information to make informed betting decisions. It’s crucial to monitor these odds closely, as they reflect the market’s perception of each horse’s chances, influenced by factors like form, barrier draw, and track conditions.
How to Place a Bet on the Champions Stakes Race
Want to know how to make a bet on the Champions Stakes? Visit the TAB NZ racing page to access the latest Champions Stakes betting odds and options.
It is simple to learn how to place a bet on the Champions Stakes online.
You can place a Champions Stakes bet online anytime markets are live.
There are more ways than ever to get involved in betting on the Champions Stakes.
From seasoned punters analysing form guides to casual racing fans drawn to the excitement, the Champions Stakes is a race for everyone.
Whether you’re diving deep into the latest Champions Stakes race field, joining a sweepstake with friends, or simply enjoying the atmosphere of the spring carnival at Flemington Racecourse, the Champions Stakes has it all!
This important spring race showcases Australia’s finest thoroughbreds and attracts attention from all over the country as the action of the Melbourne Cup Carnival comes to a close.
How to Bet on the Champions Stakes in 2025?
1. Log in or sign-up with TAB NZ.
2. Make a secure online deposit using one of the TAB NZ safe deposit methods.
3. Check out the Champions Stakes betting guide, Champions Stakes form guide and our expert Champions Stakes tips.
4. Choose a Champions Stakes bet to place such as Win, Place, Each-Way or the Champions Stakes Trifecta. There are many more Champions Stakes betting options available so make sure to check out our Champions Stakes betting markets.
5. Select the Champions Stakes horse you want to bet on from the early markets, Champions Stakes nominations or Champions Stakes field.
What are the popular betting markets for the Champions Stakes?
When it comes to betting on the Champions Stakes, there are a number of more popular betting options with punters including:
Exotics: These include Quinella, Trifecta, and First Four, where you predict the specific order of finishers, offering potentially higher payouts but requiring more precise predictions.
Win & Place: Bet on a horse to win or finish in the top places. This is one of the most straightforward and popular betting options.
Each-Way: A combination of win and place bets, providing a safety net if your chosen horse doesn’t win but finishes in the top positions.
What makes betting on the Champions Stakes so popular?
The fact that the Champions Stakes is one of the final Group 1 Melbourne races run during the festival and one of the key races at the Melbourne Cup Carnival make it a must watch and must bet on horse racing event.
The Champions Stakes is a prestigious race that has been won by a host of reigning or subsequent Cox Plate and Caulfield Cup winning horses.
It is run under Weight-For-Age conditions, meaning horses carry set weights according to their age and sex, rather than being handicapped. Punters love WFA races because they are true tests of raw talent and class.
Run on the Saturday following the Melbourne Cup (known as Champions Day or formerly Stakes Day), it serves as the grand finale of the four-day Flemington Carnival. This timing means horses have had ample opportunity to build fitness and form throughout the spring, and connections are often targeting this race as their peak performance.
The 2000m distance at Flemington is a massive stage for middle-distance gallopers. It requires a perfect blend of tactical speed, sustained acceleration, and genuine stamina over the vast 450m Flemington straight. Horses that excel here are often considered among Australia’s best.
As a feature Group 1 on the final day of the most famous racing carnival, the Champions Stakes attracts huge betting turnover. This means deep markets, often with more value to be found, and the excitement of being part of one of the biggest betting races of the Australian spring.
What makes the Champions Stakes so special?
The Champions Stakes field is almost exclusively comprised of Group 1 winners or horses very close to that level, the race consistently drawing a star-studded line-up including many horses that ran in the Cox Plate (Australia’s WFA championship) two weeks prior.
The renaming to “Champions Stakes” in recent years further solidified its status as a race where champions are crowned. It boasts a rich history, and the honour roll features many of Australia’s greatest racehorses.
Australian and international racing fans, including those in New Zealand, tune into the thrilling 2000m spring event every season to see if their bets on the Champions Stakes race won!
The Champions Stakes currently offers A$3,000,000 in prize money plus bragging rights with jockeys, trainers and owners from across the country and further abroad keen to add their names to the list of VRC Champions Stakes champions.
