The 2025 Epsom Handicap runs on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia and the best Epsom odds and tips can be found at TAB NZ!
| 4. Autumn Glow (12) J: Kerrin McEvoy 54.5kg x1x11T: Chris Waller | ||
| 11. Fully Lit (7) J: Winona Costin 50kg 55123T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | ||
| 2. Pericles (4) J: Josh Parr 57kg 845x1T: Bjorn Baker | ||
| 10. Swiftfalcon (3) J: Alysha Collett 50kg 24x66T: M, W & J Hawkes | ||
| 5. Pier (11) J: Ethan Brown 53.5kg 231x3T: Darryn & Briar Weatherley | ||
| 1. Ceolwulf (8) J: Chad Schofield 58kg 5x443T: Joseph Pride | ||
| 14. Lord Penman (9) J: Zac Lloyd 50kg 91x27T: Chris Waller | ||
| 12. Verona Rose (2) J: Ben Thompson 50kg 68x02T: Gary Portelli | ||
| 7. Encap (5) J: Reece Jones 52kg 37x64T: Gary Portelli | ||
| 3. Yellow Brick (10) J: Andrew Mallyon 55.5kg 02x47T: Tony & Maddysen Sears | ||
| 8. El Castello (1) J: Andrew Adkins 51kg 115x4T: Joseph Pride | ||
| 9. Depth Of Character (6) J: Rachel King 50kg 12x03T: Annabel & Rob Archibald |
Epsom Handicap Info
- 2025 Epsom Handicap Date: Saturday the 4th of October 2025
- Track Location: Randwick Racecourse, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Distance: 1,600m
- Conditions: Handicap; 3YOs & Upwards
- Status: Group 1
- Prize Money (AUD): $1,500,000
- First Run: 1865
- Reigning Epsom Handicap Winner: Ceolwulf (2024)
Looking for the latest Epsom Handicap betting odds, insider racing tips and form for the Randwick Group 1? The TAB NZ have all the best betting guides and statistics to make informed bets on the Epsom Handicap race this October!
The Group 1 Epsom Handicap is a crucial mile test for Australia’s top middle-distance racehorses as they prepare for the iconic horse racing majors over the spring down under including the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m).
To improve your chances of predicting the next Epsom Handicap winner, access the latest Epsom Handicap odds and tips online at the TAB NZ.
TAB NZ provides in-depth analysis, form guides, and betting insights to help you navigate the competitive field of spring contenders eyeing runs in events including the Cox Plate and Champions Mile down in Melbourne later in the carnival.
Whether you’re a seasoned punter or new to betting on the horse races in Australia, our comprehensive Epsom Handicap coverage has everything you need.
With the Epsom Handicap traditionally held one day prior to the hugely popular NRL Grand Final, it is a massive weekend of sporting action for fans to get in on with the TAB NZ.
Ready for a true test of spring racing? Back your champion in the iconic Epsom Handicap this season with TAB NZ!
Epsom Handicap Fast Facts
- Last mare to win the Epsom Handicap: Probabeel (2020)
- Last three-year-old to win the Epsom Handicap: Noholme (1959)
- Last New Zealand-trained Epsom Handicap winner: Probabeel (2020) who was the first since Magnitude (1985)
- Last multiple Epsom Handicap: Desert War (2004-05)
- Notable Fact: The latest and only third Epsom Handicap dead-heat in history was in 2022 between Ellsberg and Top Ranked
Epsom Handicap betting takes place on the popular Epsom Handicap race which is held at Randwick Racecourse on a Saturday in early October annually.
Epsom Handicap odds are offered on the esteemed Sydney Spring Racing Carnival Group 1 event, and the field attracts a host of quality middle distance racehorses heading towards bigger and better features over the coming months.
The Group 1 Epsom Handicap is one of Australia’s most popular horse races and has been run and won since 1865 when Dundee became the inaugural champion.
It is one of the country’s leading mile handicaps second in popularity only to the autumn’s Doncaster Mile at the same track and trip each April.
Epsom Handicap history shows the event is named after the renowned Epsom Downs Racecourse in England, where the prestigious Epsom Derby has been held since 1780.
For one year in 1983 it took place at Warwick Farm Racecourse but all other editions of the Epsom in Australia have taken place at Randwick.
The Epsom Handicap holds a special place in racing history due a host of turf greats having won the race during their careers including champion milers Chatham, Gunsynd, and Super Impose.
