Sydney Cup Race Information

First contested in 1866, the Sydney Cup is held at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The Group One race is for three-year-olds and up and carries a total purse of $2,000,000. The handicap race is run over 3200 metres.

  • Race Type: Group 1, Open handicap
  • Distance: 3200 metres
  • Conditions: Open handicap, 3YO & upwards
  • Track: Randwick Racecourse, Sydney, New South Wales
  • Prizemoney: $2,000,000
  • Date: Saturday 8 April 2023

Sydney Cup Race History

See the 2023 Sydney Cup Preview and results.

See the 2022 Sydney Cup Preview and results.

See the 2021 Sydney Cup Preview and results.

The Sydney Cup has been held at Randwick Racecourse every year since it’s beginning, except for 1942 when the army took over the park. That year the cup was held at Rosehill Racecourse.

In 2022 Rachel King became the first female jockey to win the Sydney Cup.

Useful Facts

Last mare to win: Etah James (2020)

Last 3YO to win: C&G Tie The Knot (1998); Filly – ?

Multiple winners: Tie The Knot (1998 & 1999); Veiled Threat (1942 & 1944); Mosaic (1939 & 1940); Carbine (1889 & 1890); The Barb (1868 & 1869)

Fastest time (3200m): Apollo Eleven (1973) and Just A Dancer (1991) 3:19:00

Interesting trivia: In 1999 Ears’Ronny was second past the post behind Tie The Knot, but was later disqualified due to a positive swab.

Past winners of the Sydney Cup

The most recent horse to win the crown twice is Tie The Knot, who won in 1999 and 1998 with R. S. Dye in the saddle. Four other horses also have two victories each. Other recent Sydney Cup champions include Maktoum, 2005; Makybe Diva, 2004; Honor Babe, 2003; Henderson Bay, 2002; Mr. Prudent, 2001; Streak, 2000; Linesman, 1997; Count Chivas, 1996; Daacha, 1995; Cross Swords, 1994; and Azzaam, 1993.

The Randwick Racecourse course record over 3200 metres is 3.19.0 and is shared by Apollo Eleven, 1973, and Just A Dancer, 1991.

On 8 April 2017 a fall just after passing the post the first time caused the race to be abandoned, and it was re-run on 22 April.

