George Main Stakes

Winners and Past Results

The George Main Stakes hosted by the Australian Turf Club is a Group 1 race held at Randwick Racecourse, Sydney. It is held annually in late September on the first day of the Australian Turf Club's two day carnival. Free $250 Bet

The George Main Stakes is open for horses of all ages and held under weight for age conditions. Horses compete over 1600 metres for prize money worth $350,000. Along with the large purse, the winner is exempt from ballot for the Epsom Handicap held at the Randwick race track one week later. In addition to the Group 2 The Shorts for sprinters and the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes for the 3 year olds, a total of six group races are held on the same day as the George Main Stakes with over $1.2 million at stake.

The race is held in honour of George Main, a former chairman of the Australian Jockey Club. The event was run for the first time in 1945, which was won by Modulation. Earlier, during the period of 1945 to 1971, the race was run over a distance of 8 furlongs and from 1972 onwards, it was run over a distance of 1600 metres. Also, during the period, 1945 to 1978, the George Main Stakes was a Principal Race but in 1979, it was upgraded to its present status as a Group 1 race.

The Group 3 Tramway Quality Handicap is usually a lead up race to the George Main Stakes and the finest gallopers who performed well in this event may tackle the Epsom Handicap held at Randwick racecourse, Sydney over a distance of 1600 metres. Sincero also won the Tramway Quality Handicap prior to winning the 2011 George Main Stakes.

Some of the classiest gallopers have won this classic spring race, which includes Kingston Town in 1981 & 1982, Emancipation in 1983, Shogun Lodge in 1997, Lonhro in 2003, and Grand Armee in 2004. Other notable horses to score back to back victories include Shannon in 1946-47, Count Radiant in 1964-65, and Regal Rhythm in 1967-68. Racing To Win clocked the fastest time in 2006, finishing in 1 minute 33.75 seconds. The late trainer TJ Smith has the distinction of saddling eleven winners during his illustrious career as a trainer. His daughter, trainer Gai Waterhouse remains the most successful trainer in recent history with three winners to her credit.

In 2010, More Joyous was the first mare to win the George Main Stakes after a gap of 14 years.

2011 George Main Stakes

Sincero was sent out favourite and looked anything but a winner early on, racing wide all the way after starting from an outside barrier. As they came into the straight, another wide-running horse in the shape of Ilovethiscity set off on what looked a winning run but Sincero stuck to the task and eventually wore down Ilovethiscity in a thrilling finish, going to the post just a neck in front with Triple Elegance rounding out the top three.

2011 George Main Stakes result

1. Sincero
2. Ilovethiscity
3. Triple Elegance

Then came:

4. Black Piranha
5. Zara Dancer
6. Gathering
7. Do Ra Mi
8. Sacred Choice