Epsom Handicap
Winners and Past Results for the Epsom Handicap
One of the popular Group 1 events held annually at the Randwick race track is the Epsom Handicap.
The race, hosted by the Australian Turf Club, is held each year early in October during the spring racing carnival in Sydney. The Epsom Handicap is an open race held over a distance of 1600 metres under handicap conditions. This race is a premier handicap event of the season with $500,000 at stake for the winners.
The Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes which is open for 3 year olds, the Metropolitan Handicap, and the Flight Stakes for 3 year old fillies are also held on the same day.
The 2011 Epsom Handicap event was won by Secret Admirer followed up by Pinker Pinker and Red Tracer.
The first Epsom Handicap event was organized in 1863 and was won by a horse named Dundee. The race has a rich history with many of the strongest milers and stayers etching their name on the trophy. The race was named after the famous Epsom Downs race course in the South of England where the classic three year old Epsom Derby has been contested since 1780.
The Epsom Handicap was originally run over a distance of eight furlongs but when the metric system was introduced in 1972 the distance was changed to its present 1600 metres. Due to the top quality runners being attracted to the event annually, in 1979 it was elevated from a Principal Race to Group 1 status. One surprising fact to note here is that in its history, there were 6 runners who have won back-to-back which include Masquerade in 1882 &1883, Melodrama in 1907 & 1908, Chatham in 1932 & 1933, Toi Port in 1963 & 1964, Super Impose winning in 1990 & 1991 and finally Desert War winning in 2004 & 2005.
The winner of the 2011 Epsom Handicap, Secret Admirer, was placed fourth in the Group 2 Shannon Stakes over a distance of 1500 metres at Rosehill Racecourse, prior to picking up the $500,000 prize here at Randwick. Horses that perform really well in this event often get an opportunity to tackle other races like the Group 2 Crystal Mile at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate Day later in the month.
Some of the winners of this event are: Secret Admirer in 2011, Captain Sonador in 2010 and Rock Kingdom in 2009.
The Epsom Handicap is an excellent form guide for the rest of the spring racing carnival with many horses targeting the Caulfield Guineas, Toorak Handicap, Crystal Mile, Myer Classic, and Hawkesbury Gold Cup. Most importantly, top performers are likely to head for the million dollar Emirates Stakes run over the same distance during the spring carnival.
2012 Epsom Handicap
Fat Al was confidently ridden by Tommy Berry, who took his mount to the lead as they jumped and they held that position for the entire 1600 metre journey. Fat Al looked comfortable coasting along in front and as he rounded the turn he was followed by Ambidexter and Rolling Pin, with these three making the race their own. Both Rolling Pin and Ambidexter challenged in the straight but once Fat Al found a second wind with 200 to go, he was a little too strong for his chasers, going to the post a head clear of Ambidexter with Rolling Pin fading a little to finish more than a length away in third place.
2012 Epsom Handicap result
1. Fat Al
2. Ambidexter
3. Rolling Pin
Then came:
4. Lightinthenite
5. Secret Admirer
6. Monton
7. Shoot Out
8. Yosei
9. Tagus
10. Wild And Proud
11. Said Com
12. Rangirangdoo
13. Somepin Anypin
14. Gangster's Choice
15. Kontiki Park
| Year |
Winner |
Race Name That Year |
Status |
Distance |
| 2012 |
Fat Al |
Epsom Handicap |
Group 1 |
1600m |
| 2011 |
Secret Admirer |
Epsom Handicap |
Group 1 |
1600m |
| 2010 |
Captain Sonador |
Epsom Handicap |
Group 1 |
1600m |
| 2009 |
Rock Kingdom |
Epsom Handicap |
Group 1 |
1600m |
| 2008 |
Theseo |
Epsom Handicap |
Group 1 |
1600m |
| 2007 |
Not Held |
Epsom Handicap |
Group 1 |
1600m |
| 2006 |
Racing To Win |
Epsom Handicap |
Group 1 |
1600m |
| 2005 |
Desert War |
Epsom Handicap |
Group 1 |
1600m |
| 2004 |
Desert War |
Epsom Handicap |
Group 1 |
1600m |
| 2003 |
Clangalang |
Epsom Handicap |
Group 1 |
1600m |
| 2002 |
Excellerator |
Epsom Handicap |
Group 1 |
1600m |
| 2001 |
Final Fantasy |
Epsom Handicap |
Group 1 |
1400m |
| 2000 |
Shogun Lodge |
Epsom Handicap |
Group 1 |
1600m |
| 1999 |
Allez Suez |
Epsom Handicap |
Group 1 |
1600m |
| 1998 |
Dodge |
Epsom Handicap |
Group 1 |
1600m |
| 1997 |
Iron Horse |
Epsom Handicap |
Group 1 |
1600m |
| 1996 |
Filante |
Epsom Handicap |
Group 1 |
1600m |
| 1995 |
Nick's Joy |
Epsom Handicap |
Group 1 |
1600m |
| 1994 |
Navy Seal |
Epsom Handicap |
Group 1 |
1600m |
| 1993 |
Golden Sword |
Epsom Handicap |
Group 1 |
1600m |
| 1992 |
Kinjite |
Epsom Handicap |
Group 1 |
1600m |
| 1991 |
Super Impose |
Epsom Handicap |
Group 1 |
1600m |
| 1990 |
Super Impose |
Epsom Handicap |
Group 1 |
1600m |
| 1989 |
From The Planet |
Epsom Handicap |
Group 1 |
1600m |
| 1988 |
Regal Native |
Epsom Handicap |
Group 1 |
1600m |
| 1987 |
Sound Horizon |
Epsom Handicap |
Group 1 |
1600m |
| 1986 |
Chanteclair |
Epsom Handicap |
Group 1 |
1600m |
| 1985 |
Magnitude |
Epsom Handicap |
Group 1 |
1600m |
| 1984 |
Riverdale |
Epsom Handicap |
Group 1 |
1600m |
| 1983 |
Cool River |
Epsom Handicap |
Group 1 |
1600m |
| 1982 |
Dalmacia |
Epsom Handicap |
Group 1 |
1600m |
| 1981 |
Gold Circle |
Epsom Handicap |
Group 1 |
1600m |
| 1980 |
Bold Diplomat |
Epsom Handicap |
Group 1 |
1600m |
| 1979 |
Imposing |
Epsom Handicap |
Group 1 |
1600m |
| 1978 |
Leonotis |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
1600m |
| 1977 |
Raffindale |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
1600m |
| 1976 |
La Neige |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
1600m |
| 1975 |
Authentic Heir |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
1600m |
| 1974 |
Citadel |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
1600m |
| 1973 |
Lord Nelson |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
1600m |
| 1972 |
Triton |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
1600m |
| 1971 |
Gunsynd |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1970 |
Ricochet |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1969 |
Broker's Tip |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1968 |
Speed Of Sound |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1967 |
Cabochon |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1966 |
Chantal |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1965 |
Even Better |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1964 |
Toi Port |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1963 |
Toi Port |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1962 |
Rochdale |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1961 |