The Epsom Handicap is a 1600m event having been run at this distance consistently since 2002. Between 1879–1884 it ran over 1800m, and for one year was conducted on Randwick’s inner Kensington track over 1400m in 2001.
Horses in the Epsom Handicap field must be aged at least three-years-old and the event is a standard handicap race.
It has held Group 1 status since 1979, the year Imposing won.
The Epsom Handicap winner also gains a ballot exemption for the Group 1 A$5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) the following year back at Randwick in April.
The Epsom Handicap follows on from the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m), $7 million 7 Stakes (1600m), and Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) as the spring majors in Sydney.
Get the best Epsom Handicap Day racing odds for Sydney, 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 Epsom Handicap
Stay tuned for our expert tips and Epsom Handicap betting predictions ahead of this year’s Group 1 feature at Randwick.
2025 Epsom Handicap Stakes Same Race Multi Selections ($41 at time of publish) – BET NOW
- Top 2 – No. 4 Autumn Glow
- Top 4 – No. 5 Pier
- Top 4 No. 11 Fully Lit
AUTUMN GLOW (14), the unbeaten daughter of The Autumn Sun, heads the Epsom Handicap market with six flawless wins to her name, including two at Royal Randwick, and now offers value at over $2 after drifting from odds-on favouritism. Trained by Chris Waller, who’s chasing his sixth win in the race, she arrives off a dominant Group 2 Theo Marks victory where her explosive turn of foot under Kerrin McEvoy was nothing short of electric, following a strong fresh win on a Heavy (10) in the Group 3 Toy Show. Stepping up to the mile for the first time, she’s well-weighted at 54.5kg and drawn wide in barrier 14, but history shows that double-digit gates haven’t been a barrier to success, with nine winners since 2011. While mares have rarely triumphed in this race, her class, speed, and temperament make her a standout contender—even in her Group 1 debut.
PIER (13) is a Kiwi raider Pier who shapes up as a genuine Epsom Handicap contender, drawn one gate inside the favourite and bringing solid form from his Australian campaign, including a Listed mile win at Eagle Farm under a hefty 59kg. He was brave fresh when third behind Autumn Glow in the Theo Marks—a key form reference—and looks primed to improve second-up over the 1600m, especially with a favourable weight swing down to 53.5kg. His closing effort in the Tramway was particularly strong, and if the race pattern plays to his strengths, Pier looms as a serious double-figure threat capable of shaking up the finish.
FULLY LIT (8) may be flying under the radar as one of the genuine outsiders in the Epsom Handicap market, but this Waterhouse/Bott-trained four-year-old has shown enough in recent runs to warrant attention. After a quiet Group 1 debut in last year’s Golden Slipper, the stable has taken a measured approach, and he’s since delivered a commanding five-length win at Rosehill over 1400m on heavy ground carrying 60kg, followed by a narrow second in a BM94 at Randwick and a strong third in the Cameron Handicap. Dropping to the 50kg minimum with Winona Costin aboard, he’s well placed to launch late if the tempo is solid, and with his untapped potential and sharp closing speed, Fully Lit could be the blowout hope punters are searching for.
Epsom Handicap Tips
Epsom Handicap tips on which horse will win the next edition of the event flood in as the countdown to the important Randwick 1600m race heats up.
Epsom Handicap tips on what horse will win the Epsom Handicap this year are highly sought after by smart punters and racing fans every season.
When looking at Epsom Handicap race tips it is important to consider factors including:
- What horses in the Epsom Handicap field are proven over the distance?
- Who the key Epsom Handicap trainers and jockeys are and what horses they have in the Epsom Handicap field this year?
- Epsom Handicap barrier statistics and where your Epsom Handicap betting selections are drawn.
- Epsom Handicap horses that have a good past record at the track.
How long does it take to know if you placed a winning Epsom Handicap race tip? The event itself takes just over 1 minute and 30 seconds for the competing horses to run the 1,600m trip depending on track conditions.
The official Epsom Handicap winner and winning Epsom Handicap trifecta are known shortly after unless there is a protest or a photo-finish Epsom Handicap result.
What are the best Epsom Handicap lead-up races to look at when placing an Epsom Handicap bet?
Horses traditionally contest the Epsom Handicap off an earlier spring lead-up in a race like August’s Group 3 Show County Quality (1200m) and the Group 3 Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m) a fortnight before.
