Ken Russell Memorial Classic
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ClassGroup 3
LocationGold Coast Racecourse
Surfers Paradise, Queensland, Australia
Surfers Paradise, Queensland, Australia
Inaugurated1974 (as Gold Coast 2YO Classic)
Race typeThoroughbred - Flat racing
| Class | Group 3 |
|---|---|
| Location | Gold Coast Racecourse Surfers Paradise, Queensland, Australia |
| Inaugurated | 1974 (as Gold Coast 2YO Classic) |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
| Sponsor | TAB (2025) |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1,200 metres |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Right-handed |
| Qualification | Two-year-olds |
| Weight | Set Weights colts and geldings – 57 kg fillies – 55 kg |
| Purse | A$200,000 (2019-25) |
| Bonuses | Winner ballot exempt from the J. J. Atkins |
Ken Russell Memorial Classic is a Gold Coast Turf Club Group 3 Thoroughbred horse race for two-year-olds run at set weights over a distance of 1,200 metres (1,300 yd) at Gold Coast Racecourse, Surfers Paradise, Queensland, Australia in May.[1]
Name
The race is named in honour of jockey Kenneth Charles Russell (1951–1993), who was killed in a race fall at Sydney's Rosehill Racecourse in 1993.[2] He was leading rider at the Gold Coast Racecourse four times.[2] His major wins were in the 1989 Doncaster Handicap, 1991 George Ryder Stakes as well as the Queensland Derby, Queensland Oaks, Goodwood Handicap.[2]
- 1974–1993 - Gold Coast 2YO Classic Handicap
- 1994–1995 - Ken Russell 2YO Classic Handicap
- 1996 - Laurie Bricknell 2YO Classic
- 1997–1998 - Ken Russell 2YO Classic Handicap
- 1999 onwards - Ken Russell Memorial Classic
Distance
- 1974–1999 - 1,400 metres
- 2000–2005 - 1,300 metres
- 2006 onwards - 1,200 metres
Grade
- 1984–2013 - Listed Race
- 2014 onwards - Group 3
Conditions
- Prior 1997 - Handicap
- 1997–2004 - Quality Handicap
- 2005 onwards - Set weights
Venue
- 2023 & 2024 - Sunshine Coast Racecourse[3]
Recent multiple winners
Trainers
- Noel Doyle in 2001, 2013 and 2014
- Peter Snowden in 2025 and in partnership with Paul Snowden in 2017 and 2019.
Jockeys
- Glenn Colless in 2003 and 2008
- Glenn Lynch in 2005 and 2006
- James McDonald in 2024 and 2025
- Nash Rawiller in 2011 and 2021
- Jason Taylor in 2001 and 2014.
