Challenge Stakes

Challenge Stakes. Winners and Past Results.

The Challenge Stakes is a Group 2 weight-for-age Australian horse race.

It is held annually each March at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, New South Wales during the autumn racing carnival. It is held on the same day as the prestigious Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m),

The Challenge Stakes is contested over a distance of 1000 metre. Prize money is worth $150,000.

Runners may have previously contested other Group 2 weight-for-age features held at Sydney during the autumn carnival including the Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) in early February or the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) three weeks earlier at Rosehill.

The Challenge Stakes is a great lead-up event for horses on the path to the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m), which is another weight-for-age event held at Rosehill Gardens three weeks later. Or for genuine sprinters the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Australian Derby Day is often the follow-up race of choice for Challenge Stakes runners.

The race gained its current Group 2 status in 1979 after originating as a Principal race.

The 2010 Challenge Stakes was won by De Lightning Ridge from Dorf Command with Stryker third.

Group Races Index