The last horse to complete the Show County Quality – Epsom Handicap double in the same year was Private Eye (2021).
The last horse to complete the Bill Ritchie Handicap – Epsom Handicap double in the same year was Rediener (2023).
Kolding (2019), Probabeel (2020), and Top Ranked (2022) who ran a dead heat in the Group 1 with Ellsberg are the other most recent Bill Ritchie – Epsom double winners making this race the best lead-up into the Group 1.
Lower-Weighted Horses in the Epsom Handicap
Looking at the lower-weighted horses in the Epsom Handicap field is a key tip as no horse has carried more than 57kg to an Epsom Handicap victory since Super Impose (61kg in 1991). Between 2019 and 2024, four of the six Epsom Handicap winners carried 52.5kg or less to victory.
Sydney-Trained Horses in the Epsom Handicap
Betting on the Sydney-trained horses in the field is more and more popular as Epsom Handicap tips favour the proven local hopes from stables around New South Wales.
Looking back over the Epsom Handicap history and statistics shows that the last Victorian-trained Epsom Handicap winners were Captain Sonador in 2010 and Golden Sword in 1993.
Epsom Handicap Tips for a Trifecta
Epsom Handicap tips for a trifecta cover the first three horses to officially go past the finishing post in the Epsom Handicap results.
The horse to finish on top of the Epsom Handicap trifecta is your Epsom Handicap winner, the runner who outlasted all their rivals and finished in the fastest time.
Placing an Epsom Handicap trifecta exotic bet on the race is a great way to add to the thrill and potentially be rewarded with a generous pay-out.
An Epsom Handicap 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 Epsom Handicap to cover more finishing options and increase the chances of winning.
Adding the favourite into your Epsom Handicap trifecta bet is a risky bet as the favourites only have a fair strike-rate running in the money.
Key Epsom Handicap Statistics and Insights
Place an informed bet on this year’s Epsom Handicap by considering the following key statistics and insights:
- Win Rates: Horses with high win rates in similar races are strong contenders for the Epsom Handicap. Our Epsom Handicap 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. Epsom Handicap race tips offer comprehensive data on place percentages.
- Barrier Success Rates: Horses starting from a double-digit barrier have historically shown a higher success rate in the Epsom Handicap.
Bet on the 2025 Epsom Handicap race now!
Past Epsom Handicap Results
Recent Epsom Handicap winners, jockeys, trainers, barriers, and weights carried to victory dating back to the year 2005 are detailed in the below table.
Note, there was a dead heat result in the 2022 Epsom Handicap, while the event was not run in 2007 due to the equine influenza.
| Year | Winner – Age/Gender
Breeding |
Jockey | Weight (kgs) | Trainer/s | Barrier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CEOLWULF (NZ) 4G TAVISTOCK (NZ) – LAS BRISAS (GB) SHAMARDAL (USA) |
CHAD SCHOFIELD | 54.0 | JOSEPH PRIDE | 14 | |
| REDIENER (AUS) 4G REDOUTE’S CHOICE (AUS) – WIENER (AUS) MORE THAN READY (USA) |
MS K O’HARA | 50.0 | CHRIS WALLER | 2 | |
| ELLSBERG (AUS) 5H (Dead heat) SPILL THE BEANS (AUS) – LOVE OF LIBERTY (AUS) GENERAL NEDIYM (AUS) |
B AVDULLA | 56.0 | G RYAN & S ALEXIOU | 2 | |
| TOP RANKED (IRE) 6H (Dead heat) DARK ANGEL (IRE) – COUNTESS FERRAMA (GB) AUTHORIZED (IRE) |
HUGH BOWMAN | 56.5 | ANNABEL NEASHAM | 3 | |
