Queen Elizabeth Stakes Race Information

The ATC Queen Elizabeth Stakes is a 2000 metre weight-for-age race run by the Australian Turf Club. The race is held in April or early May each year at Randwick during the Autumn Racing Carnival. Until the introduction of The Everest in 2017 the prizemoney of $4 million made it Sydney’s richest race.

  • Race Type: Group 1
  • Distance: 2000 metres
  • Conditions: Weight-for-age, 3YO & upwards
  • Track: Randwick Racecourse, Sydney, New South Wales
  • Prizemoney: $5,000,000
  • Date: Saturday 8 April 2023

Queen Elizabeth Stakes Race History

See the 2023 Queen Elizabeth Stakes Preview and results.

See the 2022 Queen Elizabeth Stakes Preview and results.

See the 2021 Queen Elizabeth Stakes Preview and results.

The ATC Queen Elizabeth Stakes has changed its name and distance over the years, but can be traced back to 1851 when it was won by Cossack who also won the following year. Back then the distance was 24 furlongs (about 4800 metres) and it a race that is often won by tough stayers.

The race was first named the Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 1954, when Blue Ocean won at 66-1 in front of the Queen. Prior to 1954 it was known as the AJC Plate, and was the Kings Cup in 1934. The current distance of 2000m has been run since 1979. From 1973 to 1978 the distance was 2400m. From 1923 to 1972 the distance varied from 18 furlongs, 16 furlongs, 14 furlongs and 12 furlongs, and prior to 1922 it was a punishing 24 furlongs.

In 2022 the track was rated as a Heavy 10 and jockey Nash Rawiller looked as if he was going to take his mount right out of the racecourse as he took a sharp turn to the left and raced right along the outside fence to take his 40/1 mount Think It Over to an absolutely incredible win.

Useful Facts

Last mare to win: Winx (2019)

Last 3YO to win: C&G – Intergaze (1997); Filly – none

Multiple winners: Addeybb (2020 & 2021); Winx (2017,2018 & 2019); Grand Armee (2004 & 2005); Intergaze (1997 & 1999);Tulloch (1958, 1960 & 1961).

Fastest time (2000m): Intergaze (1997) 2:01:22

Interesting trivia: In 2001 Shogun Lodge survived a protest from Go Flash Go.

Past winners of the Queen Elizabeth Stakes

When More Joyous won in 2012 she was the first mare to win since Dinky Flyer in 1987. Several horses have won it twice including Addeybb (2020 & 2021), Grand Armee (2004 & 2005) and Intergaze (1997 & 1999), while it has been won three times by Winx (2017, 2018 & 2019) and Tulloch (1958, 1960 & 1961).

Throughout its history it has been won by tough horses who are part of Australia’s history – horses like Winx, Ming Dynasty, Gay Icarus, Peter Pan and Phar Lap. Several Queen Elizabeth Stakes winners are also Melbourne Cup winners, including Might and Power (1998), Doriemus (1996) and Jeune (1995).