Year Winner Second Third
2023 Explosive Jack True Marvel Knights Order
2022 Knights Order Sheraz Daqiansweet Junior
2021 Selino Rondinella Miami Bound
2020 Etah James The Chosen One Raheen House
2019 Shraaoh Vengeur Masque Glory Days
2018 Who Shot Thebarman Zacada Sir Charles Road
2017  Polarisation Who Shot Thebarman  Big Duke (IRE)
2016 Gallante (IRE) Libran (IRE) Grand Marshal (GB)
2015 Grand Marshal (GB) Who Shot Thebarman Like A Carousel
2014 The Offer Opinion (Ire) Sertorius
2013 Mourayan Norsqui Aliyana Tilde
2012 Niwot Efficient Once Were Wild
2011 Stand To Gain Older Than Time Solid Billing
2010 Jessicabeel Divine Rebel Harris Tweed
2009 Ista Kareem Divine Rebel Mr Tipsy
2008 No Wine No Song Pentathon Lang
2007 Gallic Irazu No Wine No Song
2006 County Tyrone Zabeat Three Chimneys
2005 Mahtoum County Tyrone Philosophe
2004 Makybe Diva Manawa King Mummify
2003 Honor Babe County Tyrone Grey Song
2002 Henderson Bay Mr. Prudent Spirit of Westbury
2001 Mr. Prudent Prophet’s Kiss Starina
2000 Streak Sharscay Ears’ Ronny
1999 Tie The Knot Praise Indeed Lahar
1998 Tie The Knot Doriemus Praise Indeed
1997 Linesman Nothin’ Leica Dane Ebony Grosve
1996 Count Chivas The Bandette Beaux Art
1995 Daacha Dark Ksar Gold Sovereign
1994 Cross Swords Hear That Bell Azzaam
1993 Azzaam Te Akau Nick Subzero
1992 My Eagle Eye Aquidity Castletown
1991 Just A Dancer Castletown I’m In Heaven
1990 King Aussie Chaleyer Palace Revolt
1989 Palace Revolt Coshking Regal Chela
1988 Banderol Round The World Equity Girl
1987 Major Drive Myocard Foxseal
1986 Marooned Our Sophia Foxseal
1985 Late Show Imaprince Secured Deposit
1984 Trissaro Our Shout Alibhai
1983 Veloso Secured Deposit Fountaincourt
1982 Azawary Allez Bijou World Vision
1981 Our Paddy Boy My Blue Denim Gatcombe
1980 Kingston Town Double Century Marlborough
1979 Double Century Lady Dignitas Arwon
1978 My Good Man Valadero Rhalif
1977 Reckless Gold And Black Rhalif
1976 Oopik Taras Bulba Tom’s Mate
1975 Gay Master Participator High Style
1974 Battle Heights Grand Scale Dayana
1973 Apollo Eleven Dark Suit Irish Whip
1972 Dark Suit Marseilles Royal Shah
1971 Gallic Temple Bluelough Arctic Symbol
1970 Arctic Symbol Lochcourt Te Kura
1969 Lowland Rain Lover Rocket Fuel
1968 General Command Prominence Padtheway
1967 Galilee Prince Grant Striking Force
1966 Prince Grant High Principle Gin And Bitters
1965 River Seine Blue Shaun Bon Filou
1964 Zinga Lee Summer Regent River Seine
1963 Maidenhead The Dip Kamikaze
1962 Grand Print River Seine Dhaulagiri
1961 Sharply Tulloch Rimyll
1960 Grand Garry Valerius Melroy
1959 On Line Foxmara Bardshah
1958 Straight Draw Caranna Pushover
1957 Electro Aqua Boy Sombrero
1956 Sailor’s Guide Beaupa Miss High Caste
1955 Talisman Finito Beaupa
1954 Gold Scheme Double Blank Priority
1953 Carioca Advocate Friendly Feeling
1952 Opulent Dalray Taressa
1951 Bankstream Freedom Comic Court
1950 Sir Falcon Hurry Up Hoyle
1949 Carbon Copy Vagabond Benvolo
1948 Dark Marne Columnist Lungi
1947 Proctor Rainbird Spam
1946 Cordale Swan River Russia
1945 Craigie Russia Flight
1944 Veiled Threat Mayfowl Grand Fils
1943 Abspear Wellesley Moondarewa
1942 Veiled Threat Velocity Beau Vite
1941 Lucrative Hope Pandect
1940 Mosaic Royal Chief Maikai
1939 Mosaic L’Aiglon Malagigi
1938 L’Aiglon Apollo Young Crusader
1937 Mestoravon Sir Ross Oro
1936 Contact Egmont Spear Prince
1935 Akuna Dark Chief Sylvandale
1934 Broad Arrow Gippsland Limarch
1933 Rogilla Nord Gippsland
1932 Johnnie Jason Admiral Drake Veilmond
1931 The Dimmer Alcman Donald
1930 Gwilliam G Royal Smile Solution
1929 Crucis Paddi Eve Kidaides
1928 Winalot Tangible Strongbow
1927 Piastoon Limerick Tibbie
1926 Murray King Caserta Naos
1925 Lilypond Windbag Solidify
1924 Scarlet Stoney King Of The Forest
1923 David Heir Apparent Shillinglee
1922 Prince Charles Kashmir Stare
1921 Eurythmic Arch Marella Amazonia
1920 Kennaquhair Poitrel Millieme
1919 Ian ‘Or Night Watch Arch Marella
1918 Rebus Shadowland Lanius
1917 The Fortune Hunter Harriet Graham Court Jester
1916 Prince Bardolph Green Cap Scout Master
1915 Scotch Artillery Frasca Onazer
1914 Lilyveil Multifoil Belove
1913 Cadonia Cagou Jacamar
1912 Saxonite Jewelstone Aurofodina
1911 Moorilla By Play Eric
1910 Vavasor Daisy Chain Jinnee
1909 Trafalgar Ungarie Didus
1908 Dyed Garments Tartan Absentee
1907 Realm Proceed Florance
1906 Noreen Proceed Bobadil
1905 Tartan Tatterdemalion Cherson
1904 Lord Cardigan Saida Sweet Nell
1903 Street Arab Patronage Bewitcher
1902 Wakeful Acetine Courada
1901 San Fran Australian Colours Wakeful
1900 La Carabine Severity Ace Of Diamonds
1899 Diffidence Clarion Vocalist
X-Ray
1898 Merloolas Amberite War God
1897 Tricolor Kallatina Loch Leigh
1896 Wallace Toreador Trentham
1895 Patroness Quiver Cobbitty
1894 Lady Trenton The Trier Nightingale
1893 Realm The Admiral Camoola
1892 Stromboli Oxide Highborn
1891 Highborn Greygown Yowi
1890 Carbine Mantilla Muriel
1889 Carbine Melos Abercorn
1888 The Australian Peer Algerian Acme
1887 Frisco Kitawa Tom Brown
1886 Cerise And Blue Silvermine Britisher
1885 Normanby Velocipede Lord Of The Lake
1884 Favo Empress Sardonyx
1883 Darebin Mistaken Willaroo
1882 Cunnamulla Sweet William Rainbow
1881 Progress Strathearn Wandering Jew
1880 Petrea Martindale Strathearn
1879 Savanaka Chester Bosworth
1878 Democrat Strathearn Macaroni
1877 Kingfisher Viva Spark
1876 A.T. Kingsborough
Neredah
 * dead-heat 2nd
1875 Imperial Reprieve Lurline
1874 Speculation Dagworth Fugleman
1873 Vixen Patriarch The Ace
1872 The Prophet Hamlet Barbelle
1871 Mermaid Little Dick Romula
1870 Barbelle The Earl
Bylong
 * dead-heat 2nd
1869 The Barb Stumpy Tim Whiffler
1868 The Barb Stumpy Tim Whiffler
Orlando
1867 Fishhook Rose Of Australia Tim Whiffler
1866 Yattendon Sultana Falcon

From the archives:

Sydney Cup Final Field & Odds 2020

View the latest betting markets for this years Sydney Cup.