| PRIVATE EYE (AUS) 4G AL MAHER (AUS) – CONFIDENTIAL QUEEN (AUS) SHAMARDAL (USA) |
REGAN BAYLISS | 52.5 | JOSEPH PRIDE | 7 | |
| PROBABEEL (NZ) 4M SAVABEEL (AUS) – FAR FETCHED (NZ) PINS (AUS) |
K MCEVOY | 52.5 | JAMIE RICHARDS | 15 | |
| KOLDING (NZ) 4G OCEAN PARK (NZ) – MAGIC STAR (AUS) DANZERO (AUS) |
G BOSS | 50.5 | CHRIS WALLER | 12 | |
| HARTNELL (GB) 7G AUTHORIZED (IRE) – DEBONNAIRE (GB) ANABAA (USA) |
HUGH BOWMAN | 57.0 | JAMES CUMMINGS | 10 | |
| HAPPY CLAPPER (AUS) 7G TEOFILO (IRE) – BUSKING (AUS) ENCOSTA DE LAGO (AUS) |
B SHINN | 57.0 | PATRICK WEBSTER | 2 | |
| HAURAKI (AUS) 5G RESET (AUS) – YOUTHFUL PRESENCE (AUS) DEHERE (USA) |
JAMES MCDONALD | 56.0 | JOHN O’SHEA | 10 | |
| WINX (AUS) 4M STREET CRY (IRE) – VEGAS SHOWGIRL (NZ) AL AKBAR (AUS) |
HUGH BOWMAN | 57.0 | CHRIS WALLER | 12 | |
| HE’S YOUR MAN (FR) 5G CAPE CROSS (IRE) – VIA SALERIA (IRE) ARAZI (USA) |
JOAO MOREIRA | 52.5 | CHRIS WALLER | 10 | |
| BOBAN (AUS) 4G BERNARDINI (USA) – KENBELLE (AUS) KENMARE (FR) |
G SCHOFIELD | 53.0 | CHRIS WALLER | 10 | |
| FAT AL (AUS) 4G AL MAHER (AUS) – FATOON (AUS) SNAADEE (USA) |
TOMMY BERRY | 52.0 | MS G WATERHOUSE | 6 | |
| SECRET ADMIRER (AUS) 4M DUBAWI (IRE) – SECRET ILLUSION (AUS) SECRET SAVINGS (USA) |
B AVDULLA | 52.5 | GRAHAME BEGG | 16 | |
| CAPTAIN SONADOR (AUS) 4H SHAMARDAL (USA) – PUSHING DAISIES (AUS) KENNY’S BEST PAL (AUS) |
G BOSS | 52.0 | ROGER MILNE | 8 | |
| ROCK KINGDOM (AUS) 4G ROCK OF GIBRALTAR (IRE) – HAPPY EMPRESS (AUS) ST COVET (AUS) |
B SHINN | 54.0 | MS G WATERHOUSE | 12 | |
| THESEO (AUS) 5G DANEWIN (AUS) – OZONE SAND (USA) L’ENJOLEUR (CAN) |
Z PURTON | 51.5 | MS G WATERHOUSE | 18 | |
| RACING TO WIN (AUS) 4G ENCOSTA DE LAGO (AUS) – SURREALIST (AUS) KENNY’S BEST PAL (AUS) |
G BOSS | 57.0 | JOHN O’SHEA | 5 | |
| DESERT WAR (AUS) 5G DESERT KING (IRE) – HIGH HEELS (AUS) CAN’T FIGHT FATE (AUS) |
L V CASSIDY | 56.5 | MS G WATERHOUSE | 7 |
Epsom Handicap Betting Info
Epsom Handicap betting is open months ahead of the Group 1 Sydney, spring race down under at the TAB NZ.
We offer pre-nomination Epsom Handicap betting odds throughout the year that are known as futures Epsom Handicap odds online.
All-In Epsom Handicap betting markets are then available following the official Epsom Handicap nominations taken in early September, a month out from the classic mile showdown.
Betting on the Epsom Handicap field is available following final acceptances which close on the Tuesday of race week.
Betting on the Epsom Handicap often favours middle distance gallopers coming off lead-up runs in the Bill Ritchie Handicap with this race proving a good form line to follow into the Epsom Handicap each spring as it offers an Epsom ballot exemption to the winning horse.
Epsom Handicap race betting traditionally focuses on the four and five-year-old runners who have an outstanding record in the event and those heading towards bigger and better events over the spring.
For the best online betting on the Epsom Handicap, consider tipping a horse to win both the Epsom Handicap and another Group 1 race over the carnival in a spring double!
Epsom Handicap Field
The Epsom Handicap field attracts a line-up of top-line horses each season with runners coming from stables around Australia and New Zealand.
Epsom Handicap Acceptance Dates
It is crucial to take note of when the Epsom Handicap field is out, what time Epsom Handicap nominations close and the official Epsom Handicap acceptance dates when placing an Epsom Handicap bet online as horses may drop out of the race and bets may be cancelled.
