Are you planning a trip to Rosehill racecourse? Then you need to time it for one of these four races. The Golden Slipper Stakes, Rosehill Guineas, Galaxy, and George Ryder Stakes are some of the most popular and entertaining races at Rosehill, making them the perfect place for first-time racers or long-term enthusiasts. Sydney’s racecourse, Rosehill, is the best place to enjoy races, and today, we walk you through why these four races are worth your time.
The most popular annual race at Rosehill is the Golden Slipper Stakes, which has been running since 1957. The Group 1 Thoroughbred race is open for horses aged two and over, with weight conditions of 56 ½ kg for colts and geldings and 56 ½ kg for fillies. You can expect the stands to be packed for this race as it is the world's richest race for two-year-old thoroughbreds, with a huge $5 million as the prize!
The turf race sees horses running 1,200 meters, with trainers like Gai Waterhouse seeing success here. Waterhouse had seven wins at this race, and jockeys including Shane Dye and Ron Quinton have secured four wins each here. You can see impressive wins here and expect lots of entertainment. When placing a bet, look for horses that have had success at the Reisling Stakes or Todman Stakes, too. These are often used by trainers to prepare their horses for the Gold Slipper, so success there can suggest success here too.
Rosehill Guineas is an Australian Turf Club Group One Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds. The set weights race spans 2000 meters and runs annually every March. The popular race typically attracts colts and geldings weighing 56 ½ kg and fillies weighing 54 ½ kg. The prize of $750,000 makes this a thrilling race, as does the bonus of being exempt from the ballot in the Australian Derby.
The race has been running since 1910, with the time record of 1:59.99 being set in 1995 and maintained in 1996 by Danewin and OCtagonal respectively. The race is usually full of rising stars who will go on to compete in bigger races down the line, so it is an excellent way to spot emerging talent. It's worth paying attention to horses that typically finish strong in the 1600-meter races. Even if they don’t finish first, if they maintain their pace until the end, it is a good sign and can indicate success in other races.
The Galaxy race is an exciting race that everyone should see. It has been running since 1972, making it one of the younger annual races at Rosehill. The Group 1 handicap race covers 1100 meters and allows you to see some of the fastest horses in Australia. In its history, it hasn’t just been favourites that win, but wild cards and miracles too, making it thrilling no matter who you place your bet on.
The handicapped nature of this race does increase the chance for lighter horses, as they can excel with a high tempo, delivering a fast race and an enjoyable watch. Whether you are placing a bet or simply enjoying the race, keep an eye on the horses that draw wide early. These will get the chance to settle just off the pace and sprint towards a finish on the outside. Don’t put all your eggs in these baskets, though, as on-pace runners still have a chance at success in these races.
The George Ryder Stakes is a 1500 meter race that is worth watching at Rosehill. It is carried out annually in either March or April, taking place on the same day as the Golden Slipper Stakes. With a prize of $1 million, it is a popular race, and you will usually need to arrive early to get a good view. The winner is also exempt from the ballot for the Doncaster Handicap, so it's easy to see why many jockeys want to win this one!
Running since 1903, the race was renamed to the George Ryder Stakes in honour of George E. Ryder in 1975, who was known as a stud master, racing administrator, and businessman. The Group 1 race is designed for horses aged three and older, with weight for age used as the conditions. Winx is the only horse to win multiple times, and so far, no horse has beaten their four-time winning success.
Now that you know what annual races to watch out for, it's time to plan your trip to Rosehill racetrack. You can use their website to check how to get to Rosehill and the dress code, and Ladbrokes to learn about the upcoming races and bets available for you. Ladbrokes will offer the best odds and can provide valuable information that helps you make informed decisions. Check them out before heading to Rosehill races!