How many horses can run in the Champions Stakes?
The Champions Stakes field has a 16-starter limit plus emergencies with final acceptances announced the Wednesday of race week.
Champions Stakes race tips centre on proven stars that have good lead-up form in events like the Group 1 Underwood Stakes, horses with previous experience at the Flemington track, and confirmed Group 1 stars.
The Champions Stakes is a weight-for-age race meaning the older a horse is the more weight they will carry.
How many mares have won the Champions Stakes in recent years?
Since the year 2000, five mares have won the Champions Stakes with La Bella Dama (2001), Magic Wand (2019), Arcadia Queen (2020), Atishu (2023), and most recently Via Sistina (2024).
What age group has the best Champions Stakes record?
Six-year-olds have dominated the Champions Stakes results in recent years with nine saluting between 2000 and 2024, most recently Via Sistina in 2024.
The oldest recent Champions Stakes winner was Alcopop who won as an eight-year-old in 2012.
The youngest recent Champions Stakes winner was Casual Pass who won as a three-year-old in 2003. Note, the internationally trained Magic Wand won as a four-year-old down under in 2019 but was a European three-year-old.
Between 2000 and 2024 the breakdown of Champions Stakes winners by age (in Australia) is as follows:
- 3YOS – 1 (latest Casual Pass in 2003)
- 4YOs – 6 (latest Magic Wand in 2019)
- 5YOs – 5 (latest Arcadia Queen in 2020)
- 6YOs – 9 (latest Via Sistina in 2024)
- 7YOs – 3 (latest Zaaki in 2022)
- 8YOs – 1 (latest Alcopop in 2012)
Champions Stakes Prize Money
The Champions Stakes prize money may not compare to the stakes on offer in events like the A$20 million The Everest and A$10 million The Golden Eagle which are both held in Sydney over the spring, but it remains a highlight of the Australian racing calendar.
The Champions Stakes prize money is set at A$3,000,000 in total stakes allocated between first to eighth place.
How much does the Champions Stakes winner get? The winning Champions Stakes horse receives a total of A$1,800,000 in prize money.
See below for the official breakdown of Champions Stakes prizes on offer from the Champions Stakes winner to the eighth horse to cross the finish line in the official Champions Stakes results.
- First: A$1,800,000
- Second: A$540,000
- Third: A$270,000
- Fourth: A$135,000
- Fifth: A$75,000
- Sixth – Eighth: A$60,000
How many international horses have won the Champions Stakes?
Since the year 2000, three horses trained outside of Australia or New Zealand have won the Champions Stakes with the Aidan O’Brien trained Irish based mare Magic Wand (2019), French galloper Gailo Chop (2015) and UK raider Side Glance (2013).
How many horses have won the Champions Stakes more than once?
Fourteen horses have won multiple editions of the Champions Stakes, most recently Zaaki (2021-22).
The sole three-time winner of the event is Tranquil Star (1942, 1944, 1945).
Multiple Mackinnon Stakes / Champions Stakes winners: Zaaki (2021 & 2022); Belmura Lad (1980 & 1981); Rising Fast (1954 & 1955); Comic Court (1949 & 1950); Tranquil Star (1942, 1944 & 1945); Beau Vite (1940 & 1941); Peter Pan (1932 & 1934); Phar Lap (1930 & 1931); Eurythmic (1920 & 1921); Cetigne (1917 & 1919); Wakeful (1901, 1902 & 1903); Battalion (1897 & 1898), Chester (1878 & 1880); Dagworth (1873 & 1874).
What races will runners out of the Champions Stakes target next?
Following a run in the Champions Stakes many horses head to the paddock for a spell. If not being sent for a break, there’s a potential for runners to head over to Western Australia for a run in Ascot’s Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) back over a mile in late November and the Group 1 Northerly Stakes (1800m) in early December.
Champions Stakes Barriers
The Champions Stakes barrier draw and allocated Champions Stakes gates play a key role for many punters when deciding on what horses to bet on in the big race.
When is the Champions Stakes barrier draw?
The Champions Stakes barrier draw is conducted on the same day as final acceptances close which is the Wednesday of race week around 9:30am local Melbourne time.