The Epsom Handicap field features a capacity of 20 horses plus emergencies.
See below for the official Epsom Handicap field dates for 2025.
- 2025 Epsom Handicap Nominations: Close on Monday, September 8, 2025, at 12:00pm (Sydney time).
- 2025 Epsom Handicap Weights: Announced on Monday, September 15, 2025.
- 2025 Epsom Handicap Final Field: Revealed on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at 9:00am (Sydney time).
- 2025 Epsom Handicap Barrier Draw: Conducted on Tuesday, September 30, 2025.
Epsom Handicap Odds
Epsom Handicap odds and online betting tips on the Epsom Handicap are dominated by proven Group 1 horses, the four-year-old runners in the race and Sydney-trained gallopers who have a great record in the event heading towards the event third or fourth-up for the spring.
Where can I find the Epsom Handicap odds?
For the latest odds and updates on the Epsom Handicap, 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.
Where can you bet on the Epsom Handicap?
The best place to bet on this year’s Epsom Handicap race is through the TAB NZ online.
How to Place a Bet on the Epsom Handicap
Want to know how to make a bet on the Epsom Handicap? Visit the TAB NZ racing page to access the latest Epsom Handicap betting odds and options.
It is simple to learn how to place a bet on the Epsom Handicap online.
You can place an Epsom Handicap bet online anytime markets are live.
There are more ways than ever to get involved in betting on the Epsom Handicap.
From seasoned punters analysing form guides to casual racing fans drawn to the excitement, the Epsom Handicap is a race for everyone.
Whether you’re diving deep into the latest Epsom Handicap race field, joining a sweepstake with friends, or simply enjoying the atmosphere of the spring carnival at Randwick Racecourse, the Epsom Handicap has it all!
This important spring lead-up race showcases Australia’s finest thoroughbreds and attracts attention from all over the country as the count down to the ‘Big 3’ spring majors heats up!
How to Bet on the Epsom Handicap 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 Epsom Handicap betting guide, Epsom Handicap form guide and our expert Epsom Handicap tips.
4. Choose an Epsom Handicap bet to place such as Win, Place, Each-Way or the Epsom Handicap Trifecta. There are many more Epsom Handicap betting options available so make sure to check out our Epsom Handicap betting markets.
5. Select the Epsom Handicap horse you want to bet on from the early markets, Epsom Handicap nominations or Epsom Handicap field.
What are the popular betting markets for the Epsom Handicap?
When it comes to betting on the Epsom Handicap, 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 Epsom Handicap so popular?
The fact that the Epsom Handicap is one of the best mile races in Australia and one of the key events at the Sydney Carnival of Racing make it a must watch and must bet on horse racing event.
What makes the Epsom Handicap so special?
The Epsom Handicap serves as a great guide historically to other important spring races like the Cox Plate in Melbourne, so using the Epsom form for upcoming events is popular with punters. It is also one of Australia’s oldest classic races.
Australian and international racing fans, including those in New Zealand, tune into the thrilling 1600m spring event every season to see if their bets on the Epsom Handicap won!
The Epsom Handicap currently offers A$1,500,000 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 Epsom Handicap champions.
How many horses can run in the Epsom Handicap?
The Epsom Handicap field has a bumper 20-starter limit plus emergencies with final acceptances announced the Tuesday of race week.
Epsom Handicap race tips centre on proven mile stars that have good lead-up form, horses with previous experience at the Randwick track, and the lower-weighted runners who have a dominant recent record in the race.
The Epsom Handicap is a handicap race open to horses aged three-years-old and above meaning the higher-rated a horse is, the more weight they will carry.
The highest-rated and weighted horse in the Epsom Handicap field dons the number one saddlecloth.
How many mares have won the Epsom Handicap?
Fifteen mares have won the Epsom Handicap with the latest being the star Kiwi mare Probabeel in 2020.
What age group has the best recent Epsom Handicap record?
Four-year-olds have dominated the Epsom Handicap results in recent years with 16 saluting between 2000 and 2024, most recently Ceolwulf in 2024.
The oldest recent Epsom Handicap winner was Top Ranked who dead-heated with Ellsberg in 2022 as a seven-year-old.
The youngest Epsom Handicap winners in history were Noholme (1959) and Espiegle (1884) who beat home the older horses as a three-year-olds.
