Champagne Stakes

See the 2024 Champagne Stakes Preview and results.

See the 2023 Champagne Stakes Preview and results.

See the 2022 Champagne Stakes Preview and results.

See the 2021 Champagne Stakes Preview and results.

The Champagne Stakes dates back to 1864 when it was won by Yattendon over 8 furlongs (about 1600 metres), It has had several distance changes over the years and was run over 7 furlongs in 1865 and 1866 then 5 furlongs from 1867 to 1880, 6 furlongs in 1881, 5 furlongs in 1982 then 6 furlongs again from 1883 to 1971. In 1972 it then went back to the original 8 furlong distance which became 1600 metres under the metric system, and it has remained at this distance.

As the final two-year-old Group race of the autumn in Sydney it is a race where promising youngsters can finish their autumn campaign and show their ability to handle more than a sprint distance. The major lead-up is the ATC Sires Produce Stakes over 1400 metres, Colts and geldings carry 56.5kg and fillies carry 54.5kg.

Last filly to win: She’s Extreme (2022)

Fastest time (1600m): Seabrook (2018) 1:34:47

Interesting trivia: 1959 winner Noholme and 1957 winner Todman were full brothers by Star Kingdom from Oceana.

The Golden Slipper over 1200 metres, the ATC Sires Produce and the Champagne Stakes make up the two-year-old Triple Crown in Sydney. Very few youngsters have been good enough to win all three and past Triple Crown winners are Pierro (2012), Dance Hero (2005), Burst (1992), Tierce (1991), Luskin Star (1977) and Baguette (1970).

Many top-class gallopers have won the Champagne Stakes before going on to greater things. Many past winners were great at stud including Luskin Star, Baguette, Vain, Sky High, Todman, Tierce and Pierro. Vain won the 1969 Champagne Stakes by 10 lengths. Red Anchor won in 1984 and later in the year as a three-year old won a swag of Group 1 races including the Cox Plate, Caulfield Guineas and Victoria Derby.

From the archives:

Champagne Stakes Preview & Tips 2020

Track: Soft   Weather: Fine

There are 10 runners for the $400,000 2018 Moet & Chandon Champagne Stakes, including three fillies. Four of the runners had their last start in the ATC Sires Produce and two had their last start in the Listed Fernhill Handicap. The early favourite is King’s Legacy who won the Sires Produce at long odds last start on a heavy track. Second favourite is Ole Kirk who chased hard for 4th in that race, and third favourite is Holyfield who looked good winning the Group 3 TL Baillieu Handicap last outing.

Aim was 5th in the ATC Sires Produce and wasn’t helped by contacting the running rail around te 650m. Untamed won the Fernhill Handicap at this track and distance last week and had the best overall race sectionals. Not An Option has two wins in New Zealand and came 3rd in the Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes at his first Australian start two weeks ago. Glenfiddich ran 6th in the ATC Sires Produce last start. The three fillies are all currently at odds of 16 to 1 or longer.

Champagne Stakes Runner by Runner 2020

1. King’s Legacy

One of three runners, for Peter and Paul Snowden, he had the best last 800m race sectional when he won the ATC Sires Produce on a heavy track last outing, while the start before he ran 9th in the Golden Slipper after jumping awkwardly and being crowded. He has 2 wins and a place from 5 starts and should have no problems with the extra distance. One of the best chances to win.

2. Glenfiddich

He never looked comfortable in the heavy going when he finished 6.8 lengths 6th in the ATC Sires Produce last outing, but the start before he was very strong winning the Mornington Guineas over 1500m by 2.75 lengths, suggesting the distance won’t be a problem.Not the worst.

3. Aim

Last start was a little inconclusive as he contacted the running rail at the 650m and only battled when he got clear at the 380m to finish 4.7 lengths 5th in the ATC Sires Produce. At the two starts before hat he finished 2.1 lengths 3rd in the Group 2 Skyline Stakes then 2.2 lengths 4th in the Pago Pago Stakes. Capable of running a place.Not the worst.

4. Holyfield

With 3 wins from 4 starts, this colt has had a great start to his career. He took over at the 550m and kept going to win the TL Baillieu last start and can be expected to be in the finish again here.

5. Untamed

This colt has a few things in his favour here – he is the only runner with a win over the 1600m (only one other has been over this distance), he has a solid record of 2 wins and a second place from three starts, and his sire Pierro was a winner of this race in 2012. He still has scope for improvement and looks a good each-way bet at the double-figure odds.

6. Ole Kirk

He jumped awkwardly and was hampered shortly after the start when he ran 4th in the Sires Produce last start. Before that he debuted with a win in the Listed Talindert Stakes over 11o0m then 3rd in the Group 2 Sires Produce over 1400m at Flemington where he didn’t get the clearest of runs and was a touch unlucky. If he gets a good run he will be in the finish.

7. Not An Option

With 2 wins and 2 places from 5 starts, this New Zealand trained colt had a Group 2 win and a Group 2 2nd place in New Zealand, and settled at the rear but kept chasing for 3rd in the Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes at his Australian debut. He has yet to run beyond 1200m but his breeding suggests he will be better over further.

8. Philizzy

One of two fillies in the race trained by Anthony Cummings (the other is Fayerra) she has 4 starts for a win and a place. She followed a 1.1 length 4th in the G3 Magic Night Stakes with 4.2 lengths 7th in the G2 Percy Sykes Stakes where she never looked likely. She will find this too tough.

9. Fayerra

After 6 starts this filly is still a maiden but her best performance was last week where she fought on strongly and was grabbed late for 0.3 lengths 3rd in the Listed Fernhill Handicap. That race was at this track and distance which gives her a slight edge on the rest of the field, as Untamed is the only other horse to have run over the distance. Could run a place.

10. Mandalong Beyond

The rank ousider of the field, this filly has had two starts for 8th of 8 in a Gosford maiden plate and 5th of 6 in a 2YO handicap at Warwick Farm. She will still get $5,000 for running as that is the prizemoney for running 6th to 10th.

The following are the top 4 selections from our tipster panel for this years race.

Jo’s Tips
1 King’s Legacy
6 Ole Kirk
5 Untamed
4 Holyfield