Australians celebrate The Championships, a popular horse racing event at Royal Randwick racecourse annually.
Twelve races are held each year on the first and second Saturday of April, with over $25 million in prize money on the line.
The Championships 2025, Randwick Horse Races, Dates & Dress Code
Held on April 5 & 12 in 2025, The Star Championships’ twelve races are hotly contested to determine champion status over different age groups and distances. Glittering emerald encrusted trophies, designed by acclaimed Sydney jeweller Cerrone, are awarded to each race’s winning owner, trainer and jockey.
With a total of $25 million prizemoney on offer, the stage is set for two days of world-class racing. The very best horses in Australia will compete against some of the finest international contestants at what is a feature occasion on Sydney’s social and sporting calendar.
Sydney, one of the world’s most beautiful cities, will provide a breathtaking backdrop, a wealth of stunning sights, beaches to explore, arts and entertainments to attend, and gourmet dining experiences to enjoy.
Royal Randwick, one of Australia’s vibrant and most prestigious racing venues, is a fitting host. To complement two unforgettable days of racing, visitors and racing enthusiasts from around the country and overseas will enjoy a dazzling array of fashion and award winning hospitality at this grand occasion.
Royal Randwick provides a historic setting with state-of-the-art facilities for energising business events, elaborate celebrations and inspiring weddings. The Winx Stand, a new multi-purpose two-floor Conference and Exhibition Centre is open to the general public.
Betting on the Championships is very popular, with hundreds of millions of dollars spent on the races over the two days. Most people place bets through the official TAB or a bookmaker in person, although many races are televised. People also bet online at home or a local pub or gaming venue.
Day 1 – 5 April 2025
Royal Randwick plays host to its first day of the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival with The Star Championships Day 1. Racing highlights include four Group 1 races featuring the Group 1 Australian Derby and the Group 1 The Star Doncaster Mile.
After seven regional heats and two wild cards, 16 of the best horses trained in country New South Wales battle on the hallowed Royal Randwick turf to decide who The Evergreen Turf Country Championships Final hero is.
The 2025 winner of the $1 million race will join an honour roll that includes Artlee, Free Standing, Clearly Innocent, Victorem, Noble Boy, Gracie Belle, Art Cadeau, Another One, Sizzle Minizzle and the 2024 champion Asgarda.
As a nod to tradition, dress to impress in black and white attire. The Peacock Lounge, presented by Balter in the Winx Stand, is back to elevate the race day experience, which is open to all racegoers. Enjoy a premium food selection and a feature Balter Bar serving beer and bubbles all day. A rotating DJ set will create a party environment all alongside the track.
The good vibes continue after the last race with an electronic music performance by Touch Sensitive. Award-winning premium dining packages are available.
Racing Highlights:
The Star Doncaster Mile
GR1 $4,000,000 | 1600m for 3YO & Upwards
The Doncaster Mile is acknowledged as Australia’s mile championship. It is the most lucrative mile handicap in the world.
Asahi Super Dry TJ Smith Stakes
GR1 $3,000,000 | 1200m for 2YO & Upwards
This race has quickly established itself as the sprinting championship of Australia.
ATC Australian Derby
GR1 $2,000,000 | 2400m for 3YO
Australia’s premier race for staying 3YOs. First run in 1861, it has been run in the autumn since 1979.
Inglis Sires’
GR1 $1,000,000 | 1400m for 2YO
Forms the second leg of the 2YO triple crown. It is Royal Randwick’s 2YO championship race.
The Evergreen Turf Country Championships Final
$1,000,000 | 1400m
The premier race for NSW country-trained horses
Day 2 – 12 April 2025
One of the greatest races on the Australian turf headlines Day 2 of The Star Championships with the running of the Queen Elizabeth Stakes. It’s the race where the great Winx had her grand farewell with victory in 2019 and one targeted by some of the best international gallopers from the UK and Japan.
Prestige, assured legacy and record prize money guarantee a blockbuster race for the ages. The ‘Grand Finals of Australian Racing’ offers a great race card with four Group 1 races, including the Schweppes Sydney Cup and the Group 1 The Star Australian Oaks.
The Peacock Lounge, presented by Balter in the Winx Stand, is back to set to elevate the race day experience, which is open to all racegoers. Enjoy a premium food selection and a feature Balter Bar serving beer and bubbles all day. Dance the day away to hit duo Set Mo, who will entertain the crowd after the last.
A rotating DJ set will create a party environment all alongside the track. Award-winning premium dining packages are available.
Racing Highlights:
Queen Elizabeth Stakes
GR1 $5,000,000 | 2000m for 3YO & Upwards
A race steeped in history, it is Australia’s premier weight-for-age race, with prizemoney offerings of $A4 million.