Between 2000 and 2024 the breakdown of Epsom Handicap winners by age is as follows:
- 3YOS – 0
- 4YOs – 16 (latest Ceolwulf in 2024)
- 5YOs – 5 (latest Ellsberg in 2022 who dead-heated for first with Top Ranked)
- 6YOs – 1 (latest Final Fantasy in 2001)
- 7YOs – 3 (latest Top Ranked in 2022 who dead-heated for first with Ellsberg)
Epsom Handicap Prize Money
The Epsom Handicap 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 Epsom Handicap prize money is set at A$1,500,000 in total stakes allocated between first to tenth place.
How much does the Epsom Handicap winner get? The winning Epsom Handicap horse receives a total of A$870,000 in prize money.
See below for the official breakdown of Epsom Handicap prizes on offer from the Epsom Handicap winner to the tenth horse to cross the finish line in the official Epsom Handicap results.
- First: A$870,000
- Second: A$285,000
- Third: A$142,500
- Fourth: A$68,000
- Fifth: A$32,000
- Sixth: A$15,000
- Seventh: A$15,000
- Eighth: A$15,000
- Ninth: A$10,000
- Tenth: A$10,000
Conducted by the Australian Turf Club (ATC), the Epsom Handicap is a mid-carnival feature race at the esteemed Royal Randwick track over the all-important Sydney Spring Carnival.
The Epsom Handicap has been won by a host of turf greats including a number of reigning or subsequent Cox Plate winners.
How many international horses have won the Epsom Handicap?
None. So far, a horse trained outside of Australia or New Zealand has not won the Epsom Handicap with most Northern Hemisphere raiders opting to target the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup races later in the spring for which they are better bred for.
How many horses have won the Epsom Handicap more than once?
Seven horses have won multiple editions of the race with Amounis (1926, 1928) the only to do so on non-successive years.
Multiple Epsom Handicap Champions
Masquerade (1882-83); Melodrama (1907-08); Amounis (1926, 1928); Chatham (1932-33); Toi Port (1963-64); Super Impose (1990-91); Desert War (2004-05).
Epsom Handicap Race Records
What was the fastest Epsom Handicap winning time? Hartnell won the Epsom Handicap in 2018 in a smart time of 1 minute 32:73 seconds over the 1600m.
What races will runners out of the Epsom Handicap target in the spring?
Following a run in the Epsom Handicap key spring targets for the top contenders include the Group 1 A$5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) at the same track and distance on The Everest Day, the coveted Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) with Australasia’s weight-for-age championship taking place at The Valley in late October, and Flemington events over the Melbourne Cup Carnival including the Group 1 Champions Stakes (2000m).
Four horses have completed the Epsom Handicap – Cox Plate double in the same year with: Nightmarch (1929), Chatham (1932), Noholme (1959), and heroic mare Winx (2015) for her first of an eventual historic four Cox Plate wins.
Ceolwulf (2024) was the last horse to complete the Epsom Handicap – King Charles III Stakes double.
What Time Does the Epsom Handicap Start?
The Epsom Handicap start time is traditionally scheduled just after 4:00pm (local time).
Epsom Handicap Barriers
The Epsom Handicap barrier draw and allocated Epsom Handicap gates play a key role for many punters when deciding on what horses to bet on in the big race.
When is the Epsom Handicap barrier draw?
The Epsom Handicap barrier draw is conducted on the same day as final acceptances close which is the Tuesday of race week around 9:00am local Sydney time.
Barriers have historically affected the Epsom Handicap results with the distance and make-up of the course best suited to horses drawn between barriers 10 and 12.
Barrier 14 is the most recent Epsom Handicap winning barrier with Ceolwulf in 2024.
Barrier 2 is the latest Epsom Handicap barrier to produce back-to-back winners with Ellsberg (dead heat for first in 2022) and Rediener (2023).
Thirteen Epsom Handicap winners from 2000-2024 jumped from double-digit gates most recently Ceolwulf (14 in 2024).
Barrier 18 is the widest barrier to produce an Epsom Handicap winner between 2000 and 2024 with Theseo the latest to salute from that gate in 2008.
What is the most successful recent Epsom Handicap barrier draw?
Barriers 10 and 12 have both produced four Epsom Handicap winners between 2000 and 2024 most recently Hartnell (barrier 10 in 2018) and Kolding (barrier 12 in 2019).