Sydney Cup Preview & Tips 2020

Track: Slow    Weather: Overcast

A field of 13 runners accepted for the $1,000,000 2017 Schweppes Sydney Cup. The prizemoney has been halved in 2020 due to the COVID-19 effects on racing. Five runners had their last start in last week’s Group 2 Chairman’s Quality Handicap over 2600m, two had their last start in the Group 3 Manion Cup over 2400m and two had their last start in the Group 1 Auckland Cup over 3200m. The early favourite is Young Rascal  who won the Manion Cup at his first Australian start and drops 3kg here. Second favourite is Mustajeer who kept chasing for 2nd in the Tancred Stakes a fortnight ago. Third favourite is Raheen House who ran on strongly to win the Chairmans Quality Handicap on a heavy track last week.

Angel Of Truth won the Australian Derby a year ago and finished 5th in the Chairman’s last week. Gallic Chieftain finished 4th in the Chairman’s and has improved at each of his three starts this campaign. The Chosen One finished 7th in the Chairman’s and is a solid staying type. Corncrake is the only runner having his first try at a Group race after two consecutive wins over 2400m. All other runners are currently at 20 to 1 or longer, including Etah James who is the only mare in the race and is a solid stayer, and Azuro who has 3 wins at this distance.

Sydney Cup Runner by Runner 2020

1. Mustajeer

He arrived in Australia last spring after winning the Ebor Handicap in Great Britain and ran 6th in the Caulfield Cup then 23rd in the Melbourne Cup. He has 3 runs back  from  a spell for a win in the Parramatta Cup, 2nd in the G2 Sky High Stakes and 2nd in the Tancred behind Verry Elleegant. He was chasing well at the end of the 2400m and is one of the main chances.

2. Young Rascal

At his first Australian start this import won the G3 Manion Cup in a tough race as he fought back after being headed. His 6 wins have all been from 2200 to 2450m and he looks as if he will handle the 3200m distance. He will carry 3kg less than his last win and is my top pick.

3. Hush Writer

Although he had good form in the Spring he has not showed much this campaign. He finished 11th of 14 in the Australian Cup then 10th of 12 in the Mornington Cup. My money won’t be on him.

4. Raheen House

Last week this well-bred gelding showed a big improvement in form to win the G2 Chairman’s Quality Handicap by 1.3 lengths. He is bred to stay and has won up to 2800m in Britain. He should be in the finish.

5. Gallic Chieftain

At each of his runs this campaign he has shown improvement  and chased hard for 2.4 lengths 4th in the Chairmans Quality Handicap last week. If he improves again he is a place hope.

6. The Chosen One

This Savabeel horse will get the two mile distance but I am expecting that other runners will get there quicker. He is a tough stayer but I don’t expect him to be in the first four home.

7. Azuro

Only two runners in this race have won over 3200m (the other is Yogi) and this gelding has 3 wins at the distance.  His wins were the 2019 Stayers Cup at Rosehill, the 2019 Queensland Cup at Eagle Farm and the 2019 Sandown Cup. He is well-travelled and his last run was 4.4 lengths 7th in the Group 1 Auckland Cup. He needs toimprove on that run but he is capable of running a place.

8. Yogi

The 2018 Sandown Cup gave him a win over 3200m. He hasn’t placed at any of his 4 starts this campaign with his best performance 3.5 lengths 6th in the Chairmans Quality Handicap. He appears to be outclassed here.

9, Angel of Truth

A year ago he won the Australian Derby (2400m) by 3.3 lengths but hasn’t finished closer than 5th at the 10 starts he has had since then. He battled away for 3.3 lengths 5th in the Chairmans Quality Handicap but needs to do better.

10. Etah James

The only mare in the race, Etah James is a dour stayer who doesn’t seem to get warmed up until she’s gone about 2400m. At her latest start she finished 2.5 lengths 4th in the Group 1 Auckland Cup in New Zealand, and it would be no surprise to see her in the finish.

11. Sweet Thomas

After 6 starts in Australia this European horses has not beaten many horses home and his best performance was 4th in the Listed Parramatta Cup.I expect he will finish closer to the tail of the field than the front.

12. Saunter Boy

This is another European who is yet to place in Australia after 8 starts here.

13. Corncrake

With 5 wins from 11 starts, this four-year-old has not been in a Group race before but has looked strong in the finishing stages to win the Kembla Grange Stayers Cup on 13 March then a benchmark race at Warwick Farm on 25 March. He only has 51 kg to carry and it wouldn’t be a major surprise to see him in the finish.

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

Jo’s Tips
2 Young Rascal
4 Raheen House
1 Mustajeer
10 Etah James