Year Winner Second Third
2023 Dubai Honour Mo’unga Anamoe
2022 Think It Over Zaaki Mount Popa
2021 Addeybb Verry Elleegant Dalasan
2020 Addeybb Verry Elleegant Danon Premium
2019 Winx Kluger Hartnell
2018 Winx Gailo Chop Happy Clapper
2017 Winx Hartnell Sense Of Occasion
2016 Lucia Valentina The United States Happy Clapper
2015 Criterion Red Cadeaux Royal Descent
2014 It’s A Dundeel (NZ) Sacred Falls (NZ) Carlton House
2013 Reliable Man It’s A Dundeel (NZ) Happy Trails
2012 More Joyous Manighar Secret Admirer
2011 My Kingdom Of Fyfe Sacred Choice Syreon
2010 Road To Rock Triple Honour Monaco Consul
2009 Pompeii Ruler Sarrera (Equal 2nd) Metal Bender (Equal 2nd)
2008 Sarrera Nom Du Jeu Tuesday Joy
2007 Desert War Haradasun Spirit of Tara
2006 Eremein Aqua d’ Amore Ike’s Dream
2005 Grand Armee Delzao Mummify
2004 Grand Armee Lonhro Pentastic
2003 Lonhro Pentastic Republic Lass
2002 Defier Freemason Emission
2001 Shogun Lodge Go Flash Go El Mirada
2000 Georgie Boy Cronus Referral
1999 Intergaze Istidaad Sky Heights
1998 Might And Power Champagne Catalan Opening
1997 Intergaze Octagonal All Our Mob
1996 Doriemus Juggler Super Slew
1995 Jeune Danewin March Hare
1994 Durbridge Romanee Conti Maraakiz
1993 Veandercross Durbridge Rough Habit
1992 Rough Habit My Eagle Eye Aquidity
1991 Stylish Century Royal Creation Livistona Lane
1990 Sydeston Better Loosen Up Rajamah
1989 Our Poetic Prince Dandy Andy Beau Zam
1988 Authaal Ostensible Algonquin Club
1987 Dinky Flyer Limitless Travel Light
1986 Tristarc Abit Leica At Talaq
1985 Rising Prince Alibhai Hayai
1984 Chiamare Fountaincourt Trissaro
1983 Fountaincourt Bianco Lady Trissaro
1982 Prince Majestic Allez Bijou Galleon
1981 My Blue Denim Hyperno Mr. Independent
1980 Iko Double Century Salamander
1979 Shivaree March Legend Arwon
1978 Ming Dynasty Unaware Belmura Lad
1977 Ngawyni Gold And Black Inceptor
1976 Taras Bulba Balmerino Leica Lover
1975 Jandell Leilani Dayana
1974 Battle Heights Dayana Igloo
1973 Apollo Eleven Gunsynd Gold Brick
1972 Tails Gunsynd Royal Shah
1971 Gay Icarus Fileur Arctic Symbol
1970 Panvale Lochcourt Rain Lover
1969 Lowland Roman Consul Rain Lover
1968 General Command Fulmen Donato
1967 Garcon Prince Grant Aveniam
1966 Prince Grant Craftsman Striking Force
1965 Fair Patton River Seine Sharply
1964 Summer Regent River Seine Barbatook
1963 Burgos Ruato Marco Khan
1962 Nilarco Marco Khan Dhaulagiri
1961 Tulloch Nilarco Persian Lyric
1960 Tulloch Sir Blink Royal Jester
1959 Caesar Valerius Baystone
1958 Tulloch Baron Boissier Caranna
1957 Empire Link Redcraze Mac’s Amber
1956 Beaupa Electro Advocate
1955 Prince Cortauld Pride Of Egypt Carioca
1954 Blue Ocean Euphrates Advocate

From the archives:

Queen Elizabeth Stakes Preview & Tips 2020

Track: Soft    Weather: Overcast

There are 13 runners for the $2,000,000 Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes, where four of them had there last run in the Doncaster last week and two in the George Ryder on 21 March. The prizemoney of $4 million has been halved in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic. The early favourite is Japanese horse Danon Premium, who comes to Australia with 6 wins from 10 starts and has been runner-up in Group 1 races in Japan at his last 2 starts. Second favourite is Addeybb who won the Ranvet Stakes at his first Australian start with the best last 600m race sectional of the day. Third favourite is Te Akau Shark who was strong winning the Chipping Norton Stakes before running on for 3rd in the George Ryder last start.

Verry Elleegant has improved with each run this preparation and won the Tancred Stakes by over 4 lengths last start. Master Of Wine has won his last four races in a row and all by big margins. Melody Belle already has ten Group 1 wins to her credit and was unlucky when 4th in the Doncaster last outing. Vow And Declare resumed for 3rd in the Australian Cup and will be fitter now. The other 3 runners are all over 25 to 1, including Happy Clapper who always gives his best at Randwick.