What is the most successful recent Champions Stakes barrier draw?
Barrier 8 has produced four Champions Stakes winners between 2000 and 2024, most recently Zaaki in 2021.
Barrier 14 is the widest gate to produce a Champions Stakes winner between 2000 and 2024, most recently Grand Armee (2004).
Barrier 3 is the latest Champions Stakes winning barrier with Verry Elleegant in 2024.
Breakdown of winning Champions Stakes barriers between 2000-24:
- Barrier 1 – 2 (latest Zaaki in 2022)
- Barrier 2 – 2 (latest Glass Harmonium in 2011)
- Barrier 3 – 2 (latest Via Sistina in 2024)
- Barrier 4 – 3 (latest Tosen Stardom in 2017)
- Barrier 5 – 3 (latest Atishu in 2023)
- Barrier 6 – 3 (latest Side Glance in 2013)
- Barrier 7 – 1 (latest Desert War in 2006)
- Barrier 8 – 4 (latest Zaaki in 2021)
- Barrier 9 – 2 (latest Magic Wand in 2019)
- Barrier 10 – 1 (latest Sirmione in 2007)
- Barrier 11 – 0
- Barrier 12 – 1 (latest Happy Trails in 2014)
- Barrier 13 – 0
- Barrier 14 – 1 (latest Grand Armee in 2004)
Champions Stakes Form
We offer a complete Champions Stakes form guide and expert analysis on every horse in the Champions Stakes field in addition to insider Champions Stakes racing tips and betting odds.
Our Champions Stakes form guides include:
- Champions Stakes race preview and predictions
- Racing analysis on the event and runners
- Previous runs, barrier trials and lead-up statistics
- Key information on all horses in the race like trainer and jockey form
- Runner commentary
Whether you are just starting out tipping horses in the Champions Stakes or you are an expert Champions Stakes tipster, our form guide gives you all the statistics and information you need to make a smart bet on the Champions Stakes.
How to Read the Champions Stakes Guide
Here’s a step-by-step explanation of how to interpret a horse’s form and performance indicators when looking at this year’s Champions Stakes form guide:
Barrier Position: Evaluate the horse’s barrier draw and its historical performance from similar starting positions.
Recent Performances: Review the horse’s last few races, focusing on finish positions and the quality of competition faced.
Track and Distance Records: Check the horse’s performance on similar track conditions and distances to gauge suitability.
Jockey and Trainer Stats: Consider the success rates of the jockey and trainer combination, particularly in the Champions Stakes race.
Weight Carried: Analyse how the weight carried in previous races compares to the Champions Stakes as this can impact performance.
Champions Stakes Results
The Champions Stakes results are known when the event takes place on the Saturday after the Melbourne Cup race in early November.
You can bet on the Champions Stakes race results weeks ahead of race day with our futures Champions Stakes markets here at the TAB NZ.
Betting on the Champions Stakes results entails picking the Champions Stakes winning horse and we can help you place an informed bet on the Champions Stakes field with our Champions Stakes tips and form guide.
Other Champions Stakes race results include the winning jockeys, trainers, successful barrier and finishing time.
The complete Champions Stakes finishing order shows what position every horse in the field ran.
Some punters even like to place bets on what horse will finish last in the Champions Stakes results!
Champions Stakes exotic results show how all the exotic Champions Stakes bet types resulted like the Champions Stakes Quinella, Champions Stakes Exacta, Champions Stakes Trifecta, and Champions Stakes First Four.
Champions Stakes Jockeys
Securing a ride in the VRC Champions Stakes field is a highly sought-after achievement for jockeys around Australia and New Zealand. Winning this important spring race is a nice campaign goal for many of Australasia’s top riders looking to secure a Group 1 trophy during the carnival.
What jockeys are riding in the Champions Stakes field is determined by the owners and trainers of the horses, and official Champions Stakes jockey announcements are made in the weeks and days leading up to the race.
James McDonald is the latest Champions Stakes winning jockey having ridden Via Sistina to victory in 2024.