Sky High |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1960 |
Ma Cherie |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1959 |
Noholme |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1958 |
Turkestan |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1957 |
Timor |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1956 |
Knave |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1955 |
Hans |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1954 |
Connaught |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1953 |
Silver Phantom |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1952 |
High Law |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1951 |
Davey Jones |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1950 |
Achilles |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1949 |
Denali |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1948 |
De La Salle |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1947 |
Titanic |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1946 |
Blue Legend |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1945 |
Shannon |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1944 |
Modulation |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1943 |
Kiaree |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1942 |
Freckles |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1941 |
Rimveil |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1940 |
High Caste |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1939 |
Geebung |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1938 |
King's Head |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1937 |
Gold Rod |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1936 |
Capris |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1935 |
Synagogue |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1934 |
Silver Ring |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1933 |
Chatham |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1932 |
Chatham |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1931 |
Autopay |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1930 |
Cathmar |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1929 |
Nightmarch |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1928 |
Amounis |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1927 |
Vaals |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1926 |
Amounis |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1925 |
Boaster
Metellus |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1924 |
Blackadder |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1923 |
Claro |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1922 |
Rostrum |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1921 |
Beauford |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1920 |
Greenstead |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1919 |
Wolaroi |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1918 |
Rebus |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1917 |
Satin Bird |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1916 |
Panacre |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1915 |
Woorak |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1914 |
Portrush |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1913 |
Aleconner |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1912 |
Hartfell |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1911 |
Volsloane |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1910 |
Silver Hampton |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1909 |
Hyman |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1908 |
Melodrama |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1907 |
Melodrama |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1906 |
Maximize |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1905 |
Sleeper |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1904 |
Contest |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1903 |
Famous |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1902 |
Air Motor |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1901 |
Sequence |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1900 |
Ampier |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1899 |
Djin Djin |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1898 |
Alemene |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1897 |
Robin Hood |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1896 |
Steward |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1895 |
Hopscotch |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1894 |
Uabba |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1893 |
Brockleigh |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1892 |
Daredevil |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1891 |
Marvel |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1890 |
Bungebah |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1889 |
Novice |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1888 |
Stockwell |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1887 |
Phaon |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1886 |
Zeno |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1885 |
Folly |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1884 |
Espiegle |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1883 |
Masquerade |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
9F |
| 1882 |
Masquerade |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
9F |
| 1881 |
Waxy |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
9F |
| 1880 |
Master Avenel |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
9F |
| 1879 |
Sweetmeat |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
9F |
| 1878 |
Viscount |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1877 |
Eva |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1876 |
Malta |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1875 |
Evangeline |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1874 |
Westminster |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1873 |
Atalanta
Kingfisher |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1872 |
The Count |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1871 |
Captain Cook |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1870 |
Deceptive |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1869 |
Circassian |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1868 |
Phoebe |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1867 |
Birmingham |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1866 |
Rapidan |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |
| 1865 |
Dundee |
Epsom Handicap |
Principal race |
8F |