George Ryder Stakes

George Ryder Stakes. Winners and Past Results.

The George Ryder Stakes is an Australian Jockey Club Group 1 Australian horse race run at Weight for Age.

It is contested over a distance of 1,500 metres at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse, Sydney in April during the autumn carnival.

Prize money for the George Ryder Stakes is worth $404,900.

The George Ryder Stakes takes place on the STC's biggest day of racing which is Golden Slipper Day and includes four other Group 1 races on the program, the Golden Slipper Stakes, The BMW, Vinery Stud Stakes, and the Queen Of The Turf Stakes.

Some of the world's best gallopers have seen success in the George Ryder Stakes including Weekend Hussler (2008), Racing To Win (2006) and Schillaci (1993), who is regarded as one of the finest gallopers in Australian history by many horse racing enthusiasts.

There are many excellent lead-up races to the George Ryder Stakes held earlier in the autumn at Sydney including the Group 2 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) in March and the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) at Warwick Farm.

This race has been a good guide and lead up race to the Group 1 Doncaster Handicap in two weeks time at Randwick.

The winner of the George Ryder Stakes is exempt from ballot for the Doncaster Handicap. The last horse to take out the George Ryder Stakes - Doncaster Handicap double was Vision And Power in 2009.

Runners from the George Ryder Stakes may also go on to tackle races like the Gr1 AJC Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) or Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick Racecourse on the final day of the autumn carnival.

The George Ryder Stakes was first held in 1903 and is one of NSW's oldest thoroughbred races. Cressy won the inaugural race. It began as a Principal event and was elevated straight into Group 1 status in 1980.

The George Ryder Stakes was run over 1400m until 1985, 1450m for one year in 1985 and then in 1986 the race distance was increased to its current 1500m length.

The 2010 George Ryder Stakes was won by Danleigh from Dao Dao with King Mufhasa third.

The 2011 George Ryder Stakes will be run on the 2nd April, 2011.