King Charles III Stakes (Australia)
Horse race
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The King Charles III Stakes (formerly known as the George Main Stakes), is an Australian Turf Club Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race run under Weight for Age conditions, over a distance of 1600 metres at Randwick Racecourse, Sydney, Australia in September. Total prize money for the race is A$5,000,000.[1]
Sydney, Australia
Shannon, 1946 and 1947 winner | |
| Class | Group 1 |
|---|---|
| Location | Randwick Racecourse, Sydney, Australia |
| Inaugurated | 1945 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - flat |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1,600 metres |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Right-handed |
| Qualification | Horses three years old and older |
| Weight | Weight for Age |
| Purse | A$5,000,000 (2023) |
| Bonuses | Winner exemption from a ballot on the Epsom Handicap |
History
The race was named after George Main, a former chairman of the Australian Jockey Club. Main lived with his wife Mary on Retreat, a grazing property at Illabo, west of Cootamundra on the southwest slopes of New South Wales. He bred racehorses and ran sheep.[2]
The winner of the King Charles III Stakes is exempt from a ballot on the Epsom Handicap, and horses who run well often head for the Epsom.[2] The race was renamed in honour of Charles III in July 2023.[3]
Name
- 2015–2019 Colgate Optic White Stakes
Grade
- 1945–1978 - Principal Race
- 1979 onwards - Group 1
Distance
- 1945–1971 – 1 mile
- 1972 onwards - 1600 metres
Records
- Winx (2017) – 1:33.65[4]
- Legendary trainer T.J. Smith won this event eleven times.[1]
1955 Racebook
1955 AJC Derby racebook front cover
1955 AJC Derby racebook showing raceday officials
1955 AJC George Main Stakes starters and results
1955 AJC George Main Stakes racebook page showing the winner, Prince Morvi
1955 AJC Derby back cover showing charges at the entrance gates
Winners
- 2025 - Ceolwulf[5]
- 2024 - Ceolwulf[6]
- 2023 - Fangirl[7]
- 2022 - Anamoe[8]
- 2021 - Verry Elleegant[9]
- 2020 - Kolding[10]
- 2019 - Avilius[11]
- 2018 - Winx[12]
- 2017 - Winx[13]
- 2016 - Winx[14]
- 2015 - Kermadec[15]
- 2014 - Sacred Falls[16]
- 2013 - Streama[17]
- 2012 - Shoot Out[18]
- 2011 - Sincero[19]
- 2010 - More Joyous[20]
- 2009 - Road To Rock[21]
- 2008 - Mentality[22]
- 2007 - †race not held
- 2006 - Racing to Win[23]
- 2005 - Mr Celebrity[24]
- 2004 - Grand Armee[25]
- 2003 - Lonhro[26]
- 2002 - Defier[27]
- 2001 - Viscount[28]
- 2000 - Adam[29]
- 1999 - Shogun Lodge[30]
- 1998 - Dracula[31]
- 1997 - Encounter[32]
- 1996 - Juggler[33]
- 1995 - Turridu[34]
- 1994 - Durbridge[35]
- 1993 - March Hare[36]
- 1992 - Coronation Day[37]
- 1991 - Planet Ruler[38]
- 1990 - Shaftesbury Avenue[39]
- 1989 - Vo Rogue[40]
- 1988 - Gennaker[41]
- 1987 - Campaign King[42]
- 1986 - Ma Chiquita[43]
- 1985 - Roman Artist[44]
- 1984 - Inspired[45]
- 1983 - Emancipation[46]
- 1982 - Kingston Town
- 1981 - Kingston Town
- 1980 - Tullmax
- 1979 - Imposing
- 1978 - Party's Pride
- 1977 - Blockbuster
- 1976 - Purple Patch
- 1975 - Hartshill
- 1974 - Itchy Feet
- 1973 - All Shot
- 1972 - Nippon
- 1971 - Baguette
- 1970 - Ricochet
- 1969 - Zephyrus
- 1968 - Regal Rhythm
- 1967 - Regal Rhythm
- 1966 - Chantal
- 1965 - Count Radiant
- 1964 - Count Radiant
- 1963 - Wenona Girl
- 1962 - New Statesman
- 1961 - Martello Towers
- 1960 - Second Earl
- 1959 - Amanullah
- 1958 - Lindbergh
- 1957 - Landy
- 1956 - Kingster
- 1955 - Prince Morvi
- 1954 - Gendarme
- 1953 - Tarien
- 1952 - Montana
- 1951 - Oversight
- 1950 - San Domenico
- 1949 - The Groom
- 1948 - De La Salle
- 1947 - Shannon
- 1946 - Shannon
- 1945 - Modulation
† Not held because of outbreak of equine influenza[47]