Doncaster Handicap
| Group I race | |
 Gold Rod, 1939 winner Maurice McCarten up
|
|
| Location | Randwick Racecourse, Sydney, Australia |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1866 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
| Sponsor | The Star (2017) |
| Website | Australian Jockey Club |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1,600 metres (~1 mile) |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Right-handed |
| Qualification | Horses three years old and older |
| Weight | Handicap, minimum 49 kg |
| Purse | A$3,000,000 (2017) |
| Bonuses | Exempt from ballot in Queen Elizabeth Stakes |
The Doncaster Mile, registered as the Doncaster Handicap is an Australian Turf Club Group One Thoroughbred handicap race for horses three years old and older, held over 1,600 metres at Royal Randwick Racecourse, Sydney, Australia. Although the race has traditionally been held on Easter Monday, the race is now run on the first day of the ATC Championships Carnival at Royal Randwick. Total prize money is A$3,000,000.
The inaugural running of the Doncaster Handicap in 1866. The 1892 running of the race attracted a record 30 starters. In 1930 the race was marred by a tragic fall 1 1⁄2 furlongs from the winning post when one of the favourites fell and another was destroyed.
Many great horses have won the race, including several who have also won the spring equivalent, the Epsom Handicap, while Super Impose created history in 1990 and 1991 by becoming the only horse to win both races on two occasions.
Legendary trainer T.J. Smith won the race seven times.
The record time for the race was set by Belmura Lad in 1979 with a time of 1:33.70.
In 2005 trainer Guy Walter trained the trifecta in this race with Patezza (1st), Courts In Session (2nd) and Danni Martine (3rd). It was the first time that this has been achieved.
From 1879 to 1884 the distance of the race was 9 furlongs. The race name was change in 2010 to the Doncaster Mile although the race is not exactly 1 mile although that was the distance of the race before 1973 when the metric system was introduced in Australia.
The cover of the 1933 AJC Doncaster Handicap racebook
Starters and results of the 1933 Doncaster Handicap showing the winner, Winooka
Doncaster Handicap racebook
Notes:
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Wikipedia