Champagne Stakes (Australia)

Champagne Stakes

Group 1 race
Location	Randwick Racecourse, Sydney, Australia
Inaugurated	1861
Race type	Thoroughbred - flat
Sponsor	Moët & Chandon (2017)
Race information
Distance	1,600 metres
Surface	Turf
Track	Right-handed
Qualification	Two year old
Weight	Set weights colts and geldings –  56 1⁄2 kg fillies –  54 1⁄2 kg
Purse	A$500,000 (2017)

The Champagne Stakes is an Australian Turf Club Group 1 horse race for two year old Thoroughbreds at set weights run at Randwick Racecourse, Sydney, Australia over a distance of 1,600 metres during the Sydney Autumn Carnival. Prize money is A$500,000.

The inaugural running of the race was on the second day of the Australian Jockey Club Autumn Meet in 1861 as the fourth race on the six race card. The winner was Exeter trained by the famous trainer of the time Etienne de Mestre. The race became the premier AJC sprint race for two-year-olds for nearly 80 years. With the introduction of the richer Golden Slipper Stakes in 1957, the AJC decided on extending the distance of the race to 1 mile (1972) and in such creating a natural progression for elite two year old races that is now known as the Juvenile Triple Crown – Golden Slipper Stakes, Sires Produce Stakes (ATC) and Champagne Stakes.

Six two-year-olds have won the Triple Crown:
Baguette (1970), Luskin Star (1977), Tierce (1991), Burst (1992), Dance Hero (2004), Pierro (2012)

The record time for the race when the distance was 6 furlongs was by Vain in 1969 when he won by 10 lengths in a time of 1:09.40. At the time Vain became the richest money earning two year old in Australia.

The record time for the current 1600 metres distance is 1:34.75 set by Dance Hero in 2004.

Front cover of the 1914 AJC Champagne Stakes racebook.

Inside cover showing raceday officials.

Starters and results of the 1914 Champagne Stakes racebook showing the winner, Woorak

Starters and results of the 1914 Champagne Stakes racebook.

Back cover showing entrance gate charges.

...
Wikipedia