Breakdown of winning Epsom Handicap barriers between 2000-24:
- Barrier 1 – 1 (latest Excellerator in 2002)
- Barrier 2 – 3 (latest Rediener in 2023)
- Barrier 3 – 1 (latest Top Ranked who dead-heated for first with Ellsberg in 2022)
- Barrier 4 – 0
- Barrier 5 – 1 (latest Racing To Win in 2006)
- Barrier 6 – 2 (latest Fat Al in 2012)
- Barrier 7 – 3 (latest Private Eye in 2021)
- Barrier 8 – 1 (latest Captain Sonador in 2010)
- Barrier 9 – 0
- Barrier 10 – 4 (latest Hartnell in 2018)
- Barrier 11 – 0
- Barrier 12 – 4 (latest Kolding in 2019)
- Barrier 13 – 0
- Barrier 14 – 1 (latest Ceolwulf in 2024)
- Barrier 15 – 1 (latest Probabeel in 2020)
- Barrier 16 – 1 (latest Secret Admirer in 2011)
- Barrier 17 – 1 (latest Clangalang in 2003)
- Barrier 18 – 1 (latest Theseo in 2008)
Epsom Handicap Betting Favourites
Favourites in Epsom Hadicap betting are those horses that jump at the shortest Epsom Handicap odds.
Last Epsom Handicap favourite to win: Ceolwulf ($4 in 2024)
Last Epsom Handicap favourite to finish worse than third: Hope In Your Heart (6th in 2023)
The last Epsom Handicap favourite to finish worse than third and miss out on a spot in the Epsom Handicap trifecta was Hope In Your Heart who started at $7.50 before running sixth to Rediener ($9.50) in 2023.
Epsom Handicap Form
We offer a complete Epsom Handicap form guide and expert analysis on every horse in the Epsom Handicap field in addition to insider Epsom Handicap racing tips and betting odds.
Our Epsom Handicap form guides include:
- Epsom Handicap 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 Epsom Handicap or you are an expert Epsom Handicap tipster, our form guide gives you all the statistics and information you need to make a smart bet on the Epsom Handicap.
How to Read the Epsom Handicap 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 Epsom Handicap 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 Epsom Handicap race.
Weight Carried: Analyse how the weight carried in previous races compares to the Epsom Handicap as this can impact performance.
Epsom Handicap Day Betting
Epsom Handicap Day betting is dominated by online Epsom Handicap bets, but there are also a host of exciting support races that the TAB NZ offer top Randwick racing odds on.
The Epsom Handicap is one of three Group 1 events on the card making for a huge day of spring racing and punting in Sydney! The other Group status Epsom Handicap Day races to check out our insider Sydney racing tips for include the:
- Group 1 A$750,000 The Metropolitan (2400m),
- Group 1 A$750,000 Flight Stakes (1600m),
- Group 2 A$1,000,000 Premiere Stakes (1200m),
- Group 3 A$250,000 Gimcrack Stakes (1000m), and the
- Group 3 A$250,000 Breeders’ Plate (1000m).
Epsom Handicap Results
The Epsom Handicap results are known when the event takes place on a Saturday in early October.
You can bet on the Epsom Handicap race results weeks ahead of race day with our futures Epsom Handicap markets here at the TAB NZ.
Betting on the Epsom Handicap results entails picking the Epsom Handicap winning horse and we can help you place an informed bet on the Epsom Handicap with our Epsom Handicap tips and form guide.
Other Epsom Handicap results include the winning jockeys, trainers, successful barrier and finishing time.
The complete Epsom Handicap finishing order shows what position every horse in the traditional 20-horse field ran.
Some punters even like to place bets on what horse will finish last in the Epsom Handicap results!
Epsom Handicap exotic results show how all the exotic Epsom Handicap bet types resulted like the Epsom Handicap Quinella, Epsom Handicap Exacta, Epsom Handicap Trifecta, and Epsom Handicap First Four.
Epsom Handicap Jockeys
Securing a ride in the Epsom Handicap 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 Epsom Handicap field is determined by the owners and trainers of the horses, and official Epsom Handicap jockey announcements are made in the weeks and days leading up to the race.
Chad Schofield is the latest Epsom Handicap winning jockey having ridden Ceolwulf to victory in 2024.