Schweppes Sydney Cup
GR1 $2,000,000 | 3200m for 3YO & Upwards
An increase in prizemoney to $A 2 million makes the Sydney Cup the autumn championship in the 2-mile handicap category.
Asahi Super Dry Australian Oaks
GR1 $1,000,000 | 2400m for 3YO Fillies
The premier staying test for 3YO Fillies in Australia, it has been run since 1885 and has become one of the world’s richest Oaks.
TAB Queen Of The Turf Stakes
GR1 $1,000,000 | 1600m for Fillies & Mares 3YO & Upwards
Registered as the Queen of the Turf, the race moved to Royal Randwick over 1600m in 2014 with $A1 million on offer.
Arrowfield 3YO Sprint
GR2 $1,000,000 | 1200m for 3YO
Moved from February, the race becomes the autumn sprint championship for 3YOs.
The Star Percy Sykes Stakes
GR2 $1,000,000 | 1200m for 2YO Fillies
Originally named the Keith Mackay Stakes, the boost in prizemoney makes the race the Australian championship for 2YO fillies.
The Provincial – Midway Championships Final
$1,000,000 | 1400m
The NSW Provincial Championship
What To Wear
The official carnival colours are Black and White for Day 1 and Royal Blue for Day 2.
Ladies – Members
Ladies are expected to maintain a suitable standard in keeping with the regulations of the Members Reserve. The dress code also applies to members’ guests and those day guests in dining rooms and venues within the member’s reserve areas. Overseas visitors are welcome to wear the formal national dress of their country. The dress code applies to children 14 years and over.
Ladies – General Admission
General Admission has no formal dress code, but it’s recommended that you wear smart clothing befitting a race day occasion. All general admission dining rooms and function venues require smart casual attire. Overseas visitors are welcome to wear the formal national dress of their country. The dress code applies to children 14 years of age and over.
Gentlemen – Members
In Member areas at Royal Randwick and Rosehill Gardens, gentlemen must wear tailored pants, dress shoes, a collared shirt and tie, and a jacket, sports coat, or blazer. The dress code also applies to members’ guests and those day guests in dining rooms and venues within the Members Reserve areas.
Gentlemen are required to wear a suit of tailored slacks (tailored chinos are acceptable), a sports coat or blazer, a tie, and dress shoes. Jackets are optional during daylight savings periods.
Ties are always required in the Members Reserve area. Members found not wearing a tie within the Members area will be asked to purchase a tie from the Members Concierge.
Overseas visitors are welcome to wear the formal national dress of their country.
Gentlemen – General Admission
General Admission has no formal dress code, but it recommends smart dress befitting of a race day occasion and encourages our guests to wear a buttoned, collared shirt with a suit jacket and pants. All general admission dining rooms and function venues require smart casual attire. Overseas visitors are welcome to wear the formal national dress of their country. The dress code applies to children 14 years and over.
Travel & Parking at Royal Randwick
Royal Randwick is well-serviced by public transport, with a Light Rail station and a purpose-built bus terminal at the racecourse’s main entrance on Alison Road. The racecourse is located in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, approximately 6km from Sydney CBD and 8km from Sydney Airport.
Light Rail
L2 – Circular Quay / Central direct to Royal Randwick
L3 – Circular Quay / Central to Kensington
The Royal Randwick stop is on Alison Road, opposite the racecourse’s main entrance. Services run regularly from 5am until 1am on weekdays and weekends. Additional services will also be provided during major race days and events.
Buses
Plenty of regular buses also run between the City and Eastern Suburbs via Anzac Parade and Alison Road to get you to Randwick Racecourse, including bus routes 339, 373, 374, 376 and 377.
Your ticket to the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival at Rosehill Gardens (16, 23, 30 March) and Royal Randwick (6, 13, 20 April) includes travel on trains, buses, light rail, and ferries. When boarding services, show your ticket, proof of purchase, or ATC membership to transport staff.
Taxis
Taxis enter Royal Randwick through the Ascot Street entrance, where there is a secure taxi rank for set-down and collection.
Please note that taxis, ride-shares, and hire cars are not permitted to stop on Alison Rd or Doncaster Avenue.
Free Parking
The infield car park offers free parking. Entry is via High Street, opposite UNSW.
Members & Owners Car Park
The Members’ Coach service is provided for the comfort and convenience of Australian Turf Club Members. Seats on the coach must be purchased by Friday midday before the race day. Refer to the ATC Members Portal for details regarding Members Car Park.
The Championships race is a day full of fun and frivolities. Dress up in your Autumn finest, and bring a group of friends (maybe even a picnic). Food and drinks can be purchased at the racetrack, and ATMs are available inside the racecourse; however, due to the large crowds, lines are often long. Betting is a popular pastime, so bring some extra cash to place a bet.
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