Colin Stephen Quality Handicap
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Sydney, Australia
 Gloaming, 1924 winner | |
| Class | Group 3 |
|---|---|
| Location | Rosehill Racecourse, Sydney, Australia |
| Inaugurated | 1870 (as Spring Stakes) |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - flat |
| Sponsor | Asahi Super Dry (2025) |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 2,400 metres |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Right-handed |
| Qualification | Horses three years old and older |
| Weight | Quality handicap |
| Purse | A$250,000 (2024) |
| Bonuses | Winner exemption from a ballot on The Metropolitan |
The Colin Stephen Quality Handicap is an Australian Turf Club Group 3 Thoroughbred open quality handicap horse race for horses three years old and older, over a distance of 2400 metres, held annually at Rosehill Racecourse, Sydney, Australia, in September. Total prize money for the race is A$250,000.[1]
Name
The race is named after the former chairman of the Australian Jockey Club Sir Colin Stephen (1872–1937). Stephen was a solicitor, horse racing administrator, racehorse owner/breeder and polo player. A committee member from 1912 served on the Sir Adrian Knox sub-committee which framed the rules of racing of that year and as chairman of the Australian Jockey Club from 1919, Stephen was determined to make racing in New South Wales a clean and healthy pastime. In 1933 his revised rules were adopted throughout Australia. Sir Colin Stephen’s racing colours of Pale blue, white cap were carried to success by the Ascot Vale Stakes winners Fidelity 1936 & Caesar 1937 defeating the champion Ajax.[2][3][4]
This race was called the AJC Spring Stakes until 1938. In 1976, 1983, 1988 and 2006 it was known as the AJC Queens Cup. During 1989 and 1995 the race was called the AJC The Japan Trophy race. In 1977 it was the AJC Jubilee Handicap.[1]
In 2016 the event was raced as the Queen's Cup,[5] which was also held at Rosehill in 2022.[6]
Grade
- 1870–1978 - Principal race
- 1979–1982 - Listed race
- 1983 - Group 3
- 1984–1986 - Listed race
- 1987 onwards - Group 3
Distance
- 1870–1871 – 13⁄4 miles (~2600 metres)
- 1872–1971 – 11⁄2 miles (~2400 metres)
- 1972–2000 - 2400 metres
- 2001 - 2200 metres
- 2002 onwards - 2400 metres
Venue
- 1870–1982 - Randwick Racecourse
- 1983 - Warwick Farm Racecourse
- 1984–1999 - Randwick Racecourse
- 2000–2001 - Warwick Farm Racecourse
- 2002–2003 - Randwick Racecourse
- 2004 - Warwick Farm Racecourse
- 2005–2010 - Randwick Racecourse
- 2011 onwards - Rosehill Racecourse
Conditions
- The race was run at Weight for age from 1938 to 1972.
1934 racebook
1934 AJC Derby racebook front cover
1934 AJC Spring Stakes page showing the winner, Rogilla
1934 AJC Spring Stakes page starters and results
Back cover showing railway & entrance charges
1943 racebook
1943 AJC Derby racebook front cover
1943 AJC Colin Stephen Stakes page showing raceday officials
1943 AJC Colin Stephen Stakes showing the winner, Katanga
Back cover showing totalisator odds indicator