Queen Elizabeth Stakes Runner by Runner 2020

1. Danon Premium

This Japanese horse will be having his first Australian start, but we know the Japanese horses tend to be tough. He has six wins in Japan including a Group 1, three Group 2’s and a Group 3. At his last two starts he was runner-up in the G1 Tenno Sho , then runner-up in the G1 Mile Championship. His wins have been from 1600-2000m and he certainly looks a chance here.

2. Addeybb

I was very impressed with the way this UK visitor won the Ranvet Stakes at his first Australian start. It looked as is Verry Elleegant was going to pass him but he knuckled down and fought hard , while the runner-up romped away with the Tancred at her next start, showing just what a good race it was. He has 8 wins and 4 places from 16 starts and I think he can win.

3. Happy Clapper

At nine-years-old this wonderful gelding seems to be a couple of lengths below his best but can never be underestimated at Randwick. He has ran 3rd in this race twice before – in 2016 and 2018. He resumed for 3rd in the Apollo Stakes but only beat one home in the George Ryder at Rosehill last start. Despite his long price it wouldn’t shock me to see him run a place.

4. Te Akau Shark

After running 3rd in the Cox Plate in the Spring,  he resumed with a big win in a Group 1 race in New Zealand, then was impressive coming from well back to win the Chipping Norton Stakes, then kept chasing for 3rd in the George Ryder. He is looking for the extra distance now and should finish in the first half of the field.

5. Vow And Declare

The 2019 Melbourne Cup winner resumed for 3rd in the Australian Cup on 7 March. He hasn’t raced since then but will be fitter now and will run a good race so it would be no surprise to see him in the finish.

6. Kolding

One of five runners for Chris Waller, this four-year-old won the Epsom Handicap then the $7.5 million Golden Eagle in the Spring. His four runs this campaign have all seen him finish in the first half of the field but miss being in the trifecta. This is his first try at the distance and my money won’t be on him.

7. Gailo Chop

In 2018 he ran 2nd to Winx in the race but the best days for this nine-year-old are now behind him. He ran last in the Doncaster Prelude at his latest outing but returns to his favourite distance here.

8. Kings Will Dream

He won the Turnbull Stakes over this distance in the Spring so is proven at the 2000m. At his latest start he chased hard when clear to finish 5th in the Doncaster and is a rough hope to run a place.

9. Imaging

This UK import has had 3 races in Australia for 8th in the Liverpool City Cup, a win in the Group 2 Ajax Stakes on a heavy track, and 16th in the Doncaster. The distance is a query for him and there are better horses in the race.

10. Master Of Wine

After winning the G3 Sky High Stakes by 3.5 lengths last start, the James Ruse by 3.5 lengths the start before, the City Tatts Cup by 2.3 lengths the start before and a benchmark race by 4 lengths before that you have to include this Hawkes-trained gelding as one of the main chances. This is his toughest test to date but he has been winning so well that he certainly looks up to the challenge.

11. Life Less Ordinary

Currently the rank outsider of the field this eight-year-old gelding finished 3.8 lengths 6th in the Group 3 Neville Sellwood at his latest start. He has had 9 Group 1 starts for a place where he finished 2nd in the 2019 Doomben Cup. I’m not expecting a big form reversal here.

12. Verry Elleegant

This mare is the pick of the Waller entrants and won the Australian Oaks this time last year. She has had four starts this campaign for a 4th in the G2 Apollo Stakes, 2nd in the Chipping Norton, 2nd in the Ranvet to Addeybb then a massive 4.3 length win in the Tancred last start. She has drawn barrier 2 and will be one of the main contenders here. She is currently at a good each-way price.

13. Melody Belle

The rest of the field have 16 Group 1 wins amongst the 12 of them while this mare has won 10 of her own. At her best she is capable of winning this. She ran on strongly for 3rd in the All Star Mile in March, then was a touch unlucky when 1.4 lengths 4th in the Doncaster on the heavy track last week. She is a definite threat.

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

Jo’s Tips
2 Addeybb
10 Master Of Wine
12 Verry Elleegant
1 Danon Premium