Who is the most successful Epsom Handicap jockey in history? Donald Nicholson rode five successive Epsom Handicap winners to victory between 1880 and 1884 before tragically losing his life in a fall during the 1885 Caulfield Cup.
Kathy O’Hara was the latest female jockey to win the Epsom Handicap aboard Rediener in 2023. Rachel King also won that year’s The Metropolitan on Just Fine. It was the first time in Australian racing history that two female riders won Group 1 races on the same race card.
Jim McHugh is the youngest Epsom Handicap winning jockey in history having saluted aboard Robin Hood in 1897 aged only 11 years and 4 months.
The last apprentice jockey to win the Epsom Handicap was Wayne Harris on Gold Circle in 1981.
Stay tuned to the TAB NZ racing blog to see what jockeys lock in a confirmed ride on one of the Epsom Handicap horses this spring.
Epsom Handicap Trainers
The late Tommy Smith and his daughter Gai Waterhouse are the most successful Epsom Handicap trainers having prepared seven winners each. Waterhouse joined her father as the leading Epsom Handicap trainer preparing her seventh champion in 2012 with Fat Al.
Chris Waller has prepared five Epsom Handicap winners since 2012 with Boban (2013), He’s Your Man (2014), Winx (2015), Kolding (2019), and most recently running the quinella with Rediener and Kovalica in 2023.
Joseph Pride is the latest Epsom Handicap winning trainer having prepared Ceolwulf in 2024.
Epsom Handicap Winners
Notable Epsom Handicap winners throughout history include:
Beauford (1921): Beauford was particularly known for his memorable clashes with the New Zealand champion Gloaming at Randwick Racecourse in 1922.
Chatham (1932-33): Chatham, an outstanding Australian Thoroughbred racehorse and son of 1925 Melbourne Cup winner Windbag, achieved significant victories including two W.S. Cox Plate wins (1932, 1934), three Craven Plate wins (1931, 1933, 1934), and two Epsom Handicap wins (1932, 1933) and was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2005.
Shannon (1945): Shannon was an exceptional racehorse who achieved major victories including the AJC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1944), Epsom Handicap (1945), and George Main Stakes (1946, 1947). He set world records in the Forty Niner Handicap and San Francisco Handicap in the USA, was named the 1948 American Champion Older Male Horse, and was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2006; he was sired by Midstream out of Idle Words.
Sky High (1961): Sky High achieved major victories including the 1960 Golden Slipper Stakes, 1960 Victoria Derby, 1961 and 1962 Lightning Stakes, and the 1961 Epsom Handicap; he was sired by Star Kingdom out of Flight’s Daughter, and was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2010.
Gunsynd (1971): Gunsynd, affectionately known as the “Goondiwindi Grey,” was a champion Australian Thoroughbred racehorse who achieved major victories including the Epsom Handicap (1971), Doncaster Handicap (1972), and W.S. Cox Plate (1972); he was sired by Sunset Hue out of Woodie Wonder and was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame.
Super Impose (1990-91): Super Impose became a legend at Randwick, winning four consecutive mile races in the Epsom Handicap and Doncaster Handicap. His final victory in the 1991 Epsom Handicap, under the skilled guidance of jockey Darren Beadman with a hefty 61kg, solidified his status as a racing icon.
Desert War (2004-05): Desert War was an accomplished galloper whose major turf triumphs included the Epsom Handicap (2004, 2005), Chipping Norton Stakes (2006), LKS Mackinnon Stakes (2006), AJC Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2007), and Ranvet Stakes (2007); he was sired by Desert King out of High Heels.
Winx (2015): The mighty mare celebrated her first ever Sydney Group 1 victory in the 2015 Epsom Handicap with 57kg. At the time it was her fourth win on the trot and led into her first of an eventual historic four Cox Plate victories.
Probabeel (2020): Last mare to win the Epsom and the first New Zealand-bred champion of the mile classic since Magnitude (1985). Her other major victories included the Karaka Millions 2YO (2019), Karaka Millions 3YO (2020), Surround Stakes (2020), and Caulfield Stakes (2021); she was sired by Savabeel out of Far Fetched and was named New Zealand Horse of the Year for 2020-21 and 2021-22.
Bet on the next Epsom Handicap winner with our comprehensive Epsom Handicap form guide and expert Epsom Handicap tips at the TAB NZ!
This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team.