James McDonald is the last back-to-back Champions Stakes winning jockey with Atishu (2023) and Via Sistina (2024).
Who are the most successful recent Champions Stakes jockeys? Since the year 2000, James McDonald and Damien Oliver are the equal most successful Champions Stakes jockeys in recent history with three victories each.
Jamie Melham (then Kan) on Zaaki (2022) is the latest female Champions Stakes winning jockey.
Stay tuned to the TAB NZ racing blog to see what jockeys lock in a confirmed ride on one of the Champions Stakes horses this spring.
Champions Stakes Trainers
Since the year 2000, is the most successful Champions Stakes winning trainer having prepared three winners in that time is Gai Waterhouse. Waterhouse also won the then Mackinnon Stakes earlier with All Our Mob (1996) giving her four wins in total.
Chris Waller with Atishu (2023) and Via Sistina (2024) is the latest back-to-back Champions Stakes winning trainer.
Chris Waller is the latest Champions Stakes winning trainer having prepared Via Sistina in 2024.
Mackinnon Stakes / Champions Stakes Winners
Notable Champions Stakes winners throughout history include:
Phar Lap (1930 & 1931): Phar Lap, Australia’s most legendary racehorse, won the Mackinnon Stakes twice during his dominant reign. His 1930 victory came just days before his Melbourne Cup triumph, showcasing his unmatched stamina and versatility. He remains a national icon and symbol of resilience.
Peter Pan (1932 & 1934): Peter Pan was a dual Melbourne Cup winner who also claimed the Mackinnon Stakes twice. His victories highlighted his ability to peak during the spring carnival and cemented his legacy as one of the greats of Australian racing.
Tranquil Star (1942, 1944 & 1945): Tranquil Star is the only horse to win the race three times, an extraordinary feat. A champion mare of the 1940s, she was known for her toughness and longevity, competing successfully against both sexes over multiple seasons.
Rising Fast (1954 & 1955): Rising Fast won the Mackinnon Stakes as part of his historic Spring Grand Slam in 1954 — claiming the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate, and Melbourne Cup. His back-to-back wins in the Mackinnon confirmed his dominance in middle-distance racing.
Rain Lover (1968): Rain Lover, a dual Melbourne Cup winner, added the Mackinnon Stakes to his résumé in 1968. His powerful staying ability and consistency made him one of the standout performers of the late 1960s.
Tulloch (1960): Tulloch’s win in the Mackinnon Stakes was part of a legendary career that included victories in the AJC Derby, Caulfield Cup, and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest Australian racehorses of all time.
Better Loosen Up (1990): Better Loosen Up won the Mackinnon Stakes before going on to claim the Japan Cup, becoming the first Australian horse to win that prestigious international race. His versatility and global success made him a trailblazer for Australian racing abroad.
Let’s Elope (1991): Let’s Elope won the Mackinnon Stakes during her dominant spring campaign, which also included victories in the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups. Trained by Bart Cummings, she was a champion mare who excelled over staying distances.
So You Think (2010): So You Think used the Mackinnon Stakes as a tune-up before running third in the Melbourne Cup. A dual Cox Plate winner, his win at Flemington showcased his brilliance and adaptability. He later raced successfully in Europe under Aidan O’Brien.
Magic Wand (2019): Magic Wand, an Irish mare trained by Aidan O’Brien, won the Mackinnon Stakes just days after placing in the Melbourne Cup. Her victory highlighted the growing international presence at Flemington and her ability to back up quickly at the highest level.
Zaaki (2021 & 2022): Zaaki won the race twice, becoming a fan favourite for his bold front-running style and consistency. Trained by Annabel Neasham, he was a dominant force in Australian weight-for-age racing and a regular contender in the Cox Plate.
Atishu (2023): Atishu delivered a powerful finish to win the 2023 Champions Stakes, confirming her status as one of the top mares in training. Her victory was a highlight of the Melbourne Cup Carnival and a testament to her late-season form.
Via Sistina (2024): Via Sistina, a British import, won the 2024 edition with a commanding performance, giving jockey James McDonald his 10th win of the carnival. Her victory added to the international flavour of the race and showcased her class on Australian turf.
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